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Welcome to the European Suzuki Viola Gathering 2024

Friday 15 November  - Sunday 17 November 2024

'De Beukenhof', Biezenmortel, The Netherlands

Address: Capucijnenstraat 46, 5074 PJ Biezenmortel, The Netherlands

ESVG, the European Suzuki Viola Gathering, is a wonderful opportunity for Suzuki Violists and others who would like to know more about what is happening in the Suzuki Viola community to meet, to play music, to discuss, to teach and to learn, all in the spirit of celebrating our mutual love for the viola in a welcoming, non-competitive environment.

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What is ESVG

ESVG is a biennial event which brings together people interested and active in Suzuki viola. ESVG attracts teachers, children, parents, and interested observers from Europe and beyond. ESVG is a weekend event from Friday afternoon (+/- 16:30) to Sunday afternoon (+/- 14:00).

ESVG is oriented towards community building, exploring ways to strengthen the viola in individual Suzuki studios, and to increase Suzuki Viola visibility within the larger European Suzuki community and beyond.

ESVG gatherings share many things in common with a typical weekend Suzuki workshop, but have other aspects that are uniquely "viola". ESVG events take a less formal approach than many other traditional Suzuki workshops. The concept of a 'gathering' creates a special atmosphere of equality, helpfulness and mutual respect. These qualities resonate perfectly with the relaxed, tolerant and inclusive group of people who make up the viola community.

ESVG attendees pay a modest workshop fee to cover operating costs. There are no paid faculty members; rather, many Suzuki viola teachers give their time to lead classes, direct ensembles, and give seminars. All attendees pay their own travel and accommodation costs.

Location & Shuttle Service

The ESVG 2024 will take place at De Beukenhof, a former Capucin monastery in the village of Biezenmortel, The Netherlands.

Address: Capucijnenstraat 46, 5074 PJ Biezenmortel, The Netherlands.  

De Beukenhof will provide reasonably priced en-suite group accommodation, including all meals, for all ESVG 2024 attendees. A meals-only package will also be available for those who live locally.

For our participants who travel by plane or train, we will provide a shuttle service between both Eindhoven Airport and the train station in 's-Hertogenbosch, and De Beukenhof before and after the event. 

For those flying into Amsterdam, trains run from the station in Schiphol Airport to 's-Hertogenbosch four times per hour, taking approximately 65 minutes. You may then take the shuttle service from 's-Hertogenbosch to De Beukenhof.

Reservations for the shuttle service should be made on the registration form. 

More information on the website of De Beukenhof: https://www.denieuweklasse.com/beukenhof/accommodaties

ESVG 2024 fees

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ESVG 2024 overview

ESVG 2024 will include:

• Viola group classes for Suzuki viola students at all levels. A review list of Suzuki repertoire to be used in the group classes will be distributed before the Gathering.
• All Suzuki violists who attend will have many opportunities to participate in sessions that correspond with their level of experience. 

• Viola ensemble classes at various levels, including an ensemble for non-readers, "meet the viola" classes for beginning players, and "viola for violinists" classes. We encourage anyone who owns a viola or can borrow one to bring it and play during the weekend. Rental violas are available for a modest fee. 

• Seminars, given by Suzuki teachers, which are open to all interested attendees.

• We plan to have demonstrations by a viola-maker and a bow maker, as well as other booths of interest to Suzuki violists.

• Saturday evening viola recital. In accordance with an established ESVG tradition, this recital will feature fine, local artists.

• Meetings and discussions among teachers and parents, with lots of informal discussion, opportunities to meet other violists, community building…

Organisation & Contact

Organisation:

Musical directors: Joanne Martin (FR/CA) & Juan Drown (UK)

Administrative directors: Peter King (FR/CA) & Mona Kodama (UK)

Local organisation: Laura Keuzenkamp (NL)

Contact: esvg2024@gmail.com

ESVG History

The first discussions about holding an ESA event dedicated to violists and the viola took place during the ESA Teachers' Conference held in Cambridge in September 2010. Concrete plans for a viola Gathering were discussed over dinner by a group of viola teachers at the European Suzuki Convention in Davos in July 2015. In March 2016, the ESA Board graciously gave its permission to use the name "Suzuki" in the title.

To date, three European Suzuki Viola Gatherings have taken place:

• ESVG 2017 in Watford, UK, February 2017. The first viola gathering, ESVG 2017, attracted 235 attendees. After a very intense and educational weekend, more than 180 violists played in the final concert.
• ESVG 2019 in El Escorial, Spain, February 2019. The second gathering, ESVG 2019, was held in the beautiful town of El Escorial near Madrid, and attracted over 280 participants. 
• ESVG 2022 in Oostende, Belgium, October 2022. The third viola gathering, ESVG 2022, was held in Oostende, Belgium in a beautiful hotel and conference centre by the sea. It was a delight to be able to meet together again after the difficulties of the pandemic. 

ESVG has attracted participants from 16 ESA country Associations. In addition, ESVG welcomes participants from all other Suzuki regions, and has attracted violists from Canada, USA, Hong Kong and Japan.

Given the large and enthusiastic attendance at these first three Gatherings, it seems certain that ESVG will continue long into the future.