Comments from Saito Workshop participants and other students
I previously studied the Saito Conducting Method in Melbourne with a young Japanese conductor quite a number of years ago. Since then I have studied conducting with quite a number of international conductors, most from the United States of America. I learnt much but not more about conducting technique. I discovered that Wayne Toews edited a translation of the original Saito Conducting Method textbook. However learning conducting from a book must be accompanied by seeing gestures, understanding the effort in the muscles, and receiving feedback from an expert teacher. Once I made contact, Wayne was open, friendly and generous with his offers to assist. I had the fortune to have private lessons for five days. He worked with me understanding how I learned, was positive and constructive in his manner, and worked at an excellent pace. Over this short period, I had concentrated sessions alternating individual lessons and lessons with an excellent pianist named Bonnie Nicholson. Lessons were videoed and these have ensured I could recall the metaphors and the aspects of my work that helped me improve. Wayne and Bonnie constantly provided feedback. On my return to Melbourne, I was able to use these refinements. The improvement in the clarity was noticed by members in my bands and orchestra. I heartily recommend Wayne to conductors wanting to study Saito's comprehensive hand technique method.
Roland Yeung
Music Director Carey Baptist Grammar School
and The Grainger Wind Symphony, Melbourne, Australia
Wayne Toews is a brilliant and dynamic pedagogue, who has studied and taught the teachings of Hideo Saito for more than thirty years. - WO Shawna L. Mochnacz
I have to thank you again, a million times, for your work with me this past week. I have improved so much! I'm so excited to share some of the feedback from my players. Last night the U of A summer band played a concert in Red Deer for Music Camp. I conducted one piece: Cajun Folk Songs by Frank Ticheli. I haven't been in front of the group since before I went to Saskatoon. But, I remembered all of the things we had worked on, went to my zen place, and conducted. It rocked! Some of the comments after the show included: "What happened to you at conductor school? You are a different person! I knew exactly what you wanted, where we were and where we were going every time I looked up! I didn't have to think so I was freed up to play. Night and day, night and day!" (from a trombone player who studied in McGill then came here); "This is the best you've ever conducted" (from a trumpet graduate that I conducted in SWE last year), and " yours was the best piece of the night," (from the head conductor! )
Wayne, you have given me a gift! Thanks so much! I can't wait to study with you some more.- - Taina Lorenz Turner
Click
here to read Jim Tempest's
article about the 2006 workshop for the BC Band Association
Newsletter.
Without a doubt, that experience was life-changing for me. In effect it synthesized and summed up all that I had learned over the years, and in addition took me to a new place musically and personally. I was amazed at the team work between the whole lot of you. Each of you brought such a wealth of gifts and skills to the workshop members, and we ALL benefitted. I did not fill out an evaluation at the time, but I've been processing and reliving all that happened that week, not only for me but for the other participants. It really was a process of opening up each individual so that we could get to a place in order to make true progres. Holy, did we fall on our egos, fears, over/underconfidence, and then gradually each of us submitted to the process of rigorous training and discipline required.
Yay. I just loved it. Man, it was a great time. Tough but amazing. You did a great thing for all of us by letting us in on this great secret. Thank you. -- Jen Williams
I learned a lot about clarity in conducting, and this was reflected back to me in the response of the C&E Band upon my return. I found the band to be more responsive to my direction, and the feedback from band members confirmed that. -- Sgt. J.A. Paas
For
those of you who are conducting enthusiasts I have studied
with this man at a similar workshop (many years ago). It
was the experience of a lifetime!! If you love conducting
and want to learn more don't miss this workshop!! -- Barb
Hopkin
The
course was thorough and well prepared, Wayne's instruction
was very clear, and the collaborative pianists were wonderful.
Professor Okabe was an added bonus. I would definitely recommend
the course to those interested in the Saito method -- Stephen
Johnson
Read
Kemuel Wong's entry of Sunday, July 30, 2006 on http://www.xanga.com/Burberry86 that begins "OMG....2006 International Saito Conducting
Workshop goes down as the most important, memorable, monumental
event of my life up to this point. Hands down, from now
on life will be different." |
