2005 (PDF) - International Studies And Program - Michigan State ...

GLEN L. TAGGART AWARD FOR COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION TO
INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
Marilyn Kesler
Marilyn Kesler has devoted her career as a music educator to introducing
her students to the international language of music. For 35 years, Marilyn has been
instrumental in organizing unique music education and performance opportunities
for Michigan high school students. In the 1970s Ms. Kesler began her first
international music tour for students at Okemos High School. Since then, she has
perfected the concept of an international student orchestra exchange program by
organizing bilateral international high school orchestra tours for US and overseas
students, their teachers, and families. More than 3,000 students have experienced
the world of classical music in an international setting because of Marilyn Kesler.
She has led programs to United Kingdom, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, Czech
Republic, Japan, and, Italy, Austria, and Germany. The trips have given participants
the opportunity of a lifetime to hear and play classical music in the composer=s own
country—Haydn in a hall designed by Hadyn himself, and cathedrals or palaces that
once hosted Rossini, Vivaldi, Beethoven and Mozart.
Say the word ASuzuki@ to a music educator anywhere in the world, and the
Suzuki method of violin and cello instruction immediately comes to mind. In 1976,
Marilyn Kesler traveled to Japan for her first meeting with Dr. Suzuki to discuss the
adaptation and implementation of his methods for the cello. The success of her
efforts has forever transformed cello instruction throughout the world. Marilyn was
first recognized for her efforts as State Teacher of the Year in 1976 by the American
Strings Teachers Association. Since then she has received numerous state and
national awards, such as Teacher of the Year (Michigan State Band and Orchestra
Association), National String Music Educator of the Year (American String Educator
Association), Distinguished Service Award (Suzuki Association of the Americas),
and the 2001 Okemos Education Foundation Commitment to Excellence Award. In
addition to her work as director of orchestras at Okemos Public Schools, she is
leader of both the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Orchestra group and the
Suzuki Program. Marilyn was invited to be guest conductor for the 50 th anniversary
celebration of the US National Convention on Music Education and Midwest
International Orchestra conference.
Michigan State University is proud to present the Glen L. Taggart Award for
Community Contribution to International Understanding to Marilyn Kesler for her
lifelong exemplary achievements, contributions to promoting international fellowship
and understanding through music, and her legacy of Suzuki music education.
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