The CLARION - WSMTA · • Piazolla Tangos (FUTURE EVENTS continued on Page 4) The CLARION - April,...
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The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 1 The CLARION Official Bulletin of the Washington State Music Teachers Association Volume LVII, No. 7 66666666666666 April, 2005 PRESIDENT’S CORNER by Debra Florian Ah, Spring! …signs of new life are everywhere around us. It’s the per- fect time to unveil an exciting new WSMTA project…and voila! But let me heighten the suspense a bit long- er… Over the last many years of serv- ing on the WSMTA Board of Direc- tors, and being involved in organ- izing our state’s MTNA competition, I have had the opportunity to make several observations: ✺ Washington has an abundance of highly talented, strongly moti- vated students. ✺ Our state MTNA competition has been steadily growing in numbers, including a dramatic increase in 2004. ✺ The MTNA competition rules mandate that any given competi- tion (i.e. Senior Piano) must be held in the same location, on the same piano. ✺ The 2004 Senior Piano compe- tition ran for 3 full days. Finding a facility that will accommodate the competition for 3 days is diffi- cult; finding one that would host us longer than 3 days is virtually impossible. ✺ There is obviously a need and a demand for a competition of this caliber, not only for those students who are already serious competi- tors, but also for those who hope to be serious MTNA competitors in the future, and those who merely want the experience and the challenge that competition presents. The WSMTA Board of Directors is committed to making this competi- tion experience available to all Wash- ington teachers and students who wish to participate. Yet we are faced with the logistical and financial chal- lenges that the growing MTNA com- petition numbers portend. In Sept- ember, a task force, chaired by Presi- dent-Elect Margee Webster, was ap- pointed to develop a proposal in re- sponse to this issue. The task force proposal was presented and approv- ed at the January 30 Board of Direc- tors meeting: In November 2005, WSMTA will launch the WSMTA Outstanding Artist Competition. This competi- tion, for Junior High and Senior High piano students, will have the same repertoire requirements as the MT- NA. Cash prizes will be awarded, and the OAC winners will also be invited to participate in the Out- standing Washington Students Re- cital at the State Conference. Stu- dents may not participate in both the MTNA and the OAC. They will have to choose. It is our hope that the WS- MTA OAC will provide another avenue for competition, and that many students and teachers will choose to use this competition as a preliminary step for eventual par- ticipation in the MTNA competition. By providing an alternative, but equally valuable, competition ex- perience, we hope to be able to in- volve even more students from across the state. I hope this peek behind the curtain will spark some new excitement, and open new possibilities for you as you begin planning for your students’ ac- tivities for 2005-06. Watch for further information and details, as well as registration forms, in the May and June issues of the Clarion. ✺ I hope to see YOU at the MT- NA National Conference, April 2-6 in Seattle. Our Northwest Division meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 3 from 5:00-6:00 in Convention Center rooms 618/620. The North- west Division Dinner will follow immediately after the meeting at Cutters Bayhouse. There will be a sign-up sheet posted on the message board near the conference registra- tion tables for those who would like to attend the dinner. All are wel- come! NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH! A New Competition is coming your way. The WSMTA Out- standing Artist Competition for Junior High and Senior High piano students will make it's debut this fall on the campus of Eastern Washington University at Cheney. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners! Look for more details in future issues of the CLARION. FUTURE EVENTS 2005 CONFERENCE June 27 - July 1, 2005 Gonzaga University Spokane Come to the WSMTA Conference in June and learn about ------------------------------------ • Teaching Group Piano • Phobias • Accompanying • Copyright Laws • Dalcroze • Ethics Panel Discussion • Yes – You Can Adjudicate! • Piazolla Tangos (FUTURE EVENTS continued on Page 4)
Transcript of The CLARION - WSMTA · • Piazolla Tangos (FUTURE EVENTS continued on Page 4) The CLARION - April,...
The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 1
The CLARION Official Bulletin of the Washington State Music Teachers Association
Volume LVII, No. 7 66666666666666 April, 2005
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
by Debra Florian
Ah, Spring! …signs of new life are everywhere around us. It’s the per-fect time to unveil an exciting new WSMTA project…and voila! But let me heighten the suspense a bit long-er… Over the last many years of serv-ing on the WSMTA Board of Direc-tors, and being involved in organ-izing our state’s MTNA competition, I have had the opportunity to make several observations:
✺ Washington has an abundance of highly talented, strongly moti-vated students. ✺ Our state MTNA competition has been steadily growing in numbers, including a dramatic increase in 2004. ✺ The MTNA competition rules mandate that any given competi-tion (i.e. Senior Piano) must be held in the same location, on the same piano. ✺ The 2004 Senior Piano compe-tition ran for 3 full days. Finding a facility that will accommodate the competition for 3 days is diffi-cult; finding one that would host us longer than 3 days is virtually impossible. ✺ There is obviously a need and a demand for a competition of this caliber, not only for those students who are already serious competi-tors, but also for those who hope to be serious MTNA competitors in the future, and those who
merely want the experience and the challenge that competition presents.
The WSMTA Board of Directors is committed to making this competi-tion experience available to all Wash-ington teachers and students who wish to participate. Yet we are faced with the logistical and financial chal-lenges that the growing MTNA com-petition numbers portend. In Sept-ember, a task force, chaired by Presi-dent-Elect Margee Webster, was ap-pointed to develop a proposal in re-sponse to this issue. The task force proposal was presented and approv-ed at the January 30 Board of Direc-tors meeting: In November 2005, WSMTA will launch the WSMTA Outstanding Artist Competition. This competi-tion, for Junior High and Senior High piano students, will have the same repertoire requirements as the MT-NA. Cash prizes will be awarded, and the OAC winners will also be invited to participate in the Out-standing Washington Students Re-cital at the State Conference. Stu-dents may not participate in both the MTNA and the OAC. They will have to choose. It is our hope that the WS-MTA OAC will provide another avenue for competition, and that many students and teachers will choose to use this competition as a preliminary step for eventual par-ticipation in the MTNA competition. By providing an alternative, but equally valuable, competition ex-perience, we hope to be able to in-volve even more students from across the state. I hope this peek behind the curtain will spark some new excitement, and open new possibilities for you as you begin planning for your students’ ac-tivities for 2005-06. Watch for further information and details, as well as registration forms, in the May and June issues of the Clarion. ✺ I hope to see YOU at the MT-NA National Conference, April 2-6
in Seattle. Our Northwest Division meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 3 from 5:00-6:00 in Convention Center rooms 618/620. The North-west Division Dinner will follow immediately after the meeting at Cutters Bayhouse. There will be a sign-up sheet posted on the message board near the conference registra-tion tables for those who would like to attend the dinner. All are wel-come!
NEWS FLASH!NEWS FLASH! A New Competition is coming your way. The WSMTA Out-standing Artist Competition for Junior High and Senior High piano students will make it's debut this fall on the campus of Eastern Washington University at Cheney. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners! Look for more details in future issues of the CLARION.
FUTURE EVENTS
2005 CONFERENCE
June 27 - July 1, 2005 Gonzaga University
Spokane
Come to the WSMTA Conference in June and learn
about ------------------------------------ • Teaching Group Piano • Phobias • Accompanying • Copyright Laws • Dalcroze • Ethics Panel Discussion • Yes – You Can Adjudicate! • Piazolla Tangos
(FUTURE EVENTS continued on Page 4)
The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 2
WSMTA Contact Information WSMTA Executive Office Executive Manager: Judith Price 4904 Hilton Rd. NE Olympia, WA 98516 Phone: 360-459-4338 e-mail: [email protected] WSMTA Website www.wsmta.org or www.midilab.com
WSMTA Board of Directors President: Debra Florian 16725 Seminole Rd., NE Poulsbo, WA 98370 Phone: 360-697-1965 e-mail: [email protected] President Elect: Margee Webster 2246 S Rockwood Blvd. Spokane, WA 99203 Phone: 509-534-9678 e-mail: [email protected] Immed. Past President: Marilyn Linde P.O. Box 430, Granger, WA 98932-0430 Phone: 509-854-1583 e-mail: [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Mary Kaye Owen 11445 SE 185th Place Renton, WA 98055-4370 Phone: 425-228-8721 e-mail: [email protected] Treasurer: Patti Robertson 209 E Canyon Drive Kennewick, WA 99337-5824 Phone: 509-586-2219 e-mail: [email protected] District I VP: Dorie Guidon 3611 Knox Ave. Bellingham, WA 98229 Phone: 360-671-1337 e-mail: [email protected] District II VP: Kaycee Groom 16219 132nd Place SE Renton, WA 98058 Phone: 425-227-0339 e-mail: [email protected] District III VP: Marilyn Karr 25289 Chris Lane NE Kingston, WA 98346 Phone: 360-297-2461 e-mail: [email protected] District IV VP: Barbara Imbrie 2405 SE Meadowlark Dr. Hillsboro, OR 97123 Phone: 503-648-5715 e-mail: [email protected] District V VP: Diane Stober 117 N Franklin Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98001-2153 Phone: 509-663-7654 e-mail: [email protected] District VI VP: Onneta Adams 1516 Goethals Richland, WA 99352 Phone: 509-943-1758 e-mail: [email protected]
District VII VP: Karen Schaefer 37 E 26th Ave. Spokane, WA 99203 Phone: 509-624-1560 e-mail: [email protected] Adjudications Chair: Dianne Johnston P.O. Box 655 Kingston, WA 98346 Phone: 360-297-3972 e-mail: [email protected] Clarion Editor: Gary Alan Hind (see below) Education Board Chair: Marilyn Linde (see Immediate Past President) WSMTA Education Board Ed. Board Chair: Marilyn Linde (see Board of Directors) Ed. Board Member: Gladys Bath 57716 137th Place SE Bellevue, WA 98006 Phone: 425-643-4998 e-mail: [email protected] Ed. Board Member: Connie C. Hungate 7414 92nd Place SE Mercer Island, WA 98040-5808 Phone: 205-232-0117 e-mail: [email protected] Ed. Board Member: Colleen M. Hunter 2911 N 5th St. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 Phone: 208-664-0910 e-mail: [email protected] Ed. Board Member: Judith Schoepflin 614 E 21st Spokane, WA 99203 Phone: 509-747-906 e-mail: [email protected] Ed. Board Members, Ex-Officio Dianne Johnston (see Board of Directors) Linda Burger (Certification) 1629 E. Glass Ave. Spokane, WA 99207 Phone: 509-487-4346 e-mail: [email protected] Debra Florian (see Board of Directors)
The CLARION is published 9 times each year: Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec., Feb., March, April, May, and June. It includes membership news and announcements, and pertinent news of the Music Teachers National Association. Articles and informa-tion must be submitted before the first of the month preceding the pub-lication month.
Editor: Gary Alan Hind 20038 Lysir Ct. NE Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360) 697-2591 [email protected]
WSMTA Officers, Committee Chairs, & Chapter Presidents
Address Changes
Editor’s Note: ALL WSMTA mem-ber address changes should be sub-mitted to the Elecutive Manager. Address changes that appear in this column are only corrections to lists previously published in The Clarion.
WSMTA Constitution Revision
At its January meeting the Board of Directors approved the following revision to our constitution in order to clarify the category of emeritus membership. The added sentence is in italics. The membership will have the opportunity to vote on this amendment at our annual meeting in June.
Article IV. Section 1. Membership Classifications c. Emeritus Membership may be granted by a local chapter to members who are no longer actively engaged in the pro-fession. The granting chapter shall pay state dues and waive local dues. Emeritus members shall pay National dues only. Emeritus Membership conveys all rights and privileges of Active Membership.
Connie Hungate
Letter from the President
I have been profoundly touched by the many cards and flowers I have received from individuals and chapters following my father’s sudden passing. I have never been more grateful for the wealth of friendship and affection I have with my WSMTA colleagues. Thank you for your expressions of caring and support. They mean more to me than I can say.
Debra Florian
MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members!
Bellingham Chapter Debra Chang
Eastside Chapter
Maia Dusini Kendra Bigley
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Rebecca Bennett Timothy Lawlor
Edmonds Chapter Elliot Gray, student
Grays Harbor Chapter Carmen Smith, student
Lewis County Chapter
Jeanette Trent
Lynden Chapter Gwynne Top
Mason County Chapter Janna Wood
Moses Lake Chapter
David Servias Jennifer Bonato, student
Olympia Chapter
Diane Martin Svetlana Pancetovic
Olympia Peninsula Chapter
Sylvia Boss, student
Pullman Chapter Daniel Immel
Puyallup Valley Chapter
Laurie Bruun
Snohomish County Chapter Sada Watson
South King County Chapter
Delores Anderson Elena Spairring
Tacoma Chapter
Sterling Picard
1 23 MEMBERSHIP 50
CORNER
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article should have appeared in the March Clarion, but was postponed due to technical
difficulties.
Membership Drive
Reminder
We are once again having our membership drive contest this year!! The chapter with the largest increase of membership in percentage by April 15th, 2005 will be awarded $300.00 to be applied toward a work-shop or master class. The percentage increase will be figured on the official MTNA membership lists from April
2004. All new members as of May 1st, 2004 will be counted. This will include members who are new to a chapter, even if they are not new to WSMTA. This will not include rein-statements or renewals. For the new members to be counted in the con-test, applications, checks and new member summaries must be sent to me by the chapter president, treas-urer, or membership chair and must be post-marked by April 15th, 2005. Applications must not be sent direct-ly from prospective members. We will also include new members who have applied online. Best wishes for success in your membership drive!
Christine Hill, Membership Chair Certif ication Corner
(held over from March issue)
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article should also have appeared in
the March Clarion, but was over-looked due to editor’s neglect.
Important Certification
Activities at MTNA Conference
I am pleased to report that that the upcoming MTNA Conference in Seattle will provide many excellent opportunities to learn more about the national certification program. A certification booth in the Exhibit Hall will be staffed from April 3 – 5, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. If you have ques-tions or need information, plan on stopping by the booth where you can also register for a $200.00 Certifica-tion Fee Waiver Drawing. There will be a Certification Re-ception on Tuesday, April 5, 5:00 – 6:00 PM in the Metropolitan Ball-room, Sheraton Hotel. All certified teachers are cordially invited as well as their guests who are interested in becoming certified. Paul Stewart, NCTM and MTNA President Elect, will present a program of ragtime piano and ragtime-inspired music. The drawing for the $200 Certifica-tion Fee Waiver will be held during the reception, a great reason not to miss this event! The Certification Open Meeting will be held on April 5, 2:15 – 3:15 PM in the East Ballroom, Sheraton Hotel. Anyone interested in certifi-cation is invited to attend this infor-mational session. We can look for-
ward to a presentation by the Hunts-ville, Alabama MTA: Certification – Making It a Group Project! Certifi-cation, like performance area prac-tice, can be a lonely pursuit. They suggest spicing up the process by making certification a GROUP PRO-JECT. A question and answer period will follow the presentation and there will be handouts. A leadership meeting for all local association certification chairs and/ or presidents is scheduled for Mon-day, April 4, 9:15 – 10:15 AM in the East Ballroom, Sheraton Hotel. This session, ”LEADERSHIP TOOLS – Making Your Work Easier” will not appear in the Conference Program Book, so please remember the time and place on your personal sched-ule. Finally, there are two exam dates for those teachers who will be ready to take the certification or proficiency examinations: Saturday, April 2, 8:45 – 11:45 AM and Tuesday, April 5, 8:45 – 11:45 AM. More specific infor-mation will be sent to anyone regis-tering for an exam. I am looking forward to an inspir-ing and information-packed confer-ence in Seattle. It is my hope that WSMTA will be well represented at all of the certification activities.
Linda Burger, NCTM 509-487-4346
FUTURE EVENTS 2005 CONFERENCE
Learn about (continued from Page 1) • Music for Everyone! • Composing • Creating a “Nutcracker
Project” for your studio • Chopin Preludes
Attend and discuss----------------- Town Hall Meeting: Parents!
An Asset or Liability?
Build your Technology “chops” by -----------------------------------------
• Developing Confident Performing by using Technology
• Composing with “Finale” • Musicianship thru Midi • Getting your digital keyboard
to talk with your computer!
The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 4
• Help with Individual Computer Problems
Conference Concerts
“Sapphire Trio” with Jody Graves, piano, Maxine Ramey, clarinet and Jason Bell, violin – Tuesday, June 28
Variety of music, from solo piano, clarinet and piano, violin and piano, and the trio combination of clarinet, violin and piano. The evening will include, among others, music by Alexander Arutiunian, Peter Schickele and very possibly a tribute to the piano teachers 'all-time "favor-ite" repertoire'. There may even be some audience participation! ----------------------------------- Nelita True In Concert – Wednesday, June 29 ------------------------------------------------- Women Composers Recital – Thursday, June 30
It will include diverse mediums including piano, voice, strings and brass by women composers, per-formed by members of the Whit-worth College faculty
Answer to March Trivia Question:
What things about how to practice do you wish that all incoming freshman piano students knew when they come to you for study?
How to listen critically and how to manage practice time productively.
LOOK FOR YOUR CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM IN THIS ISSUE! We can still use your ideas, sug-gestions and help! Please contact Conference 2005 Co-Chairs:
Barbara Miller 509-624-4998
Janice Smith 509-467-8147
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
TECHNLGY
Midilab.com
The technology portion of the 2005 Conference is coming together with aspects for everyone. Sessions in software, such as Finale and Sibe-lius and a guide on current MIDI materials, will be offered. Hardware issues as well as com-puter connectivity will be addressed by two University of Idaho computer experts. We will have a lab of 15 computers so you can play with soft-ware and experience the power of the Web. You can even bring your own computer to have the experts’ show you how to fix any computer prob-lems you might be experiencing. Please send me an email that will explain any problems you are hav-ing. I will give your questions to the experts to address. If you bring your computer you need to email me your name and type of computer and any problems you are having. We will have a computer and keyboard lab open for 6 hours to give you plenty of time to surf, experience software and address computer problems. Roland, along with Music City, is sponsoring a keyboard lab, presented by Michael Stegner, on using tech-nology as a performance aid. The workshop will cover various uses of technology and how they can help develop confident performers. Jee Wong will also be presenting topics on today’s top selling method books to teach musicianship through MIDI. He will cover chord progression, mo-tive identification, note reading, rhythm playing and aural perception. Make plans to attend the WSMTA Conference in June. There is some-thing for everyone in the technology component at the Conference, an op-portunity for all to learn and have fun doing it. You can find an information sheet and registration page on the Spokane Conference, at midilab.com. Just click Important WSMTA Conven-tion Information on the midilab’s home page. Hope to see you there. For information on a national pre-sentation of our web community click the following URL for Win-dows:
http://www.midilab.com/mtna/mtna05/ and http://www.midlab. com/mtna/mtnamac for a Mac. This is a sneak preview of a stream-ing video presentation to be held April 3 at 9:15AM. National present-ers are Shawn and Tawni Wright. The title of the workshop is Building an Online Community. The work-shop is an overview of the WSMTA site and Midilab site. We also hope to see you at the national convention held in April.
Tawni Wright [email protected]
WSMTA Technology Chair WSMTA Webmaster at www.wsmta.org
BRAVO!
Student Profiles Northwest Division MTNA Performance Competition
Winners Young Artist Piano Winner Kevin Kaukl is now completing his third year at the University of Wash-ington, where he is pursuing Bache-lor of Arts/Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degrees and will graduate in 2007. He is a student of Dr. Robin McCabe, Director of the UW School of Music. In addition to his studies, Kevin works closely with other music students and faculty as President of the UW's Music Students Association. Kevin was recently a winner of the 13th Annual University of Washington Concerto Competition and made his orchestral debut in Jan-uary 2004, playing Liszt's "Totentanz" with the University Symphony under the direction of Maestro Peter Erös.
Chapter Honors Lists
Olympia
Representatives Student Teacher Charlie Albright Nancy Adsit Aaron Chen Brook Beecher
Alternates Student Teacher Jessica Saw Brooke Beecher Joseph Chen Brooke Beecher Andrew Hou Carol Crawford
Unranked Honorable Mention Student Teacher Karlee Cohen Mary Jane Clarke Larrissa Gensolin Nancy Adsit
The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 5
Katharine Johnston Lorraine Musson Joshua Hou Carol Crawford Joanthan Spatola-Knoll Mary Jane Clarke
Special Award Student Teacher Jessica Weiss Nancy Adsit
Seattle
Representatives Student Teacher Lovina Hua Peter Mack Jessica Huang Willard Schultz Bill Ma Hong Liu
Alternates Student Teacher Michael Lee Willard Schultz Smin Chang Peter Mack Eric Belvin Helen Belvin
Honorable Mention/ Loren Olson Awards
Student Teacher Nyan Gadepalli Joan Schoepflin Petrina Jap Joan Schoepflin Tanya Rivers-Moore Michiko Miyamoto Ting-Ting chang Anaida Nagdyan Cornelia Sommer Cassandra Carr Kevin Ma Ni Liu Anne Case Willard Schultz Jennifer Xia Hong Liu Kevin Wong Pamela Chang-Rice
Honorable Mention Student Teacher Kevin Tu Diane Williams Alex Fu Ni Liu Amy Leung Ni Liu Nancy Xiao Willard Schultz Andrew Fu Joan Schoepflin Irvin Lien Joan Schoepflin Lindsey Nelson Willard Schultz
Snohomish County
Representatives Student Teacher Joshua Pielemeier Judy Baker Elissa Freedman Gail Tremblay
Alternates Student Teacher Luna Stevenson Judy Baker Hyemi Kim Judy Baker
Ranked Honorable Mention Student Teacher Rose Fujinaka Jane Campbell Hyejin Kim Judy Baker Anna Freedman Gail Tremblay Andrew Romanick Maria Sier
Unranked Honorable Mention Student Teacher Addie Tolle Judy Baker Eric McElroy Maria Sier Joshua Chau Gail Tromblay Joshua Lim Judy Baker Stephanie Lam Gail Tremblay Kelsie Roy Judy Baker
Yakima-Ellensburg
Representatives Student Teacher George Parsons Anne Schilperoort Adam Sherman Anne Schilperoort
Alternates Student Teacher Erica Buege Danene Knudson Belinda Vuong Anne Schilperoort
Ranked Honorable Mention Student Teacher Brian Kirk Christian Buehleer Caleb Groves Danene Knudson Lacey England Christian Buehler Becky Paulson Christian Buehler
EDUCATION
✺ ETHICS CORNER ✺ There has been a run of articles recently in newspapers and maga-zines about the problem of inflated egos in the young of our society. The most recent one I saw was in “USA Today” on Feb. 16, 2005. It seems children of the last 20 years who are now young adults are having a tough time in college or in the work place. People “out in the world” seem to be responding to them sometimes in less-than-positive ways. These young people have had their lives filled with awards and tro-phies often just for showing up, so it is very difficult to be told the truth, even when it is for their own good. What has this to do with piano teachers? I witnessed an event that tied me to this subject most directly. I attended a dress rehearsal for a con-cert in which a student performed the last half of her piece quite poorly. I was shocked when afterwards the teacher said, “Beautiful! That was wonderful!” What message did this teacher send? That falling apart still constituted “beautiful”? That we don’t have to finish a piece to the best of our ability to be acceptable? That we don’t have to learn our music thoroughly? And don’t you think the student saw through this false praise? It doesn’t mean we as teachers have to dwell on the negative in our students. For example, this teacher could have honestly said, “The first part of your piece was beautiful, but as you know, the last half needs more work. I advise you to do much slow practice between now and the
performance. That will solve many of the problems.” How ethical are we if we are not honest with our stu-dents in our reaction to their per-formance? I always appreciate an adjudicator who has a few acknow-ledgements of good qualities, while at the same time gives the students ideas to work with or to consider. Of course strong self-esteem is something we all desire in our stu-dents. But let’s not create a false image while nurturing this. As we all know we enjoy music the most when we do it well.
If you would like to present a question for the Ethics Corner, you may call,
write, or E-mail Kathy Strickland [email protected]
253-265-2019 4411 80th Ave. NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
ENRICHMENT
A IMTF Corner A
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
As we’ve explored what to say in our policy statements, we’ve includ-ed: number of lessons, sick leave, holidays, teacher qualifications and interests, and schedules. Parents and students will also want to know what is expected of them and what to ex-pect from you. Do you offer studio recitals, group lessons, or activities connected to your local chapter? Do you expect a certain amount of prac-tice time, and how is this enforced? Are parents required to work with the students? Do you require they attend concerts? Do you have the students prepare research on a com-poser? One policy I read had a prac-tice “pledge” that the student and parent signed. I must admit that my expectations for my students are that they show up for lessons. Oh yes, I encourage practicing and participation! But, they lead such busy lives! However, if they knew they had “require-ments” from the beginning, they would have to figure out how to fit them into their busy schedules. And if their parents were paying for this part of their education, they would perhaps see that these requirements were met. (You can also state when you expect payment for the lessons.)
The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 6
A lot of this is supposedly dis-cussed at the “interview”, (another topic). But, I think it needs to be in print, so the students and parents can refer to what is expected. What we expect of our students and ourselves shapes our philosophy of teaching and why we continue in this business. As independent teach-ers we all have individual strengths and gifts and if we communicate these to our students we will have better understanding from them and a more successful studio.
Jane Campbell, NCTM IMTF Chair
10610 86th St NE Lake Stevens, WA 98258
LOCAL CHAPTERS Chapter Spotlight
Edmonds
The Edmonds Chapter is now in its 16th year and has grown to over 60 members in north King County and south Snohomish County. We feel fortunate to have a group of dedica-ted musicians and educators who are very supportive of each other and the arts. This group consists of men and women whose expertise encompass-es a broad range of musical styles from folk to jazz and classical. Amongst our rank we have teachers of piano, voice, woodwinds, guitar (and accordion!) and we continue to add more diversity with other instru-ments, theory and composition. Under Carolyn Malnes’ leader-ship, Edmonds was the first chapter in the state to use the new WSMTA Theory program and the number of students taking the tests has been increasing every year. We are also very proud of the strong interest in composition within our chapter. Last year, 21 students won awards in the Young Composers Project. Other significant programs we have include a Master Lessons series, this year taught by Jennifer Hammill and Rachel Matthews, and we have great participation in the WSMTA Adjudications. Last October, we thoroughly enjoyed a workshop by Dr. Jody Graves. We are committed to provide a variety of performance opportunities for our students in-
cluding a Piano Mini-Marathon, Stu-dent Recitals at Crista Nursing Home, an Honors Recital, and a Concerto/Ensemble Competition. We also feature our student winners of Young Composers and the State Convention Recital Competition at our end-of-the-year meetings. Each year, the Edmonds Chapter awards scholarships to students who will major in music in college. This scholarship was established to honor Joan E. Brown, who was a charter member of the Edmonds Chapter and also a master teacher and adjudi-cator. She taught her students to de-velop their potential as intelligent and well-rounded musicians. She also disliked the idea that only the “best and brightest” should be ac-knowledged by scholarships and awards, hence we judge applicants not only by their performance but also by the totality of their musi-cianship and their contribution to society. On May 7th at 7:30 p.m., we will present a Scholarship Benefit Concert featuring EMTA teachers and schol-arship winners at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. This is our chapter’s biggest fundraising event. In another effort to raise funds, we have published the second edition of our Cookbook with prized recipes from our members, state presidents, the national president and national executive director, available for just $12.00. To order tickets for the bene-fit concert or the cookbook, please contact Tina Smith (425-402-8361; [email protected]). The Edmonds Chapter has be-come known as a warm, friendly and inclusive chapter. We have been in-tentional in that regard by hosting a new member luncheon each year, and have just held our 3rd annual ‘January Social Event’ for members and their significant others to enjoy one another’s company with good food and crazy games. Last month, we implemented a new program where we hold an open discussion about teaching questions and issues over lunch (of course!) for any inter-ested members after our monthly meeting once per quarter. These things have added a dimension of friendship to our association as coll-eagues. We’d love to have you visit us!
Naoko Noguchi, President Edmonds Chapter
MUSIC REVIEWS
E e NEW MUSIC e E Reviews by Gladys Bath
Celebrate Heller, compiled by Reid Alexander, Sam Holland and Marc Widner, edited by Andrew Hisey, Frederick Harris publ., 78 pages, $17.95.
Heller was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1813. At the age of 25, he moved to Paris where he was includ-ed in Chopin’s circle of friends. This book has 30 selections drawn from Op. Nos. 45,46, 47, 119,125, and 138 and includes several compositions which are rarely found in collections. Twelve pages are devoted to valu-able study and performance notes. There is a one page biography of Heller and another page lists pieces in order of difficulty from early inter-mediate to advanced. This volume is suitable for adult students as well as children. Highly recommended.
SPORTS, by Stephen Chatman, elementary, Frederick Harris, publ., 16 pages, $4.95.
This is a collection of 11 pieces using sports and games as the theme. Some of the titles are Home Run, Olie the Goalie, Off the Track, Slingshot, Catch Me, and Upside Down. These are very original and imaginative pieces which can be used as supple-mentary material for the child who is bored with method books. The level is elementary, not primary. Two compositions, Upside Down which describes gymnastic activities, and Slingshot, are written in contrary motion. Out of Breath has an ostinato pattern for left hand, Home Run is written in the shape of a ball dia-mond with instructions to add im-provised music or sounds between bases. Off the Track has isolated mea-sures scattered over 2 pages with directions to combine the measures in any order. In several cases, the music ranges over the entire key-board. Each page has clever illustrations. This is a good choice for the creative student. Stephen Chatman studied compo-sition with Ross Lee Finney, William Bolcom and Karlheinz Stockhausen and now teaches composition at Univ. of British Columbia in Vancouver.
The CLARION - April, 2005 - Page 7
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