The Score. President s Message February, 2011

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1 The Score Betty Benton, Editor The Newsletter of the NSMTA February 2011 President s Message February, 2011 Welcome back again. Just think the first day of spring is next month in March a little more than one month away. We will also change our clocks again next month hopeful signs. We had a wonderful home meeting on January 24 th in the home of Mary Beth Molenaar, in Evanston. We were a lively group of 14. After our business meeting we shared pupil saver pieces and duets. Thanks to Mary Beth, Jane McInnis, Sandy Leibowitz, Jennifer Cohen, John Ford and Marlene Chatain, all who performed. (See the listing of the pieces in this issue). We also had a short healthy discussion of varying parenting and teaching styles not only in this country, but also in China and Russia. Everyone joined in. Our February meeting coming up on Feb. 28 th looks equally wonderful! Clara Christian will return as our pre-meeting Round Table presenter and her topic will be Introducing young students to Russian composers, and then Winston Choi will present his topic Towards a More Organic Approach to Phrasing both very relevant topics for piano teachers. Many many thanks to Jia-Yee Tang, Jennifer Cohen and other helpers along the way who made our AIM theory exams in January run so smoothly. Now is a great time to be lining up the required pieces for students that we will submit by March 7 th for the April performance exams. It is fine to bring those forms and checks to the Judges meeting on the same date in March to the home of Marlene Chatain in Evanston. 1 Our Sonata-Sonatina Festival is only two weeks away. The job assignments are now posted. I feel sure the festival will also run very smoothly. For those not participating in the Sonata Festival there is an interesting workshop on the same day sponsored by the Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association. Please see the details in this issue. Our nominating committee is hard at work to fill necessary board and committee positions. If you would like to serve on either please contact Lynd Corley at corley@corleywg.com or me at KarenTobias314@att.net. We need all the help we can get!!! Our MTNA National Convention meets in Milwaukee next month and looks terrific. Please see your Music Teacher magazine for details or how to register, or the MTNA website, etc. I hope to see many of you there. It has been pointed out that scams to music teachers are a little more prevalent lately in s. If someone from another country sends you an about lessons for a relative over a prolonged period of time and there are money matters involved, it is wise to delete these as soon as possible. Stay warm, everyone. I look forward to seeing everyone at the February 28 th meeting. Warmly, Karen Tobias

2 February Meeting Monday, February 28, 2011 Location: Music Institute of Chicago 300 Green Bay road Winnetka, Illinois Our pre-meeting workshop at 9:30 a.m. will be presented by Clara Campbell Christian: Introducing young students to great Russian composers: Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Kabelevsky, and Kachaturian. Our business meeting will follow. At 11:00 a.m. Winston Choi will present: Towards a More Organic Approach to Phrasing. Winston Choi Laureate of the 2003 Honens International Piano Competition and winner of France s 2002 Concours International de Piano 20e siècle d Orléans, Canadian pianist Winston Choi is an inquisitive performer whose fresh approach to standard repertory, and masterful understanding, performance and commitment to works by living composers, make him one of today s most dynamic young concert artists. Important Dates Festival: February 20, 2011 Deadline for Application of AIM Performance Exam: March 7, 2011 AIM Performance Exam dates: April 10, 2011 April 17, 2011 Judges meeting: March 7, 2011, 9:30 am (Requirement for teachers who are judging.) Deadline for NSMTA Contest Competition: April 1, 2011 Merle Hanson Scholarship Award Application: April 15, 2011 Summer Music Camp Scholarship Application: May 1, 2011 Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Recital and Workshop We are invited by NWSMTA to their Recital and Workshop on Sunday, February 20th at 3:00 pm. at the Countryside Church in Palatine and Monday, February 21st at the Rolling Meadows Public Library from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The presenter will be Dr. Kathleen Riley of New York University. Choi has performed in recital and with orchestra across 4 continents. Choi s debut CD, The Complete Piano works of Elliott Carter (l Empreinte Digitale in France) was given 5 stars by BBC Music Magazine: sheer élan and pianistic devilment He has also recorded 2 CDs of the piano music of Jacques Lenot for the Intrada label, having won the Grand Prix du Disque from l Academie Charles Cros for Volume I. Choi is Assistant Professor and Head of Piano at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts. 2

3 . Oakton Six Piano Ensemble Concerts The Oakton Six Piano Ensemble, under the direction of Conductor Glenna Sprague, will present concerts on Saturday, April 16 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. in the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines. This year, the Six Piano Ensemble welcomes renowned composer Robert Vandall who will guest conduct Oakton Toccata, the composition he wrote and dedicated specifically for the ensemble. The Six Piano Ensemble was formed in 1980 by Glenna Sprague, Professor and Coordinator of Music at Oakton, where she also teaches piano. One of the members of the ensemble is Beatriz Levi, who is also a member of the North Shore Music Teachers Association. The group performs repertoire from the classical, ragtime, and popular periods that is transcribed for the six pianos by Professor Sprague. The rich, layered sound of the Six Piano Ensemble compares to that of an orchestra, with each member playing a different part of a composition as the melody transfers from pianist to pianist. This year s concerts features the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart; the Waltz from Faust by Gounod; Norwegian Dance, Op. 35, No. 1 in D minor by Grieg; Oakton Toccata by Robert Vandall; Pineapple Rag by Scott Joplin as well as other selections. Tickets are $17 for general admission, $14 for seniors and students, and $12 for group rate. For ticket information, call the Oakton Box Office at Following each concert, there will be a reception to meet the composer, Robert Vandall. Pupil Savers Seven Preludes (Vol 1) Elvina Pearce, Warner Bros Prelude #1, (good pedal piece) Prelude # 5, 6 (for fingers) Celebrated Piano Solos, Book 1, Robert Vandall, Alfred Preludes, Volume 3 by Robert Vandall, Alfred Prelude #16 (D Flat) ( sounds like Chopin) Jazzed Up Folk Tunes, arr. Kevin Olson (FJH) Jazzed Up Classics, arr. Kevin Olson, FJH Rhythm Machine, Lynn Freeman Olson, Lynn Freeman Olson Signature Collection Volume 2, Carl Fischer PL1030 Mozart by a Nose, Kevin Olson, FJH Music Co. Inc. W9195 Circus Maximus, Stecher, Horowitz and Gordon, G.Schirmer Gypsy Earrings, Bret Adams, Level 2 Alfred GPS00065 There s Nothing Like a Circus, Nancy Faber, FJH Music co. Inc. A2010 Linus and Lucy, Piano Adventures, Popular Repertoire Level 2B, Faber and Faber Pirates at Sea (2B, Mier, Alfred Premier Solos Kings Arthur Adventure, (2A) Mier, Alfreds Premier Solo Late Elementary Duets, Weekly and Arganbright, Kjos Griegs Best Duets, Weekley and Arganbright, Kjos Classics for Two, Weekley and Arganbright, Kjos Appaloosa Pony, Mier Great Smoky Mountains, Glover,GPS Alfred Sky Blue, Vandall, Myklos, Alfred 3

4 MERLE HANSON SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Pupils who have studied with a member of the North Shore Music Teachers Association for the past three years are eligible to apply for a scholarship award if they are graduating high school seniors who are enrolling in a university, college or music school in a program that will prepare them for careers in music. Any musical instrument is acceptable that is taught by a NSMTA member. The NSMTA member must be the primary teacher of that instrument being accepted at the college or university. Each candidate must submit to the scholarship chairperson verification of acceptance by the chosen school a record of musical activities and a statement of personal goals at the time of application. A performance tape, CD or DVD (no longer than 20 minutes) of three works of three contrasting periods must also be submitted for an outside panel of judges who will select the winner. Applications available from the scholarship chairperson must be postmarked by April 15 th. The scholarship is $500 payable in two checks of $ each. The first check will be presented at NSMTA Winners Recital in May where the winner will be required to perform. The second check will be sent to the student at the end of the first semester after having submitted a record of acceptable grades to the scholarship committee. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SUMMER MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS In 1994 our chapter was given a gift from the Ottilie Bauer estate. With deep appreciation for this generous gift, and in her honor, NSMTA offers two scholarships, a Junior Scholarship and a Senior Scholarship of $ each per year. Eligibility: Students who are studying with a member of NSMTA who have paid dues by October 31, 2010 are eligible to apply for a summer piano camp scholarship. Junior Scholarship students who are currently in grades 5, 6, and 7. Senior Scholarship students who are currently in grades Each candidate will submit to the scholarship chairperson a record of musical activities and a statement of personal goals. Candidates must also submit a performance cassette tape CD, or DVD (no longer than 15 minutes) of three piano works from three contrasting periods for a judge who will select the winner. A letter of validation from the camp must be sent to the Scholarship Chairman at the time of application in order for the applicant to receive a check. The winner will be presented with the $ check at the NSMTA Winners Recital in the spring. The winner is strongly encouraged to perform. Applications, which are available from the Scholarship Chairperson, must be postmarked by May 1st to be eligible for consideration. No ties are allowed. The same person may not win more than once. We are in need of a chair for the Winners Recital, which is usually scheduled in mid-may, featuring competition, scholarship and AIM Award winners. This year the Winners Recital is May 15, 3:00 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Lake Forest. Duties are light, and it is a great volunteer opportunity to hear some wonderful performances by our talented students. If interested, please contact Karen Tobias at karentobias314@att.net 4

5 AIM Theory Exams With the completion of the AIM Theory Exams, the AIM committee will evaluate the success and value of the aural testing on pre-recorded listening devices (ipods and laptops), and whether we will continue in this path for the future. I would appreciate feedback from teachers and students that participated. Please me with your comments at Jicohen1@aol.com. The specific feedback that I m looking for at each level are: 1. Were instructions clear? 2. How was tempo choice of examples? 3. How was time length between examples? 4. Did you have trouble with your listening device? 5. Which format did you prefer pre-recorded or old format with judges playing aural examples. AIM Performance Exams Dates: Sunday, April 10 and Sunday, April 17 Application Deadline and Judges Meeting: Monday, March 7, 2011, 9:30 AM Marlene Chatain s Home 2545 Greeley Ave, Evanston As we look ahead to the Performance exams coming up in April, please make sure that your students meet all technique and performance requirements. Please consult the syllabus for complete and accurate requirements. You must submit the Repertoire Forms with your application for students enrolling in levels II XII. Students entering levels IA, IB, or IC do not need to submit Repertoire selections. Also, if a student is using fingering other than what is printed in the ISMTA syllabus, he/she must bring in the Alternate Fingering Form to the exam with the alternate fingerings listed, otherwise, students may not receive full credit. Finally, here are a few heartfelt requests when preparing your application forms. 1. Please make sure that you write clearly and legibly. A little extra time and care on your part saves a lot of excess time and frustration on committee members. 2. Please try to avoid time requests if possible. This should only be used for students that have legitimate conflicts. It is not to be used for time preferences. Avoid asking for a specific time, such as 2:00, but instead, include a range of time, such as 1:30-2: Do not enroll all your students on one exam date! It is tempting to put everyone on the 2 nd exam date, but it puts a lot of extra burden on judges and space availability. Please try to split up your students between the two exam dates as equally as possible. 4. Please check the spelling of your students names for accuracy. Include a typed list of all your students and level with the application form. In regards to request #4, I am asking that each teacher include a typed list of all their students and level with the application form, preferably double spaced and minimum font size of 14 point. (This is for the benefit of my aging eyes ) These lists will be used in making the certificate for each student. Hopefully, this will minimize or even eliminate errors! Thank you for your continued support of AIM. It is rewarding to see not only the success of this wonderful program, but to see the increase in teacher and student participation each year. If you have any questions or comments, please don t hesitate to me. Application, Repertoire and Alternate Fingering forms are included in the newsletter. It can also be downloaded from our website, Jennifer Cohen, AIM chair 5

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11 Ensemble Recital Survey The North Shore MTA is considering offering an Ensemble Recital next year. This recital would be open to students of all instruments or voice. At least one of the performers in each ensemble would need to be a student of a North Shore teacher.. Students prepare any ensemble piece, and may perform with their teacher, with another student, or parent. There will be a short rehearsal/warm-up time available prior to the recital. There will be no Monster Concert next year Please indicate your interest to help us decide whether this is a viable activity and return by March 1, 2011 to: Yeeseon Kwon, 8300 Concord Dr., Unit 311, Morton Grove, IL Name Phone 1 Very interested 2 Somewhat interested 3 Unsure 4 Not interested 1. I would enter students in an Ensemble Recital depending on the date and location chosen. 2. I would be willing to volunteer to help with the recital. 3. The best dates for an Ensemble Recital for my students would be (circle) Other suggestions for a date? The Sun. before Halloween The Sun. before Thanksgiving A Sun. in May (date t.b.a.) My students would travel to perform at the following locations: North South Either 5. I think the best price to charge each ensemble would be: (This fee will need to cover facility rental costs..) $10 $15 $20 Suggestions or comments on location 11