American Music Teacher articles from April 2003

American Music Teacher archives from April 2003

Competition changes. (Dear Reader).(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... This issue of American Music Teacher magazine contains information on the MTNA National Student Competitions for 2003-2004. As an association of music teachers, the welfare of students is ingrained in our character. These competitions have...

Change. (In Unison).(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... CHANGE. It affects each of us every day of our lives. We "change" our clothes daily. We "change" what we eat for a meal so our palettes have some variety. Some changes are more significant such as a "change" in lifestyle or "change" in...

Interlochen president announces retirement. (Items of Interest).(Interlochen Center for the Arts)(Edward J. Downing)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Interlochen Center for the Arts is conducting an international search to replace President Edward J. Downing, who has announced his retirement. The Interlochen Board of Trustees has issued a request to Interlochen's 83,000 alumni around...

Classical.com is launched. (Items of Interest).(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2003... Classical.com Ltd. introduces the library world's first streaming classical music service, allowing library patrons to listen and learn as they access thousands of classical music recordings. Classical.com is a user-friendly service...

Searching for oldest Steinway piano. (Items of Interest).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... As part of its 150th anniversary, Steinway & Sons is looking for the oldest Steinway grand piano and upright. Steinway has produced more than 563,000 Steinway pianos since its founding. "Each and every Steinway piano ever produced has...

Portland State University offers new piano program. (Items of Interest).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Portland State University's (PSU) Department of Music has created a new degree program, "Coordinate Movement Program for Pianists," to help pianists avoid neuromuscular disorders and injuries. This program promotes a somatic approach to...

University of Oklahoma seminar for piano teachers. (Items of Interest).(Seminar for Piano Teachers: Teaching Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Piano)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The University of Oklahoma will present a course, "Seminar for Piano Teachers: Teaching Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Piano," at the Norman campus, June 15-17, 2003. Clinicians include Dennis Alexander, Jane Bastien, Jane Magrath and...

New jazz degree program. (Items of Interest).(University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Fine Arts has launched a bachelor's degree program with an emphasis in jazz studies. UConn's program will be highly selective and smaller than comparable programs at other area universities,...

PianoDisc introduces Opus7. (Music Marketplace).(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2003... PianoDisc, 4111 N. Freeway Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834; (800) 566-3472, fax: (916) 567-1941; generalinfo@pianodisc.com; www.pianodisc.com. See local dealer for price. PianoDisc introduces the Opus7 piano player system, offering broadband...

New music theory tool for students. (Music Marketplace).(Turn the Wheel * Change the Key music transposer)(The Doreen Allen Company)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2003... The Doreen Allen Company, 18 Oakwood Ave., Livingston, NJ 07039; (973) 994-0672; info@transposer.com; www.transposer.com. $11.95 plus $2.35 shipping and handling. The new Turn the Wheel * Change the Key music transposer and educational...

Casio introduces new keyboard. (Music Marketplace).(Celviano PL-40R )(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2003... Casio, Inc., 570 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Dover, NJ 07801; (973) 361-5400; www.casio.com. $1,499.95. Casio's Celviano PL-40R is a new eighty-eight-note weighted (hammer action) keyboard that uses the company's "key-lighting" lesson system. ...

Classical music for kids. (Music Marketplace).(The Kids Collection of Greatest Classics)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
April 1, 2003... The Kids Collection, 90 Lee Dr., Concord, MA 01742; (978) 369-0766; lawson@greatestclassics.com. See local store for price. The Kids Collection of Greatest Classics, produced by Robert Lawson, is designed for kids, offering "emotional...

Piano competition in Japan in June. (Competitions).(Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan Piano Competition for Promising Pianists)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The first round of the 27th PTNA (Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan) Piano Competition for Promising Pianists will be held June 2003. There are two levels of competition: Special Grade, scheduled for June 21-22, open to...

2003 Barlow composers competition. (Competitions).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University is seeking composers to compete for its Barlow Prize for an Orchestral Work, a $17,000 commission, which will be premiered by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the...

Young Composers Awards 2003. (Competitions).
April 1, 2003... The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford are accepting applications for their Young Composers Awards 2003. The senior winners receive the $1,000 Herbert Zipper Prize and a $500...

The key to the pianist's world.
April 1, 2003... The pianist must discover infinity in the vertical movement that makes up the small world of key descent. Because it's such a miniscule world--vertical movement of about three-eighths of an inch from the surface of the key to the bottom--key...

Possibilities for piano instruction.
April 1, 2003... When American Music Teacher asked several musicians and teachers to share their thoughts, hopes and concerns for music teaching in the twenty-first century, Ken Guilmartin, developer of the Music Together music and movement program, wrote about...

Where the sidewalk ends: helping music majors connect with the musical community after graduation.
April 1, 2003... "There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins..." --Shel Silverstein The fanciful "place where the sidewalk ends" is a good metaphor for music majors as they approach graduation, wondering, "Where do I go...

88s on 78s: pianists on record from 1903 to 1925.
April 1, 2003... As a piano teacher who also is a record collector, I am amazed at how few modern-day musicians listen to, or are aware of, the existence of recordings made by the pianistic giants who were active at the turn of the nineteenth century. Many...

The positive power of competitions: it is about providing artistic development, educational enhancement, scholarships, seminars, master classes and performance opportunities.
April 1, 2003... It is 8:00 A.M., Friday, June 28, 2002, and we are in a car, driving from midtown to the Manhattan School of Music for the last day of The Inaugural New York Piano Competition (NYPC). It will begin at 9:30 A.M. with the ensemble round, where...

2003-2004 MTNA Student Competitions.
April 1, 2003... The MTNA Student Competitions consist of three levels: State Competition, Division Competition and National Finals. PERFORMANCE COMPETITIONS The intent of the performance competitions sponsored by Music Teachers National Association is...

Retirement savings contribution credit.
April 1, 2003... Most music teachers never intend to retire because they love teaching. But the harsh reality is that some never intend to retire because they can't afford to. Congress is aware of how difficult it is during these trying economic times for...

Website additions. (Association News).(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... As part of the continuing upgrades to MTNA's website, visitors now can make online purchases from the MTNA Marketplace and donations to the MTNA FOUNDATION using a credit card. "We wanted to be certain these online processes would be as...

Jerome Stasson. (Association News).(home music instruction and zoning law)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Jerry was know to many in MTNA, especially after he and his wife, Betty Kowalsky Stasson, emerged victorious from their zoning battles. The Stassons successfully changed first their local zoning ordinance, then Michigan state law. In 1994...

Save the date? (Association News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... During the weekend, summit participants will attend sessions designed to inform and stimulate new ideas for the upcoming leadership year. Sessions will include opportunities for learning, sharing ideas and asking questions.

Dues statements in the mail. (Association News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... You soon will be receiving your 2003-04 dues statements in the mail. At its December 2002 meeting, the MTNA Board of Directors approved a small dues increase. This increase raises national dues to $55. Membership in MTNA provides...

Professional liability insurance available. (Association News).(Advertisement)
April 1, 2003... What is professional liability coverage, and is it necessary? This is a question many music professionals ask when starting their own business at home or in a studio. For many years, professional liability insurance was mainly associated with...

MTNA benefits from Amazon.com purchases. (Association News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MTNA is a participant in the Amazon.com Associates Program. As an Amazon.com associate, MTNA receives a 5 percent commission on purchases whenever customers access the online store via MTNA's website at www.mtna.org. Accessing Amazon via the...

Discounted office products for members. (Association News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MTNA members now can receive discounted office supplies through Viking Office Products. MTNA members will receive an extra 10 percent off products that already have been discounted up to 69 percent. Viking offers more than 16,000 products...

Time to order Music Study Awards. (Association News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... It's not too late to order Music Study Awards to present to students at spring programs. Music Study Awards are presented to students of all levels to motivate them to continue their musical endeavors. The certificates recognize years of...

Spring/summer state conventions. (Association News).(Brief Article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2003... Spring/Summer State Conventions State Date Location City Alabama June 5-7 Auburn University Auburn Alaska May 10 University of Alaska Anchorage...

East Central Division. (Division News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The East Central Division (ECD) welcomes two new state presidents, Brenda Conroy, NCTM, in Illinois and Marilyn Sluka in Michigan. They both are energetic and experienced with auditions and competitions and willing to participate at the ECD...

Eastern Division. (Division News).(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Eastern Division Conference and Competitions were held January 10-12, 2003, at Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Seventy student contestants representing the thirteen Eastern Division states competed for top honors. The...

Northwest Division. (Division News).(Music Teachers National Association)
April 1, 2003... Northwest Division state presidents met in Boise, Idaho, during the. Division Competitions. Each president shared ideas from his or her state about membership, projects, fundraising, conferences and leadership training. Most States have...

South Central Division. (Division News).(Music Teachers National Association)
April 1, 2003... South Central Division Competitions were held January 18-19, 2003, at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman. How fortunate we were to be able to use the beautiful Catlett Music Center and its quality instruments for the competitions....

Southwest Division. (Division News).(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... I listen with reverence to the talented students who advance to the National Competitions, superbly trained by fellow MTNA members. I realize they represent all of us in a way, who are endeavoring to take teaching to a high level. My admiration...

West Central Division. (Division News).(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The West Central Division Competitions were a splendid success, and we wish to thank our Sioux Falls and South Dakota hosts. We especially recognize the chairs: Arlene Krueger, NCTM, local; Rick Andrews, facilities; Doriene Halvorson and...

Southern Division. (Division News).(Music Teachers National Association competitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Thanks to all who helped with our recent Southern Division Competitions. A giant congratulations goes to Jeanette Winsor, NCTM, of Virginia, and her team: Don Speer, NCTM, Kentucky; Martha Thomas, Georgia; Lynn Rice-See, Tennessee; and Carol...

Foundation news. (MTNA).(Music Teachers National Association)
April 1, 2003... With this issue of AMT, we begin a new system of acknowledging contributors to the MTNA FOUNDATION. Names of donors who contribute during the first six months of the calendar year will be featured in the October/November issue of that year....

All about endowment funds.
April 1, 2003... Twenty-four named endowments have been established to honor individuals who have made notable contributions to the future of music and music teaching. Endowment funds allow the FOUNDATION to build assets to ensure its future, and earnings from...

MTNA Professional Certification.(Music Teachers National Association)
April 1, 2003... MTNA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION OFFICIAL EXAMINATION SITES and DATES Candidates for MTNA Professional Certification may schedule and take the Music Theory, Music History/Literature & Pedagogy/Teacher Education Proficiency...

MTNA student competitions: national finalists.
April 1, 2003... MTNA STUDENT COMPOSTITION COMPETITION Sponsored by Warner Bros. Publications ELEMENTARY Gabrielle Nina Haigh, East Central Division, Cleveland Heights, OH; Mary Ann Griebling, teacher Douglon Tse, Eastern Division, Milton, MA;...

Polyphony. (Professional Resources).(Gary Amano and Dennis Hirst interviewed on music competitions)(Interview)
April 1, 2003... The Competition Dilemma This column presents a guest interview with Gary Amano and his colleague Dennis Hirst from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Both Amano and Hirst have had numerous winners in MTNA national, division and state...

Random access: simple but cool technologies for audience communication. (Professional Resources).
April 1, 2003... The concert hall is buzzing with excitement as the audience enters. Suddenly the lights flash, and there is a mad scramble as the latecomers rush to their seats. A minute later, the lights begin to dim... and a hush comes over the crowd. For a...

It's all your business: developing professional studio documents. (Professional Resources).
April 1, 2003... What is the independent music studio? Educational facility? Arts organization? Private business? Many would recognize their studios to be all three. Others might fear that treating a private studio as a business would take away from the...

Arts opens many doors. (Arts Awareness and Advocacy).
April 1, 2003... Editor's note: This column is a reprint from the December/January 2000/2001 issue of American Music Teacher. David O'Fallon, executive director of the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley, Minnesota, was a presenter at the...

Reevaluating teaching philosophies. (Independent Music Teachers Forum).
April 1, 2003... Editor's note: This column is a reprint from the August/September 1999 issue of American Music Teacher. A recurring topic over the past several weeks has caused me to question and reevaluate my own teaching philosophy. When I teach...

Participate in your local association. (Local Association News).
April 1, 2003... It has always bewildered me to hear of individuals who teach private music lessons and do not belong to a professional organization or of people who join a professional organization such as MTNA and do not participate. The following is...

Corporate members (as of February 3, 2003). (MTNA).(Directory)
April 1, 2003... MTNA thanks the following corporate members for their support: 800SheetMusic.com, 800SheetMusic.com Adventus, Inc., www.adventus.com Alfred Publishing Company, Inc., www.alfredpub.com All Things Musical, www.allthingsmusical.com...

Institutional members (as of February 3, 2003). (MTNA).(Directory)
April 1, 2003... MTNA thanks the following institutional members for their support: Arkansas State University, www.astate.edu Azusa Pacific University, www.apu.edu Berry College, www.berry.edu Carroll College, www.cc.edu Columbia College--Chicago,...

Horizons.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... by Andrey Komanetsky. The Willis Music Company (P.O. Box 548, Florence, KY 41022-0548), 2002. 24 pp., $5.95. Early intermediate. A collection of fourteen character pieces by Andrey Komanetsky, Horizons is a welcome addition to the body of...

Alexander's Ragtime Band.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... (for two pianos, four hands), by Irving Berlin. Arranged by Don Heitler and Jim Lyke. Belwin Mills/Warner Bros. (15800 N. W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 2002. 12 pp., $5.95. Late intermediate. With the title Alexander's Ragtime Band and a...

Ain't Misbehavin'.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... (for two pianos, four hands), by Thomas "Fats" Waller and Harry Brooks. Words by Andy Razaf. Arranged by Don Heitler and Jim Lyke. Belwin Mills/Warner Bros. (15800 N.W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 1991. 12 pp., $6.95. Early advanced. What...

Great Flute Duos from the Orchestral Repertoire.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... (Excerpts for Principal, Second and Alto Flute auditions), by Jeanne Baxtresser (former principal flute, New York Philharmonic). Theodore Presser Company (588 N. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia, PA 19406), 2002. 87 pp. principal 85 pp. second, 23...

Strings Alive.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... (For Beginning String Orchestras), by Gregory Kerkorian. Lake State Publications (P.O. Box 1593, Grand Rapids, MI 49501), 2002. 31 pp. piano/score, 16 pp. each part (first and second violin, viola, cello-bass); $10 piano/score, $6 each part....

An Album of Trumpet Tunes for Organ.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... compiled and edited by Dale Tucker. Warner Bros. (15800 N. W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 1997. 118 pp., $10.95. As a trumpeter, I have played a number of trumpet tunes and voluntaries that were transcriptions of original baroque organ...

Crash, Bang, Wallop! Series: Clockwork Calypso, Creepy Crotchets and Dragon Dance.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... by Keith Bartlett. UnitedMusic Publishers Ltd./Theodore Presser Company (588 North Gulph Rd., long of Prussia, PA 19406), 2002. $41.95 each. Late elementary. Crash, Bang, Wallop! sounds like great fun and it is! This series of six pieces...

Music and Technology in the Twentieth Century.(Book Review)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... edited by Hans-Joachim Braun. The Johns Hopkins University Press (2715 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218-4363), 2002. 256 pp. Contact publisher for price. A welcome addition to the technology field, this book offers a wealth of...

Jazz History Overview.(Book Review)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... (book and three CDs), by Gordon Vernick and Geoffrey Haydon. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company (4050 Westmark Dr., Dubuque, IA 52004-1840), 2002. 217 pp., $83.95. Authors Gordon Vernick and Geoffrey Haydon provide an interesting and highly...

A Spectrum of Voices: Prominent American Voice Teachers Discuss the Teaching of Singing.(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... by Elizabeth Blades-Zeller. Scarecrow Press (4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706), 2002. 228 pp., $45. Imagine if, as an interviewer/moderator, you could gather together several of the most successful, most recognized voice teachers in...

Leadership.(Directory)
April 1, 2003... Wayne Gibson, NCTM President 4 Ivy Chase N.E. Atlanta, GA 30342-4500 (404) 816-9910 WayGib@aol.com Phyllis Pieffer, NCTM President-elect 4852 Wishkah Rd. Aberdeen, WA 98520-9628 (360) 537-6863 Fax (360) 537-6852...