American Music Teacher articles from August 2006

American Music Teacher archives from August 2006

Special moments be prepared to succeed.
August 1, 2006... The indomitable Winston Churchill, the master statesman and one of the most brilliant figures of the 20th century, wrote: "To every person there comes that special moment when he is tapped on the shoulder to do a very special thing unique to...

The Page Turner.(the unappreciated )
August 1, 2006... As we begin another year of collaborative music concerts and recitals, I would like to offer a few thoughts and observations about that essential person on stage who will not be listed in the program, who will need years of musical training in...

Theodore Presser appoints Sonya Kim CEO/President.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Theodore Presser Company has named Sonya Kim as its new CEO/President. Kim arrived in the United States at age 16 to further her studies in piano at the Juilliard School with Jacob Lateiner. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in...

American Pianists Association selects two fellows.(Spencer Myer, Stephen Beus)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Spencer Myer was named the Christel DeHaan Classical Fellow, and Stephen Beus was awarded the Max I. Allen Classical Fellow by the American Pianists Association. The 2006 Classical Fellows were selected by a distinguished panel of judges,...

Golden wins 2006 Kingsville International String Competitions.
August 1, 2006... 22-year old violinist from Cleveland, Ohio, won first place in the 2006 Kingsville International String Competitions. Golden will receive a total of $9,250 and will perform with the Victoria, Texas, Symphony Orchestra during its 2006-2007...

Johansen International Competition announces winners.
August 1, 2006... Vicki Powell, 17, from Madison, Wisconsin, won first-place in the viola division of the 2006 Johansen International Competition for Young String Players (ages 13-17). A student of Sally Chisholm and Gene Purdue, Powell won the competition with...

Mercedes-Benz donates $1 million to Education Initiative.(Entertainment Industry Foundation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has joined forces with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (ELF) on its National Arts and Music Education Initiative (NAMEI), with the Mercedes-Benz USA Drive Your Future (DYF) Performance Awards campaign. MBUSA...

Yamaha introduces the P70 Piano Lab.
August 1, 2006... Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Digital Pianos, PO. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; (714) 522-9011; infostation@yamaha.com; www.yamaha.com Yamaha has introduced the P70 Piano Lab, a ready-made package that brings...

Mark-My-Time presents Music Digital Metronome.
August 1, 2006... Mark-My-Time, P.O. Box 9325 Chandler Heights, AZ 85296; (480) 786-4481; sales@mark-my-time.com; www.mark-my-time.com; $19.95. The new Mark-My-Time for Music Digital Metronome combines the benefits of a bookmark, digital timer and metronome...

Van Cliburn Amateur Competition.
August 1, 2006... The Van Cliburn Foundation will hold its fifth International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs (IPCOA) May 28-June 3, 2007, in Fort Worth, Texas. Applicants must be a minimum age of 35 years as of May 28, 2007, and may not derive their...

Montreal International Music Competition.
August 1, 2006... The Sixth Montreal International Music Competition (MIMC), third voice edition will be held May 22-June 1, 2007. The MIMC will partner with Orchestre symphonique de Monreal for the Competition's final round and Gala Concert of the Winners,...

Michael Kovins of Korg USA dies.(Obituary)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Michael Kovins, president of Korg USA, died May 2, 2006. Kovins, who worked with the company for 26 years, served as Korg USA president for the last 14 of those years. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Katherine. A respected music...

5 minutes with ... Jon Kimura Parker.(Interview)
August 1, 2006... Jon Kimura "Jackie" Parker is an internationally acclaimed versatile pianist, educator, recording artist and media celebrity Awards include the 1984 Leeds International Piano Competition Gold Medal and his country's highest honor, the Order of...

Solving performance problems in Debussy's: La Cathedrale Engloutie.
August 1, 2006... Debussy's La Cathedrale Engloutie--from Preludes, Book 1, written in 1910--is typical of the kind of tone poem found in all his Preludes. Debussy was inspired to write this piece by an ancient legend of the Cathedral of Ys, told by the people...

A mind-body approach.(Goals for Practice and Performance)(Conscious Voluntary Movement Exercise of Albert Pesso and Diane Boyden-Pesso)
August 1, 2006... One student claims have practiced each work but seldom seems to have made significant progress from her previous lesson. Another student plays confidently and expressively in lessons but after a recital bursts into tears because his...

Having a "ball" with Staccato.
August 1, 2006... Staccato (sta-KAH-to: It., detached). The shortened performance of a note (or group of notes) so that it sounds only for a moment, the major part of its written value being replaced by a rest. It is indicated either by the word staccato or,...

The miracle in Mexico.(ghetto transformed, Leon, Mexico)
August 1, 2006... Miracle "An accomplishment or occurrence so outstanding or unusual as to seem beyond human capability or endeavor; a wonderful thing worthy of admiration." --Webster's Third New International Dictonary of the English Language....

Directory of new music and instructional materials.(Directory)
August 1, 2006... A.D.G Productions 15517 Cordary Ave. Lawndale, CA 90260 (310) 379-1568 adgordon@adgproductions.com www.adgproductions.com Celtic Music for Flute and Piano, w/CD, by Allan Alexander and Jessica Walsh. Celtic Music for...

StAR Award Recipients announced.
August 1, 2006... MTNA is pleased to announce the 2006 StAR Award Recipients. The Student Achievement Recognition (StAR) Award is given to outstanding graduating music students intending to become independent music teachers or collegiate music professors....

North Dakota recognized.(North Dakota Music Teachers Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The North Dakota Music Teachers Association (NDMTA) was recently recognized for its 50 years of affiliation with MTNA. At its June 2006 convention, MTNA President Paul Stewart, NCTM, presented NDMTA with a plaque recognizing the anniversary....

Hatch receives NMC award.(National Association News)
August 1, 2006... MTNA Executive Director and National Music Council (NMC) President Gary L. Ingle presented the NMC's prestigious American Eagle Award to Utah Senator Orrin Hatch in Salt Lake City, April 20. The presentation was made before an audience of more...

Miranda named Chief Information Officer.(Julianne M. Miranda)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Julianne M. Miranda has been named to the newly created position of Chief Information Officer at MTNA. In this role, Julianne is responsible for all aspects of information technology in support of the association. She has been charged with...

National anthem celebration is September 14.(National Association News)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... On September 14, schools and communities across the nation will sing "The Star Spangled Banner" to celebrate the anniversary of our national anthem. Last year, more than 1,700 schools and organizations participated in a September 14...

New member benefits.(National Association News)(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... On July 1, MTNA began offering legal consultation services free of charge, exclusively to MTNA members. Assistance in the following areas is available: * Zoning issues * Bill collection * Business formation (additional fees may be...

East Central Division.(Division News)(awards)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... East Central Division states honored three members as MTNA Foundation Fellows this year: Joyce Grill, NCTM, Wisconsin; Frances Larimer, NCTM, Illinois; and Richard Morris, NCTM, Ohio. The Illinois State MTA 2006 Conference will be November...

Eastern Division.(Millie Eben recognized for outstanding leadership)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Eastern Division members recognize out-going President Millie Eben, NCTM, for her outstanding leadership. We thank her for being an inspirational rote model of organization, faithfulness and quiet fortitude. She has left us a secure foundation....

South Central Division.(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas installed new officers at their annual conferences in June 2006. Arkansas State MTA is grateful to Alline Fulton for making the Arkansas website a reality and to Linda Holzer, NCTM, and Trudy Kincade, NCTM, for...

Southern Division.(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... As I take on my new position as MTNA Southern Division director, I would like to thank Past MTNA Board of Director Roy Wylie, NCTM, for his leadership. I am also looking forward to working with MTNA Southern Division Director-elect, Fay Adams,...

Northwest Division.(Association News)(Music Teachers National Association's conference)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Alaska MTNA held its spring adjudications May 6-18, 2006, in Sitka, Fairbanks and Anchorage. Kenneth Christensen, Northwest Division director, was the invited adjudicator along with being the judge for the Marguerite Downey Memorial Piano...

West Central Division.(North Dakota Music Teachers Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Priscilla Keogh, president of North Dakota MTA and Katherine Keim, NCTM, immediate past president of Colorado State MTA contributed the following information about their respective state organizations: North Dakota MTA celebrated its 50th...

Southwest Division.(Cheryl Norman quits Utah Music Teachers Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Cheryl Norman's, NCTM, term as president of the Utah MTA came to a close in June. She has left a legacy that our association should take great pride in. Under her leadership, more than 20 members will add NCTM to their title. Before taking...

Foundation Fund: 2006 MTNA Foundation Fellows.(Music Teachers National Association)
August 1, 2006... Editor's Note: This is the second half of the 2006 MTNA Foundation Fund Fellows. The first half was published in the June/July2006 AMT on page 60. Beth Gigante Klingenstein, NCTM, of Valley City, North Dakota, is the author of A Business...

Professional Certification: Certification Examinations: ideas for helping teachers prepare.(Music Teachers National Association)
August 1, 2006... Many teachers have the desire and the background to become certified, but may need a word of encouragement or a nudge in the right direction in order to take that all-important first step toward completing the examinations. Friendly e-mails or...

National Officers election.(Music Teachers National Association)
August 1, 2006... MTNA members will be electing National officers beginning in February 2007. Included here are the nominees as recommended by the MTNA Nominating Committee. The committee nominates two candidates for each position. MTNA members also may...

It's [beginning strikethrough]none of[end strikethrough] all your business: make-up policies--magic or misery.(Professional Resources)
August 1, 2006... During the coming year, AMT will present "The Best of Beth"--three of her best columns. The first of these columns is presented here.--AMT Have you ever felt run down? Overworked? Taken for granted? The antidote to all the above is to eat...

Random access: do Music teachers have a responsibility to teach with technology?
August 1, 2006... To say so almost sounds cliche, but we are in the middle of a truly amazing era of opportunity for our students. We have at our (computer's) disposal an endless array of historical resources, research tools, theory drills and even like-minded...

Polyphony: group teaching, busy schedules and phrasing.(Professional Resources)
August 1, 2006... Q: What are some various aspects of lessons that can be successfully mastered in a group teaching setting and how? A: Group teaching can provide situations for students to reap wide-ranging benefits through peer learning and can facilitate...

Are we doing enough?(Forum Focus: Arts Awareness and Advocacy)
August 1, 2006... Whenever I attend a conference, a recital, competition, festival... wherever groups of young people are performing the music they have so industriously, prepared over many months... I am impressed with their diligent, dedicated effort towards...

Get them hooked.(Forum Focus: Collegiate Chapters)
August 1, 2006... Each year, after I return from the MTNA National Conference, I am anxious to get back home and share with my students all that I learned, discovered and experienced while attending the Conference. The National Conference is an important marker...

Fresh ideas for the new school year.(Forum Focus: Independent Music Teachers)
August 1, 2006... when invited to write this article, my first thought was--do they really want "Frush" ideas? (an irresistible pun considering my last name.) But this became intriguing since I'm celebrating my 40th teaching year. Teachers should strive to stay...

Thinking as You Play: Teaching Piano in Individual and Group Lessons.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... * Thinking As You Play: Teaching Piano in Individual and Group Lessons, by Sylvia Coats. Indiana University Press (601 N. Morton St., Bloomington, IN 47404), 2006. 163 pp. $24.95. Thinking As You Play: Teaching Piano in Individual and Group...

* Researching the Song.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... * Researching the Song, by Shirlee Emmom and Wilbur Watkin Lewis. Oxford University Press, Inc. (198 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016), 2006. 507 pp. $74.00. While assisting students as they learn new repertoire, voice teachers are...

* A Practical Guide to Solo Piano Music.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... * A Practical Guide to Solo Piano Music, by Trevor Barnard and Elizabeth Gutierrez with foreword by Bruce Berr. Meredith Music Publications/G. W. Music, Inc. (4899 Lerch Creek Ct., Galesville, MD 20765), 2006. 157 pp. $19.95. A Practical...

* Technology Guide for Music Educators.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... * Technology Guide for Music Educators, edited by Scott Watson. The Technology Institute of Music Educators (TI:ME) Publication. Distributed by Thomson Course Technology (25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210), 2006. 242 pp. $19.99. Editor...

* Prescriptions for Choral Excellence: Tone, Text, Dynamic Leadership.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... * Prescriptions for Choral Excellence: Tone, Text, Dynamic Leadership, by Shirlee Emmons and Constance Chase. Oxford University Press, Inc. (198 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016), 2006. 334pp. As a conductor with more than 30 years'...

Sound Advice: Theory and Ear Training, Levels 1-4.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... Sound Advice: Theory and Ear Training, Levels 1-4, by Brenda Braaten and Crystal Wiksyk. The Frederick Harris Music Co. (2250 Military Rd., Tonawanda, NY 14150), 2006. 152 pp. $18.50-$21.25. The authors of Sound Advice: Theory and Ear...

River Rhythms: Five Contemporary Jazz Solos.(Audiobook review)
August 1, 2006... River Rhythms: Five Contemporary Jazz Solos, by Kevin Olson. The FJH Music Company Inc. (Westport Business Park, 2525 Davie Rd., Ste. 360, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317), 2005. 23 pp. $5.50. Late intermediate. What keeps a book lingering on your...

* Ragtime Classics: 17 Keyboard Favorites.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... * Ragtime Classics: 17 Keyboard Favorites, arranged by Phillip Keveren. Hal Leonard Corp. (7777 W. Bluemound Rd., P.O. Box 13819, Milwaukee, WI 53213), 2006. 59 pp. $10.95. Phillip Keveren has successfully created settings of classic...

Miniatures, Book 2.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... Miniatures, Book 2, by Edwin McLean. The FJH Music Company Inc. (Westport Business Park, 2525 Davie Rd., Ste. 360, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317), 2006. 22 pp. $5.50. Late elementary to early intermediate. Edwin McLean's Miniatures, Book 2, is a...

Let's Go Solo!, Book 3.(Book review)
August 1, 2006... Let's Go Solo!, Book 3, by David Karp. The FJH Music Company Inc. (Westport Business Park, 2525 Davie Rd., Ste. 360, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317), 2006. 24 pp. $5.50. Late Intermediate. Composer David Karp's Let's Go Solo, Book 3, is an...

Retired (not!)--refired!(The Back Page)
August 1, 2006... After 40 years of sharing music, I thought I had retired. There had been the 40th-anniversary recital called "The Farewell Recital"... the turning over of important historical musical finds... the emotionally difficult task of attempting to...