American Music Teacher articles from February 2008

American Music Teacher archives from February 2008

Hope you'll join us in Denver.(Dear Reader)
February 1, 2008... For many of you who are like me, you can't wait to receive your conference issue of AMT to start circling all the sessions you want to be sure to attend and bemoan the fact that you can't be in two places at the same time! However, I know there...

Competitions, recitals and auditions--oh my!(In Unison)
February 1, 2008... At this time of year, many students are preparing for competitions, auditions or recitals. These activities, many offered through MTNA and our state and local affiliates, can be extraordinarily beneficial to our students, motivating and...

Frederick Harris acquires Keystroke Publishing.(Items of Interest)(Frederick Harris Music)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Frederick Harris Music has acquired the publications Comprehensive Ear Training, Vocal Ear Training and Sight Singing Solution from Keystroke Publishing. Comprehensive Ear Training helps students musically by building a solid aural...

Hal Leonard names Linn Creative manager-educational piano.(Items of Interest)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Jennifer Linn has been named new creative manager-educational piano for Hal Leonard. Linn will work closely with other Hal Leonard composers, authors and arrangers in product development, editorial and marketing of educational piano. Linn...

New online journal for music research.(Items of Interest)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... A new online journal for music research has been developed by the Music Council of Australia. It is called the Journal of Music Research Online JMRO). JMRO publishes scholarly research articles in areas including, but not limited to...

MakeMusic names Marchese education solutions manager.(Items of Interest)(Larry Marchese)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MakeMusic, Inc. has named Larry Marchese education solutions manager. Prior to joining MakeMusic, Marchese was the southern education manager for Sibelius USA. As an education solutions manager for MakeMusic, Marchese will continue to work...

Kennedy Center presents new online music education resource.(Items of Interest)(John E. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The John E Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) has introduced Perfect Pitch, an online interactive music education program that teaches music through the metaphor of baseball. Designed for middle...

CD wins NAPPA honors award.(Items of Interest)(Scats My Bag Interactive CD, National Parenting Publications Awards)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Scats My Bag interactive CD learning trilogy created by teaching music artist Erika Paul-Carlson at Jazz Q Music Education Services, was named a Music Category Honors Award winner in the 2007 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)...

2008 ASCAP Music EXPO announced.(Items of Interest)(American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)'s third annual "I Create Music" EXPO will be held April 10-12, 2008, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO is the...

DogsandBirds.com.(Music Merchandise)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Dogs and Birds; +44 (01) 1784 437801; info@dogsandbirds.co.uk; www.dogsandbirds.com. Dogs and Birds is a new approach to teaching keyboard skills and singing to children ages 4-7, by means of two illustrated tutor books. Each note on the...

Footime Page Turner.(Music Merchandise)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Bili Inc., 14845 Proctor Ave., Suite B, City of Industry, CA 91746; (626) 333-8718; sales@bilila.com; www.bilila.com; $59. The Footime Page Turner is a new product from Bili Inc. that seeks to eliminate the need for musicians to frequently...

EMedia Music Releases Piano and Keyboard Method Version 2.0.(Music Merchandise)
February 1, 2008... EMedia Music Corporation, 664 NE Northlake Way, 664 NE Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98105; (888) 363-3424; www.eMediamusic, corn; $59.95. Piano and Keyboard Method Version 2. 0 has been released by eMedia Music Corporation. Version 2.0 intends...

Gibson introduces first Robot Guitar.(Music Merchandise)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Gibson Guitars, 309 Plus Park Blvd., Nashville, TN 37217; (615) 244-0252; www.gibson.com. Gibson Guitar has released in limited availability the world's first guitar with robotic technology, the Gibson Robot Guitar. The Gibson Robot...

Seattle International Piano Festival and Competition.(Competitions)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The first annual Seattle International Piano Festival and Competition will take place September 19-21, 2008. Performers may participate among any age group, including ages 7-13, 14-18, collegiate artists, amateur artists and professional...

Notes from a musician's journal.(Marking Time)
February 1, 2008... I go to yoga class to remember how to play and teach the piano. It certainly didn't begin that way. I started going to yoga for the physical exercise, thinking it would be a good complement to the Pilates, walking and biking I regularly do....

Lang Lang: the pride of music pianist, teacher and inspiration to all.(2008 CONFERENCE ARTIST)(Biography)
February 1, 2008... The thunderous applause was absolutely deafening, with the entire audience in Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall quickly getting on their feet to give the brilliant young pianist a standing ovation as he played his last note of the Prokofiev...

Marilyn Horne.(2008 SPECIAL GUEST)(Interview)
February 1, 2008... Operatic superstar... Mother and Grandmother... Respected Teacher... Mentor. Internationally renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne is all these, and so much more. MTNA members in attendance at this year's 122nd annual conference in Denver...

Passion for collaboration.(2008 CONFERENCE ARTIST)(Interview)
February 1, 2008... Anne Epperson is passionate about collaborative piano, both as a performer and pedagogue. Starting with her position at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as the instrumental colleague in the program created there by John Wustman,...

Directory of summer programs.(Directory)
February 1, 2008... Alaska University of Alaska Fairbanks Jo Ryman Scott, founder and executive director, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Department of Music, P.O. Box 82510, Fairbanks, AK 99708; (907) 474-8869, fax: (907) 479-4329; festival@alaska.net;...

National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum.(National Association News)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The fifth National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum (GP3) will be held August 1-2, 2008, at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. "Staying Focused, Staying Fresh" will be the theme of this year's forum. Friday, August 1, will be...

Official notice of the annual business meeting.(National Association News)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The annual business meeting of the association for the presentation of reports and discussion of association affairs will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 11:45 A.M.-12:45 P.M; at the Colorado Convention Center, Rooms 301-303 in Denver, Colorado....

Forum and division meetings at the conference.(National Association News)(Calendar)
February 1, 2008... Forum and Division Meetings at the Conference The following forum and division meetings will be held at the 2008 MTNA National Conference in Denver, Colorado. Forum Building Room Arts Awareness...

StAR Award Program.(National Association News)(Student Achievement Recognition)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... Since 1998, the Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award program has granted free, one-year national active MTNA membership to selected graduates. Students are selected by faculty and school administrators on the basis of excellence in...

Maryland affiliate recognized.(National Association News)(Executive Director Gary Ingle)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The Maryland MTA was recently recognized for its 50 years of affiliation with MTNA. At its January convention, MTNA Executive Director Gary Ingle presented the affiliate with a plaque recognizing the feat. Each year the national...

State pride drawing.(Foundation Fund)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... The MTNA FOUNDATION FUND will hold the annual State Pride Drawing in the exhibit hall during the 2008 Conference in Denver, Colorado, March 29-April 2. Each state is encouraged to donate an item with a value of at least $50 for the drawing....

Foundation fellows to be recognized at Gala.(Foundation Fund)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MTNA will recognize the 2008 FOUNDATION Fellows at the Conference Gala Monday, March 31. The Fellow program offers a meaningful method for honoring deserving individuals, while supporting the efforts of MTNA through a donation to the FOUNDATION...

Foundation fund open meeting.(Foundation Fund)
February 1, 2008... The FOUNDATION FUND Open Meeting will be held Monday, March 31 from 10:30-11:30 A.M. in Convention Center Rooms 505-507.

Employer matching.(Foundation Fund)
February 1, 2008... Many corporations are willing to match employee donations to a non-profit. Do you or your spouse work for such a company? MTNA encourages applicable donors and their families to check with their employers' corporate headquarters to inquire if...

Student competition award sponsors.(Foundation Fund)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MTNA welcomes the Kawai America Corporation as the newest MTNA student competitions award sponsor. Kawai has agreed to sponsor the MTNA Senior Duet Piano Competition at the upcoming MTNA National Conference in March. Kawai Senior Vice...

In memoriam.(In memoriam)
February 1, 2008... The following, in alphabetical order, is a list of MTNA members who died during the past year. and whose family and friends notified MTNA headquarters. Martha Arquilla, Lake Forest, Illinois Lois Askren, Beavercreek, Ohio Howard...

Professional certification: overcoming hurdles to National Certification.(Association News)
February 1, 2008... Not long after attaining my national certification in 2002, I became certification chair for Virginia MTA. Appalled that only 13 percent of our members were Nationally Certified Teachers of Music and that we ranked 31st in the United States for...

Newly certified.(Association News)(Brief article)
February 1, 2008... MTNA is proud to acknowledge the following newly certified music teachers: (October 1-November 30, 2007) International: Holly Miller Jones, APO, Piano Alabama: Susanne Gilmer, Sterrett, Piano Arizona: Lynn A. Moser,...

Certification events in Denver.(Association News)(Conference news)(Calendar)
February 1, 2008... Whether you are already certified, in the midst of the certification process or are interested in learning more about the program, you'll want to check out some of the Certification events at the 2008 MTNA National Conference in Denver. ...

Polyphony.(Professional Resources)
February 1, 2008... Q Do you believe that one truly can learn to teach, or do you believe teaching is an in-born talent? A Many of us are acquainted with natural-born teachers, but that does not mean these people did not consciously work to develop various...

What's new in pedagogy research?(Professional Resources)
February 1, 2008... Over the years I have read many research studies investigating sight reading. I have taken various bits of possible insights away from these studies, but it is sometimes difficult to see the larger picture in this area of research--somewhat...

Adult collaborations: amateur chamber music programs.(Forum Focus: Collaborative Performance)
February 1, 2008... Throughout the United States there e a plethora of chamber music festivals from coast to coast. These festivals invite some of the world's leading chamber music performers and provide many wonderful concerts, lectures and continuing education...

Accommodating non-music majors in the applied music studio.(Forum Focus: College Faculty)
February 1, 2008... Music units in colleges and universities are facing increasing pressure for applied music instruction, especially in piano, from students who are not planning to major in music. Most of us have had experience with those very bright high school...

Creative fundraising.(Forum Focus: Local Associations)
February 1, 2008... Throughout the year, many local associations and collegiate chapters hold fundraisers to support programming. Local leaders often admit, though, that their fundraising efforts are stuck in a rut or that they really don't even know where to...

Division candidates.(MTNA)
February 1, 2008... In accordance with Article VI, Sec. 2 of the MTNA Bylaws, this slate of two candidates per office was prepared by the MTNA Nominating Committee committee consisting of Paul Stewart, NCTM, Greensboro, North Carolina, chair; David French,...

Making Music and Enriching Lives: A Guide for All Music Teachers.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... Making Music and Enriching Lives: A Guide for All Music Teachers, by Bonnie Blanchard with Cynthia Blanchard Acree. Indiana University Press, (www.iupress.indiana.edu; (800) 842-6796), 2007. 336 pp. $24.95. Bonnie Blanchard is a very...

MENC: A Century of Service to Music Education 1907-2007.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... MENC: A Century of Service to Music Education 1907-2007, by Terry Ponick and edited by Frances Ponick. M. T. Publishing Company, Inc. (www.mtpublishing.com; (888) 263-4702), 2007. 152pp. $34.95. This historical documentation is compiled by...

The Piano Workbook: A Complete Course in Technique and Performance, w/CD.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... The Piano Workbook: A Complete Course in Technique and Performance, w/CD, by Carl Humphries. Hal Leonard Corporation (www.musicdispatch.com; (800) 637-2852), 2007. 280 pp. $29.95. The Piano Workbook by Carl Humphries was written in response...

Wagner Moments: A Celebration of Favorite Wagner Experiences.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... Wagner Moments: A Celebration of Favorite Wagner Experiences, edited and annotated by J.K. Holman. Amadeus Press (www.amadeuspress.com, www. musicdispatch.com; (800) 637-2852), 2007. 256 pp. $12.95. I will start my discussion of J. K....

A Crooked Kind of Perfect.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... A Crooked Kind of Perfect, by Linda Urban. Harcourt, Inc. (www.harcourt.com; (800) 638-1639), 2007. 224 pp. $16. A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban is a story about a young girl named Zoe. She dreams of playing the piano, but instead...

Piano Piano.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... Piano Piano, by Davide Cali, Eric Heliot and Randi Rivers. Charlesbridge Publishing (www.charlesbridge.com; (800) 225-3214), 2007. 24 pp. $15.95. Illustrated in fantastical, whimsical cartoon style, this children's book may have a more...

Suite populaire bresilienne.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... Suite populaire bresilienne, by Heitor Villa-Lobos and edited by Frederic Zigante. Hal Leonard Corporation (www.musicdispatch.com; (800) 637-2852), 2007. 26 pp. A staple in classical guitar repertoire, Heitor Villa-Lobos's Suite populaire...

Beethoven: Urtext, An die ferne Geliebte.(Book review)
February 1, 2008... Beethoven: Urtext, An die ferne Geliebte fur Singstimme und Klavier, Op. 98 (To the Distant Beloved, Op. 98) for Voice and Piano, Original Version for High Voice, G. Henle Verlag, 579, edited by Helga Luhning. G. Henle USA, Inc....

Memories of John Browning: The Lhevinne Legacy Continues (Second edition).(Video recording review)
February 1, 2008... Memories of John Browning: The Lhevinne Legacy Continues (Second edition), produced and directed by Salome Ramras Arkatov. Arkatov Productions (arkatov@gmail.com; (310) 470-840). Running time: 70 minutes. Video biographies can be merely...

Shall we dance?.(ad lib)
February 1, 2008... A few years ago, I interviewed a 10-year old who wanted to begin studying piano. Irina's family had just bought a new upright piano because they were sure her interest in music would be long-term. During the trial lesson, I was impressed with...