American Music Teacher articles from June 2006

American Music Teacher archives from June 2006

Quality control.(American Music Teacher provides quality unlike online information)(Editorial)
June 1, 2006... As we all know, daily life is changing rapidly and in countless ways. I'd like to focus for a moment on technology, and on the astonishingly easy and quick availability of information online--on virtually any subject the curious Web surfer can...

The state of music in the United States.(In Unison)
June 1, 2006... The following is from an address presented by MTNA Executive Director Gary L. Ingle for the International Music Council (IMC) World Forum on Music last October in Los Angeles, California. Ingle serves as president of the U.S. National Music...

Hal Leonard acquires Amadeus Press and Limelight Editions.(Items of Interest)
June 1, 2006... Hal Leonard Corporation has acquired Amadeus Press and Limelight Editions, two highly regarded catalogs known respectively for their classical music and opera books, book/CD packs and DVDs, and books on theatre, film, music and dance. ...

Dingley leads Freehand Systems publishing acquisition team.(Items of Interest)(Robert Dingley appointed as dircetor of publishing acquisitions at Freehand Systems International)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Robert Dingley, formerly of Warner Bros. Publications, has joined Freehand Systems International as director of publishing acquisitions. Dingley has been involved in retail merchandising, marketing and sales management, and developed a...

Carl Fischer music appoints Gutierrez as new piano editor.(Items of Interest)(Elizabeth Gutierrez appointed at University of Texas (San Antonio))(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Elizabeth Gutierrez, NCTM, has been appointed new piano editor by Carl Fischer Music. Gutierrez is associate professor of music and coordinator of the keyboard area at The University of Texas at San Antonio, and has previously served as...

2006 Golandsky Institute Summer Symposium and International Piano Festival.(Items of Interest)
June 1, 2006... The 2006 Golandsky Institute Summer Symposium will take place July 15-23, at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. Each evening throughout the week of the Symposium, the Golandsky Institute will present its 2006 Golandsky International...

National Flute Association Convention in Pittsburgh.(Items of Interest)
June 1, 2006... The National Flute Association (NFA) will host a meeting of more than 3,000 professional, student and amateur flutists in Pittsburgh, from August 10-13, 2006, at the David Lawrence Convention Center. Prominent U.S. and international flutists...

Pearl River appoints Gallagher new digital product manager.(Items of Interest)(Patrick Gallagher appointed at Pearl River Piano Group)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Patrick Gallagher has been appointed digital piano product manager for Pearl River Piano Group. Gallagher will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the digital piano line from design and development through marketing and consumer...

Music Ace Maestro to include Sibelius evaluation CD-ROM.(Musical Merchandise)
June 1, 2006... Harmonic Vision's Music Ace Maestro software will now include a complete Sibelius evaluation CD-ROM. The Music Ace software series teaches music theory. Sibelius is music notation software for writing music. Music Ace Maestro was...

5 minutes with ... Dave Brubeck.(Interview)
June 1, 2006... Pianist and prolific composer Dave Brubeck has been dubbed a "living legend" by the Library of Congress. Born in 1920, Brubeck began piano at age 4 and went on to study composition with Darius Milhaud. His extensive discography and publications...

Teaching music with structure.
June 1, 2006... Any teacher of music, or of anything for that matter, must constantly strive for a balance between addressing the student's immediate problems, and affording him a deeper, more grounding experience. By no means are these two concerns mutually...

Handedness in piano playing biological principles of education.
June 1, 2006... It is quite amazing that, at least to my knowledge, no studies or research have yet been done regarding the handedness of piano students, a study that can show whether approaches to teaching a left-handed child will be more beneficial to the...

The dos and don'ts of concert conversations.
June 1, 2006... Why does a cheerful, chatty teenager morph into a melancholy mute when faced with an audience? My job as a clinician for the Milwaukee-based Piano Arts Competition has been to effect that transformation in reverse. The founder of the...

The emperor has no clothes.(piano teacher's soul searching)
June 1, 2006... It's a rainy Sunday. While I have plenty I should do--I have noted the piano in 10 days, I have dozen of half-finished projects lying around, I am wrestling with an essay that won't find a shape--instead, I read the paper, knit a little, roast...

Annotated bibliography on musician wellness.(Bibliography)
June 1, 2006... INTRODUCTION This year's bibliography contains some of the latest books related to wellness issues for musicians, The full bibliography can be found on MTNA's website at www.mma.org, under the "Resources and Services" drop-down menu. ...

2006 MTNA National Conference highlights.(Music Teachers National Association)
June 1, 2006... Workshops Robert Duke, of The University of Texas at Austin, was the keynote speaker at Pedagogy Saturday X. Jan Houser, independent music teacher, tells Collegiate Expo attendees about the many hats she's worn during her years as an...

Rildia Bee O'Bryan Cliburn and Irl Allison receive MTNA Achievement Award.(National Association News)(Music Teachers National Association)
June 1, 2006... Rildia Bee O'Bryan Cliburn and Irl Allison were honored posthumously with the MTNA Achievement Award at the Opening Session of the 2006 MTNA National Conference in Austin, Texas. Cliburn (1896-1994), a piano teacher and mother of pianist...

Ginger Yang Hwalek is Teacher of the Year.(National Association News)(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Ginger Yang Hwalek, NCTM, a native of South Bend, Indiana, was honored as MTNA Teacher of the Year at the 2006 MTNA National Conference in Austin, Texas. Hwalek began piano studies at age 4 and has been involved with music ever since as a...

Pat Tuley receives MTNA Distinguished Service Award.(National Association News)(Patricia Dyer Tuley)(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Patricia Dyer Tuley, NCTM, was awarded the second annual MTNA Distinguished Service Award at the National Conference in Austin, Texas. Tuley was an independent music teacher for 36 years until her retirement in 1996. Since that time, she...

Florida MTA named State Affiliate of the Year.(National Association News)(Florida Music Teachers Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Florida Music Teachers Association is the 2006 MTNA State Affiliate of the Year, scoring high across the board in all eight areas the MTNA State Affiliate Committee looked at to determine the winner. Categories included membership growth and...

Baton Rouge named Local Association of the Year.(National Association News)(Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association (BRMTA) in Louisiana, was selected as the 2006 MTNA Local Association of the Year for its programs, innovation and unique ideas, programming and support from students, the community, the state MTA and...

Norom Bou receives Studio Teacher Fellowship Award.(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Norom Bou, a 24-year old first-year graduate student at Westminster Choir College (WCC), is the recipient of the 2006 MTNA Studio Fellowship Award. The $3,000 award was made possible by the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND. Bou currently studies piano...

Yamaha Disklavier receives Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award.(National Association News)
June 1, 2006... Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) honored the Yamaha Disklavier with its annual Frances Clark Keyboard Pedagogy Award at its national conference in Austin, Texas. The Disklavier is a performance reproducing piano by Yamaha...

Westney awarded AMT Article of the Year.(National Association News)(William Westney's article "Essential Skills: Risks and Rewards" wins American Music Teacher)
June 1, 2006... William Westney's article "Essential Skills: Risks and Rewards," was selected as the 2006 American Music Teacher Article of the Year. Westney holds a B.A, degree from Queens College, New York, and a doctor's performance degree from the...

Michael Djupstrom is MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year.(National Association News)
June 1, 2006... Michael Djupstrom has been selected as the 2005 MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year. Djupstrom was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1980, and began piano studies at age 8. He continued his training at the University of Michigan...

Mesrobian receives MTNA-Piano Technicians Guild Foundation Grant.(National Association News)(Janice Mesrobian)(Music Teachers National Association)
June 1, 2006... Janice Mesrobian was awarded the 2006 Piano Technicians Guild Foundation Grant, worth $1,000. This grant provides advanced study opportunities related to piano to Nationally Certified Teachers of Music (NCTM). Mesrobian received a B.A....

University of Iowa named Collegiate Chapter of the Year.(National Association News)(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The University of Iowa Student Chapter in Iowa City, Iowa, has been selected as the 2006 MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year. Founded in September 2004, the University of Iowa MTNA Student Chapter (UIMTNASC) has already grown to 15 members....

Fifty-year members recognized.(National Association News)(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... At the 2006 National Conference, MTNA recognized members for their 50 years of service to the music teaching profession. The following were honored at the Association Breakfast and Annual Meeting: Janet Adams, Wenatchee, WA Norma H....

Leadership recognized.(National Association News)(Music Teachers National Association)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The MTNA Board of Directors were recognized during the conference. Pictured, from left, are MTNA President Paul Stewart, NCTM; Roy Wylie, NCTM; Karen Harrington, NCTM; Ken Williams, NCTM; Debra Ronning, NCTM; Janice Wenger, NCTM; Mary Jane...

MTNA members participate in research study at the National Conference.(National Association News)(Conference news)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... During the 2006 MTNA National Conference, 60 MTNA members participated in a research study conducted by Dr. Kris Chesky, director of research and education at the Texas Center for Music & Medicine at the University of North Texas and his...

MTNA co-sponsors Best 100 Communities for Music Education.(National Association News)
June 1, 2006... An annual survey by a partnership of leading music and educational organizations has named the Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America. The 2006 roster includes school districts from 31 states. MTNA partnered with The American Music...

Correction.(National Association News)(Correction notice)
June 1, 2006... An article on page 33 of the April/May 2006 issue of AMT contained incorrect information. The Aceveda Music & Art Education raised $8,000 for the Hurricane Katrina Recovery fund, not nearly $7,000 as was printed. AMT regrets the error.

2006 Fall State Conferences.(National Association News)
June 1, 2006... 2006 Fall State Conferences This list contains only those state MTA conferences held during the fall months. State Date Location Florida October 26-29 Eckerd College Cecil Conference ...

Music Teachers National Association: annual meeting minutes Austin, Texas, March 28, 2006.(National Association News)(Conference news)
June 1, 2006... Call to Order MTNA President Paul Stewart called the meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. on March 28, 2006. ADOPTION OF AGENDA The agenda was adopted as printed. QUORUM President Stewart declared a quorum present at the...

Carmen Shaw Oshkosh, Wisconsin.(EAST CENTRAL)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Carmen Shaw Oshkosh, Wisconsin Carmen Shaw, NCTM, an independent teacher from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, holds degrees from Concordia College and Illinois Wesleyan University. She is a collaborative pianist, adjudicator, presenter and church musician...

Deborah Martin Ithaca, New York.(EASTERN)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Deborah Martin, NCTM, is associate professor in performance studies at Ithaca College, where she teaches studio and class piano and piano pedagogy. Martin has been a member of MTNA since 1992, serving as district chair, state convention chair...

Kenneth Christensen Bozeman, Montana.(NORTHWEST)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Kenneth Christensen is an independent piano teacher and active performer, adjudicator and clinician. He holds a bachelor's degree from Montana State University and a master's degree in piano performance from the University of Montana....

Ruth Pitts Waco, Texas.(SOUTH CENTRAL)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Ruth Pitts, NCTM, a music instructor at McLennan Community College, Waco, Texas, has been active in MTNA for 30 years. Pitts has a B.M.E. degree from Baylor University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Vanderbilt University. She has served as...

Diane Higgins Charlotte, North Carolina.(SOUTHERN)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Diane Higgins, NCTM, is an independent piano teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a B.M. degree in piano performance from Salem College. She has been North Carolina MTA president, president-elect/vice president of conventions, vice...

Cheryl Pachak-Brooks Portales, New Mexico.(SOUTHWEST)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Cheryl Pachak-Brooks, NCTM, is a faculty member at Eastern New Mexico University. Her service includes division presidentelect, national certification commissioner, national collegiate task force and forum and national nominating committee...

Mary Ellen Moore Colorado Springs, Colorado.(WEST CENTRAL)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Mary Ellen Moore, NCTM, (B.M., M.M.), is an independent piano teacher in Colorado Springs. She previously served as Colorado State MTA president. She also was a member of the MTNA FOUNDATION Board of Trustees, Teacher Enrichment Grant Committee...

2006 MTNA Foundation Fellows.(Music Teachers National Association)
June 1, 2006... The MTNA FOUNDATION FUND Fellow Program honors deserving individuals who have made significant contributions to the music world and the music teaching profession. In its seventh year, this program supports the efforts of MTNA through donations...

Teacher enrichment grants awarded.(FOUNDATION FUND)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Fifteen teachers received grants this year from the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND. A total of $11,975 was awarded to recipients to help fund continuing education and professional development projects. This year's grants were awarded to Diana Desiree...

Local associations receive grants.(FOUNDATION FUND)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... A total of $4,780 was distributed from the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND to 12 local associations in 2006. Associations receiving grants are: Lincoln County District, Oregon MTA, OR Westmoreland Chapter, PA South Central Kentucky MTA, KY...

State affiliate grants awarded.(FOUNDATION FUND)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Two State Affiliate Matching Grants were awarded in 2006. These grants are awarded to state affiliates to enhance professional and education development of its members, as well as creating innovative programs that will promote and enhance...

Incentive giving campaign winners.(FOUNDATION FUND)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... Congratulations to the North Dakota Music Teachers Association (NDMTA), Mississippi Music Teachers Association (MMTA), and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) for winning the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND State Incentive...

Professional certification: college/university online course offerings.(Association News)
June 1, 2006... In an effort to aid Certification candidates with their completion of the Standard I requirements, a list of colleges and universities that offers online courses, which may be helpful in this endeavor, has been compiled. There are six...

Polyphony: variety ... leveling ... pedagogical knowledge.(Professional Resources)
June 1, 2006... Q: How can one add variety and not be repetitious in private instruction? A: This is a wonderful question that undoubtedly comes from a teacher seeking to motivate her student and herself. Students like to know the expectations for a...

What's new in pedagogy research?(Professional Resources)
June 1, 2006... Motivating students to practice and continue in lessons is often one of the most challenging and grueling parts of teaching. We use competitions, festivals, rewards, stickers and intra-studio contests to hold their attention; and we spend hours...

Innovative concert ideas: beyond the music.(Forum Focus: Collaborative Arts)
June 1, 2006... Performing artists often are looking for ways to capture an audience's attention and attract new audience members. Concerts that introduce other art forms or disciplines can be an innovative way to inspire both audiences and musicians....

GP3 Forum: invigorates ... inspires ... renews.(National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum)
June 1, 2006... Every other August, collegiate group piano and piano pedagogy teachers gather for a very special two-day event, the National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum (GP3). This year, the gathering will take place in Norman, Oklahoma, and if past...

2005 MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year: Michael Djupstrom.(Music Teachers National Association)(Interview)
June 1, 2006... The 2005 MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year Michael Djupstrom is, at age 26, already embarking upon a rather remarkable career as a composer, pianist and educator. He completed M.A. and B.M. degrees in composition at the...

Bringing the local association online: guiding principles for developing a professional web presence: part two.(Forum Focus: Local Associations)
June 1, 2006... With blueprint in hand, you are now ready to begin the actual development of your association website. Effective design is dependent on good organization of material, clear navigational structure, proper choice and color combination and graphic...

The Musician's Walk: An Ethical Labyrinth.(Book review)
June 1, 2006... * The Musician's Walk: An Ethical Labyrinth, by James Jordan. GIA Publications, Inc. (7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638), 2006. 399 pp. $38.95. Punctuated by lush photography and insightful quotes, The Musician's Walk: An Ethical...

Teaching Genius: Dorothy DeLay and the Making of a Musician.(Book review)
June 1, 2006... * Teaching Genius: Dorothy DeLay and the Making of a Musician, by Barbara Lourie Sand. Amadeus Press, LLC. (512 Newark Pompton Tpke., Pompton Plains, NJ 07444), 2005. 240 pp. $16.95. Books that pay tribute to famous music teachers can...

Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music.(Book review)
June 1, 2006... * Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music, by Angela Myles Beeching. Oxford University Press, Inc. (198 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016), 2005. 344 pp. $18.95. The title of this book gives just a glimpse of the breadth of...

Mastering the Art of Performance: A Primer for Musicians.(Book review)
June 1, 2006... * Mastering the Art of Performance: A Primer for Musicians, by Stewart Gordon. Oxford University Press, Inc. (198 Madison Ave., New York, IVY 10016), 2005. 210pp. $24.95. This is one of those rare volumes that should occupy an honored...

Be a Star!, Book 1.(Book review)
June 1, 2006... * Be a Star!, Book 1, by Kevin Costley, edited by Helen Marlais. The FJH Music Co., Inc. (Westport Business Park, 2525 Davie Rd., Ste. 360, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317), 2005. 24 pp. $5.50. Early-Elementary/Elementary. Be a Star! Book 1,...

Piano Essentials: Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences for the Contemporary Pianist (w/CD).(Book review)
June 1, 2006... * Piano Essentials: Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences for the Contemporary Pianist (w/CD), by Ross Ramsay. Berklee Press (1140 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215), 2006. 100 pp. $24.95. Berklee College of Music faculty member Ross Ramsay...

Big Note Piano Standards, 2d ed.(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... Big Note Piano Standards, 2nd Edition. Hal Leonard Co. (7777 W. Bluemound Rd., P.O. Box 13819, Milwaukee, WI 53213). 56 pp. $7.95. Intermediate. Big Note Piano Standards, 2nd Edition, features 15 familiar standards in a big-note format...

Rossi: 35 Selected Studies for String Bass.(Brief article)(Book review)
June 1, 2006... Rossi: 35 Selected Studies For String Bass, edited by Thomas Martin. International Music Co. (5 W. 37th St., New York, NY 10018), 2005. 67 pp. If you are an advanced bass player, equally adept with the treble clef as with the bass def,...

Knowing the Score.(Book review)
June 1, 2006... Knowing the Score, by Malcolm Bilson. Cornell University Press Services (P.O. Box 6525, 750 Cascadilla St., Ithaca, New York 14851). Here's the DVD that will free you from tyranny! All those years of respecting exactly what's on the page in...

The Quickstart Music Suite (DVDs 1-4).(Video recording review)
June 1, 2006... The Quickstart Music Suite (DVDs 1-4). Midisoft Music Software (24325 Crenshaw Blvd., 108, Los Angeles, CA 90505). Beginner to advanced. The bundle of applications in The Quickstart Music Suite (DVDs 1-4) is tempting, given the scope of...

The year in review.(Music Teachers National Association)(Conference news)(Brief article)
June 1, 2006... The annual Summit for MTNA Leadership was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 16-18, 2005. State presidents and other leadership attended the weekend of education, motivation and networking. To commemorate the Oktoberfest taking place in...