10 years of Pedagogy Saturday.(Music Teachers National Association)

Congratulations to MTNA and Pedagogy Saturday on its 10th Anniversary! The time has flown by. The MTNA Ad-Hoc Committee for the Study of Performance Pedagogy Training had its first meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 29-30, 1995. Present at that meeting, in addition to myself, were pianists Margaret Lorince (chair) and Richard Chronister, Gerald Fischbach who represented strings, and William McIver who represented voice. Ten years later, I still remember how privileged and excited I felt to be able to take part in the invigorating and thought-provoking discussions that ensued. Those discussions culminated in a series of closed task force meetings at the 1996 MTNA National Conference.

We quickly realized that we had crafted something very unique that deserved an audience. We began discussing the possibility of a one-day, pre-conference event that would be open to all who attended the conference, and thus, Pedagogy Saturday came into being. One of the core tenets of our group was that musicians could learn from each other, regardless of discipline. Initially focusing on piano, strings and voice, we eventually added woodwinds. The first Pedagogy Saturday took place at the 1997 MTNA National Conference in Dallas, Texas. Five panels discussed the following topics: "Learning the Language of Music," Observation and Intern Teaching," "The Healthy Musician," "The Teaching Process" and "The Ensemble Pianist." It was an auspicious beginning!

I was a member of the Pedagogy Committee through the 2001 MTNA National Conference, a total of six years. Over that time I watched this day-long event evolve and thrive. For the 2007 MTNA/CFMTA/RCM Conference, we are moving beyond our borders, exchanging ideas with our Canadian neighbors and focusing in-depth on the topic of assessment. Everyone will want to plan their travel so that they can arrive in time to participate in this unique Pedagogy FRIDAY. See you in Toronto!

--Gail Berenson, NCTM

MTNA President-elect

Margaret Lorince (deceased)

It would be nice if we could say the days are gone when teachers teach as they were taught." In truth, we know many studios throughout our country have remained isolated from the creative thinking that has been taking place in the field of music pedagogy during the last half of the 20th century. MTNA has played an important role in keeping America's studio teachers informed of the innovative changes and promoting the professional growth of its members. Since its founding in 1995, the major goal of the MTNA Pedagogy Committee has been to focus the attention of teachers of all disciplines on the vital, creative forces shaping the music pedagogy of today and tomorrow....