Newsletter
 
March 19, 2018

 

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In This Issue
A Note From Our President
Program: Laurie Sorman and Fran Onley
New Date for AWARDS Recitals
Camp Scholarship
College Scholarship
Article Headline
AIM Performance Results
Dr. William Kinderman Workshop
Article Headline
Article Headline
Article Headline
Lowrey Organ
Note from the Editor
February Minutes
Click here for the February General Meeting minutes.
Upcoming Events

MARCH

PROGRAM:
IMT (Independent Music Teachers)
Laurie Sorman and Fran Onley
"Snappy Summer Ideas to Grow Your Income, Enrollment and Enjoyment"
Monday, March 19, 2018
Rolling Meadows Library 
9:15 A.M.  IMT (Independent Music Teachers) Chat
9:45 A.M. Meeting

APRIL

Thursday, April 5, 2018   Online Registration: Classical and Pop & Jazz Recital
Check must be mailed by April 1.

Saturday, March 14, 2018   Deadline: Awards Competition

AWARDS COMPETITION
DATE CHANGED !!! DUE TO A CONFLICT AT HARPER COLLEGE THE AWARDS COMPETITION IS NOW SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 
Harper College, Music Instruction Center (Building P)

CLASSICAL/POP-JAZZ RECITALS
NEW DATE !!!
Sunday, April 15, 2018   Rolling Meadows Library
1:30 p.m. Classical 3:30 p.m. Pop and Jazz

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Saturday, April 15, 2018  Send entries to Pat Borchardt
36652 N. Oakwood Dr., Lake Villa 60046

MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIP
Saturday, April 15, 2018  Send entries to Pat Borchardt
36652 N. Oakwood Dr., Lake Villa 60046

PROGRAM:
Mary Hough and Karen Mazza
"How We Du-et!"
Monday, April 16, 2018
Rolling Meadows Library
9:15 A.M. IMT (Independent Music Teachers) Chat
9:45 A.M. Meeting

AIM: PERFORMANCE EXAMS LEVEL 10-12
Sunday, April 22, 2018
A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

When you receive this newsletter we will be only a few days from the official beginning of spring. Even as I am writing this in early March there are hopeful signs such as longer hours of daylight and some warmer, sunny days. Although we have already wrapped up a number of NWSMTA events for this year, the months ahead will include great performance opportunities for students at the Awards competition, recitals, upper level AIM exams and jazz festival. 

If spring is almost here, then summer is not far behind. It can be a challenge to convince busy families to continue piano lessons in the summer. Our March Independent Music Teachers Program, "Snappy Summer Ideas to Grow Your Income, Enrollment and Enjoyment" will give us some novel ways to approach summer piano study. The program is being presented by members Laurie Sorman and Fran Onley. 

This month First Vice President Brenda Buchanan will be presiding at the business meeting while I attend the MTNA conference in Orlando. I am very grateful to NWSMTA for giving me this opportunity. The conference always has such a great variety of interesting sessions and inspiring performances that it can be a challenge deciding which ones to attend. In my limited free time I like to visit the exhibit hall which features displays from all the major publishers. It is a fantastic place to browse and select new music, especially since so many local music stores have closed. One of our members told me that she met a teacher who always brings an extra suitcase to the conference to hold all of her music purchases! I will try to limit my purchases to what I can easily carry home. 

In preparation for the conference I watched a webinar titled "Walt Disney World 101: Maximizing Your 2018 MTNA National Conference." This was filled with helpful information on arriving in Orlando, navigating the Disney transportation system, making dining reservations, and even visiting the theme parks. The presenter, Kevin Chance, made several statements which impressed me. He said that Disney strives to make your experience there as smooth and trouble free as possible. They have mastered the skills of planning and organizing in order to handle millions of visitors each year. He also said that Disney employees, known as cast members, are unfailingly friendly and helpful. 

These statements struck me because I think they could be descriptions of piano teachers. Don't we all strive to make our students' learning experiences as smooth and trouble free as possible? We carefully plan the presentation of new concepts. When introducing a new piece we try to anticipate any potential trouble spots and give students helpful practice suggestions. We do our best to select repertoire that will foster musical growth while remaining well within a student's level of capability. Finally, even though it is not always easy, we do our best to remain cheerful, friendly and helpful. 

I will look forward to sharing my experiences from the MTNA conference next month.

Suzanne Murray

LAURIE SORMAN and FRAN ONLEY
"Snappy Summer Ideas to Grow your Income, Enrollment, and Enjoyment."

Our very own NWSMTA members, Laurie Sorman and Fran Onley, will present our program following the business meeting on  March 19, 2018 at the Rolling Meadows Public Library.  The title of their program is "Snappy Summer Ideas to Grow your Income, Enrollment, and Enjoyment."  This promises to be fun and informative - you won't want to miss it!

AWARDS COMPETITION and RECITAL DATE CHANGES !!!
piano-theater-sm.jpg
Due to a conflict at Harper College the Awards Competition date has been changed to Sunday, April 15th.

Also, the date for the AWARDS Competition Winner's Recital was incorrectly listed in the yearbook and on the website.

The correct date is  Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

Steinway Gallery, Northbrook 
Recital is at  5:00 pm.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

If you have students that will be attending a music camp this summer, look into our camp scholarship requirements.  The student can apply for the scholarship performing on any instrument taught by an NWSMTA teacher even if that is not the instrument they will be attending camp for.   There are 2 divisions:  Junior - up to 8th grade and Senior - 9th through 12 grades.  1st place winners in each division will each receive $300 and 2nd place winners will each receive $200.  For more information and application form look on our website at NWSMTA.org. If you have any questions, please contact me.  If sending an email, please state camp scholarship in the subject line.  Deadline is  April 15.

Pat Borchardt

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP

If you have a high school senior graduating this year and will be attending a college or university majoring in music, remember about our college scholarship.  There will be 1 winner receiving $1000 payable to the school in 2 installments.  All pieces must be memorized. They must apply on the instrument taught by a NWSMTA teacher and majoring on that instrument.  Application form and rules and requirements are listed on our website at NWSMTA.org.  If you have more questions, please contact me.  If sending an email, please state college scholarship in the subject line.  Deadline is  April 15 .

Pat Borchardt

PIANOS FOR SALE

Technician-prepared Quality Pianos for Sale
 
Solid name-brands like Yamaha, Kawai, Baldwin, Chickering
Many in like-new condition!
Selling for far below dealer prices
1 year warranty, free tuning in home
 
Piano teachers earn cash for referrals
$75 commission for consoles/uprights, and $125 for grands.
 
Over thirty years experience, including at Lyon-Healy
and as a Baldwin factory rebuilder
 
A440 tunings by ear only $90
 
Contact Paul at Careys' Piano Service in Naperville
paulcarey440@gmail.com or 708-955-0712
 
You may know me as an internationally-recognized choral composer, or as a vocal/choral accompanist. I also have over three decades of experience as a piano tuner/technician, having had full time experience with the old Lyon-Healy chain which dominated the Chicago musical retail scene for many decades and the Baldwin factory where I restrung fine Baldwin grand pianos.
 
I have begun purchasing very clean, high-quality pianos, fixing them up and reselling them for far less than a piano dealership. All these pianos include the matching original bench unless noted otherwise. In most cases these pianos can virtually pass for new when looking at the cabinet and the minimal wear and tear inside.
 
Here are the pianos currently in my shop in Naperville-the first three are ready for viewing right now, and the other four will be ready soon.

Weber Console Model WF-108, serial #T00022720 (new c. 1998) 

Built by Young  Chang (South Korea) Queen Anne style- dark cherry satin finish (no pressed wood or synthetic finish) Solid spruce soundboard in perfect condition, high quality hammers, full perimeter cast plate, etc. This piano is in virtually new condition. The cabinet is gorgeous. Hammers are in excellent condition. Wonderfully even tone and touch. A one-owner instrument. This would be a great piano for a beginner through early advanced. This piano probably listed for at least $6,000.  My price: $2,400 cash plus delivery. Includes a free tuning in your house and one-year limited warranty.
 
Chickering Baby Grand Model 410 (new 1999)
 
Built in 1999 by Baldwin/DongBei Piano Group, with Baldwin patented construction. Queen Anne style-cherry satin finish (no pressed wood or synthetic finish) Solid spruce soundboard in perfect condition, high quality hammers, etc. This piano is in virtually new condition. The cabinet is fantastic and the carved detailing in the music rack and the legs is delightful. This piano listed for c. $13,000 when new. 
My price:  $7,000 cash plus delivery. 
 
Kawai Console Model 601-M, serial #A8984 (new c. 1993)
 
Japanese designed, assembled in USA Tapered Leg- Natural Oak satin finis.h Solid spruce soundboard in perfect condition, high quality hammers, etc.  This piano is in virtually new condition. The cabinet is perfect-not a nick to be seen! Hammers are in excellent condition. Wonderfully even tone and touch. A one-owner instrument. This would be a great piano for a beginner through early advanced. This piano probably listed for at least $5,500 new.  My price: $2,200 cash plus delivery. Includes a free tuning in your house and one-year limited warranty.
 
Yamaha Console Model M16, 42" tall (new 1988)
Built by Yamaha in their South Haven, Michigan U.S.A. factory (where fine Everett pianos were made) Traditional with tapered round legs-light cherry satin finish

Yamaha Baby Grand Model G1,  5'3'' long (new 1975)
Built by Yamaha in their main Japanese factory. This is a classic-Yamaha has sold gazillions of this model!

Baldwin Console Model 662, serial #1532898 (new 1997). NO ORIGINAL BENCH (but have a substitute)
Built by Baldwin in U.S.A. Queen Anne style- medium cherry satin finish

Weber Studio  built by Young Chang. High polish ebony finish. This is a workhorse studio piano

And by the way, I am taking on beginning through early advanced harp students, privately and in groups here in Naperville and Saturdays in Western Springs. I hope you will send anyone who wishes to try the harp to get ahold of me. I have small, inexpensive student harps for rental, made in the USA.
 
AIM LEVELS 3-9 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

The AIM Performance exams for levels 3 through 9 were held on March 11th. 185 Students from 45 teachers participated. Below is a summary of the exam scores.
Low Average Median High # Students Judged
Overall 53.25 91.26 93.00 102.00 185
L09 75.00 92.05 93.00 101.50 23
L08 56.50 89.66 92.50 100.50 23
L07 53.25 90.98 93.50 101.75 29
L06 66.00 90.02 91.50 102.00 29
L05 69.00 92.01 96.25 101.00 36
L04 72.50 92.71 94.50 102.00 21
L03 68.00 91.47 93.63 99.75 24

OAKTON SIX PIANO ENSEMBLE CONCERTS
Oakton Six Piano Ensemble

The Oakton Six Piano Ensemble, under the direction of Conductor Glenna Sprague, will present concerts on Saturday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. in the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines.
 
The Six Piano Ensemble was formed by Glenna Sprague, Professor and Coordinator of Music at Oakton, where she also teaches piano. Performing at six pianos, the group performs not only traditional classical piano music; but also, symphonic literature as well as ragtime and popular music. The rich, layered sound of the Six Piano Ensemble compares to that of an orchestra, with each member playing a different part of a composition as the melody transfers from pianist to pianist. At this year's concerts, we are celebrating Leonard Bernstein's 100th anniversary by performing "Oh, Happy We" and "I Am Easily Assimilated" from Candide, as well as performing the "Hungarian Dance, No. 2 in D Minor" by Brahms; "Waltz" from the Masquerade Suite, by Khachaturian; Märsche No. 1 and No. 3, Op. 45 by Beethoven; Slavonic Dance in E Minor, Op. 72, No. 2 by Dvořák; "Original Rags" by Joplin and other selections.
 
Tickets are $17 for general admission, $14 for seniors and students, and $12 for group rate. For ticket information, call the Oakton Box Office at 847-635-1900 or order tickets online at www.oakton.edu/tickets. Following each concert, there is a reception.
 
Widely acknowledged as one of the most unique musical groups in the world, the Oakton Six Piano Ensemble has performed in Europe and the United States, including the 32nd World Conference of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) at the Royale Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow; the College Music Society International Conference in Vienna, Austria; MTNA National Conferences in Atlanta and Spokane; numerous MTNA state conferences; GP3 Conference at University of Oklahoma, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Chicago; and the Steinway of Chicago's Community Concert Series.

BENEFITS OF PLAYING IN THE 25TH NWSMTA FESTIVAL OF PIANOS




 
1. It is a rare ensemble experience for piano students, teachers and parents and teaches them to follow a conductor.
 
2. Students have the opportunity to play duets with not only a partner but with ten others playing the same duet on six Steinway grand pianos, two 9' and four 7'.
 
3. Parents and Students play together and feel proud of their  accomplishment playing in the Festival at Northbrook Court.
 
4. Students learn to truly listen and observe playing the duet  at the tempo set by the conductor.
 
5. Pride and joy is experienced by the parents, grandparents  and friends in the audience. Plus, shoppers stop to listen.

6. Students realize how many other people are taking piano
lessons and and encourages them to want to continue.
    
7. If you've never done this before, it enhances your teaching and introduces you to different duet music and you grow as a musician.
 
8. Students realize they are part of something big like a piano
tournament.
 

9. Students who participated in the Festival tend to stick with

Piano Lessons longer as they look forward to the Festival
each year.
 
10. Most of all, it's a fun and happy experience shared by all,
 students, teachers, parents, family, friends and everyone.

PRACTICE-A-THON FUNDRAISER

Hello Fellow MTNA Chapters,

My name is Ashlyn Carnes and I am the current Chapter President for Music Teachers National Association at Western Illinois University. This year we will be hosting our third annual Practice-A-Thon. The Practice-A-Thon is a day long practicing effort by students and faculty in our School of Music to help raise funds for elementary students, K-6, who do not have their own band/ music boosters. 

We need your help in making this fundraiser a success! You can donate on our page at  www.wiumtna.wixsite.com/practiceathon to support the personal and musical growth of young music students.

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact me at  wiumtna@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of our chapter and our effort to spread music throughout our community. 

Sincerely,
Ashlyn Carnes
WIU MTNA - President 

MORE MUSIC FROM MARILYN

sheet music
I plan to bring 3 boxes of solo sheet music to the meeting - and will sell them for $1 apiece, to be donated into the fund the Croslands have established to benefit our teachers.    Come prepared with cash or checks - there are lots of great pieces in many levels, just in time for recitals!

Maureen Flood

LOWREY ORGAN TO BE GIVEN AWAY!

Robin's sister, Corey, has a friend who is interested in giving away her older model Lowery organ.  The dimensions are:

45" length,
41 1/2'' tall
25 1/2 " wide

The organ is in DesPlaines.

Please contact Maureen Flood if you are interested.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Teaching music is all in the details; and the ear. One of the things I do to lead a student to discover how fascinating it is to study music is to focus on very specific details in their piece. I approach this teaching opportunity with as much excitement as a child approaches a present. I explain how excited I am about what I am about to show them. It's like I'm passing the musician's torch to them. They likely look at me and think, "At her age, I better get this right!"

I was having a lesson years after college and played from a score that I had used when I was in high school. My music had notes circled in pencil, then in ink, then in red marker, then with an large exclamation point. The mounting distress of my teacher was evident. When the teacher I was then studying with saw my score, she asked, "Who did that to your music?" I explained that my teacher had unsuccessfully tried to get me to play the composer's notes  She made the comment, "No child sets out to play a wrong note. You must teach them to hear the right sound and then the mistake will cease." I remember thinking that comment was worth the cost of my lesson. I made the decision that I would never forget to let my students know they were capable of correcting their own mistakes. I rarely mark anything other than changes in fingering on my students' scores. I do Sallow the students to mark their music as they wish.

Some examples of these momentous discoveries are...

1. Happy Farmer - The right hand represents all the animals on the farm. Measures 1 and 2 are the dog, who says "arf, arf." Measure 3 is the cat; "Meow" and in measure 4 the pig says "oink, oink" and the duck says "quack, quack." We work on creating a small dog verses a Saint Bernard and the cat saying "meow" with an elongated second syllable.

2. Students tend to forget to play the last note in a series of staccato notes short. In the 2nd movement of Beethoven's Sonatina in G major Anh. 5, measure 12 - 14 the right hand is an example. I sometimes use beads to give a score for how many they remembered. A perfect score is 9! Most students will have no trouble getting 6 beads easily, since only the last one in each group of 3 is tricky. I also give them a turn to be the teacher and give them a chance to score me. I am honestly in awe when they can catch me with a "too fat staccato." When they can hear the difference, I have done my job.

3. In Clementi's Op 36, No. 1, Allegro movement, I explain that the left hand quarters are actually a big bass drum. I am so excited about this part of the piece, I teach it to them first. It needs a full sound and of course must be released, as a drum mallet would be. We are rewarded with many bass drum parts in this piece. The best part is there are no issues with the rests in this piece; and no need to circle them. Measure 25 - 27 has a distant drum part as the parade moves down the street. I use a large drum in my studio to add to the impact. I doubt any of the students play this piece without hearing the drum. For even more fun, the student and I take turns playing drum beats ONLY during the rests. Taking turns puts the student in the listening position.

4. When they get to the Andante movement of the above sonatina, I tell the students my favorite secret measure (22). If they play it very carefully, they can make audiences swoon. And their teacher has been known to moan in delight during lessons. She sits in obvious anticipation of this golden moment. What is irresistible to anyone listening is the repeated D's in the right hand getting softer and softer until the last D stands alone. Aaaah!

5. In Beethoven's Sonata Op. 49, No. 2, Allegro ma non troppo, there is a "magic spot" that is in measure 53. You play a strong chord to announce the start of the development section. Then you lift the chord except for the top note which sings so well, it sounds like someone else must have played that note.

6. In the 2nd movement of the above sonata, the last 2 chords are totally awesome. With Beethoven's final two soft, dry chords, it's as if he says, "So there!" with his nose in the air.

I have noticed that no one ever makes a mistake in these special spots. And they are performed so well, they are not to be missed. It's the power of turning black dots into the language of sound.

I enjoy every lesson that a student learns to communicate so effectively. Their ears are alive with music. I often ask them, "Isn't music wonderful?"after working on these small, special details.  No one has ever hesitated to agree.
 
Deborah Lynch
Editor