PMTA's
For The Record Newsletter: April 2009
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
-Dr. Nanette Kaplan Solomon
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
These immortal words of Bob Dylan have had particular resonance in the past few months, as the tides of time, technological change, and the economic maelstrom wreak havoc with our sense of security and comfort in familiar institutions.
I had a sobering reality check about aging, when, at a recent retirement party for one of my colleagues at Slippery Rock University (with a venerable 33 years, only one more than I!), I reunited with some of our alums from the early 1980’s who were turning 50 this year! Although I still feel like “ the new kid on the block”, I am now one of the very (and only) senior faculty, and our new chairperson is twenty years younger than I!
Then, not only had I heard the shocking news that the Virgin Megastore- CD heaven- in Times Square in New York will close, but I also learned to my dismay that Joseph Patelson Music House- a veritable Manhattan icon- will go out of business at the end of April. It seems that the combination of on-line sales, the recent recession, and health issues within the family-run business were a “perfect storm” gathering to force the faltering institution to shutter its doors. Patelson’s was not only a music store with sales people who actually knew their trade, but a wonderful hangout for professional musicians, amateurs, and artsy folks from all walks of life.
Having grown up in New York, I have such fond memories of meeting my friends from Juilliard Prep there before or after concerts, doing celebrity sightings, or just searching for that obscure piano or chamber piece. I still have my dog-eared copies of Patelson scores, with the (now astonishingly low) penciled-in retail price crossed out and the ten-percent discounted price below. And yet, I am as guilty as anyone for not always patronizing a brick and mortar music store- purchasing music online has become a convenient temptation often impossible to resist.
I am sure that most of you have been apprised of yet another recent casualty of the economic downturn. The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, which has provided a haven of creative opportunity for 200 gifted high school musicians, artists, writers and actors each summer for 36 years has been cancelled. What a sad way to save money in the state.
As my friend Robert Weirich so eloquently points out in the March/April 2009 issue of Clavier Companion (itself a product of economically forced changes), the very basic assumptions of our profession and the entire music industry are being challenged by the great “neutralizing” effect of the Internet and ubiquitous performances on sites like YouTube. And as Justin Kolb, a pianist and speaker on musical entrepreneurship, mentioned in his session at the recent MTNA conference in Atlanta, in the old days the mark of success as a performer was to attain a recording, whereas now you need a recording before you even start out. I must say that one of the benefits of readily available information is that I no longer need to suggest to my students that they listen to a recording of an assigned piece of music. They come to their lessons already having searched for and listened to multiple renditions of their literature on YouTube!
Despite a lower turnout than usual, (as was expected due to the economy) the recent MTNA conference in Atlanta was a success, providing excellent concerts and some stimulating workshops. In keeping with the theme of collaboration begun last year, Saturday night’s concert spotlighted the wonderful collaborative artist Margot Garrett, in a recital with the phenomenal tenor Anthony Dean Griffey. In a program ranging from the Renaissance delicacy of John Dowland to the blues-inspired American songbook of contemporary composer Kenneth Frazelle, Griffey’s multi-faceted interpretations were incredibly well-complemented by Garrett, who played the entire concert with the lid at full-stick. Sunday’s keynote speaker was performance coach Don Greene, who after working in sports psychology with Olympic athletes, has turned his attention and expertise to helping musicians deal with performance anxiety. His very practical presentation- dealing with the process of centering (far easier said than done!) – gave the audience some important tools and techniques to share with their students. Greene’s somewhat negative outlook toward the left brain (he claims we need to forget it in order to access the “right” or “musical” part of our brain during performance) led to some pointed questions by William Westney (author of The Perfect Wrong Note) and a rather spirited discussion about the learning process, memory, and performance anxiety. Conference artist Olga Kern gave a spectacularly flawless recital complete with three virtuosic encores (and a different designer gown for each program half), after already having performed both books of Brahms Paganini Variations and the second Rachmaninoff sonata, among other things. Her technical and musical control of the piano is astonishing; as a Yamaha artist, however, she played on that instrument, and I must admit my own preference for the more incisive sound of most Steinways- I missed a certain “edge” to the performance because of the instrument. I also attended several interesting workshops on pedaling, contemporary repertoire, and Chopin- who will be a major focus of next year’s conference in Albuquerque- March 20-24, 2010. Kudos to PMTA members JoAnn Kirchner and Paula Skutnick-Henley for their well-received session on “Performance Anxiety and Flow” at the conference, as well as Jackie Herbein, for her wonderfully imaginative session on “The Draggin’ Dragon: Finding Dynamic Body Alignment through Imagery”.
MTNA is well aware of the global economic crisis and has taken steps to prudently manage its resources. After approving a very conservative budget for FY 2009, the executive director took swift action in the fall of 2009 as first quarter financial outlooks continued to worsen. Operations in the home office were streamlined; travel was curtailed, three staff positions were cut, and other cost-cutting measures were implemented as well, to protect the cash reserves of MTNA. In addition, during the Atlanta conference, on March 27, 2009, the Board of Directors approved a three-year, four-phase “Financial Stabilization Plan” to ensure the solvency of the Association through the end of FY 2009, to rebuild cash reserves over the course of the next three years, and to lay a foundation for the future fiscal health of the association. Key to these belt-tightening measures were decisions to have two board meetings annually rather than three, and to suspend the Leadership summit for one year (saving $65,000!), a decision that while makes great economic sense, generated a lot of disappointment and discussion among state presidents and board members. Limiting the maximum number of pages in the American Music Teacher magazine to around eighty will also save the organization about $35,000! So, as Gary Ingle states in his address in the latest issue of the AMT, the organization needs you more than ever! As you renew your membership dues statement for 2010, consider carefully the incomparable value of MTNA services and programs to you, your family, and your students. Remember that every time you have a local event, your liability is covered under the umbrella of MTNA insurance! Or consider the group health benefits that MTNA has been able to secure for its members. Keep current by frequently visiting the MTNA website, reading the AMT, and above all, communicating your ideas and concerns to your local association president, your state president (me) your division director (Ellen Flint) , and the MTNA staff. Also, check out the Forum Discussion Boards on the MTNA website; these boards allow you to communicate with the entire MTNA membership. Help recruit new members. Volunteer for leadership positions. Our organization is only as strong as its membership.
And so, as I prepare for the crucial leadership meeting to be held by the PMTA Board at the Nittany Lion Inn on June 12, I once again invite you to contact me with any input you would like to have. What services would you like PMTA to provide for you? What types of projects, initiatives, etc. would you like to see? What changes in existing programs would you like to see? Unlike so many non-profit organizations and agencies across the country that are languishing or disappearing, MTNA (and by extension PMTA), with your support has an excellent chance not only to survive the current crisis, but to emerge from it as a more vigorous and vital leader among arts organizations. So yes, admit that the waters around us have grown. Grab those life jackets and goggles, and let’s start swimmin’. Together, we can weather the tides of change.
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 MEMBERSHIP REPORT for PMTA NEWSLETTER
(Jane O’Mara, NCTM)
You have received your membership renewal from MTNA. The calendar year for MTNA/PMTA runs from July 01 through June 30. You are no longer a member after June 30, 2009 if you don’t renew your membership dues for the year July 01, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The easiest way to do it is online at MTNA.org. Please check your membership renewal form to make sure your local chapter is included!
To all local membership chairs: If you print teacher lists for the fall, do not include members who have not paid their new dues. The local treasurers will receive a printout each month of members who have paid their dues. If for some reason you know of a person who says they have joined MTNA/PMTA but you have not received their local dues, please contact me at janesnotes1120@ hotmail.com. They can send the local chapter their local dues, but I will need the information for PMTA and MTNA records. Please read the Welcome New Members section below. If there is a member who is not listed with a local, and their hometown is near your chapter, please contact them and invite them to join your local.
If you paid half year dues from January 09 through March 09, your membership expires on June 30, 2009 and you will need to pay the new dues to be an active member. If you enter students in Dorothy Sutton or intend to enter students in the MTNA competitions, you must pay your new dues.
It is the goal of PMTA to have all of our members paid in full no later than August 15, 2009. This will greatly simplify record keeping at the local, state, and national levels.
Welcome NEW Members
Christopher Chandler, Sinking Spring, RGC
Rochelle Klein, Pittsburgh, GPC
Sonya Caceres, Pittsburgh, GPC
New Collegiate Member
Tina Illig , Ebensburg
*Reinstated
For more information
on membership, click HERE.
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Local Association News
Greater Pittsburgh
May 17: Honors Recital 3;00 Trombino’s downtown Pittsburgh; Contact: Jeff Harris Email: jeffpian@aol.com
May 27: General Meeting Meeting & Luncheon Topic: What We Do for the Money We Earn, and How to Communicate that to Students and Parents. Leader: Elizabeth Burnett Location: Jo Ann Wagstaff Studio Contact: Deb Busche (724-941-6064)
The Lois Streator/Lois Smith Memorial Award Competition took place on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Trombino Piano Gallerie in downtown Pittsburgh.
There were 11 contestants. The winners this year were all pianists. This competition has been held by our chapter since 1992 in honor and memory of these two past member teachers to encourage young talent. The prize money includes $200 1st prize, $150 for 2nd prize, and $100 for 3rd prize. The winners performed at the chapter's Honor Recital on March 29th.
The competition is open to students of all instruments, grades 7-12, and singers through age 21, who live within a 75-mile radius of Pittsburgh.
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