PMTA's For The Record Newsletter: March 2009

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

-Dr. Nanette Kaplan Solomon

Over a lovely dinner on a cold January evening in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the Eastern Division presidents met to discuss a variety of common issues and learn of new developments in MTNA. I was dumbfounded by the comment of one of my colleagues who stated that the arts were recession proof- that in a time of economic crisis, people turn to the things that are truly meaningful for them. Would that such a rosy view were true! As corporations downsize or downright fold, and individuals desperately seek to maintain jobs and/or healthcare, needless to say, the arts are going to experience hard times. Newspapers are filled with dire news of cutbacks- nationwide we see opera companies and orchestras struggling for existence. Many of you may have realized that the legendary Clavier magazine has ceased to exist, and is now merged with Keyboard Companion in an effort to expand its shrinking readership base. Closer to my home, in Pittsburgh, the very successful and popular River City Brass Band may need to cancel the rest of its season, and we are all aware that as of now, the future of the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts (as well as the other “Schools of Excellence”) hangs in the balance. I am sure that many of you are feeling the effects of the economy on your private studios as well. I have never in my thirty-two years of university teaching been as grateful for my job as I have been in the past few months! Let us all hope that the economy will improve, and we will still be able to be remunerated for creating, sharing and teaching the joys of music.

According to Ellen Flint, Eastern Division director, MTNA is in relatively good financial shape. Despite increases in costs of commodities, goods and services nationwide, during 2007-2008, MTNA witnessed only modest increases (less than $4,000) in expenses for fiscal year 2008. Ellen (and the rest of the board) credit Gary Ingle for his effective management and diligent oversight and to the MTNA staff for adhering to strict frugality. That said, the annual membership dues will see a small increase beginning in July 2009. Ellen emphasized that the dues structure is subjected to annual review by the MTNA Board supported by research by the MTNA staff; dues are tied to the Consumer Price Index. The good news is that the CPI was lower than expected, so the dues increase will be only $2.00 rather than $3.00 as estimated.

There are also some important changes in the MTNA competitions. The Junior Brass competition has been discontinued due to low numbers of entrants over the past several years. AND (the big news) the piano concerto requirement for the Senior and Young Artist levels has been discontinued. The reasons for this include the fact that a) winning the competition does not result in a performance with orchestra, b) the time constraints of the competitions did not allow for students to perform the entire concerto, and c) elimination of the concerto requirement will allow students and teachers to plan a solo program that can be performed without so many interruptions at the division and national levels. The performance times for each competition have been modified accordingly, as are accompanist fees. While we are on the subject of competitions, I would like to thank all of the Pennsylvania competitors for representing us so well at Division, and congratulate the following: Senior Brass winner, Elisabeth Shafer (Paul Bryan, teacher), Young Artist Strings Representative Raymond Mallari (Sylvia Ahramjian, teacher) and the Mansfield Woodwind Quintet (Susan Laib, teacher) for Honorable Mention in the Chamber Music competition.

The MTNA Board also approved changes in the certification process. After extensive examination of the procedures, Rebecca Johnson, National Certification Chair, and her committee, determined that the process was tedious, cumbersome, overwhelming, and lacking in focus on key issues of piano pedagogy. The committee submitted a proposal for a greatly streamlined and focused application process. Gone is the written certification test, the proficiency exams in history and theory, letters of recommendation and college transcripts. In instead, are a certification portfolio, and a DVD of several lessons. Hopefully, these changes will provide a more relevant and meaningful process. Complete details can be viewed on the MTNA website.

On our state level, the on-line balloting for a by-laws change resulted in a yes vote to make the Concerto/Ensemble Festival chair a voting board member. With that said, I invite any interested parties to contact me, as that position is currently vacant. Former CEF chair Teresa Smith has graciously agreed to assume the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival chair (thank you immensely, Teri!), so we need CEF filled!!

I encourage everyone to attend the MTNA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, March 28- April 1. The conference looks incredible, headlined by Olga Kern and Margo Garrett, with an exciting keynote address by performance coach Don Greene (see his interesting article in the March/April AMT). Not to mention that our own President-Elect Jackie Herbein will be giving a presentation as well! I know money is tight, BUT, plane fare to Atlanta is really a bargain now, and MTNA has extended the early registration fee until March 14. If you do attend, there will be a social event for Eastern Division members; please check the ED portal on the MTNA website for details.

Now that Congress has passed the stimulus package, we look forward to PMTA’s own stimulus package- our June 12 board meeting at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College. Rather than billions of dollars, we’ll count on a multitude of ideas and perspectives. Please, please, please – attend (everyone is welcome - details will follow in the next newsletter)- but also send me your suggestions for potential initiatives, improvements of current projects, and any concerns so I can develop an exciting and productive agenda. Together, we can navigate PMTA through these challenging and uncharted waters to embrace whatever the future may hold.

Back to Top ^

From Jane O’Mara, NCTM, Chair
(for dues processed though 1-31-09)

DUES ALERT: You will be receiving your renewal form from MTNA in March. The calendar year for MTNA/PMTA is July 01 through June 30. In order to simplify record keeping at the state and national levels, please pay your new dues in a timely fashion and please try to have them paid by July 31. Your cooperation in this matter is deeply appreciated.

Please welcome these new members to PMTA

NAME
*William DeSanto , Phoenixville
*Mary Montoro, Scranton, NEC
Bethany Brooks, Philadelphia, PHC
*John Couch, Lancaster, LAC
Viorica Burca, Fairview, ERC
Deborah Davis, Allenstown,
Carolyn Diedrichs, Lancaster, LAC
Susan Fish, Dillsburg, CAC
Barbara Kovacs, Honey Brook, MLC
Helen Myer, Lititz, LAC
David Pasbrig, Philadelphia, PHC
Dennis Stevenson, Philadelphia, PHC
Michael Toth, Allentown, LVC
Katherine Wilber, Lansdowne

*Reinstated Member

New Collegiate Member
Andrew Yetter, Shippenville

For more information on membership, click HERE.

Back to Top ^

Are You on Track with an Updated Studio Policy?
Submitted by Rosemary Haber, IMT Chair

Recently, I was asked to revise a course outline for a class I was teaching at a local college. Upon re-examining this outline, I immediately turned to the class outcomes at the end of the paper and tried to see if the student learning outcomes matched the end result I tried to achieve. I could repeatedly hear my inner self saying, “Make your statements clear and to the point, understandable in layman terms with no technical jargon, and don’t be reluctant to state the obvious items necessary to make the goals attainable. Be firm and leave no areas for possible misunderstandings.”

It just so happened to be, today, we had our monthly local MTNA chapter meeting. Although not our usual business meeting, but rather a getting things ready for our annual Play-a-Thon fundraiser, we decided to discuss items of interest that devoted an hour of discussion about “Studio Policies”. Many shared thoughts that pertained to their individual needs and we all found this discussion worthwhile and eye opening. On my way home, I found myself asking these questions....Do my outcomes match my student learning outcomes?....Is my policy too “wordy”? ....Am I asking too much of my students or parents?.....Am I sending the message I intended to convey?....Am I sending any mixed messages?....Am I being fair to myself, my family, and my students? ..........BUT soon came to the simple realization that in today’s world of instant gratification, we must be mindful that all students need specific guidelines to follow and parameters set. Policies presented on the first day of a lesson should be written in simple “black and white” terminology, leaving NO battleground gray areas open for dispute.

Your document should contain a vast amount of information, pertaining to the way you choose to teach your students and run your business. That document presents you, your studio, and your skills in a business minded professional manner. The end result is a mutually agreed upon, working contract between three willing parties, (the student, the teacher, and the parent) designed with the student’s best interest in mind.

1. There is nothing too big or small to include in a studio policy. The following are some possible topics to consider:
• Tuition
• Services offered
• Payment amount and schedule (monthly, by semester, or by term)
• Book and activity deposit (amount and purpose: books, festival fees, recital fees, late payment fees, etc.)
• Calendar listing important studio dates
• Make-Up policy, specifying absences that are or are not covered, and an advance notice rule, if applicable.
• Swap list information
• Recital and performance opportunities offered through the studio
• Information about group lessons, theory classes, and/or computer lab or workstation
• Information and rules for use of the studio music library
• References for theory, music history, or pedagogy web sites, or recommended music writing and theory software
• Practice expectations
• Importance and use of studio assignment notebook
• Parental involvement
• Advice for purchasing a metronome and keeping the student’s home instrument maintained and in tune
• Times when calls may be made to the studio
• Parking information
• Promptness in drop-off and pick up
• Proper grooming for lessons (fingernails trimmed, hands clean, etc.)
• Rules regarding respect for the studio: shoe and boot removal in bad weather, location and use of the restroom, waiting room procedures including policy regarding young siblings
• Signature of the student and the parent verifying agreement of all terms at the end of the policy

1. Klingenstein, Beth Gigante. The Independent Piano Teachers Studio Handbook. Milwaukee, WI, Hal Leonard Publisher, 2009

Take five to ten minutes, today, and re-examine your studio policy and see if your outcomes are in sync with your expectation of the student’s learning. The road to a well planned journey begins with the first step and that first step is your studio policy. Are you on track?

A side note: Upon completion of this article, I was speaking to a mother, whose son, a music grad student in the Philadelphia area, was experiencing frustration with his current method of teaching private students. I eased her mind by recommending he join the local chapter of MTNA, referencing the web site, www. mtna.org, and obtain a copy of The Independent Piano Teacher’s Studio Handbook by Beth Gigante Klingenstein.

Back to Top ^

Local Association News

Main Line

March 7 - Constance Murray Piano Festival 9:00-5:00 at West Chester University, Swope Hall.
March 10 - 9:30-1:00 - Pianist and Technology Advocate Hugh Sung will present a workshop entitled "The Exponential Musician" at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley.  There will be live demonstrations on various technologies that can be used to enhance pedagogy, performance and practice.  Free to MLMTA members, $10.00 for non-members.  Contact: Cindy Bull (484) 237-8821 or Bev Byers (610) 695-0164.
April 14 - 9:30 am - Martha Shrempel will present "Teaching the Mood in Music" at St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley.  Contact: Bev Byers (610) 695-0164.
May 5 - 10:00 am - Teachers' Recital and Covered Dish Luncheon.  Contact: Annette Freeze (610) 286-6617.

Lehigh Valley

Feb 28-Mar 1:  The Hannah Young Play-A-Thon will take place at the Palmer Park Mall. Funds raised are used for student field trips, workshops and college and camp scholarships.
March 18:  Martha Schrempel, professor of piano at Moravian College will present a program, "Teaching the Mood In Music”.
April 4:  Master Class with Peter Frankl, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM Foy Hall, Moravian College
April 15: This year's meeting schedule will conclude with a Breakfast Meeting and Installation of Officers
May 16:  The Frank Chesebro Memorial Scholarship audition for high school seniors intending to major in music in college.

Capital

March 21: CAC Festival at Messiah College. Dennis Kobray will be featured as Brahms.
March 25: Festival wrap-up. There will not be a program for this meeting.  Monthly Meeting.
April 15: "A View From the Podium" Stuart Malina, Conductor of Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Monthly meeting.
April 19: CAC Student Honors Recital. It will be held at Elizabethtown College at 2:00 p.m.
May 8: Extravaganza rehearsal at The Forum in Harrisburg
May 9: Extravaganza Piano Concert 2009 - Saturday, May 9, 4:00 pm - The Forum in Harrisburg, 5th and Walnut Streets.  Adults: $15.00    Children 12 and under $10.00
A wonderful multi-piano concert event will be presented by about 200 students and 25 teachers on Saturday, May 9.  Under the baton of Johannes Dietrich, Associate Professor of Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania, the concert features pianists playing nine different sets of music. There are 16 pianos on stage with two students at a piano.  For each set, 32 piano students will play two or three piano pieces.  Teachers also play during the sets as needed. Each set of music gradually gets more difficult.  The concert will last for approximately 1 1/2 hours. Come and enjoy a night of entertainment by the local area students and teachers!!  This concert is held once every three years, and the monies raised through support of this event will fund the chapter's scholarship program.

Lancaster

March 28:  Music Festival held at the Lancaster Country Day School.  The theme is Brahms and Friends.  Three classes are scheduled for the morning:  Class 1-Music "paints" a picture; Class 2-Music "Moves" us; Class 3-Music gives us "time to play".  Dennis Kobray will present a program as Johannes Brahms.  The program is from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Coordinator of this event is Linda Krick.

Northern Delaware Valley

April 5:  2:00–4:30 pm Carol Cahn Memorial Masterclass conducted by Dr. Carl Cranmer at Jacobs Music, Willow Grove. Contact Fran Schwartz – franrschwartz@yahoo.com
May 3:  3:00-5:30 pm  Benefit Recital for the Eleanor Roberts Scholarship Fund at Jacobs Music, Willow Grove.  Contact: Sally Hardy – salsings2@yahoo.com.
May 17:  2:00-4:30pm Student Recital at Collegeville Community Music School.  Contact: Nina Muto - nina0320@gmail.com  

Greater Pittsburgh

March 25: 10:00am, Discussion of Shinichi Suzuki’s “Nurtured by Love”
Leader: Candy Hutchins; Location: Uptown Coffee, Mt. Lebanon; Contact: Deb Busche   (724-941-6064)
March 21: Lois Streator/Lois Smith Memorial Award Competition*
March 28: PCO Solo Competition Winners Concert  USC High School
March 29:Honors Recital 3:00 pm, Trombino Piano Gallerie, downtown
April 17: Robert Vandall Workshop 9:00am to 12:30 pm; Location: Christ Church at Grove Farm
Contact: Deb Busche   (724-941-6064)
May 27: 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)

Back to Top ^

http://www.pamusicteachers.org/advertisers.htm

Back to Top ^