From the President’s Desk: Dr. Nanette Kaplan-Solomon

As I begin my term as president, I’m reflecting on my introduction to PMTA. In April of 1979, after a piano recital I gave in Pittsburgh, the late Dominic Intili approached me, invited me for coffee (we had a mutual teacher in Leonard Shure), and proceeded not only to wax enthusiastic about the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association, but asked me to serve on a panel at the upcoming conference to be held at IUP, where he was a revered faculty member. I was hooked! Over the years, Dominic was a wonderful colleague, mentor and friend–he encouraged me and assisted me in obtaining my Master Teacher Certification, offered helpful advice on innumerable subjects, and always asked after my children, whom he referred to as Opus One and Opus Two. As hard as it is to believe, it is now 28 years since that initial encounter, Opus One and Opus Two are now 25 and 21, and I am currently in my 31st year of teaching at Slippery Rock University! My active involvement in PMTA has been an incredibly rewarding part of my career. I cherish the long-term friendships that I’ve made, and I applaud the expert leaders with whom I have had the pleasure of collaborating during the past four years of my vice-presidencies. I am humbled to assume this position, but I am thrilled to have a wonderful team of people working with me.

Our recent conference in the magnificent state-of-the-art music building at West Chester University was a spectacular event–with a lineup that could rival any national conference of any organization! I came away feeling remarkably refreshed, with many new ideas that will inspire my teaching and performing for a long time to come. Many kudos to Debra Ronning, who stepped in “in media res“ to serve as conference coordinator, as well as outgoing President Millie Eben, who as usual, oversaw every detail with professionalism and aplomb. I know that when those two are involved in a project, it is going to be a class act! Many thanks also to Dr. Timothy Blair, Dean of the School of Music at West Chester University for generously allowing us to share their fabulous new facilities, and particularly to Patricia Powell, who managed the intricate tasks of site coordinator with a perennial smile on her face.

The annual competitions began early on Friday morning with a huge number of entrants. Our competition coordinators did a wonderful job of engineering rooms, judges, papers, monitors, and contestants through a long day of auditions. Thank you to coordinators Ellen Flint (Young Artist/Chamber Music), Jackie Herbein (Senior), and Kunyoung Kim (Junior). The caliber of the entrants was outstanding, as evidenced by the comments I heard after the winner’s recital. I was particularly excited to see so many of the entrants include unusual and very recent contemporary music on their programs.

One of the coups of the conference was, of course, the securing of the “headliners”–the Five Browns–as the conference artists. They gave a wonderful performance Saturday evening, as well as a talk and demonstration to the attendees on Saturday morning. Once I got past the “valley-girl” speak of this youthful quintet, I was mesmerized by their beautiful playing, impeccable ensemble, and obvious joy in what they are doing. Their rendition of the five-piano arrangement of Stravinsky’s “Firebird” was memorable for its color, excitement, and rich (never percussive) sounds; the performance was even more remarkable in that they perform all their ensemble works from memory! Since my sister is also a concert pianist with whom I often perform professionally, I am well aware of the potential rivalries that ensue within a family, and was amazed by the non-competitive spirit that seems to pervade the Browns! If their goal is to introduce new audiences to classical music, then they are powerful ambassadors indeed.

Another highlight of the conference for many attendees was clinician Donald Waxman’s sessions on his Fifty Etudes. Although I could not attend because I was overseeing the competitions, I did buy several books of the etudes, as well as the “Exertudes” and had several hours of delightful fun this week reading through them. I can’t wait to start assigning them to my students! The “Just Duet” sessions were also a smashing success–at least from the buzz I heard from fellow teachers and friends. This should perhaps become an annual conference staple.

Our workshop presenters provided a wealth of information on repertoire, technique, performance anxiety, memorization, and pedagogy, Thanks to Judith Radell, Linda Jennings, Rebecca Wilt, Nancy Boston, Benjamin Moritz, Theresea Klinefelter, Anne Sciolla, Joan Krzywicki, Maria del Pico Taylor, Sondra Tammam, Anita Greenlee, Shelley Moorman- Stahlman, Clarence and Jacqueline Faulcon, Mary Lynne Bennett, Paula Skutnick-Henley, Marc Jacoby, Sylvia Ahramjian, Patricia Powell, Jill Hannagan, Judith Kazanjian, Carol Ann Aicher, Yu-Pin Hsu, Robert Bedford, and to Yamaha clinician Susan Ogilvy for her digital keyboard orchestra presentations. We were also treated to a display of pianistic pyrotechnics by the West Chester piano faculty, including a performance by Carl Cranmer of commissioned composer David Bennett Thomas’ Sonata no. 3.

A popular feature of the conference is always the IMTF luncheon; this year we were fortunate to have the inspirational words of choral conductor and educator James Jordan to accompany our meal. We also honored Dr. Robert Veleta with the “Teacher of the Year” award, and Dr. Ellen Flint with the “Distinguished Service” award. Congratulations to them, as well as to Ann Trexler, who was recognized for her many years of service as membership chair (Jane O’Mara will take over the position), Susan Kuntz, who is stepping down as Development Director, and Pearl Kahler of Reading, who was recognized by MTNA in 2007 for 50 years of continuous membership!! You can read Pearl’s entertaining account of her life in music in the June/July issue of the American Music Teacher. It gave me great personal pleasure to present a special award to my predecessor–Millie Eben–for her stupendous work on behalf of PMTA–the nomination as an MTNA Foundation Fellow. Millie will be designated an MTNA Fellow at the national conference in Denver in March 2008.

If you are reading this and thinking “wow, I never knew what I was missing”–then make plans to attend the next conference at Slippery Rock University, November 14-16, 2008. As you can tell from the breadth and scope of the events I’ve only briefly described above, the efforts and sacrifice involved in planning a yearly event for the membership are enormous. If only a small percentage of the membership attends, we need to question the value of the financial and human resources expended. The executive board is currently discussing holding conferences biennially instead of every year. For me, personally, the PMTA conferences have been a source not only of professional growth and regeneration of ideas, but a time to commune with colleagues across the state, share ideas, advice, and laughs. You might be able to read an article or watch a video about teaching piano repertoire, but there is no substitute for the personal connection that an annual gathering provides. I would be very open to hearing comments and ideas from you, the membership.

The board is also revisiting guidelines for the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival. We have separated the festival from the concerto-ensemble event, and hope to streamline the paperwork by adopting an on-line registration process. We welcome our new chairs–Yvonne Alling–DSPF chair, and Theresa Smith–CEF. Stay wired to our wonderful new website for forthcoming details!

Also forthcoming will be a vote on a bylaws amendment proposal to allow collegiate student members to participate fully in all PMTA sponsored activities and programs. The goal of this change will be to increase collegiate student participation and membership. By extending to them the rights and privileges of full membership, it could promote interest in the organization and serve as a catalyst increasing membership and participation, while identifying and mentoring the future leaders of this organization. This vote will occur electronically, so watch your e-mails in the next few weeks for instructions as to how to vote on-line.

This amendment proposal dovetails nicely with a goal that has been somewhat of a leitmotif at our leadership summits–recruitment of new members. And out of the many ideas bandied about to “sell” membership in PMTA, guess what emerged as the dominant theme? You got it–personal connection! Which brings me back to my opening. Why not approach someone, tell them about PMTA and then recruit them with something specific to do for the organization? You can be the Dominic Intili of the next generation–Dr. Nanette Kaplan Solomon.

A Note of Thanks…from Millie Eben, NCTM, Past President

A sincere note of thanks…to PMTA and to Reading MTA for honoring me with an MTNA Foundation Fellow. Very much a surprise and truly appreciated. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve you all and be a part of this vibrant organization. I am very proud to be a member of PMTA and to have you all as colleagues. Thank you!

A Certfication Moment…Joann Marie Kirchner, Chair

Congratulations to Cong Fan on completing the MTNA Certification process. Cong, who is a member of the Philadelphia Music Teachers Chapter, is a recent graduate of Temple University, where she pursued a D.M.A. in piano performance under Harvey Wedeen. She currently maintains a private studio in Oreland and is working on a recording with the China Broadcast Symphony Orchestra. Congratulations, Cong!