VOLUME L NO. 2 WINTER 2013

MTNA National Conference March 9 – 13, 2013Anaheim, California

Lecture Forum Proposal deadline: May 1, 2013

Killian Competition for High School Piano and VoiceSunday, May 19, 2013Syracuse UnivsersitySyracuse, NYSubmission Deadline: Wednesday, Saturday, April 27, 2013

Citation Nomination Due by September 1, 2013

Chapin Grant Proposal deadline: September 15, 2013

NYSMTA Business MeetingsFriday, October 18, 2013College of Saint RoseAlbany, NY

MTNA Competitions Friday, October 18, 2013College of Saint RoseAlbany, NYSubmission Deadline: Saturday, September 14, 2013

Empire State Competitions Friday – Saturday, October 18 – 19, 2013College of Saint RoseAlbany, NYSubmission Deadline: Saturday, September 14, 2013

NYSMTA Conference 2013 Friday – Sunday, October 18 – 20, 2013College of Saint RoseAlbany, NY

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGEGreetings from your new president!

It is an honor to be asked to serve as president for our organization. In the past, I have viewed the leadership of the state as something done by other people: people with better qualifications, more experience, more time, more energy, clearer ideas. Now, as has become so clear to me, the leadership is you and me.

I am Christine Johannsen, music teacher in District Four (Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties, just outside New York City), where I have served as District Chair and chair of the district's composing program, "Young Originals." At the state level I have regularly attended our state conferences and served on the Executive Board and Administrative Committee as the New York State Composition Competition Coordinator and, most recently, as President-Elect.

As president of NYSMTA, I ask now for your input, your thoughts and ideas. Like so many not-for-profit organizations in this day and age, NYSMTA struggles to keep its membership engaged and active. Whether it is economic hardship or over-commitment, many of us wrangle with spending the time and money required to attend conferences and board meetings. Yet these events never fail to be a source of inspiration and professional renewal. They keep my teaching alive and vibrant and provide opportunities to meet like-minded, deeply committed colleagues. For that, they are worth every bit of the effort and expense.

Perhaps you are one of the teachers who has not been taking advantage of all that NYSMTA and MTNA have to offer. What would it take to bring you to the front lines, to be an active participant. You hear it now, you have heard it before, you will surely hear it again: we need more “new blood” coursing through the veins of this organization, bringing the “oxygen and nutrients” our activities will always need. I can assure you without hesitation, from my past dozen or so years of active involvement with NYSMTA, you will not regret a moment spent with new colleagues—and friends.

Please take note of the upcoming Heddy Kilian Competition for High School Piano and Voice, to be held this year May 19 at Syracuse University (details available in this issue as well as at www.nysmta.org/state.php?page=kilian). And, after a hiatus of a year, the NYSMTA Conference 2013 returns. It is to take place at the

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www.nysmta.orgWebmaster: Robert WinklerNYSMTA Home Page,Newsletters, Directory, Constitution, Conferences,Certification, Competitions,Grants Program, Judge's List,Speaker's Bureau information. Linked to www.mtna.org

If you have an address change,new phone number or e-mailaddress, please contact Bonnie Choi, Vice-President for Membership, so she can include that information in the nextDirectory: Bonnie Choi, VP of Membership: bchoi6@naz.edu

You would also need to contactthe MTNA National Office(Toll Free) 1-888-512-5278or at www.mtna.org.

The Executive Committee requests that all NYSMTA members pay their annual dues by October 1, 2012. It greatly facilitates the accurate preparation of the State Membership Directory.

NYSMTA NEWSLETTER Published byNew York State Music TeachersAssociation, Inc.

Editor: Gary Fisher108 Washington RoadPittsford, NY 14534gfshr@frontiernet.net

Design & Production:Bonnie Choibchoi6@naz.edu

Photography:Joanne Hihn

Newsletter DeadlinesMay 1, July 1, November 1

Submission of newsletter articlesand reports by e-mail is stronglypreferred; otherwise allow extra timefor editing. Please be sure to include your name on all submissions. Thank you.

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College of Saint Rose in Albany, Friday through Sunday, October 18 – 20. Please note that all MTNA performance competitions will be happening Friday – Saturday, October 18 – 19, at the Conference. Finally, taking place in just a couple of weeks, is the MTNA National Conference in Anaheim, California, details of which can be found at https://members.mtna.org/conference2013/index.html.

So, as you can see, there is something for everyone. And when you do attend one of these worthwhile events, please introduce yourself and share with me your ideas and thoughts for our organization. I am also happy to communicate via email or phone: chrisj.rage@gmail.com, 845-628-7980. Looking forward to meeting you!

With all best wishes,

Christine Johannsen, PresidentNew York State Music Teachers Association

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2012 MTNA AUDITIONS and EMPIRE STATE COMPETITION WINNERS/2013 EASTERN DIVISION WINNERS

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The Empire State Competition and the MTNA/New York State competitions took place at Nazareth College in Rochester this past October. We honor the following winners of these events, along with their teachers.

Five of the MTNA individual and group winners have been awarded prizes at the MTNA Eastern Division competitions. Eastern Division Winners are now National Finalists, and will be competing at the National Conference in Anaheim, California in early March.

EMPIRE STATE COMPETITION—JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEVELPiano Winner: Vivian Yu, Rochester (student of Elier Suarez)Instrumental Winner: Drew Cone, cello, Buffalo (Eve Herer)

EMPIRE STATE COMPETITION—HIGH SCHOOL LEVELVoice Winner: Adina Martin, Syracuse (Neva Pilgrim)Instrumental Winner: Tobias Elser, violin, Ithaca (Kirsten A. Marshall)

EMPIRE STATE COMPETITION—COLLEGIATE LEVEL Piano Winner: Bizhou Jin, Ithaca (Nathan Hess)Piano Honorable Mention: Michael Clark, Ithaca (Jennifer Hayghe)Instrumental Winner: Daniel Stenziano, saxophone, Rochester (Chien-Kwan Lin)Voice Winner: Mengchun Yang, soprano, Ithaca (Carol McAmis)Voice Honorable Mention: Sarah Miller, soprano, Rochester (Soo Yeon Kim)

MTNA/NEW YORK STATE JUNIORComposition Winner: Sachin Shukla, ManliusPiano Winner: Rachel Sohn (Young Kim)Piano Alternate: Patrick Chi (Joseph Fennimore)String Representative: Isabel Kingston, violin (Brian Krinke)

MTNA/NEW YORK STATE SENIORPiano Winner: Jae Young Kim (Douglas Humpherys)Piano Alternate: Haolin Lin (Victoria Mushkatkol)Piano Honorable Mention: Duo Xu (Tamari Gurevich)

String Winner: Rintaro Yano, violin (Ann Setzer)String Alternate: Haley Gillia, violin (Brian Krinke)Woodwind Winner: Stephanie Venturino, saxophone (Chien-Kwan Lin)Woodwind Alternate: Sam Meyer, saxophone (Chien-Kwan Lin)

MTNA/NEW YORK STATE YOUNG ARTISTPiano Winner: Xi Chen (Douglas Humpherys)Piano Alternate: Long Ma (Enrico Elisi)Voice Representative: Anthony Baron, Bass (Katherine Ciesinski)Woodwind Winner: Jonathan Wintringham, saxophone (Chien-Kwan Lin)Woodwind Alternate: Katherine Weintraub, saxophone (Chien-Kwan Lin)

MTNA/NEW YORK STATE CHAMBER MUSICString Representative: ¡Voila! Viola Trio—Samantha Rodriguez, Benjamin Magruder, Alexander Pena (Chien-Kwan Lin)Wind Winner: Project Fusion Saxophone Quartet—Daniel Espinosa, Matthew Evans, Michael Sawzin, Matthew Amedio (Chien-Kwan Lin)Wind Alternate: A2 Saxophone Quartet—Sean Xue, Hyung-Ryoul Kim, Marta Tiesenga, Nick Exler (Chien-Kwan Lin)Wind Honorable Mention: Finja Saxophone Quartet— Kevin Zhao, Ainsley Kilgo, Tyler Wiessner, Daniel Stenziano (Chien-Kwan Lin)

EASTERN DIVISION WINNERS¡Voila! Viola Trio—Samantha Rodriguez, Benjamin Magruder, Alexander Pena (Chien-Kwan Lin)Project Fusion Saxophone Quartet—Daniel Espinosa, Matthew Evans, Michael Sawzin, Matthew Amedio (Chien-Kwan Lin)Young Artist Piano: Xi Chen (Douglas Humpherys)Young Artist Voice: Anthony Baron, Bass (Katherine Ciesinski)Young Artist Woodwind: Jonathan Wintringham, saxophone (Chien-Kwan Lin)

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New Music ReviewBeverly SmokerNew Music Review Chair

Dancing on the Keys, Vol. 3, 5 Late Intermediate Dance Solos in Dance Styles by Catherine Rollin. Alfred, 2012

Catherine Rollin wrote the Dancing on the Keys series as a tool for developing a vital and stable sense of rhythm and pulse. Her third volume offers an engaging array of rhythmic dances. Constructed from a variety of commonly encountered rhythmic and tonal patterns, in keys with no more than one sharp or flat, they can be successfully utilized in developing fluent music reading skills as well. Each is dedicated to friends, including some in Rochester New York.

"Argentina", constructed from triads in root position and inversions, features a common Latin rhythmic pattern in alternating bars of 6/8 and 3/4. Many will recognize this hemiola pattern from Leonard Bernstein’s “America” (West Side Story). The A section moves through the cycle of fifths with broken chord figures in the right hand and blocked chords in the left hand. The B section places the blocked chords in the right hand and the broken chords in the left hand. The single scale pattern announces the return of A (bar 61).

In Can You Can-Can? students will encounter a right-hand scalar workout over a left-hand stride bass, as well as brief scalar patterns in double 6ths and broken octaves. Familiar dominant-tonic or subdominant-dominant-tonic harmonic progressions will allow students to focus their attention on the articulation and voicing challenges: playing one hand legato and the other staccato (A section) and playing two voices in the left hand (B section).

"Danza Cubana", dedicated to the Nazareth College Department of Music, the Rochester Piano Teachers Guild and the New York State Music Teachers Association District 12, exemplifies Catherine Rollin’s exceptional skill in creating satisfying music from one idea. The entire piece is constructed over a four-bar descending ground bass. The A section has broken chord patterns in the right hand; the B section has right hand scalar patterns. The B section builds to an effective climactic area, marking the return to A with an impressive glissando. Optional maracas play constant eighths.

"Evenings in Vienna", an attractive waltz with right-hand chords and scalar patterns over a typical waltz bass, would appeal to adults as well as younger students. Some four-voice chords, scalar patterns and the vivace tempo contribute to a virtuosic sound.

"Temptation Tango", to be played “with drama and rhythmic precision”, is my favorite dance. Wide spacing between the hands creates a distinctive full sound that richly colors the beautiful, poignant melody. An optional castanet part reinforces the LH dotted quarter-eighth-quarter-quarter rhythmic pattern.

The Classical Piano Method Book, by Hans-Günter Heumann. Schott, 2012.

The Classical Piano Method offers an approach to beginning piano instruction using arrangements of standard classical music along with pedagogical pieces composed by the author, Hans-Günter Heuman. The mature language and minimal introduction accompanying new concepts make this method most appropriate for adult students and experienced teachers.

Rhythmic and pitch reading begins off-staff. Pitches are indicated through finger numbers on two or black key groups placed horizontally on the page. Rhythmic patterns played by alternating hands are notated in quarter notes, without bar lines or rests. This brief introduction to music reading (four songs) requires teacher guidance.

The book’s 15 lessons cover 4/4, 3/4 and 2/4 meters; quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, eighth notes, dotted half and dotted quarter notes; the intervals seconds through fifths; staccato, legato, and two-note slurs. Students will play and transpose pieces using C, G, D and F major as well as a, e and d minor pentachords and triads. The repertoire includes arrangements of well-known classics by Bach, Beethoven, Charpentier, Diabelli, Grieg, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Offenbach, Rameau, Turk, Vivaldi and Wagner. Composer biographies are given along with additional listening assignments. Practice and technique tips and theory drills are given. Practice steps are not included.

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2013 HEDDY KILIAN COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL PIANO AND VOICE

You should have recently received an enews mailing concerning the 2013 Heddy Kilian Competition, containing information and the application form. The competition will take

place this year at Syracuse University on Sunday, May 19. The event is open to high school pianists and singers currently in grades 10 through 12.

Information and application forms can be accessed at the NYSMTA website: http://www.nysmta.org/state.php?page=kilian

Any questions concerning the Competition can be directed to Gary Fisher at gfshr@frontiernet.net

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2013 STATE CONFERENCE Our annual Conference is set to return this year after a brief hiatus. Mark your calendars for October 18 through 20, 2013. We will gather once again at the wonderful facilities of the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Co-Vice-Presidents for Conferences, Joseph Eppink and Gary Fisher, will be assembling a weekend of presentations, performances, competitions, recitals, workshops and master classes. Feel free to contact Joseph and Gary with your ideas and suggestions.

window into a private world that no one else does who is not a part of that family. The constant stream of fresh coffee and drinks only add to this enjoyment.

My first job was as a traveling piano teacher for daycare schools through a company called Starlight music. Many years later I was talking to the owner of this business, Melody, and she said she was going to stop teaching in her home and begin teaching in her student’s home instead. I was a bit surprised to hear this and asked her why. She told me succinctly that she wished to “reclaim” her home for herself. She added it should mean something when she finishes work and comes “home”. I had never thought about this, but that is definitely something I appreciate. There is a quiet satisfaction from driving home after working, parking in the garage and leaving the work behind you. The idea of home means different things to different people and we can choose how we shape our most important place in the world.

This does not mean that I do not see value in my time as a professional. I take my

THE EVOLVING TEACHERby Edward BrownMTNA and Texas Music Teachers Association; President, Fort Worth Contemporary Music Fund. Published with permission.

The role and financial success of piano teachers has varied greatly throughout the past two centuries. The reasons for this are largely socio-economical, cultural and the result of efforts by hard working music teachers to change their own destinies and thereby better their situation. There are several changes underway currently for our way of life and this makes it an exciting time to be a piano teacher.

I fondly remember reading about the lives of the great composers as a young music student in college. Reading about César Franck running from house to house while teaching in Paris and Beethoven teaching young countesses in their large estates, yes, falling in love with them from time to time, showed me a window into the very early world of piano teaching. Even famous pianists who wanted to make a living teaching often did so traveling to the homes of their wealthy students. We know from letters by George Sand that Chopin preferred to teach on his own pianos in his apartment, but was willing to teach elsewhere for the addition of a traveling fee. This was a time when we were yet to see any private

music schools like we see today in our sprawling suburbs, and musicians were viewed as being at the same level as the servants that would come in to clean from time to time. Mozart famously quipped, “The two valets have their place at the top of the table, but at least I have the privilege of being seated above the cooks.” Fortunately, the status of piano teachers and musicians would see a sharp rise in the following century, certainly due to the diligence of countless generations of professional teachers whose names have been lost by time. We are all indebted to the efforts of these unsung heroes who came before us and demanded a higher level of respect for our profession. As musicians and teachers, our remunerations do not always match that of other white-collar professionals, but the level of our education and the demands we put on ourselves are rarely surpassed by anyone.

When I finally began teaching I was living in a small apartment with my then wife and son. I could not expect my family to stay in some back room for hours or expect my students to travel so far outside the city of Fort Worth. I began my business traveling to my student’s home and soon had more students than I could take in. My popularity had mostly to do with my success and professionalism, but I also knew my families appreciated the convenience of having someone come to their residence. It definitely worked out for everyone involved. My future career was assured and my students loved their new teacher.

My parents were also pianists and created a very traditional home-based piano studio in our little suburb, so I have seen first-hand the myriad of forms a piano studio can take. While my parent’s generation certainly had a certain expectation of what a piano studio was, I was creating my own and surprisingly enjoying it. For one, I intimately know the environment my student is living in and how it might affect his or her practicing. I know when the pianos are in poor shape or out of tune. I can freely walk to relatives and siblings to get the “real scoop” on how my student has been practicing or generally feeling about music lessons. I can tell my student to organize his or her music better and I can see what the general family situation is for the child. These are important insights that many teachers are not privy too.

My personality definitely played an additional role in my contentment. I find people endlessly interesting and love observing their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Humans generally behave the same way in similar situations. When we visit someone’s home, we, as the guests, inadvertently play our role by being overly careful and polite. Conversely, when we are in our own home we naturally act according to our innate nature. When I meet the families I teach, I am entering their home, their “safe place”, where they have inadvertently let their guard down. This may be a funny observation, but what I am saying is that I enter several distinctly separate worlds each day and the result for me, quite simply, is a small bit of entertainment. I have a

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window into a private world that no one else does who is not a part of that family. The constant stream of fresh coffee and drinks only add to this enjoyment.

My first job was as a traveling piano teacher for daycare schools through a company called Starlight music. Many years later I was talking to the owner of this business, Melody, and she said she was going to stop teaching in her home and begin teaching in her student’s home instead. I was a bit surprised to hear this and asked her why. She told me succinctly that she wished to “reclaim” her home for herself. She added it should mean something when she finishes work and comes “home”. I had never thought about this, but that is definitely something I appreciate. There is a quiet satisfaction from driving home after working, parking in the garage and leaving the work behind you. The idea of home means different things to different people and we can choose how we shape our most important place in the world.

This does not mean that I do not see value in my time as a professional. I take my

driving into account and base my fees accordingly, which are somewhere around 20% higher than other teachers in the area. Over the past several years I have shaped my teaching routes into tight knit “pockets” in my adopted home of Fort Worth to minimize driving time.

I feel that I am part of a new generation of music teachers who are adapting to changes in our society in innovative ways. Economic trends are reshaping families from a model where only the husband works, to one where both parents work or a single mom is taking on the role of sole provider. There are simply many new stresses on the American family today. One thing has not changed though, a desire for thoughtful parents to want to see their children learn an instrument and appreciate music. We no longer live in a world where we are content to “sit above the cooks.” The Doctors and Professors I teach for look to me as an equal, as someone who has taken his self–education as seriously as they have. I cannot take credit for the rise in our status. That credit belongs to the teachers who came before me.

I firmly believe that we live in a time where our music teachers are more motivated than ever. There are no social pressures pushing us towards or away from our profession as was the case only a few generations ago. Any conceivable profession is open to women and vice versa for men. There are countless opportunities in this country to pursue any direction we desire. We can work solely towards guaranteed wealth or we can take our talents and energies and pour them into the art we love so very much. Whether you create your studio in your home or in someone else’s, in a music school, college campus or strip mall, through DVD or other modern technology, the outward form of your business does not matter as much as the inward quality of the experience you bring to your students. Tomorrow, as I drive from student to student, much as Cesar Franck did by foot, I appreciate the connection I have with the Great Composers I adore. I am even more appreciative for the previous generations of piano teachers whose names I may never know.

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NYSMTA FALL 2012 BUSINESS MEETINGS Meetings of the NYSMTA Administrative Committee and Executive Board took place on Friday, October 5, 2012 at Nazareth College in Rochester. The following is a summary of the principal issues which were discussed, along with the motions offered for vote at the meetings. Administrative CommitteeThe motion was made to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion #1: "It is moved that the Administrative Committee approve the minutes of its meeting on Saturday, June 16, 2012." Motion offered by Kathryn Sherman, seconded by Richard Hihn; passed unanimously.

Discussion regarding retention and growth of membership, as well as access to membership directory information took place. Warm thanks were expressed to Kathryn Sherman for her excellent service as Vice-President for Membership as she stepped down from that position.

Website review was discussed in terms of maintaining more complete availability of relevant information. Remote meeting technology was discussed in terms of facilitating business meetings and officer/chair communications.

NYSMTA Conference issues were discussed at length. The possibility of holding these events on an every-other-year schedule, while not yet endorsed officially, remains under active consideration. In the mean time, in order to have a General Membership vote take place in person, the bi-annual schedule would need to occur on even-numbered years. This will necessitate a Conference taking place in 2014 as well as this year. It was moved that a committee be formed to study Conference issues: Motion #2: "It is moved that a committee to study future NYSMTA Conference issues, including but not limited to frequency, time of year, location choices, involvement of competitions, and partnership with other states." Moved by Gary Fisher, seconded by Gary Palmer; passed unanimously.

Discussions regarding the addition of a new position on the Administrative Committee, that of Vice-President for Competitions culminated in the following motion: Motion #3: "It is moved that Article 3 and Article 4 Section 1 of the NYSMTA Constitution be amended to create the position of Vice-President for Competitions and add it to the list of officers of the Administrative Committee of the New York State Music Teachers Association. Further, it is moved that the NYSMTA By-Laws Article 6 Section 8 be added to the By-Laws document, to include the following text: 'The Vice-President for

Competitions shall oversee the Kilian, the Empire State and the MTNA competitions.'" Moved by Kathryn Sherman, seconded by Richard Hihn; passed unanimously. There was brief discussion of the recent mail balloting for changes to the NYSMTA Constitution and By-Laws, in particular the favorable reply rate. Those motions are as follows, and are now a part of the organizations' governing documents. Ballot Motion #1: "It is moved by the NYSMTA Executive Board that the quorum for the votes of the NYSMTA Executive Board be reduced to ten (10); this change applies to the NYSMTA Constitution, Article V, Section 4." Ballot Motion #2: "It is moved by the NYSMTA Executive Board that the NYSMTA Constitution, Article X, Section 2, be amended to include a final sentence stating, 'Mail ballots may be distributed and collected electronically.'" Ballot Motion # 3: "It is moved by the NYSMTA Executive Board that the NYSMTA By-Laws, Article X, Section 2, be amended to include a final sentence stating, 'Mail ballots may be distributed and collected electronically.'"

Executive Board Motion #1: "It is moved that the Executive Board to approve the minutes of its meeting on Friday, October 21, 2012." Motion offered by Beverely Smoker, seconded by Jane Chang; passed unanimously.

The current application for the Chapin Grant was discussed, and was met with a great deal of positive enthusiasm. The following motion was offered: Motion #2: "It is moved that the proposal for the Elfriede Chapin Grant submitted by Jennifer Ryckaert and Josh Massicot be accepted, and that they be awarded a grant of $300." The motion was offered by Deborah Martin and seconded by Gary Palmer. It was passed unanimously. This project will be presented at the 2014 Conference; they will as well provide an abstract for the NYSMTA Newsletter.

Membership issues were discussed, including a recent decline in numbers, along with efforts to get lapsed members to return.

Incoming NYSMTA Secretary, Ruthanne Schempf, discussed her participation in the MTNA Summit for Leadership in Cincinnati, Ohio. The primary topic of discussion at the Summit was the increasing likelihood that individuals participating in events involving children—festivals, competitions, etc.—would need to provide a background check, even finger prints. It was agreed that National would need to offer support in an exploration of this potential change in policy and requirement.

Discussions of NYSMTA competition-related issues took place. Improved access to Kilian information was strongly urged. The creation of standing contact lists of public school music supervisors was suggested, as a means of reaching out to larger

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numbers of potential participants and their teachers. Maintaining up-to-date-information on the website was mentioned as a current need.

Completion of a proposed printed tri-fold brochure was discussed, along with the obvious benefits of ready access by potential new members to its information.

Issues of judges’ remuneration for NYSMTA competitions and events was discussed. There was an agreement that there should be a consistency of such rates between different state-level competitions.

The idea of holding the annual NYSMTA Conference during the summer, instead of October, was discussed in terms of its impact on the Empire and MTNA competitions.

Ongoing discussions related to accessing the Membership directory continued. The means of resolving privacy issues remains to be determined. In the mean time, a motion was offered to insure that all officers and chairs would receive a printed copy of the directory each year. Motion #3: "It is moved that a current pdf of the NYSMTA Membership Directory be provided to all members of the Administrative Committee and the Executive Board on an annual basis." The motion was offered by Diane Birr and seconded by Nate Hess; it was passed unanimously.

The use and research of current technologies for remote business meetings was discussed.

Discussions regarding Conference location and frequency took place, including the presentation of the motion passed earlier at the Administrative Committee meeting: Motion #4: "It is moved that a committee be formed to study future NYSMTA Conference issues, including but not limited to frequency, time of year, location choices, involvement of competitions, and partnership with other states. This Committee should present its findings and suggestions by no later than June 30, 2013." The motion was offered by Richard Hihn and seconded by Jane Chang.

In regards to previous discussion and voting by both the Administrative Committee and the Executive Board to create the new position on the AdCom of Vice-President for Competitions, it was decided to make a motion at the current meeting to formalize this change by means of a vote of the general membership. Motion #5: "It is moved that Article 3 and Article 4 Section 1 of the NYSMTA Constitution be amended to create the position of Vice-President for Competitions and add it to the list of officers of the Administrative Committee of the New York State Music Teachers Association. Further, it is moved that the NYSMTA By-Laws Article 6 Section 8 be added to the By-Laws document, to include the following text: 'The Vice-President for Competitions shall oversee the Kilian, the Empire State and the MTNA competitions.'" Moved by Kathryn Sherman, seconded by Richard Hihn; passed unanimously.

RECENT VOTES BY NYSMTA MEMBERSHIPTwo votes have been put to the general membership of the New York State Music Teachers Association in recent months. In mid-August, a printed ballot was mailed to all current members, seeking approval to changes in the NYSMTA Constitution and the By-Laws allowing for a reduction in the quorum for Executive Board meetings and the use of electronic means for membership and officer voting. 65 ballots affirming these changes were returned by postal mail, out of an initial mailing of approximately three hundred and fifty. Two months later, an email ballot affirmed the 2012 – 2014 slate for the NYSMTA Administrative Committee. 40 email responses were received. When these numbers are compared to the typical numbers of members who attend the General Membership meetings at the Conferences, one can feel that participation in these two votes presented itself in a generally positive direction.

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To all members whose studios have suffered damage and/or loss of business from Superstorm Sandy, thanks to a generous donation of one thousand dollars from the Louisiana State Music Teachers Organization to NYSMTA, there are funds available to assist you getting back on track with your teaching. Please contact Christine Johannsen, chrisj.rage@gmail.com or (845) 628-7980, to inquire.

Also, MTNA has established the MTNA Superstorm Sandy Recovery Fund to aid music teachers affected by the storm in re-establishing their studios. Please contact mtnafoundation@mtna.org or (888) 512-5278 for more information.

LOCAL DISTRICT NEWS

DISTRICT 6

FEBRUARY 9, 2013: Marian Brown Day of Scholarship at UALBANY - Masterclasses with Duncan Cumming (for advanced students grades 7-12)

FEBRUARY 22, 2013: Free Concert Featuring John Kamitsuka - Mr. Kamitsuka is giving a solo recital at the SCCC School of Music This is a free concert.

FEBRUARY 23, 2013: Masterclass with John Kamitsuka - Open to intermediate, early advanced and advanced players. Mr. Kamitsuka will work with one student at each level.

MAY 4, 2013: Evaluations – non–competitive evaluations held at Skidmore College

HATAS FUNDRAISER RAISES OVER $5000 TO HELP ALBANY'S HOMELESS. On Saturday, November 10, over 100 area students solicited pledges to play in a piano marathon that lasted over seven hours. The event took place at the Crossgates Mall, where a 9' concert grand, donated by Artist Pianos in Latham, was set up. One memorable performance had one student playing the piano and singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" while his sister performed a stunning dance routine. The Music Studio from Albany also performed with their usual flair some vocal pieces and percussion ensembles. The marathon was part of a Gingerbread House Contest that has been an ongoing fundraising effort by the Homeless and Traveler's Aid Society.

FALL RECITALThe December 2nd Fall Recital featured 17 students from 7 of our District teachers, Meg Bassinson, Kirstie Chen, Findlay Cockrel, Joseph Fennimore, Cheryl Florin, Young Kim, and Alice Semerdjian. Paul Jennings hosted the recital at Artist Pianos in Latham. All abilities and ages 5-17 were represented. A reception followed with punch and cookies.

DISTRICT 12

District 12 sponsors annual evaluation activities, the Student Achievement Program, which attracts the participation of hundreds of local piano students. It is three parts. A Technique Exam takes place on Sunday, March 17 at Nazareth College. A Theory Exam is administered off-site by the individual teachers. The Repertoire Exam, which takes place at Nazareth on the weekend of May 18 and 19, is the most popular component of the three parts to the Program.

One of the highlights of our year is the Junior All-Star Competition, taking place this year on Saturday, June 1 at Nazareth College. These auditions attract a high level of achievement among the local piano students, making for exciting competitive events. A Winners Recital occurs the next day, on Sunday, June 2.

The annual Summer Piano Pedagogy Workshop is a very important event for teachers in Western New York. This event is sponsored by District 12 along with Nazareth College and the Rochester Piano Teachers Guild, and occurs this year on Monday – Tuesday, June 17 & 18. This year’s clinician is the veteran pedagogue, Marvin Blickenstaff.

MEMBERS IN NEED

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A NOTE TO NYSMTA MEMBERSGary FisherNYSMTA Newsletter editor

As editor of the NYSMTA newsletter, I seem to have more access to a public forum than most of the rest of our members. I would certainly like to open up the opportunities which a newsletter such as this can provide. With that in mind, I would like to put two items before you, the readers and the members of this organization. First of all, if you have ideas about the sort of articles or particular topics you would like to see in this newsletter, please, please let me know! I can readily seek out appropriate individuals to fashion a written piece which would address your interest. I can suggest a topic right here, right now. Having been a part of discussions with the coordinators of the Empire State Competitions over the past several years, one issue that has had a fair degree of attention is that of contemporary piano repertoire (post-1950) appropriate for a junior high school level competition such as that offered with ESC. Is this something many (any?) of you out there would like to see as a researched article?

Another idea I would like to propose is a “Letter(s) to the Editor” column as a regular feature of the NYSMTA newsletter. Your voice deserves to be heard; it needs to be heard. By all means feel free to send your written thoughts to me at gfshr@frontiernet.net.

I very much look forward to responses to the two ideas above.

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CHAPIN FOUNDATION GRANT

The Elfriede Chapin fund has been established to award a

monetary grant annually to one NYSMTA member. The recipient will use the grant to work on a special project that will benefit member teachers. The project must be used to establish new research developed during the grant. When the study is complete, the recipient must present the findings, either through a published article in an issue of the NYSMTA Newsletter or the American Music Teacher magazine, or through a presentation at an annual state or national conference.

Anyone interested in applying for the Chapin Grant should contact, by September 15, 2013:

Barbara Woods, Chapin Fund Chair5 Rene Drive, Spencerport, NY 14559

(585)-352-3675 princemax@aol.com

REQUESTS FOR PRINTED NYSMTA DIRECTORIES

Printed copies of the NYSMTA Membership Directory are available to members upon request. If you would like to have one mailed to you, please contact Bonnie Choi, Vice-President for Membership, at bchoi6@naz.edu. If you have already requested and received a Directory in the past, please re-confirm your interest in continuing to receive a copy. The 2013 Directory should be completed and available within the next two months.

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NYSMTA Citation Award Call for Nominations

The Citation Committee requests nominations for the Fall 2013 Citation Award. Nominees should have demonstrated service to the music teaching profession by reason of leadership at state, division and/or national levels of MTNA, and/or have made outstanding contributions to music and the arts through community, cultural

and artistic activities. Please submit nominations, either in writing or by email, with detailed reasons for the recommendation, by September 1, 2013 to

Michael Merolla

PO Box 428, Miller Place, New York 11764. mbm00@optonline.net.

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The Summit for MTNA Leadership was held at National Headquarters in Cincinnati over the weekend of September 21 – 23, 2012; the hotel and surrounding city blocks were thrumming to Cincinnati’s annual Oktoberfest. Summit attendees (State officers and Division directors) came from almost every state (43 current or “-elect” officers) to learn about the many programs and services offered through National headquarters and to encourage communication between and among state organizations. The weekend began with registration, introductions and dinner. What a wealth of information; what a vibrant group of music teachers, full of news and ideas! We heard from our MTNA President, Benjamin Caton and our MTNA Executive Director, Gary Ingle, as well as from MTNA Vice President Rebecca Johnson. We had presentations on the MTNA organization itself, the Strategic Plan, Membership, National Conferences, Competitions, the Foundation Fund, Affiliate Services (liability insurance, 501 (c)(3) issues, ASCAP licensing and publications) and were introduced to the National staff. This was Saturday morning. After lunch, we heard the national financial report (MTNA is financially “sound” and the 2012 NYC Conference was profitable), and then we broke into seven meeting groups of states by membership size. Group “A” consisted of six states with more than 600 members each: California, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington). Category C was for 300-449 members; New York was thus grouped with Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Utah. This smaller meeting teased out an issue raised on Saturday morning: in Oklahoma and Kentucky, music festival site coordinators have had to request criminal background

checks of music judges. This will likely become more common in other states, so there was a request that there be a National MTNA policy on this. In the mean time, we should be alert to requests for background checks. During the lunch break and after the meetings of states, we had opportunity to tour the MTNA headquarters in the Carew Tower. On the walls are samples of artwork from every state association. Saturday evening’s banquet was followed by a short, very fine performance by Miami University’s Men’s Glee Club. Sunday morning began with State Presidents proposing various national board discussions. Some of these topics were: posting videos of national conference sessions, sale or single-use of membership lists, participation in MTA events by non-members, and evaluation of local by-laws. Then we had presentations on national certification, commissioning compositions, publications and how articles are submitted, and finally, a good virtual tour of the MTNA website. We should all explore the MTNA website to better understand the organization and how it serves us. There really is strength in numbers because the national organization represents us independent and/or college music teachers. We should recruit more members for New York State MTA and encourage current members to obtain national certification. We ought to support the Foundation Fund which supports a number of projects from composition commissions to individual grants. Currently, only 7% of our MTNA membership contributes to the Foundation Fund. We could network with our surrounding state MTAs and share ideas on state conferences, membership, and other points.

REPORT FROM MTNA SUMMIT FOR LEADERSHIPRuthanne SchempfSecretary NYSMTA

CALL FOR NYSMTA NEWSLETTER ARTICLE TOPICS

Chair of the Independent Music Teachers Forum, Maura Hall, would like to know of topics for articles that would be of interest to our members and readers. As active teachers and musicians, our members are very much aware of issues pertinent to the private teacher which could be addressed in this newsletter. Sharing our own insights, perspectives and experiences is a fundamental benefit of membership in an organiziation such as ours. Please let Maura know of your interests by contacting her at etudes4@verizon.net.

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District 1Genevieve BhanJill CarrDaniel EpsteinAsuka FuClaudine HickmanColleen SpencerMichael Taylor Liu Ye

District 2Mary RobertsAkiko SasakiDuane SmithKatherine Titakis

District 3Shirley Watts

District 5Paul Scatenato

District 7Joshua CondonAnn DeislerWilliam GreggJennie OstrowSunhwa ReinerJeffrey SaboSeth Waters

District 10Benjamin Van De Water

District 11Dede NashMatt Wurtzel

District 12Jonathan BowmanEmily HenryJohn MarcinGraham ThompsonKatherine Weintraub

NYSMTA MEMBERSHIPMembers are asked to please keep email and postal addresses updated, so that all communications from NYSMTA and MTNA can be received in a timely and successful manner. Our state lists are based on information received from the MTNA national office. If you have any changes, please let MTNA know (see www.MTNA.org for proper contact). For a hard copy of the current NYSMTA Membership Directory, or any questions, please contact the Vice-President of Membership. Bonnie Choi

Vice-President for Membership, NYSMTA4245 East Avenue

Rochester, New York 14618(585) 389- 2695 or bchoi6@naz.edu

NYSMTA welcomes these new members for October 2012 through February 2013:

NYSMTA LECTURE FORUM CALL FOR PAPERSThe NYSMTA membership is invited to submit proposals for presentations at the 2013 NYSMTA Conference. Presentation format is flexible. One can read a paper, present a lecture, perform a lecture-recital or demonstrate a technique. The topic proposal document should be a detailed description of the intended presentation, two to three paragraphs in length. Possible subjects might relate (but are by no means limited) to music literature, teaching techniques, the psychology of teaching, performance stress, improvisation, business elements, or any number of other tools of the music profession. Presentation time may range from thirty to fifty minutes, including five minutes for questions. Forward your proposal to Janice Nimetz, Chair of the NYSMTA Lecture Forum, by no later than May 1, 2013. Email to jnimetz@emmawillard.org, or, if preferred, print format (please send three copies) mailed to:

Janice Nimetz, Lake Sapphire, PO Box 90, Harriman, New York 10926