Original Composition
For this month's newsletter article I have listed three links on teaching composition to your piano students. They are very informative and full of ideas you can use in your studio.
https://colourfulkeys.ie/teaching-composing-piano-students/
https://composecreate.com/what-me-composing-how-to-introduce-composing-to-piano-students/
https://www.pinterest.ca/teachpianotoday/composing-activities-for-piano-students/
Claire Westlake, Chair
Cavalcade
Thanks again to EVERYBODY who helped make Cavalcade 2022 a success! I have a cute ribbon for each student and will pass them out at April Brunch.
Sara Pratt, Chair saraplayspiano@gmail.com
Awards in Excellence
I am continually amazed at the preparation and musicianship of Awards in Excellence participants. The auditions flowed relatively smoothly and the judges were quite complimentary of the students. In some cases, they wished they could award more winners as so many students were worthy of a win. Many thanks to our highly qualified judges: Susan Martinez, Snezana Krstic, Mary Beth Shaffer, and Dr. Radmila Stojanovic-Kiriluk. Thanks also to those teachers who helped at the event. Congratulations to all the participants and their teachers, and especially to our winners listed below.
The winners’ recitals will be Saturday, April 23 at 1:30 and 2:45 at Hammer and Strings Conservatory. I’m sure this year’s winners will be every bit as amazing as in the past. Come and see these talented and beautifully prepared students perform. Whether you have students in the event or not, their artistry and attention to detail will surprise and motivate you. Thanks to all teachers who have helped and will help with this event!
Lorri McHardy, Chair
Achievement Day
Registrations are in, and we are preparing for our last event of the year! Here are a few hints for getting your students ready:
1. Practice sight-reading and ear training every week, if possible, until the event.
2. Review a few scales each week (hopefully they have learned most of them already). If not, cram!
3. Study for composer facts, get that Composer report ready, or put the final touches on that duet or Original Composition the student has been working on.
4. Review pieces, or finish up the memorization on trouble spots.
5. Take a practice Theory test and review.
6. Be positive and encouraging! Do a walk-through of events so they know what to expect.
There will be separate rooms for Theory, Composers, Duets/Compositions, Ear Training. The student can finish their options before OR after their assigned Evaluation time.
With their "judge", they will: do a scale quiz, play their pieces, and do their sight-reading, if that's what they signed up for. The teachers will walk them through every step.
We still need helpers, so even if you aren't signed up, please consider giving a few hours of your time to help us on May 14 at Mesa Community College. We need a full staff to help this event run smoothly!
Toni Tetreau, chair tonitetreau@gmail.com
