THE FOSTER TECHNIC.  

 After one year of practicing with the "Foster Technic," a prestigious, leading piano teacher in St. Louis said she had never seen such a transformation in anyone.  I could feel it myself.  Passages which used to be difficult were now easy.  I felt I now had enough technic to play anything I wanted and to play it well.  I was so excited and grateful to have found the Foster Technic!  No longer did I feel that some people were just born with great coordination and muscles and that the rest of us had just "lost out."  I began to feel that anyone who truly applied the "Foster Technic" could improve tremendously.
 
As I listened to others struggling in their performing, I kept wishing I could help them with the Foster Technic.  When I became a teacher, I was very encouraged by the success of those of my students who truly applied the principles I endeavored to teach them. Last year seven of them achieved top awards (winner, runner-up, honorable mention) in our Tennessee Music Teachers Association competitions at our state conference.  Over the years they have won over 125 prizes in rigorous competitions, including the MTNA Southern Division Collegiate Steinway Piano Competition, the MTNA Southern Division Junior High Piano Competition, and concerto competitions of the Nashville Symphony, the World Youth Symphony of the Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, the St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf Chamber Orchestra, University of Tennessee Orchestra, Maryville-Alcoa College Community Orchestra, Oak Ridge Symphony, and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association.  Several have won the prestigious Knoxville Choral Society Scholarship Competition, and many have been selected to attend the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts.  Some have gone on to teaching careers of their own as faculty members of such institutions as Vanderbilt University. Very recently one was chosen to perform on the NPR radio program, "From the Top."

Now I would like to pass the "Foster Technic" on to you!
 You are invited to the
 
 DAVID BRUNELL PIANO WORKSHOP IN TECHNIC AND ARTISTRY

  
 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012

9:00-3:30 p.m. (lunch break in middle)
 
AMERICAN PIANO GALLERY
 
 11651 PARKSIDE DRIVE
 

   
This seminar is especially appropriate for teachers and advanced and intermediate students.  Music lovers and all other interested people are very welcome as well.
 
The seminar will consist of two parts: First, an explanation of the Foster technic and its application as well as additional points regarding poetic, musical playing and how to keep technic and musicality in balance.  Second, a master class with opportunity to perform and/or try out Foster technic principles.  
 
The Steinway Piano Gallery recital hall features a gorgeous nine-foot concert grand Steinway.  It is a real joy to play and it should greatly enhance our master class experience.Comments received about this workshop:
 
 Thank you for the exquisite workshop... I learned so very much... It was a most enjoyable and enriching six hours that will last a lifetime!... Your personal stories gave wonderful  "tonal voicing" to your presentation!  Your ability to encase extremely constructive, professional critique between layers of encouraging praise was a pleasure to observe!...  I know that each person who attended will be a better teacher and student and pianist because of the brief exposure today to your musical gifts and abilities...,your rich musical background and expertise... I am sure everyone was inspired today, as I was, to "press on towards the goal" in their individual musical journeys!...thank you so much for sharing so much with us today, in such a musically "poetic" way!  Your "phrasing" was outstanding!  --a piano teacher from Knoxville
 
 Just a note to tell you again how very much I enjoyed both you and all that you had to say yesterday.  I'm so glad that I came...I realize, even more than ever...how lucky UT and TMTA are to have you...Thank you...for [hearing me in the] masterclass!  I just wanted to send everybody home and have you all to myself for the rest of the day.  -A piano teacher from Memphis
 
 I wanted to thank you for a well-organized, well-presented seminar. It was a delight to hear you speak and the information was so well timed to what I have been studying....  -a piano teacher from Johnson City
 
 The numbers in attendance, their copious notes, their eagerness to ask questions and stay longer attest to the very valuable service you performed with your seminar for the piano-teacher-and-student community....You did a wonderful job. - a retired Professor of French at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and an amateur pianist
 
 Thank you so much for the piano seminar/workshop!!  You have such a vast knowledge of music and the piano!!  I hope that you will consider doing another seminar in the future--perhaps as an annual event!  -a piano teacher from Oak Ridge
 
 It was such a pleasure to attend your seminar. It was really so inspirational... it will be an incredible resource to me both as a student and as a teacher. I have been trying to apply some of the techniques in my daily practice, and have found...it gives me an incredible ease and an incredible feeling of connectivity while I am playing repertoire. I am, time after time, impressed not only by your playing, but by your manner towards the people around you. I cannot imagine a more patient, and kind man.... -a former piano major at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
 
 It was very informative and I learned so much.  -A piano teacher from Knoxville

 From one who came two years in a row: I want to thank you so much for having your Foster Technique workshop again this year.  For me it was a great motivator to spend more time in technique practice, so I really enjoyed coming back for another "pep talk" this year.  I feel like it helped me very much to get a more complete understanding how all the different components of exercises work together to achieve the goal of an excellent technique with the Foster method foundation.  I think your presentation of such an overview with the many examples and memorable anecdotes would also be very beneficial to students reaching the intermediate level and even to beginning adult students. Therefore I think that teachers especially can benefit from having such a workshop serve as an example to use in motivating their students to invest in technique-practice time.  If I'm around I'll probably come back next year too! -retired engineer and avid piano student from Knoxville
 
Questions?  Feel free to e-mail me at dbrunell@utk.edu or call (865) 974-7530.
 
We hope to see you there!  

If you know of others who might be interested in this seminar I would appreciate it if you would forward this to them.  Thank you!
 
Cordially,
 
 David Brunell
 
 Dr. David Brunell
Professor of Music (Piano)
School of Music
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996