Newsletter
October 2016
In This Issue
October Meeting
Awards & Grants
Competition Repertoire
Teacher Referrals
Masterclass
Recital & Competitions
Member Spotlight
Deadlines
Member News Info
UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, October 24
Meeting 9:30AM

PATRICK GANNON

"Musicians Are Athletes Too: Lessons from Sport Psychology"

The First Parish Watertown

NEPTA Music Sale
9AM

***

Monday, November 14
Meeting 9:30AM
 
MASTERCLASS
YA-FEI CHUANG

A Special Scholarship Event

New! No Admission Fee
Donations Accepted

(No NEPTA Music Sale)

The First Parish Watertown

***

Monday, December 12
Meeting 9:30AM

TEACHERS' EXCHANGE

"Ask Your Colleagues"
 
Moderators:
Shann Wood
and Barbara Lieurance

New Members!
This meeting is intended to introduce you to our membership.

All Members!
Share your expertise and experience.
We can all share
what we know and
learn from one another.

Refreshments Served
Committee Chair, Dianne Impallaria

Wellesley Free Library
530 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA

MEMBER NEWS

CONCERT  
Sunday, Oct. 16 3PM

Solo Piano Works

Rivers School Conservatory  
Sunday Series

Piano Faculty Recital
Eleanor Perrone
Lilit Karapetian
Andrei Baumann
and
Erin Lindsey

Program Details

Free admission

Rivers School Conservatory
Rivera Recital Hall
333 Winter Street
Weston, MA

For more info call
781-235-6840

***

SOLO PIANO RECITAL 

Sunday, Oct. 23  2PM

Autumn Salon Concert
Lisa Caliri

Works by Mozart, Chopin, Barber & Fuchs

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate
2468 Washington Street (Route 138)
Canton, MA

Admission: $20

For More Information Call: 508-636-4693 x5003
Email:
[email protected]

***

PIANO FOR SALE

Steinway model L
5'11" mahogany grand
Serial No. 265986   

Completely rebuilt and refinished in 2004
ivory keys

$38,000

For more info contact:
Ann Hartman
617-332-5092  
 
***

YOGA SESSIONS 

We will NOT be doing backbends!

4 Free Sessions
(4 consecutive weeks)

Thursdays
9-10AM
(Oct. 13 - Nov.3)
 

Wednesdays 
11:30AM-12:30PM
(Nov. 30 - Dec. 21)

Tuesdays 10-11:15AM
(ongoing)


For more info contact:
  Donna Gross Javel
781-354-0170

***

 
FALL CONCERT

The Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra

38th season under NEPTA member Barbara Jones' direction

Sunday, Nov. 20 3PM

Hale Middle School
Hartley Road
Stow, MA

Works by
Mozart and Berlioz

Tickets
soundsofstow.org
For more Info call
978-562-2620

***

SUBMITTING MEMBER NEWS

 
OCTOBER GREETINGS

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I hope you enjoyed the September meeting. We had a very good turnout. If you were not able to make it,  Natacha Rist hopes to have the minutes prepared soon so check the website in about a week. I do hope you will be able to make this next meeting. Patrick Gannon is known to be a very strong speaker with some practical tips on how we can apply methods from Sport Psychology to help develop strategies for stronger performances.

I'm very excited to announce that our website is now able to accept donations to NEPTA from non-members as well as members. I am grateful to the Board of Directors for approving this change, and I can't even begin to express my gratitude to Sue Demb and Caroline Ly for the time they have put into making this idea come to fruition. I will post the link on our Facebook page occasionally, so please visit the page and share it.  

I'm also excited to announce that plans are in the works for a NEPTA Members Concert on Sunday, March 12 at 5PM at M. Steinert & Sons' Natick store. Look for more information in the November newsletter about how you can be involved. Many thanks to Irina Baghdasaryan and Eleanor Perrone who have volunteered to co-chair this event.  

Once again, I want to remind you to  read the sections on recitals and competitions of the 2016-2017 Program Booklet  very carefully.

The deadline for the Miriam Pizer Award is Saturday, October 15. Check the Program Booklet for more information. The winner will be selected at the October meeting. 

Congratulations to our raffle winners! Nilly Epstein Shilo won John Morrison's "Nanocosmos" and Natacha Rist won Roberto Sierra's "Preludios Caprichosos for Piano."
   
I look forward to seeing many of you at our next meeting on October 24.
 
Warmly,
Donna Gross Javel
NEPTA President
OCTOBER 24 MEETING: PATRICK GANNON

Patrick Gannon's talk is entitled "Musicians Are Athletes Too: Lessons Learned from Sport Psychology." He is a clinical and performance psychologist and a member of the Performing Arts Medicine Association, where he presents his research at conferences on the etiology and treatment of performance anxiety and brain-based peak performance training.

Please visit the NEPTA website to read more about Patrick Gannon. His bio can also be found in the Program Booklet. 
 
The meeting officially begins at 9:30AM. The doors will open at 9AM, so plan to arrive early and take advantage of the music sale and the opportunity to get to know the members of this wonderful organization. Many thanks to Ruth Ross for organizing the music sale.
IN REMEMBRANCE

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sandra Rosenblum whose husband, Louis Rosenblum, passed away on September 22.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 28 Arrandale Ave., Great Neck, NY 11024, or Jewish Family and Children's Services, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451. See more at this link.
AWARDS AND GRANTS: UPCOMING DEADLINES

Miriam Pizer Award: Deadline: Oct. 15 
The Miriam Pizer Award, created in memory of Miriam Pizer, was established for students in Grades K-5 who are in need of assistance for lesson tuition or other essential expenses. The winner will be selected during the October NEPTA meeting. The teacher will be notified but the student's name will be kept private.
Amount of Award: $250

How To Apply: 
Please send your name along with your student's name by email to
Donna Gross Javel at  [email protected]. Only submissions received by Oct. 15 will be accepted.  Please note that this is the only reminder you will receive before the deadline so if you want to submit a student, please make note of the deadline.  

Grants-in-Aid: Ongoing
Eight grants in the amount of $125 are available during each fiscal year to students in need (July 1-June 30). All eight awards are still available.

How To Apply:
Please send a brief note from the teacher (email is acceptable) stating the family's need and reasons for financial assistance to Carol Chaffee, Scholarship Chair, at [email protected].
COMPETITIONS: REQUIRED REPERTOIRE

A few members mentioned that they were having difficulty finding the required repertoire for the competitions.  The individual selections can be found in a particular collection by each of the two composers.

Ruth Davidson Competition (grades 9 and 10)
Philip Glass, Complete Etudes (Chester Music)
Price:  $27.99
Available at Amazon.com
Music Espresso:  Available, in stock.
Spectrum Music:  Not in stock, but they can order it.

Alice Hamlet Competition (grades 11 and 12)
Judith Lang Zaimont, Calendar Collection (Vivace Press)
Price:  $16.95
Available online at Vivace Press. 
To order, send an email to [email protected]
Music Espresso: They do not deal with this particular publisher.
Spectrum Music:  Not in stock, but they can order it.
TEACHER REFERRALS

People looking for a piano teacher can go to the NEPTA website and click on "Find a Teacher." When they enter their zip code, the name and contact information of NEPTA members in that zip code will appear. To see how this works, click on this link: http://www.nepta.info/find-a-teacher/ and enter a zip code.

In order to be on the referral list, you must make sure that the "Teacher Information" section at the bottom of your "Member Information" page is filled in. If you want to make changes to your information, be sure to click on 'Continue' to save it. You may enter up to three zip codes.
MASTERCLASS WITH YA-FEI CHUANG NOVEMBER 14

On November 14, guest artist Ya-Fei Chuang will present a
Masterclass for NEPTA members. There is no admission fee for members to attend this year. However, this is a special Scholarship Fundraising Event, so donations are appreciated. Donations may be brought to the meeting. Donations may also be made online by going to the NEPTA website and clicking on the Donate link.

The following members will perform:
 
Caroline Ly 
Bach: Toccata in E minor, BWV 914 (Adagio and Fugue) 
 
Fan Li
Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, op 58


Christina Guibas  
Debussy: Jardins sous la Pluie from Estampes  
 
The Masterclass will be held at The First Parish of Watertown. See you there!
2016-2017 RECITALS AND COMPETITIONS PROGRAM

NEPTA recital and competition applications will be available on the NEPTA website on Saturday, October 15! The Recital and Competitions schedule is available now, both in the Program Booklet and on the website.  Please mark your calendars and make plans with your students accordingly.  

Many changes were made this year to the NEPTA Recitals and Competitions program. If you have not already done so, make sure you read the Recitals and Competitions sections, in your Booklet or on the website, so you understand the changes. Especially, please note that although teachers are now allowed to enter two students in the competitions, only one student is guaranteed a slot in a recital, so please plan to distribute your students in different recitals. You may submit two students, but consider alternating student #1 and student #2, in case the second slot is closed out. 
 
As in prior years, recitals are available only to students of NEPTA members who joined or renewed their dues by the September 30 deadline. 
 
Diana Tetzlaff has generously volunteered to help NEPTA members with the online registration process for the recitals and competitions.  If you have a question about the process, please contact Diana at 617-816-1777.    
 
NEW LOCATION FOR NEPTA COMPETITIONS
 
Competitions will take place at M. Steinert & Sons' new Boston location at 28 Damrell Street, Boston. 

NEPTA is fortunate to have shared a very special relationship with the owners and staff at M. Steinert's & Son's over the years, and I'm extremely pleased to say that this relationship will continue into the future. They have graciously offered to host our competitions again this year and in future years.  How can we express our gratitude? A simple "Thank You" is always appreciated. In addition, if you happen to know someone who is looking to buy a piano, please refer them to M. Steinert & Sons -- either the Boston or Natick store. Develop a relationship with one of the wonderful sales representatives there, and think of them the next time you have a student who needs an upgrade!
   
NEPTA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This section of the newsletter is dedicated to introducing you to some of our wonderful volunteers.  This month I'd like to introduce you to Lydia Reed-Guertin who has held many volunteer positions in NEPTA:

BOARD POSITIONS
Board Member 2002-2005
Executive Secretary 2005-2007
Vice President 2007-2009
President 2009-2011 
COMMITTEE POSITIONS
Junior Recital Chair 2003-2005
Nominating Committee Member 2009-2011
Program Committee Member 2008-present
Susan B. Demb Teacher Enrichment Program, founder and chairperson 2011-present
Nominating Committee Chair 2011-present
AND...
Over the years Lydia has also helped out with the luncheon, program book edits, membership, the Nancy Oliva Award, and she continues to serve in an advisory capacity within NEPTA.

Lydia Reed-Guertin grew up in a musical family where playing and listening to music was a central part of her childhood. She first became acquainted with the piano at age 5, studying the piano under the loving guidance of her mother Irene Reed, a NEPTA member and a longtime pianist and teacher. Later in high school, Lydia studied with Minuetta Kessler, a well known pianist-composer who was President of NEPTA from 1965-1967.  Lydia's intensive piano study was enriched by the opportunity to be Ms. Kessler's assistant, meticulously transcribing her compositions on a special musical typewriter.

Lydia then earned Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees in Piano Performance at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, studying with world renowned pianist and teacher, Anthony di Bonaventura. Imparted with lifelong artistic and technical direction, Lydia blended her passion for performing and teaching by serving on the faculties of Pine Manor College and the Concord Community Music School in New Hampshire, and exclusively since 2001, maintaining a private studio in Lexington MA. As a performer, one of Lydia's career highlights has been her duo piano partnership with her sister Elizabeth Reed. Together, they have performed extensively in the New England area, and recorded solo and four hand piano works at Jordan Hall including Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite for the Alfred Recording Label.

In 2001, Lydia was asked to serve on the board of the New England Piano Teachers' Association as a board member, then as Executive Secretary followed by Vice President and in 2009 President of the organization. Growing up, Lydia remembers the anticipation, excitement and nervousness of preparing for NEPTA student recitals and now she was one of those teachers in the audience complimenting today's young performers.

Under Lydia's leadership, NEPTA flourished as a nonprofit professional organization, dedicated to the highest standards of music education, offering members and their students opportunities for growth, stimulation, and a community of friendship and support. Through Lydia's initiative, the organization adopted the Susan B. Demb Teacher Enrichment Fund, available for members to further their professional development by enrolling in a continuing education course, workshop, seminar or conference in piano pedagogy. Lydia continues to lead NEPTA in different capacities as chair of the Susan B. Demb Fund, Nominating committee and active participant on the Program committee.

Lydia has also served on the board of the Massachusetts Music Teachers' Association, the state chapter of Music Teachers National Association, as Vice President of Membership. Lydia brought her enrichment ideas and guidelines and actively participated on the board for two years. A firm believer in continuing one's education and being immersed in the latest teaching methods, repertoire and technology, Lydia has attended the national MTNA conference on an annual basis since 2008.

In addition to volunteer opportunities, Lydia has adjudicated local and state competitions, including long distance judging for the Arizona Music Teachers Association. Lydia's strong sense of constructive but useful advice has been warmly accepted and welcomed by participating students.

In addition to her active affiliation with other local and national music organizations including the National Piano Guild and the Royal Conservatory of Music Development Program, Lydia is a devoted wife, mother of two and an avid Red Sox fan. She firmly believes that in our lives, musical connections are the key to enrichment and growth.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DEADLINES

NEPTA is extremely fortunate to have a very dedicated core of volunteers who devote a lot of time and energy to this wonderful organization. In order to help facilitate the work that our volunteers are doing, we will be honoring all deadlines and rules very seriously.  This will enable our volunteers to work more effectively and efficiently to make it possible for all members to enjoy the benefits that NEPTA has to offer. Thank you for your understanding.

Please note that the deadline for the Miriam Pizer Award is Saturday, October 15.
MEMBER NEWS

A guide for submitting member news for the newsletters is available on the website. Please include "NEPTA newsletter" in the subject heading of your email.

As members, you are also encouraged to post your news, pictures, videos and recordings on NEPTA's Facebook page.  Please visit the page, 'like' the page and see what your colleagues are doing. Your visits to the page help generate interest in NEPTA so consider 'sharing' posts, 'liking' posts and 'commenting' on posts.  
NEPTA'S FACEBOOK PAGE  

Remember that you can post your own up-to-the-minute concert listings and other items of interest on NEPTA's Facebook page. Visit www.facebook.com/NEPTApiano 
to see the latest news from your NEPTA friends! YouTube videos of your 
performances are especially welcome. 

Don't forget -- when you visit the Facebook page, click the 'Like' button!!
MUSIC SALE  

Our Music Sale is back by popular demand, once again organized by Ruth Ross, Music Library and Donation Chair. Please join us prior to all regular meetings in September, October, January, February, March and May. Please note that the music sales take place at The First Parish starting at 9AM. Members are asked to bring their checkbooks and any music that they are willing to donate that morning.

The sale serves three purposes:
  • Teachers have access to music that, perhaps, has gone out of print
  • Standard teaching methods and collections can be acquired at a very reasonable price
  • All proceeds go directly to the NEPTA Scholarship Fund

Please direct any questions to Ruth Ross at [email protected].

PARKING ANNOUNCEMENTS
car-sales-lot2.jpg 
The Watertown Savings Bank has strongly requested that NEPTA members do not park in the bank parking lot for NEPTA events. Please be respectful of this neighboring business and leave the free parking for its clients.

Please be aware that Watertown has restricted parking on the side streets immediately surrounding the First Parish and thus eliminating any "free parking." The metered spots in the parking lot adjacent to the church can accept coins up to a maximum of 8 hours (blue meters only), thereby removing the need to go feed the meter during our meeting breaks, offering instead an opportunity to socialize with NEPTA friends and colleagues.