October 13, 2023

OCTOBER PROGRAM

MAUREEN FLOOD, JUSTYNA WEIRICH, DEBORAH LYNCH

JAZZ COMBO EXPERIENCE

October 16, 9:45 AM

Rolling Meadows Library/Zoom

“All That Jazz” Committee

Maureen Flood, Deb Lynch, and Justyna Weirich will talk about -

• the history of the “Jazz Combo Experience” event
• the benefits of the Jazz Combo Experience
• show videos of live performances
• discuss proven ways to work with students In preparation for the event
• how to prepare a lead sheet

Examples of using a text program such as Word to prepare a lead sheet will be shown, including how to use iRealPro for creating accompaniments for students outside of teaching jazz. Teachers who may not wish to enter students in the jazz program will be interested in how to make lessons and practicing more fun by creating accompaniments to use with scale practice or beginning improv. Students entering AIM will enjoy practicing for their harmonization exams with a virtual ensemble. Once created, you have a library of short examples for your students.

NOVEMBER PROGRAM - FUMI NAKAYAMA

DEVELOPING PIANO SKILLS WITH THE DALCROZE METHOD

November 20, 9:45 AM

Rolling Meadows Library/Zoom

Music-making requires our fingers, wrists, arms, and our entire bodies engaged to play in a way that reflects your mind, how you want to play, and how you want to express the music.  But, do we always practice with our entire bodies? Are we aware of how we are using our bodies when we play?  In general, we tend to focus on our finger movements in isolation as we practice etudes or other technical exercises. Jaques-Dalcroze developed a method of music education that focuses on facilitating students’ instinctive movement-based responses to music. When we hear music, how can we convey the dynamics, tonal qualities, melodies, etc. through our bodily gestures? We might rise up on our toes when the melody rises in pitch or punctuate the accents with sharp punching motions. We may respond to swinging rhythms by moving side to side, or swinging our arms back and forth.  By learning how to move our entire bodies to music efficiently and expressively, drawing upon Dalcroze principles and techniques, we can allow our bodily movements to inform how we play melodious lines — to make dramatic contrasts in performance, create a variety of tone colors utilizing finger touches and gestures, and, most importantly, perform with ease. 

Please join us in clothes you feel comfortable moving in! We will be moving around for most of the class. If you can, bring dance shoes (e.g., leather or canvas ballet/jazz shoes) — if you don’t have any, a similar pair of soft-soled shoes or bare feet will work just as well.

AIM UPDATES

1.Teachers please read and print out if needed, the 2014 Syllabus page vii update for exam requirements and awards. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rCHA6NWkoAK2ZuJUZlZ1ze2lHPy63CT3I2krkUiG7lI/edit?usp=sharing

2. Aim workbooks can be pre-ordered for pickup at the state conference and the shipping cost will be waived. Deadline for conference pre-orders is October 28. Only a small number of these items will be available for purchase at the conference, so teachers are encouraged to pre-order. At checkout, use coupon code ConfFreeShip. (This coupon is for conference attendees only).

Thank you so much!

Helen Chang

ISMTA CONFERENCE - GROUP PIANO FORUM

Member Lois Guderian will deliver the following session during the Group Piano Forum at the ISMTA Conference, Friday, November 3, 4:00 to 4:50. Stop by and join the session and discussion if you can.

Supplement Your Private Teaching with Group or Paired Musicianship Classes and New Areas of Instruction

Many private studio educators find the 30-minute private lesson limiting. Besides learning the technique and craftmanship of playing the piano, there are so many areas of musicianship to address not to mention the time needed to nurture specific skills in accompanying, sight-reading and composing. The presenter will share teaching materials, techniques and implementation strategies for addressing several areas of musicianship in group and paired settings; including ways to develop students’ creative thinking in music. 

SONATA-SONATINA FESTIVAL

Reminder to Teachers entering students in the NWSMTA Sonata-Sonatina Festival scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 at Harper College

As Entry Forms are beginning to be sent in, please remember the following deadlines and dates:

• Entry Forms to be emailed by: Friday, Oct. 20, 2023

• Payment of Entry Fees to be received by: Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023

• Festival: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023

Please also note that the earlier that Entry Forms are submitted and processed, the better chance you have of receiving your requested Time slot preferences.

The excitement continues and entries are pouring in. If you are joining us this year, you may wish to enter before the deadline in order to address any issues that may arise.

Thanks so much.

Jerry

NEW MEMBER COFFEE

With the beautiful sights and musical sounds of Autumn in the air as well as in the homes of NWSMTA teachers and their studio students, several board members and I personally welcomed 3 of the new members at the New Member Coffee October 2nd.

Each of the new members who were present - Michelle Ho, Leah Kang and SuZane Ray - introduced herself and shared a little of her musical journey.  Each board member also shared about her area of focus in NWSMTA. It was a rich and heartwarming time of information, encouragement and tasty refreshments.

I look forward to meeting more of you new members at our upcoming meeting October 16th [9:45 am at the Rolling Meadows Library and via Zoom] and the several events planned for this school year.  Your presence and participation makes our NWSMTA chapter of MTNA all the more successful and satisfying.

Marcia Rudin,

Second Vice President and 

Membership Chairperson