The Vermont Music Teachers Association is fortunate to be under the wing of the Music
Teachers National Association, a truly fine nonprofit organization that supports music-teaching
professionals. Its annual conference is an exceptional resource of inspiration and information for
independent music teachers everywhere. This year, the MTNA conference will take place in
Chicago at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile Hotel from March 21 through
March 25.
Featured at the conference will be internationally acclaimed pianist Anton Nel as well as the first
prize winner of the National Chopin Piano Competition in concert. (The every-five-year
competition occurs three weeks before the MTNA Conference.) Noa Kageyama, performance
psychologist and Juilliard faculty member, will deliver the keynote address.
This year, the popular “Pedagogy Saturday” comprises four workshops: Teaching Artistry,
Musician Wellness, Recreational Music Making, and Young Entrepreneurial Professionals.
MTNA encourages attendees to “mix and match the sessions to maximize their conference
experience.”
There also will be many lectures on various aspects of teaching, an exhibit hall chock full of
music and teaching aids, and the highly acclaimed student competitions and performances.
MTNA has some 22,000 members in 50 states and more than 500 local affiliates. Maybe this is
the year for you to attend the MTNA national conference!
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2020
VMTA Calendar
Spring Festival
General Membership meeting 12:15-1:15 pm
Trinity Baptist Church
March 28, 2020
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President
Laurel Maurer
802-881-9153
laurelflutemaurer@yahoo.com
President-Elect
TBD
Secretary
Samantha Angstman
sammy.angstman@me.com
Treasurer
Sarah Williams
802-223-5307
sarah5432@gmail.com
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Conference Chair
TBD
Non-Competitive Auditions
Lilly C. Ramsey
802-879-7425
cldkramsey@comcast.net
Competitive Auditions
TBD
Certification
Sylvia Parker, NCTM
802-223-1172
sylvia.parker@uvm.edu
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Newsletter
Jina Smith
802-318-1776
jws682@gmail.com
Membership
Patricia Cleary Bergeron
802-878-9873
pcberg@myfairpoint.net
Web Publicist
Samuel Whitesell
802-461-6676
sam_whitesell@yahoo.com
Composer Commissioning
TBD
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Mall Playathon
The University Mall play-a-thon sponsored by the Vermont Music Teachers Association is now history. Let me recount a bit of that history.
Hilbert Pianos (again!) donated the use of a 6'1" Young Chang grand piano for our students to use. Josh Merryfield from Northern Piano Movers (again!) donated his services to move this piano to the stage in University Mall. University Mall (again!) donated the use of the main stage area. All of these businesses have been integral to the success of this venture. I couldn't ask for more pleasurable people with which to work!!!
We began our playing on Friday evening at 5:00pm with students of Susan Nicholas followed by students of Patty Bergeron. We concluded the evening at 8:30pm after a lovely half hour recital by Ed Darling. Saturday morning we began bright and early with students of Ed Darling and Jina Smith. Following those performances a UVM Med student and family friend, Vinh Le, regaled the mall visitors with an hour of improvisation on multiple themes. What a treat! The afternoon included students of Lynn Smith joined by students of Deanna Smith, a new violin teacher in the area. Students of Marie Johnson and Lilly Ramsey completed the afternoon performances. Sunday afternoon began with students of Patty Bergeron and concluded with students of Sarah Vanegas. All in all, more than 110 students played!
Since this event served as a fundraiser, I am pleased to announce we raised in excess of $4000! Since all of the goods and services were donated, there are literally NO expenses to this event. ALL of those monies will be channeled to both the VMTA and The Children's Oncology Unit at the UVM Medical Center.
ALSO.......after use during at least three play-a-thons, we were pleased that the Young Chang piano sold during the weekend!
If you did not participate, you missed a great time of sharing music with an appreciative public. (Over $1000 was donated in the cash box at the event!)
Why don't you plan to have your students participate in 2022?
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VMTA Spring Festival 2020
Saturday, March 28, 2020
To register students, email Spring Festival Chair Lilly Ramsey at
cldkramsey@comcast.net
to request an electronic registration form.
Registration deadline is
Friday, February 21st
at 6 p.m.
We hope to have many teachers and students participating in this event!
SCHEDULE
:
8:30 to 9:00 am Pick up Schedules
9:00 to 10:00 am Auditions
10:00 to 11:00 am Auditions
11:00 to 12:00 pm Auditions
12:00 to 1:15 pm Lunch & Business Meeting (Please bring your lunch)
1:30 to 2:30 pm Auditions
2:30 to 3:30 pm Auditions
3:30 to 4:30 pm Auditions
Fees: All entries are $15 per student.
Keyboard:
Level 1 Beginner to Mid Elementary 3 min.
Level 2 Late Elementary - Early Intermediate 5 min.
Level 3 Mid-Intermediate to Early Advanced 8 min.
Level 4 Advanced 11 min.
Non Keyboard:
All levels 11 min.
Recital format with one judge will be used for all non-keyboard auditions. Non-keyboard repertoire is left to the discretion of the teacher.
VMTA SPRING FESTIVAL AUDITION RULES
- Students entered in Levels 1 and 2 shall perform a program of 2 or 3 pieces that are contrasting in mood, style, or tempo. At these levels (I and II) each individual piece or movement counts as one item, with no restrictions as to number of composers or periods. Students entered in levels III and IV shall perform a program of 2 or 3 Program Items, each item representing a different historical period and style from the other(s). At these levels, the student and teacher may Combine shorter pieces or movements from a work by the Same Composer into One program item. The time limit for the overall program still applies regardless of the number of pieces within the program items. No arrangements of any kind are allowed.
- No repeats shall be taken in long intermediate/advanced level works (i.e. sonata allegro form). Repeats may be performed in short elementary level pieces or when di ering 1st and 2nd endings are important to the structure of the piece.
- All programs must adhere to the stated time limits . Please allow time for a brief pause between pieces.
- The student must provide the judges with a copy of the music. No Photocopies are allowed.
- For pianists, all pieces must be memorized. For instrumentalists, it is suggested that one piece be memorized. For keyboard students, no simplified arrangements of original piano works by Baroque, Classical,Romantic, or Contemporary composers are permitted. Arrangements of folk/traditional songs are acceptable for levels I and II. Original repertoire is encouraged for all students. For instrumentalists, the use of arrangements is at the discretion of the teacher.
- Instrumentalists must provide their own accompanists.
- Repertoire for pianists is limited to solo works (no ensemble pieces). All auditions are conducted in an open recital format where students play for an audience of parents and other students in addition to the judges.
- Only students of member teachers may participate.
- The student must have studied with his/her teacher for at least 6 months.
- All students in keyboard auditions levels III and IV are advised to number the first measure of each line in their music. Other students may also wish to enter measure numbers in their scores.
- Please wear concert Dress (not casual attire). If questions, please consult your teacher.
SAMPLE KEYBOARD PROGRAMS
These sample programs are only a very few examples of possible programming. The repertoire choices (and their sources) at each level are left up to the teacher. However, please follow all the audition rules from the previous page.
Level I: Beginner to Mid-Elementary (audition time limit: 3 minutes)
Sample Program A
1. French Folk Song arr. Faber Au Clair de la Lune 30 sec.
2. Brown Rainbow Song 60 sec.
Sample Program B
1. Alfred Premier Piano Course 2A Butterfly World 40 sec.
2. Alfred Premier Piano Course 2A Boogie Bounce 25 sec.
3. Goldston The Lady and the Dragon 75 sec.
Level II: Late Elementary to Early Intermediate
(
audition time limit: 5 minutes)
Sample Program A
1. Latour
Sonatina in C Allegro 1 min.
2. Siegmeister Song of the Dark Woods 40 sec.
3. Mier Lady Brittany’s Ballad 2 min.
Sample Program B
1. Petzold
Minuet in g minor 2 min.
2. Tchaikovsky Old French Song 1 min. 45 sec.
3. Kabalevsky The Clown 45 sec.
Level III: Mid-Intermediate to Early Advanced (audition time limit: 8 minutes)
Sample Program A
1. Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 Allegro con spirit 3 min.
2. Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 Rondo 2 min.
3. Grieg Puck 2 min.
Sample Program B
1. Bach Invention No. 8 30 sec.
2. Mozart Sonata K.545 Allegro 3 min.
3. Khatchaturian Etude (Ivan is Busy) 2 min.
Level IV: Advanced (audition time limit: 11 minutes)
Sample Program A
1. Bach Prelude WTC Book 1, No. 21 1 min. 30 sec.
Fugue WTC Book 1, No. 21 2 min. 30 sec.
2. Chopin Mazurka Op. 33, No. 1 2 min.
3. Shostakovich Fantastic Dance Op. 5 No. 1 1 min. 30 sec.
Fantastic Dance Op. 5 No. 3 1 min. 30 sec.
Sample Program B
1. Beethoven Sonata Op. 2, No. 1 Allegro 3 min. 30 sec.
2. Chopin Nocturne Op. 2, No. 71 5 min.
3. Kabalevsky Prelude Op. 38, No. 2 1 min
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CONSIDER BECOMING
A PART OF THE VMTA BOARD!
VMTA is comprised of dedicated, independent music teachers like you. Teachers who want excellent performing opportunities for their students. Teachers who enjoy being inspired by lectures and classes from gifted and well known pedagogues. Teachers who simply want high standards of music education in the state of Vermont. The higher the level of teaching and student performance, the more students gain and are inspired. The VMTA board is happy to spend time and resources making these programs available to you and your students. We all know how beneficial it is to belong to this collective of teachers. Please ask yourself if you could donate some of your time to help. There are 3 board meetings a year. The meetings last 2 hours. The duties are light. But we do need more teachers to help out. Please let a board member know if you would like to contribute in this way. We are looking forward to hearing from you!
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Join us on
Facebook
! Please check out the latest VMTA programs and news on the Vermont Music Teachers Association Facebook page!”
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Do you patronize a music store? Piano tuner? Instrument maker? Are they a VMTA sponsor? (See ads in this newsletter). If not, could you mention our sponsor program to them and let a board member know about them? Sponsors receive publicity to the market they are trying to reach-teachers, students and their families. Their support of music education in Vermont will also help their business.
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Intermuse International Music Institute and Festival USA
Summer Program for High School and College Students
July 3-12 at Mount St. Mary's University (Emmitsburg, Maryland)
Apply Now!
Now in its 18th year, the Intermuse International Music Institute and Festival has been lauded as an exceptional program for high school and college musicians. We are very proud of our dedicated
faculty
(
James Stern, Emmanuel Borowsky, violin; Cecylia Barczyk, Frances Borowsky, cello; Sharon Eng, viola; Audrey Andrist, Brian Ganz, Elizabeth Borowsky, piano),
expertly-crafted
curriculum
, beautiful
campus
, and the
value
of our experiences. One of our most outstanding attributes is the supportive atmosphere we foster: students not only experience artistic and technical growth, but they leave the program with long-lasting friendships and a renewed enthusiasm for practicing and performance.
The 10-day program balances chamber music and solo repertoire. Faculty coaches work with ensembles on a daily basis, and each student receives three hour-long lessons. In addition, students participate in masterclasses as well as workshops exploring music theory, conducting, theatre, dance, and stage presence. Daily pre-lunch yoga allows participants to bring awareness to breath, tension, and the mental aspect musical work, and evening reflections encourages students to share their learning experiences with a group.
Applications will be accepted through March 15. Apply online:
www.iimif.com
A maximum of 25 violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists are admitted each year. Don't miss out on your chance to be part our acclaimed solo and chamber music program!
- Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
- Ages: High School & College
- 2020 Program: Friday, July 3 - Sunday, July 12
- Location: Mount St. Mary's University (Emmitsburg, Maryland)
- Application Deadline: March 15
- Application Repertoire: Unedited video of two contrasting works
- Tuition, Room, and Board: $2000 (includes private lessons, chamber music coaching, all workshops, videos of all masterclasses and performances, single-occupancy room in air-conditioned campus suites, and three meals per day)
- Scholarships: We offer need and merit based financial aid. See application page.
- Website:: www.IIMIF.com
- APPLY NOW: https://app.getacceptd.com/imif
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Fall Ensemble Festival
The Fall Ensemble Festival provides an opportunity for pianists to build skills as accompanists. A student accompanying solo instrumentalists, chamber music,
piano duets and piano trios all provide added energy to the Festival.
Because memorization for this Festival is not required, it is a more relaxing performance.
Teachers may enter 15 minutes of music for the performance and can add more music if time allows.
Students of VMTA members, family members and friends of a student who studies with a VMTA member are invited to participate. The fee is only $5 per student or $10 per family.
The Fall Ensemble Festival will be held at the Richmond Library. The exact date and all the details will be included in the next VMTA newsletter. It is time to begin planning your selections for collaboration and open up a new dimension
in music making. This is a great new event for VMTA.
Be a part of it!
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BBVMTA News
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US!
What
: BBVMTA Pot Luck Luncheon Meeting
Where
: Jina Smith's backyard,
26 Wilkinson Drive
Essex Junction, VT
When
: Monday, June 15, 2020
12:30 – 1:30pm
Bring
: A dish to share.
RSVP
: Jina Smith.
(802) 318-1776 ,
jws682@gmail.com
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GRAND PIANO FOR SALE
PAUL ORGEL
I am selling my Steinway baby grand. It’s a model L, just under 6 feet, serial number 404051. It has been in my family since the 1960s, has all original parts, lovely tone, and has been regularly tuned and maintained by Allan Day. Please call 802-985-2287 (home) or 802-735-5152 (cell), or email
paul.orgel@uvm.edu
for more information. $10,000 includes damp chaser system and Steinway artist’s bench.
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As a new member, or even a long term member, you may have questions regarding
events the VMTA/BBVMTA has. Please don’t hesitate to contact membership chair,
Patty Bergeron,
with questions. She will be glad to answer questions, or direct you to the
person that can help you. Please get involved!
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We
Need
Your
Help!
Every other year, VMTA commissions a composer to write a new work that is premiered at the next VMTA or Quad State conference. This program, supported by matching monies from MTNA encourages the creation of new music.
We ask you
, our members, for
Vermont based composers
who you would like the board to consider. Please submit names with an example (such as an mp3 or YouTube link) to Laurel Ann Maurer for consideration.
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Vermont Virtuosi
presents
“Incandescendence”
Saturday, March 28, 2020 7:30 pm
Unitarian Church of Montpelier
Featuring flutist
Laurel Ann Maurer
and the Arka String Quartet: violinists Letitia Quante and Brooke Quiggens, violist Stefanie Taylor and cellist John Dunlop. They will perform music by Vermont composers David Gunn and Gwyneth Walker and the Debussy String Quartet. For more info visit
www.LAMaurerflute.com
Admission is by donation.
The Montpelier Chamber Orchestra , Anne Decker Music Director, presents
“
Further Afield
”
featuring music by Percy Grainger, Felix Mendelssohn and Vermont Composer David Gunn whose new work for flute and strings will be premiered. The concerto, also titled “Further Afield” will feature flutist
Laurel Ann Maurer
.
The concerts will take place on March 21, 2020 at 4 pm and 7 pm at Montpelier City Hall’s Lost Nation Theatre. Please visit
www.mcovt.org
for more information.
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VMTA Website: vermontmta.net
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Sponsors
Allan H. Day, R.P.T. Piano
Service
8 Lincoln Road
Williston, VT 05495
(802) 879-4338
pianomanday@comcast.net
http://www.pianomanday.com
Advance Music Center
75 Maple Street
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-8652
(802) 660-8652
American College of Musicians
P.O. Box 1807
Austin, TX 78767
(512) 478-5775
Ellis Music Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 437
Bethel, VT 05032
(802) 234-6400
Geoghegan Company
396 Howes Rd,
Moretown, VT 05660
www.geoghegancompany.com
Hilbert Pianos
40 Pleasant Street
Bristol, VT 05443
(802) 453-3743
Piano Service by Rose Kinnick, RPT
(802) 598-3385
roselynkinnick@comcast.net
www.rosespianoservice.com
Steinway Pianos
One Steinway Place
Astoria, NY 11105
800-Steinway
www.steinway.com
Vermont Piano Service
Ben Giroux
64 Paquette Road
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 343-1333
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"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
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