Table of Contents
Reports
From the Editor's Desk 5
MMTA President's Message 7
President-Elect 9
Vice-President for Local Assoc. 11
Minutes of the Executive Committee 14 MMTA Treasurer's Report 17
Commissioned Composer 18
Technology Report 21
2005 MMTA Conference Artist 32
2005 MMTA Conference Personalities 34
2005 MMTA Annual Conference Schedule 39
Articles
RACE . . . Should This Be Your Next Step? 25
A discussion of the Royal American Conservatory Examinations by the St. Louis Center Representative, Jennifer Spohr.
Bridge the Gap. Review Those Theory Concepts 27
A review of 2 new theory books by the author, MMTA member,
Meg Gray.
Student Chapter Becomes Reality 29
A discussion of the establishment of the Mid-Missouri Collegiate
Chapter by its president, Scott Clemens.
New Teacher is a Winner 31
A new piano teacher in Columbia MO, Sara Renaud, is the winner of the MTNA Studio Fellowship Award in 2005.
FYI
MMTA Constitution 49
MMTA Officers 56 Local Association Officers 57
Important Dates to Remember 60
Index to Advertisers 61
Conference Registration and Map Centerfold
The campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, Missouri, is the location of our upcoming annual Missouri Music Teachers Association Conference and Competitions on November 3, 4, 5, 6, 2005. The competitions are held before, during and after our actual conference, which is confined to Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 & 5. I am looking forward to it, and I hope you are too.
Please note the Registration fee will be waived for all students who wish to register for the Conference.
Our guest artist, the esteemed pianist, Ralph Votapek, will present a collegiate Master Class on Friday afternoon and Piano Recital on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. Please come to the two luncheons if you can, one on Friday and another on Saturday. All members (including student members) are invited to both luncheons. Also, look for our business meeting to include you! Dull, you say? Let's change that. The collegiate chapters will have a casual social event to meet one another. Our Missouri Commissioned Composer for this year is Mukai Kohei, of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Plan to hear his work entitled Fantasie on Japanese Children's Songs.
The STAR (Student Achievement Recognition) Award program, continuing into its seventh year, recognizes young, new members, who have already activated their national membership, by waiving their national dues for one year. MMTA and the appropriate local associations are requested to waive state and local dues for one year for these particular people, who are nominated by a faculty member of their university. Here are the names of the STAR Award program nominees so that you may be aware of their presence among us. They are:
Stephanie Ruppert Burnette, recommended by Fay Adams, University of Tennessee, to Springfield MTA
Amari O'Donell, recommended by Melissa Platt, University of Missouri-Columbia, to Mid-Missouri MTA
Jennifer Montag, recommended by Sharon Parker, Calvary Bible College, to Kansas City MTA
Michelle Jones, recommended by Robert L. Jones, Truman State University, to Northeast Missouri MTA
Meghann Teague, recommended by Barb Hamel, Central Methodist University, to Mid Missouri Area MTA
Matthew Eric Warner, recommended by Herbert E. Dregalla, Jr., Wright State University, to Springfield Area MTA
Carrie Womack, recommended by Gary L. Miller, Southeast State University, to Southeast Area Missouri MTA
Our conference this November will be a time to celebrate our past and look forward to the future. The last time we met as a state for a conference was three years ago, so this will be a time to renew old professional friendships and build new ones. MMTA has not had a conference in Columbia since 1992, so we will have the opportunity to rediscover the restaurants and cultural possibilities of the city. Friday evening three chamber ensembles from the UMC will entertain us and if you arrive early (Wednesday evening, See p. 9) you can revel in the music of the Munich Symphony with pianist Phillipe Entremont.
We are fortunate to have Ralph Votapek as our convention artist this year. His master class on Friday and solo recital on Saturday are sure to be among the highlights of the conference. There will be sessions highlighting specific areas of the piano repertoire and sessions on voice, brass and organ that will be of interest to all members. As in the past there will be numerous opportunities to hear our talented students in auditions and the MTNA Competitions Winners Recital.
Looking towards the future we are especially pleased to invite all student members to attend the convention. Jan Houser will share insights into building a private piano studio which should prove helpful to both beginning teachers and seasoned veterans who want to become more successful in their professional lives.
A new feature of this year's conference will be luncheons on both Friday and Saturday. Student members--the future of MMTA--are encouraged to attend the Friday luncheon as the guest of the organization. This will be a wonderful time to network for all teachers and share the benefits of MMTA with our future teachers. At the conclusion of the Saturday luncheon we will have the opportunity to hear this year's commissioned composition by Mukai Kohei.
As summer ends, make plans to attend our conference. I am confident you will find it professionally stimulating and musically inspiring.
You have been hearing the exciting news of our 2005 State Conference to be held in Columbia November 3 to 6. Plan to attend our luncheon on Friday, November 4 when we will honor our Missouri Collegiate Chapter members:
Central Missouri State University - Warrensburg
Mid-Missouri Student Chapter - Columbia Calvary Bible College - Kansas City
St. Louis University - St. Louis (plans to be established in Fall 2005)
All teachers are encouraged to attend this luncheon and learn of the goals and challenges of our Collegiate Chapter Presidents as they serve their membership. Not only will you demonstrate valuable support for our student members in their growth in music education, but you will also enjoy excellent fellowship with your colleagues over a delicious meal. Our music education is getting stronger.
Important Information for Teachers and College Students
Did you know that MTNA - our national organization - recognizes the achievements of recent college graduates through the STAR Award and Studio Teacher Fellowship programs? Over the past seven years more than 400 students have received the STAR Award which, in addition to recognition, includes a free one year active membership. Due to the success of the program, this year the award has been extended to include students graduating with an associate degree from community colleges, in addition to those obtaining an bachelor's degree or higher. Students receiving an associate's degree will be recognized with a collegiate membership to help them continue to grow professionally as they continue their music. For more information, go to www.mtna.org/star.htm.
Matching Grants Applications, 2006-2007
Materials for our 2006-2007 MMTA Local Association Matching Grants will be distributed at our Fall Board Meeting on November 3 in Columbia. Our 2005-2006 grants were awarded to the Rolla and St. Louis Area Teachers Associations. Because our local chapters cannot be awarded a grant two consecutive years, the following local chapters will qualify for our next round of Matching Grants:
Mid-Missouri Area MTA
Southeast Missouri MTA
Springfield Area MTA
St. Joseph Area MTA
Warrensburg Area MTA
Kansas City MTA
The award is easy to earn. Simply plan your 2006-2007 program schedule early and apply before March 1, 2006 to receive matching funds to help make special one of your local association programs. Any questions? Please contact me.
Working together, our future is bright.
The MMTA Executive Committee meeting was called to order at 9:45 A.M. by President Cameron Dibble on June 3, 2005, in Hallsville, Missouri, at the home of Treasurer Barb Hamel. Other members present were Co- VP Auditions Brent Hugh, President-Elect and Development Chair David Bennett, VP Advertising and Publications Kathy Miller, Immediate Past President Millie Mehnert, Co-VP Auditions Meredith Taylor, VP Local Associations Eunsil Stevenson, Secretary Ginger Schneider, and Executive Secretary Carol Borgstadt.
It was moved, seconded, and passed (MSP) to recommend the following amendment to Article V, Section 1. of the MMTA CONSTITUTION : to insert "and College Chapter" after "Local Association" and before "Presidents." and to also amend Article IV, Section 1, by substituting the word "all" for the word "three" preceding "Vice Presidents."
The proposed new format of MMTA NOTES magazine, beginning with the Spring, 2006, issue, will include larger page size, cover photographs, new articles, and reprinted articles of interest. Advertising fees will be increased by 10-15% beginning with the next billing cycle. About 525 copies are printed of each issue.
Millie Mehnert and Carol Borgstadt will work on a new MMTA brochure. MMTA address labels may be sold for one-time use only.
Further discussion concerning sponsors and content for the MMTA WEB SITE will be held at the next board meeting. The President and Immediate Past President will contact potential sponsors. Meredith Taylor will research grant availability. The contract to hire Brent Hugh as the MMTA web site designer was approved and signed.
David Bennett presented plans for the 2005 MMTA CONFERENCE scheduled for November 3 - 6, at the University of Missouri-Columbia. MSP the pre-registration fee will be $40 and the registration fee will be $45, beginning with the 2006 MMTA Conference.
Eunsil Stevenson announced that Local Association 2005 grant money will be used to reimburse collegiate members for the cost of the 2005 conference student luncheon to encourage their attendance.
AUDITIONS: As the audition program continues to grow, additional leadership is required to share the responsibilities. Sara Renaud will replace Brent Hugh as Co-VP Auditions (Scheduling). Meredith Taylor is Co-VP Auditions (Judges). Brent Hugh will handle correspondence, communications, and awards. An additional person will be appointed to assist Meredith Taylor. Sue Chiu is the monitor coordinator for 2005 auditions.
In addition to needing more monitors and audition coordinators, the growth of MMTA pre-college piano auditions is also leading to problems such as finding conference locations with adequate space and good pianos. Solutions will continue to be discussed. Ideas include scheduling auditions earlier, on the Wednesday before conference while keeping Friday audition-free to accommodate sessions, having auditions separate from conference, and splitting into East and West state auditions.
MSP to grant STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION (STAR) AWARDS to Carrie Womack (Southeast Missouri Sate University) and Michelle Jones (Truman State University). MMTA will waive 2006 MMTA membership dues, and 2005 MMTA conference registration fees for these students.
MSP that MMTA will sponsor the Missouri Citizens for the Arts Education Fund with a donation of $100 and a free link on our web site.
The executive board will plan an all-day meeting, tentatively, on Friday, June 9, 2006..
The Executive Board will meet on Thursday, November 4, 2005, at the Best Western Hotel, Columbia, Missouri, at 5:00 P.M.. The MMTA Board will meet at 7:30 P.M.
MMTA Treasurer's Report
We remain in solid financial shape as MMTA starts another year of exciting events. As I've stated before, this is the treasurer's report to pay attention to, as I'm actually writing this in mid-July. That's the time when we've wrapped up the past fiscal year, and have yet to really take in any significant income or pay too many bills for the next year, so you get a very clear picture of where we stand financially. As of July 15, 2005, we have $16,573.01 in cash, and $30,000 still invested with Edward Jones Co. As you are reading this, our first $6,000 Certificate of Deposit will have matured (July 29th), and I will already have met with our investment agent to talk strategy. I don't project we will need that money this year, so the preliminary plan is to reinvest in another CD. We may abandon strict adherence to the ladder approach (which would mean a new maturity date of 2010) in favor of a more short-term investment at a higher rate. This is a good example of why we originally sought the services, advice, and shopping skills of a professional investment broker.
I'll keep you updated on our investments and all other areas of the MMTA treasury throughout the year. Let me know if you have any questions or clever ideas.
As an established young composer in his native Japan, Mukai Kohei has studied composition, classical guitar and piano at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He is currently completing his doctorate in Composition at the UMKC Conservatory of Music where he studies composition with Chen Yi, James Mobberley and Paul Rudy and piano with Karen Kushner. Mukai has worked as a recording engineer, score editor-copyist and currently teaches orchestration and undergraduate composition at UMKC. His current research deals with the advanced tonal system as encountered in the music of composers such as Scriabin, Bartók and Messiaen and also in jazz. He also studied traditional Japanese music. These musical elements and ideas are reflected in his own works, which include solo, chamber, orchestral and interactive electronic pieces.
Mukai has won many prestigious composition awards. These include the Peabody Camerata Prize, the Japan Society for Contemporary Music Prize, the Ataka Prize (Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music), the Virginia Carty De Lillo Composition Competition, UMKC Concerto/Aria Prize and many others. He has received commissions from prominent performers and has served as guest composer at music events such as the Wellesley College Composers Conference, Bennington College Composers Forum, Mannes Contemporary Music Festival, newEar special event "Regenerations" (in Kansas City) and the Japan Federation of Guitarists Festival. Mukai has been the recipient of numerous important fellowships and scholarships, most recently the UMKC Distinguished Dissertation Fellowship (2004-5). He was guest composer at the Srikharinwirot University (Bangkok, Thailand) in 2004, and was a featured composer on the Chicago Symphony "Music Now" concert series in 2003.
About his commissioned piece, Mukai writes:
"Fantasie-Bagatelles on Japanese Children's Songs" was composed using motifs of children's songs which were composed by Japanese composers of the late 19th century to the early 20th century. These are not arrangements of children's songs, but are rather original compositions using elements from these songs. The pentatonic and diatonic melodies are used like cantus firmi: they are fragmented, augmented or ornamented, and they are re- harmonized in various rhythmical and contrapuntal textures, similar to what is found in J.S. Bach's chorale preludes, but in the modern style. The musical ideas are also from the impressions of poems.
The composers of these songs were part of the first generation who studied Western music, and some studied in Europe. Particularly, these songs were composed during the period of 1910's and 1920's, during the "Red Bird" movement, in which young composers and poets produced new pieces for educational purposes. These songs have a piano accompaniment which has western harmony but many songs have a melody in pentatonic scale (mostly in Yô (major) mode C-D-E-G-A, and some in In (minor) mode A-B-C-E-F) which was more accessible for general people at that time. The goal of these Japanese composers was "to blend, compromise, consolidate Japanese aesthetics with Western techniques." I followed (or interpreted) in their aesthetic footsteps to compose this piano piece.
Like my previous piano piece "Five Preludes," the motivation to compose for piano came from my own performance experience studying with Karen Kushner at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. The main goal is to explore a much broader vocabulary of piano writing.
I look forward to the premiere of "Fantasie-Bagatelles on Japanese Children's Songs" at the upcoming conference and I hope many of our conference attendees will be present for this special event. Mukai Kohei will speak about his intriguing composition at the premiere performance during our annual conference.
Music Technology
Here are a couple of WEB SITES for piano teachers. Taking the time to explore these will be both fun and rewarding.
Piano Street
www.pianostreet.com
This site has quite a few pages of classical piano sheet music in the public domain. They are available for download in pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format. There are many that are free, and you can have unlimited access for $3.00 a month.
There are very active forums on the following topics:
Performance: A board for pianists discussing technique, performance, practicing, memorizing etc.
Repertoire: Discussion about piano works, composers and recordings. Teaching: Piano teachers discussing teaching, repertoire, technique etc. Students' Corner: If you are learning to play the piano and need help or advice, this is the place for you.
Instruments: Modern and historical instruments, tuning, adjustments, purchase etc.
Miscellaneous: Piano competitions, master classes, concerts, books etc. Audition Room: Post your own recordings to get comments from other members.
This is a very active site. When I last logged on, there were 71 guests online, 27 users, (4 Hidden), and 6 users in chat.
Piano World Forums
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php
There are thirty-seven piano forums on this site. Currently there are 11,754 members and 349,585 posts per day! Some of the most popular forums are:
Discussions about pianos: Instruments and manufacturers.
Pianist Corner: Discussions about playing the piano, performance, technique, composers, competitions, etc.
Piano Teacher's Forum: Piano Teacher's. Discuss lesson plans, teaching techniques, etc.
Adult Beginner's Forum: For Adults just starting, or starting over.
Piano Tuner-Technician's Forum: For Piano Tuner-Technicians and for posting technical questions.
Digital Pianos - Synths & Keyboards: For discussing Digital Pianos and Synthesizers.
Forum Members Tours, Parties, Cruises, & Meetings: For organizing get together's, forum member tours, cruises, parties, etc.
RACE . . . Should This Be Your Next Step?
The Royal American Conservatory Examinations Certificate Program is a many-faceted gem for parents, students, and teachers alike. It's new to us in the United States, but it's based on Canada's Royal Conservatory of Music exams that have been around for most of the past century. RACE is a national music testing program that provides consistent, high-quality third party evaluations in repertoire, theory, technique, sight reading, and ear training. Its structured, well-sequenced, comprehensive curriculum assists teachers in ensuring that students receive the full benefits of a well-rounded music education from beginner all the way to conservatory prep level. Parents appreciate the RACE program because it helps them understand how their child is progressing compared to a national average which is particularly helpful for parents who have never studied music. Even very young students who participate experience a much greater level of confidence in their understanding and knowledge of music which in turn fuels their drive to learn even more, paving the way for a lifetime of playing.
Currently, all scheduling and transactions are handled in Toronto at RCM headquarters. Exams are held twice a year, in December and May at local testing centers. Examiners are chosen only from qualified, experienced teachers and musicians and are trained by RCM to grade within a range of two percentage points of each other. Their scores are tracked to ensure that there is a consistent standard among them.
New local centers may be established where there are 30-50 students who would like to participate. All that is needed is a venue and a center representative, whose role is to help coordinate logistics and oversee the examinations. For more information about how to get started in your area go to www.royalamericanconservatory.org. Or you may contact me at jennifer@spohrpiano.com/636-230-9884.
Review Those Theory Concepts!
-Meg Gray, Ph.d
Associate Professor of Music
Lincoln University
Although I am primarily a piano teacher, I have always had a strong interest in music theory. Piano teachers the world over agree that theory is important, and I have seen in my own students how a good foundation in music theory helps pianists become independent thinkers and well-rounded musicians.
When finishing my doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma, I was fortunate to be one of the last students to complete my dissertation with E.L. Lancaster before he left college teaching to work for Alfred Publishing Company. He was aware of my interest in music theory, and in his usual organized and efficient manner, asked me to write some theory books for Alfred while we were having coffee the day after my graduation from OU!
The result of this conversation is Piano Bridge 1 and Piano Bridge 2, two music theory workbooks for pre-college students who have completed the first and second years of piano study. These books are designed to be used with any of the mainstream piano methods. I tried very hard to make them fun as well as educational They include mazes, word searches, secret codes, and crossword puzzles, as well as musical analysis pages. They are meant to review basic theoretical concepts and to help students see how to apply their knowledge to "real" music.
Piano Bridge 1 and Piano Bridge 2 can be used in many different ways. They make good review books for students who want something fun and different to work in during the summer (with or without a teacher). They are also helpful for students who need extra theory review in the fall or maybe for transfer students who haven't studied for awhile. They can be used as activity books for group lessons or for piano camps.
The books went to print the first part of June. Look for them to be coming soon to a music store near you!
Student Chapter Becomes Reality
-Scott Clemens, president Mid-MO Collegiate Chapter
The Mid-Missouri Collegiate Chapter (MMCC) came into fruition after a long planning period by several dedicated individuals. Professors and students from across the collegiate community in mid-Missouri met at the Fine Arts Building at the University of Columbia-Missouri to discuss by-laws and executive matters for the new chapter. Janice Wenger of MU presided over the meeting and used her knowledge of MTNA to help front the guidelines and procedures for this initial meeting.
Personally, I was excited to see this meeting and its repercussions become established. I was involved with MTNA/MMTA through high school as a participant in the state-competitions. But this meeting shed a new light on the many benefits of what piano is at the collegiate level and how an MTNA organization can benefit a piano program.
This year, one of the highlights for the new chapter was its representation at the national conference in Seattle, Washington. Being able to absorb almost every aspect of the MTNA conference was of great importance as president of this new organization. I was introduced to many wonderful and devoted individuals whose work in the field of piano pedagogy has made them prominent leaders in teaching. Similarly, I was able to correspond with equally enthusiastic students and gather information about MTNA life at other campuses.
With the experience of the MTNA conference behind me I am ready to embrace the coming academic semester. We have such an eager base of members that, between our collective ambition and experience, the Mid-Missouri Collegiate Chapter will be well on its way to an exciting year.
New Teacher is a WINNER!
My name is Sara Renaud (NCTM), and I live in Columbia, Missouri, where I opened a piano studio two years ago after the completion of my Masters degree in Piano Pedagogy from MU. This April, I was the recipient of the MTNA Studio Fellowship Award, a cash prize of $3,000. To apply for this award, in October 2004, I put together an application with a resume, college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a letter describing how the fellowship would benefit my studio. In December, I was notified that I had passed on to the second phase, for which I had to prepare a portfolio and a video. The portfolio contained my studio policies, small business plan, teaching philosophy, past studio recital programs, copies of my studio forms and advertisements, and samples from my Technique Milestones, a graded series of scales and arpeggios that I created. The video contained my performance of a Scarlatti Sonata and the first portion of Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy, three of my student's performances, and a demonstration of my teaching. I included footage from a lesson with a second year student working in the Fabers' Piano Adventures and a lesson with an intermediate student working in the Snell repertoire books. The aspects of piano playing that I seek to include in my teaching are playing duets and ensembles, sight-reading, self-critique through recording, and a systematic learning of technique. Therefore, with the fellowship money, I have purchased video and audio recording equipment, duet materials, and several sight-reading series. Also with these funds, I have established a website (www.renaudpianostudio.com) and will continue to develop the Milestone system to include chords and sight-reading. This fellowship is a phenomenal way that MTNA supports new teachers like myself - Thank you, MTNA!
Sara M. Renaud, NCTM, established a piano studio in Columbia in 2003. She has a Bachelor's degree from Luther College in Decorah, IA, and a Master's degree in Piano Pedagogy from MU. She continues as a teacher of class piano proficiency at UMC.
CONFERENCE ARTIST
Pianist Ralph Votapek's early triumphs as winner of the prestigious Naumburg Award and gold Medalist in the first Van Cliburn International Piano Competition were an auspicious prelude to an even more remarkable career. His compelling keyboard style embodies all that is best in 20th century piano traditions, combining the fire, poetry and tonal warmth of the grand-manner prewar era with the modern-day virtues of fastidious clarity and electrifying rhythmic flair.
Votapek has made literally hundreds of appearances with major American orchestras, partnered by such legendary conductors as Rafael Kubelike, William Steinberg, Joseph Krips and Erich Leinsdorf. Featured no less than sixteen times as the Chicago Symphony's guest soloist, Votapek has frequently played with the Boston Pops also concertizing in all the major cities of the United States from New York to Los Angeles.
With concerto appearances abroad ranging through London, Lisbon, St. Petersburg and into the Far East, Votapek has made a special commitment to Latin America, where he has toured every other year for some three decades. He is equally familiar as a solo recitalist throughout four continents.
His guest appearances with the Julliard, Fine Arts, New World and Chester String Quartets are highlights of his extensive chamber music experience. The PBS network and other educational stations draw frequently on his video series of forty recitals for broadcast throughout the United States.
Born in Milwaukee, Votapek began his musical education at age nine when he enrolled in the Wisconsin Conservatory. Continuing his studies at Northwestern University, he subsequently attended the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School where his principal teachers were Rosina Lhevinne and Robert Goldsand. He presently serves as Artist-in-Residence at Michigan State University in East Lansing.
Votapek has recorded for the RCA, London, Cambridge, CRI, Music and Arts, Mace, Grenadilla, Concert Disc, EDUL, and Audio Arts Labels. He was the soloist on Arthur Fiedler's last Boston Pops recording, a Gershwin program re-released on CD by Pickwick. His latest release of Debussy's 24 Preludes is on the Ivory Classics label.
CONFERENCE PERSONALITIES
R. Kent Cook keeps an active performing schedule as both soloist and chamber musician. He has appeared in many venues around the United States and abroad with performances in Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, England, and Italy. He is also busy performing here in the Midwest with many recent recitals in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, and Iowa. In 2002, Cook released his first compact disc recording on the Novitas label. The disc is entitled Nachtst Ùcke and is a recording of 12 Nocturnes by 7 different composers including Chopin, Liszt, and Schumann.
Cook hails from Odessa, Texas where he began to play the piano at age six. He attended Baylor University to pursue a career in dentistry, but began serious study of the piano in his second year. Finishing with a Piano Performance Degree under the guidance of Roger Keyes, he continued his studies at Indiana University receiving both a Masters and Doctorate in Piano Performance.. In 1992-93, he also studied as a Fulbright Scholar at the Hochschule fŸr Musik in Frankfurt, Germany.
Cook joined the piano faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University in 1999. Before moving to Illinois, he was on the faculty at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. During the summer months he teaches at the Indiana University Piano Academy and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Blue Lake, Michigan.
Barbara Hamel, NCTM, is Associate Professor of Music at Central Methodist University in Fayette. She accompanies for faculty recitals, guest artist recitals, and choir. Hamel has had articles published in several journals including Teaching Music, Piano Guild Notes, Missouri School Music Magazine, and Assessment Update. She serves as a staff organist at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Columbia. She earned a BS degree in Music from Dana College in Blair, NE, a MA degree in Piano Performance from the University of NE-Lincoln, and a PhD in Music Education from the University of MO-Columbia. She has served as MMTA Treasurer for three years.
Jan Houser, NCTM, has been honored as the "MMTA Teacher of the Year" and has served as MMTA president, vice-president, piano chair, and the current MTNA Foundation chair. She was a discussion group leader at the August, 2005 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Chicago and was published in the Winter issue of Keyboard Companion.
Houser holds degrees from the University of Indianapolis and Ball State University with additional studies at the Ecole d'Art Americaine in Fontainebleau, France, under Nadia Boulanger. She maintained an independent teaching studio in Fairborn, Ohio, and since 1977 in Jefferson City. She served on the faculties of the University of Missouri, William Woods College, Wright State University, and Miami University of Ohio. She holds national and state professional certification through MTNA and MMTA. She was a two-term president and co-founder of the Mid-Missouri Area Music Teachers Association. She is the Jefferson City Chairman for the National Guild of Piano Teachers, co-chair for the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs student auditions, and the chairman of the District #3 National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival.
She has been music director for Our Savior's Lutheran Church since 1978 and was honored by her choir in 2003 with a commissioned composition by a former student, Howard Helvey. She is the pianist for the Jefferson City Cantorum, and performs with her duo-piano partner, Meg Gray and the "Friendly Trio" of Fred Lowrance, clarinet, and her husband, Steven, on bassoon. She has also been the music director/pianist for the Jefferson City Little Theatre and ACTPAC productions.
An accomplished performer and composer in St. Louis, Missouri, Jennifer Linn is a contributing composer and arranger for the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library. Linn has maintained a private studio for over 20 years. Her compositions have been selected for the National Federation of Music Clubs' festival list and have been featured in Keys magazine. As an active member of the St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association since 1992, she has served as Vice President and founded the St. Louis Young Artist Piano Competition.
In 1999-2000, Linn served as Visiting Lecturer in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has been on the faculty for the Illinois Summer Youth Music Piano Camp since 1998. She received her BM and MM in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Conservatory of Music where she was the winner of the Concerto-Aria Competition. She was also awarded the Vice Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence and Service.
Winner of the International Vocal Competition of Antwerp, Belgium, finalistin the Belvedeer International Vocal Competition in Vienna, and recipient of the Belgian Prix de Cultur, Jo Ella Todd was a soloist with the Munich State Theater for ten years. She was also a member of the solo opera ensembles of Mainz, Germany and Salzburg, Austria. Her engagements have taken her to opera houses and concert halls around the world, including New York, Boston, Vienna, Tokyo, Munich, Antwerp, Verona, Prague, Paris and the world famous Salzburg International Music Festival.
Following her studies at Arkansas State University, Todd received her MM from the New England Conservatory in Boston where she made her American debut with the Boston Opera Company under the direction of Sarah Caldwell. Post-graduate work followed at Harvard University and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. She studied opera in Italy as a Fulbright scholar and toured the United States as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Studio of New York.
A frequent soloist in concerts and recitals, Todd has appeared in a number of international music festivals. Through radio broadcasts, concerts, recitals, and television, Todd is known to a wide musical public in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
As Associate Professor of Music at the University of Missouri in Columbia, she teaches voice, vocal pedagogy, and vocal repertoire for singers. One of her students won the MTNA Collegiate Artist Vocal Competition in 2002 As Governor of the Central Region for NATS, she represents her region on the national board and coordinates teacher conferences, student auditions, and the young artist auditions for the central region of the United States. A frequent adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions as well as other prestigious competitions regionally and nationally, Todd continues to sing and present master classes in the United States, Europe, and South America.
Tentative Schedule for
MMTA Annual Conference
November 3-6, 2005
University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
7:00 p.m. Munich Symphony with Phillippe Entremont, pianist
MU - Jesse Hall
(See Box p. 13 for special information on tickets)
Thursday, November 3, 2005
MTNA Young Artist piano, brass, woodwinds, and chamber music
competitions
MMTA Collegiate woodwinds auditions
5:00 p.m. MMTA Executive Committee Meeting w/Dinner
Best Western Motel - Carleton Room
7:30 p.m MMTA Board Meeting
Best Western Motel - Carleton Room
Friday, November 4, 2005
MTNA Young Artist Voice Competition
MMTA Collegiate piano, brass, voice, percussion, guitar
SESSIONS:
9:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Registration: MU South Union Lobby
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Exhibits open: MU South Union Eyler
9:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
G. Schirmer Classics for the 21st Century: Clementi Sonatinas and Schumann's Album for the Young -
A Closer Look
Jennifer Linn, piano MU South Union Wrench
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m
Practice Techniques for Brass Players: Strategies to Improve the Efficiency and Effectiveness
John Korak, brass MU South Union Wrench
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Friday Luncheon
Chef Salad Bar with Soup and Dessert
MU North Union Stotler
1:30 p.m - 2:20 p.m. Debussy's Piano Preludes and Teaching to Color at the
Keyboard Kent Cook, piano MU South Union Wrench
2:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. No pushing, please!
JoElla Todd, voice MU South Union Wrench
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Masterclass
Ralph Votapek, piano MU FA Whitmore
8:00 p.m.
An Evening of Chamber Music Esterhazy Quartet, Missouri Quintet,
MU Faculty Brass Quintet
MU FA Whitmore
Saturday, November 5
MTNA Collegiate Young Artist Strings, High School piano, strings, woodwind, brass, voice, Junior High piano, strings, woodwinds, brass
MMTA Collegiate strings, all MMTA pre-collegiate levels
except piano
SESSIONS:
9:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Registration: MU South Union Lobby
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Exhibits open: MU South Union Eyler
9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
The Church Organist Shortage:
How Independent Piano Teachers Can Help
Barbara Hamel, organ
First Presbyterian Church
10:00 a.m. - 10:50
Things I wish I'd Known When I Started My Piano Studio
Jan Houser, general
MU Fine Arts 145
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Building a Web Page for the Private Studio
Kathy Miller et. al., general
MU Fine Arts 145
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Saturday luncheon and Business Meeting
Chicken Dijon with Wild Rice and Snow Peas; Salad and Dessert. Vegetarian available with 2 weeks prior notice. See registration form.
MU North Union Stotler
1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Commissioned Composition
"Fantasie-Bagatelles on Japanese Children's Songs"
by Mukai Kohei
MU North Union Stotler
4:00 p.m.
MTNA Competitions Winners Recital
MU Fine Arts Whitmore
8:00 p.m.
Conference Artist Recital
Ralph Votapek, piano
MU Fine Arts Whitmore
(Program P. 45)
Sunday, November 6, 2005
All MMTA Pre-Collegiate Piano Auditions
MISSOURI MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
presents
RALPH VOTAPEK, piano
Saturday, November 5, 2005 8:00 p.m.
University of Missouri-Columbia, Whitmore Hall
P R O G R A M
Sonata in C Minor, Op. 13 ("Pathetique") Ludwig van Beethoven
Introduction: Grave (1770-1827)
Allegro di molto e con brio
Adagio cantabile
Rondo: Allegro
Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17 Robert Schumann
1. Ruins (1810-1856)
2. The Triumphal Arch 3. The Starry Crown
I N T E R M I S S I O N
Dance Suite Béla Bartók
1. Moderato (1881-1945)
2. Allegro molto
3. Allegro vivace
4. Molto tranquillo
5. Comodo
6. Finale - Allegro
Pavanne (On the Death of a Princess) Maurice Ravel
(1875-1937)
La Valse Maurice Ravel
(1875-1937)
FYI All Conference Attendees
DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS
The 2005 State MMTA Conference will take place on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, in the Memorial Union and the Fine Arts Building. Both buildings are on Hitt Street, and can be found by following these directions:
1. Take Interstate 70 to the U.S. 63 exit.
2. Turn south on U.S. 63.
3. Take U.S. 63 South to the Broadway exit.
4. Turn right/west onto Broadway.
5. Turn left/south onto Hitt Street.
Proceed to the appropriate parking garage (see map in centerfold and parking info below.)
CONFERENCE HOTEL
The conference hotel, Best Western Columbia Inn, is located at the southeast corner of Interstate 70 and Highway 63 on the I-70 frontage road, just north of the Columbia Regional Hospital complex.
PARKING
Parking is very limited on this portion of campus, and if you park in the wrong area you will be ticketed and/or towed. The campus police have no sympathy and the School of Music is unable to cancel tickets or towing once they have happened! Please note that if you choose to park on a city street with a parking meter (rather than a University lot) you MUST feed the parking meter every day until 6 pm except Sunday.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
Hitt Street Garage - you may either park in the section with meters ($.50 for 75 minutes) OR obtain an all-day pass from the Conference Registration Desk and park in the non-metered spaces. The pass will NOT allow you to park at the meters without acquiring a ticket. This lot is enforced for meters/passes through the weekend, so if you park at Hitt Street Garage on a weekday, still plan to park at the University Avenue Garage on Saturday and Sunday.
Weekday Evenings and All Day Saturday, Sunday University Avenue Garage - this is the closest place to park after regular hours and on the weekend. You do not need a permit for evenings and weekend.
Disabled Parking
Any person holding a state disability permit may obtain a campus disability tag. With both tags, you may park in any disabled parking place on campus. Please let us know ahead of time if you will be needing a campus disability parking tag.
Important Dates to Remember
November 3-6, 2005 MMTA/MTNA State Auditions and
Annual MMTA Conference
University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Where to Find MMTA Information
SUBJECT ISSUE
Advertisers Index All Issues
Annual MMTA Conference Outline Spring/Fall
Conference Pre-Registration Forms Fall
Annual MMTA Convention Reports Winter
Audition Guidelines, Entry Forms Spring
Certified Members Winter
Local Association Officers All Issues
Membership Directory Winter
State Officer/Chairs All Issues
Constitution and Bylaws Fall
MMTA NOTES Deadlines
Articles and reports for inclusion in NOTES are to be sent to
Carol Borgstadt. Advertisements are sent to Editor Kathy Miller.
Spring Issue - May March 15 (Mail May 1)
Fall Issue - September July 15 (Mail September 1)
Winter Issue - January December 15 (Mail February 1)
A Warm MMTA Welcome to
the STAR members of 2005-06!!
Stephanie Ruppert Burnette - Springfield MTA
Amari O'Donell - Mid-Missouri MTA
Jennifer Montag - Kansas City MTA
Michelle Jones - Northeast Missouri MTA
Meghann Teague - Mid-Missouri Area MTA
Matthew Eric Warner - Springfield Area MTA Carrie Womack - Southeast Area Missouri MTA
