MMTA NOTES
Winter 2000
Vol. XXXI No. 2
CONTENTS

MMTA Piano Pedagogy Chair Report   As this is written, the year is l999. Swiftly and surely, the year 2000 will arrive and with it many of the same challenges we as teachers have faced each year. A look back may prove valuable. The December l928 issue of The Etude music magazine recently came into my possession. For those too young to remember, The Etude was published for many years and was founded by Theodore Presser in l883. This particular Etude issue featured(as did most) music of "salon" quality, none of which would probably be of interest, except for Chopin's Polonaise, Op. 53. All of it was published by (you guessed!) Theodore Presser Co. The articles evidenced a heavy dependence on European names and opinions. The pedagogues of the day seem to be "talking down" to their students who are sure "they would never get things right". At least the advertisements are entertaining. Theodore Presser Co. offers a direct mail service-no cash required. Chicago Musical College advertises its Theatre Organists course, with finished players assured of engagements after two years of study. Several rapid courses in piano-playing are offered. I do not mean to downplay the importance of The Etude. It was the only music magazine I knew about in my musical youth. But it is refreshing to think that we in America are making progress!   Jane McDaniel mcdclavier@aol.com