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| Calendar |
Sunday, Dec 13
Young Artist Recital
1:00 pm - Warmups
1:30 pm - Performance
Oak Park Place East
Granview Hall
718 Jupiter Drive
Madison
Saturday, Dec 19
Valentina Lisitsa Concert
8:00 PM
Farley's Pianos
Tickets $30/$25
Steinway Piano Gallery
Free - Ages 7-14
Tuesday, Jan 12th
Board Meeting
8:30 am -10:30 am
Farley's Pianos
6522 Seybold Rd,
Madison
Sunday, Jan 24
Young Artist
Recital Deadline
For Feb 7th Recital
Contact Brian Hagen for more information
Sunday, Feb 7th
Young Artists Recital
1:00 pm - Warmups
1:30 pm - Performance
Capitol Lakes Retirement Center - Grand Hall -
333. W. Main Street,
Madison
Tuesday, Feb 9th
General Meeting & Program
9:00- 11:00 am
"Techniques in Sound Warm-Ups through Classical Improvisation"
Dr. Arthur Johnson of Lakeland College
Christ Presbyterian Church
944 E Gorham St,
Madison
Saturday, Feb 13th
Key-Up for Kids
Play-a-Thon
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Hilldale Mall
Saturday, Feb 27
Honors Festival Auditions
8:00 - 5:00 pm
Friday, Feb 26 5-8pm if needed
Madison Christian Community Church
7118 Old Sauk Rd
Madison
Sunday, Feb 28
PSP - Performers Supporting Performers Recital
2:00 pm
Capitol Lakes Grand Hall
333 W Main St,
Madison
(General Meeting
follows recital)
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MAPTA Sponsored Events are featured in this color. |
| Submissions |
Complete s ubmissions of articles, events or other piano themed features are welcome. We need them by the 21st of each month to be considered for publication.
Nuances Editor:
Grant Billings
c/o Steinway Piano Gallery
6629 Mineral Point Road
Madison WI 53705
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| President's Message by Debbie Yee |
Seasons Greetings, ,
The "most wonderful time of the year" is upon us. All of our senses are stimulated during the month of December. Special baking stimulates our olfactory enjoyment. Lights and colorful decorations excite our visual delights. Cold and snow heightens our tactile sensations. Music specially written for this time of year captivates our aural senses.
As teachers of piano we are very fortunate to be essential for continuing the seasonal musical enjoyment which has been going on for ages. We provide students of all ages and abilities the skills to perform music from the past and from the present. We also give them the skills to create their own musical enjoyment for family and friends. And we provide them with the music which they can share with others.
Also, please note that due to the tremendous work by Joanna Grace, we now have an Exploring Music Resources section. Dave from Ward-Brodt's print department has agreed to write an article for us each month. Thank you so much Joanna and Dave.
 Please make sure to note all the very special activities that are coming up this month and in 2010. There are recital opportunities, concerts, and programs.
Let us all enjoy this special gift we give to the continuation of the rich musical heritage at this time of year.
Looking forward...
Debbie Yee
MAPTA President
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| Free Pianos for Deserving Students |
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The Wisconsin Foundation for School Music and the Steinway Piano Society are provide free pianos to area students who demonstrate financial need. The deadline for the first round of donations is December 2nd.
Students 6-17 years old and who agree to attend lessons and practice regularly are eligible for the program.
Complete eligibility requirements and application forms can be found at the Foundation's website. |
| Dave Karbler Becomes Exploring Music Resources Chair by Joanna Grace |
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I am delighted to present David Karbler, from Ward-Brodt as the new Exploring Music Resources Chair! YIPPEEE!!!!
This is an excellent way for Ward-Brodt to cater to MAPTA teachers by showcasing what they have new in stock and wonderful for us to support our only local print music store! You can see below that Dave has already completed a wonderful submission for our next Nuances.
Thank you, Dave!
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| Find MAPTA on Facebook by Grant Billings |
Stay connected with other MAPTA members on Facebook by becoming a member of the "secret" site. This is the invitation only page - only other MAPTA members are allowed. If you did not receive an invitation, send me an email. |
| Spread the Word! |
Do you know someone who could benefit from joining MAPTA? Send them this issue of Nuances by clicking the link below.
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| Honors Auditions Update from Shu-Ching Chuang & Patty Ladpli |
It's time to start preparations for this year's Honors auditions! The auditions will take place on Saturday, February 27 at Middleton Community Church on Old Sauk Road in Madison.
The two Honors recitals will take place on Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in Morphy Hall. (Previously scheduled on Sunday, March 7) This year's adjudicators will be: Karen Hill and Roman Kontorovsky.
The application form will be in the January issue of Nuances.
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| Exploring Music Resources by David Karbler |
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The following are some popular new releases over the past few months:
Bastien Theory Boosters - by Lisa Bastien and Lori Bastien, KJOS.
Six new books have been added, each focusing on a single theory concept using puzzles, mazes, games and riddles. Each book is only $3.95 and is in 6" X 9" format.
Titles include: - Intervals Through a Fifth  - Ledger Line Note Speller - More Lines and Spaces Note Speller - Minor Key Signatures - Naming Accidentals - Rhythm Piano Town: Note-Speller Level 1 - by Keith Snell, KJOS.
Line notes and space notes are presented separately, alternating between the treble and bass clefs, while the final exercises of the book are dedicated to identifying notes in the context of harmonic thirds and triads. $5.95. Piano Method for Busy Teens (Books 1-3) - Melody Bober, Gayle Kowalchyk & E.L. Lancaster, Alfred Publishing.
This method is designed specifically for young students who want to continue their piano study, but have limited practice time. Each book contains solo pieces, a Hanon study, and a study guide that helps the student practice more efficiently and make the most of their time. $9.95. Be sure to take advantage of Alfred's Value Pack Series. Teachers,especially those using the Premier Course, have saved 30% off the regular price by purchasing these packs. Occasionally we still have customers who are unaware of this deal. Concluding with new music for the holiday season: "What Can I Play for Christmas?" - Cindy Berry, Alfred Publishing.
10 easily prepared late intermediate piano solos arranged by Cindy. $12.95. 20th Anniversary Edition Book - Lorie Line. A collection of old favorites and new arrangements that will all be featured on her 2009 Christmas Tour. $35.
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| The Art of Recital - Three Teachers Offer Their Secrets to Recitals by Grant Billings |
 Having grown up in my father's piano store, one of my first jobs was setting up chairs for piano recitals. Now, more than 30 years later, it's still one of my jobs. During this time, I have had the privilege of attending hundreds of recitals and have learned that making them a positive experience for everyone takes planning, preparation and practice... just like playing the piano.
When it comes to running a smooth recital, Nancy Wynn in Fitchburg is one of the best. She says she started teaching piano to neighbor kids when she was ten-years-old because she wanted to be "just like my mom." While many teachers say it's difficult to schedule practice sessions...
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| MAFOP Update from Renee Farley |
 Key Up for Kids 2010 Playathon
Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 9:00 - 5:00
Hilldale Shopping CenterTeachers should have received a mailing from Madison Area Friends of Piano regarding the Key Up for Kids Playathon. This included a letter to teachers, a letter to students and parents, the poster and the pledge sheet. There will be two performance sites-the Atrium area and the Metcalf's Market (Sentry) area. Teachers can reserve a block of time up to 60 minutes in length by contacting Connie Jones by email or by phone at (608) 442-8302.
Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells will once again provide a premium of a Family Suite for one night as a prize for a student bringing in more than $100. in donations. The winner is chosen by a drawing. Magic 98 will help with radio publicity. Metcalf's Market (Sentry) has agreed to provide a treat for each participant. And, Pedro's will again offer the participants a coupon.
Remember donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. This event shares the joys of playing the piano and at the same time benefits the American Family Children's Hospital.
If you did not receive the mailing, please contact Renee Farley by email or by phone at (608) 271-2626. |
| Piano PlayTogether 2010 by Diane Madsen |
The theme for the 2010 Piano PlayTogether is "Harmony for Humanity - Making a Better World Through Music".
 The ensemble concert will be held November 21, 2010 at the Oregon Performing Arts Center in Oregon, WI. Even though this date is over a year away we already can report some exciting developments that have shaped up over the last several months. Robert Vandall (pictured left) has been commissioned by MAPTA to compose a celebratory one piano/4-hands duet piece that will be used to open the concert. This in itself is exciting, but the icing on the cake is the fact that Mr. Vandall will be the conductor for the event as well. His commissioned composition will be performed for the first time at the concert and directed by the composer.
Another highlight is that MAPTA will be collaborating with Alfred Publications in presenting the ensemble event this time around. By exclusively using Alfred publications for the concert program Alfred will provide Robert Vandall's travel, hotel, and meals along with promoting the concert via posters, email broadcasting, a video invitation, and PDF Flyers that all MAPTA teachers will be able to download for use in their studios. This is just a sampling of what Alfred Publications will provide for this very special MAPTA concert. The 2007 PPT had 192 students who participated. This time around we'd like to have 250 students performing so start planning to have your studio included now. If you would like to help with any aspect of the event please contact Jeanne Felix or Diane Madsen, co-directors of the 2010 PPT.
Let's make this the best Piano PlayTogether yet!
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Valentina Lisitsa in Concert at Farley's December 19, 2009 - 8:00 PM
Valentina Lisitsa will make her third solo piano concert appearance in Madison on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 8:00 PM at Farley's House of Pianos, 6522 Seybold Road. Her program includes Beethoven's Sonata No 14 (Moonlight) and Sonata No. 29 (Hammerklavier), and Rachmaninoff's Six Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 plus Sonata No. 1. Tickets are $30. and $25. for seniors and students. Reserve tickets by credit card by calling Farley's at 608-271-2626 or in person at Farley's House of Pianos or Orange Tree Imports on Monroe Street. Admission includes a reception. Seating is limited. Visit www.valentinalisitsa.com. |
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| Fall Workshop Update by Polly Kuelbs |
Here's the prescription to avoid Piano Teacher burnout...
Keep up with the latest trends in teaching
Get to know your colleagues to exchange ideas
Attend workshops and conferences as often a possible
Andrew Hinsey is a name to watch as he makes his mark on piano pedagogy. As well as teaching, he is an editor for Fredrick Harris. His Canadian accent gives us a hint of his roots. Dr. Hinsey arrived in Madison on Friday, November 6 from St. Olaf College for the annual fall workshop.
He approaches teaching from an improvisational view point. Just as we need to make our students time with us a good experience, the morning spent with Andrew was a great experience. His sense of humor and fun, his knowledge, and creative approach to the material were swallowed up by the teachers attending. We had hands on experience in improvising and he showed us classical examples we can use for improvising to teach a deeper understanding of the music, He gave us many practical theory ideas and technic suggestions. Much more filled the three hour session.
A delicious lunch, arranged by Gloria Chung, followed the morning session. A
master class was held in the afternoon.
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| Be a Chair by Debbie Yee |
 Come join the 2010/11 MAPTA Board! We need chairs for Membership, Programs, Hospitality, and Honors Festival.
Contact me if you would like to become a part of the fun and future of our growing organization. Enjoy comradeship and share your ideas and expertise.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
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