The Piano Play Together is nearly here! This year's event features Weekley and Arganbright as conductors, and has approximately 200 piano students representing 19 piano studios signed up to perform on Sunday, November 17, 2 p.m., at Mitby Theater (1701 Wright Ave, Madison). All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Mandatory rehearsals begin Saturday, November 2, 3:00-4:00 p.m., at Heid Music (for The Chase and Mi-a-Ou only), followed by Sunday, November 10, from 12:00-5:00 p.m., at Heid Music, and Saturday, November 16, 10:00-5:00 p.m., at Mitby Theater. The exact rehearsal schedule can be found on the MAPTA website (http://www.madisonpianoteachers.org/students-events/piano-playtogether/piano-playtogether-2013-rehearsal-schedule/).  Students only need to attend rehearsal for the piece(s) they will play. Please ask students to arrive at least 15 minutes early to their rehearsal time.

Each piece on the repertoire list has a metronome marking listed next to it. Students must be able to play their piece at the designated tempo by the first rehearsal. The committee has slowed some of the tempos down; please make a note of the following changes (quarter note unless otherwise indicated):  Mexican Clap Hands = 168, Carousel Tune = 144, She'll be Comin' Around the Mountain: half note = 138, Cartoons = 116, Sailor's Song = 168, Alouette = 108, Rhythm &
Boogie = 120, Blackberry Rag = 144, Romance in G minor: dotted quarter = 66, Rumba
Ritmica = 108.

Fall Workshop - Friday, November 15, 9:00 a.m. (registration 8:30 a.m.)

Dallas Weekley and Nancy Arganbright will be presenting our fall workshop entitled "Partners Progressing." 

Weekley and Arganbright are largely responsible for the revival of interest in one-piano, four-hand performance.  They have shared their love of four-hand music by performing hundreds of concerts in the U.S. and throughout the world, and through their publications, recordings, and annual "four-hand fests."  For 28 years, they taught at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

The workshop takes place at the WSMA Center at 1005 Quinn Drive, Waunakee, WI.

The registration form can be accessed by clicking here.  The deadline for registration is October 25, but same day walk-in registrations will be accepted, excluding the lunch.

The fee for the workshop is:  $35.00 for MAPTA members, $45.00 for non-members.  

MAPTA is organizing a "dutch treat" dinner with Weekley & Arganbright as our guests on Friday, November 15, at 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is Erin's Snug Irish Pub at 4601 American Parkway.  There is still limited room available for those who would like to join this event. If you are interested in joining, please email June Zeeh at junezeeh@tds.net.

Performers Supporting Performers will meet Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m., at the home of Judy Ferreri, 3118 Timber Lane, Verona.  Anyone wishing to play or listen to others is welcome!

The Fall Adult Music Social will be held on Sunday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m.  Please encourage all your adult students to participate in this opportunity.  The event is fairly informal and will help pianists at all levels to become more comfortable sharing their music with others.  Pieces can be memorized or played with music.  Adult students who would first like to learn more about the social are also welcome to attend without playing that evening.  Those attending are requested to bring a small plate of cookies or other food to share.  Please confirm via email to studiolewis@charter.net that your student(s) will be attending.

Cheri Lewis will be hosting the event at her home:  1706 Wild Oak Circle, Madison 53713.  Email or call Cheri at 608-222-5125 for directions.

Honors Recital Auditions - Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Honors Festival auditions and recitals are offered to the advancing, pre-college students of MAPTA teachers, Grade 4-12.  The Grade 4 students will receive comments only.  The Grade 5-12 students may be chosen for the recital.  Students may play one or two pieces with the total playing time not to exceed ten minutes.  All music must be played from memory.  Winners are chosen for an Honors recital one week later.  We are pleased and honored to welcome Professor Jessica Johnson, UW-Madison, as this year's judge.

Details including the specific requirements for eligibility, literature, etc., are listed in the Events and Programs:  Honors Festival section of the MAPTA website.  Please read this carefully.

Paper registrations are due by Wednesday, January 15, 2012, 5:00 p.m.  We have created a new registration form this year.   Paper forms from past years will not be accepted.  Please recycle old ones.

By December 15, you will be able download the 2014 registration blank by going to the Members Area of our website and clicking "Event Forms" then "Honors Festival PDF."   Please send the forms (one separate form per student) plus one check for the total number of students ($20 per entry) to Shu-Ching Chuang, 509 Everglade Drive, Madison, WI, 53717.

Auditions are Saturday, February 1, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Madison Christian Community Church, 7118 Old Sauk Blvd., Madison.  Winners will have the chance to perform on the recitals held Sunday, February 9, 2014, in Morphy Hall at the UW-Madison Humanities Building.  Whether or not your students are playing, these recitals are a great chance to hear the amazing skills and talents of the young musicians in our community.

If you have questions, please let us know.   We are here to support you and your students.

Jane Peckham
Shu-Ching Chuang
honors@madisonpianoteachers.org

Please welcome another new member to MAPTA and update your directory:

Mike Weiser
Madison, WI  53705
608-620-3734
mikeweiser@me.com