MMTA Newsletter January, February, March 2021 10800 Lyndale Ave S, Ste. 120 Bloomington, MN 55420 MMTA President’s Letter (952) 345-0629 www.mnmusicteachers.com Dear MMTA Friends and Colleagues, [email protected] It’s late April. The grass is the lush, deep green of first spring, and MMTA Board of Directors simultaneously there are snow flurries on the Western Minnesota Dr. Ann DuHamel, NCTM prairie. Over last three weeks I’ve eagerly examined the tulips I President planted last fall. First, verifying the bulbs weren’t devoured by Camille Buddecke, NCTM President-Elect squirrels during the winter and will, in fact, sprout. Now, Inese Krievans, NCTM inspecting their progress daily and spraying natural deterrents to VP-Piano Contests discourage the rampant bunny population of Morris from Doug Rohde feasting on them before they bloom. If I’m a bit obsessive, it’s VP-Convention because tulips are my favorite flowers. Beyond their sheer beauty, I love their Barbara Kennedy, NCTM VP-Piano Educational symbolism. Tulips herald spring—a new season, a new start. A time for growth, for Programs re-birth and transformation. Moreover, optimism is required to plant these tiny, onion- Siri Caltvedt, NCTM like bulbs in the darkening days of autumn—knowing that if we cultivate patience, hope, VP-Voice & Instrumental Programs and faith as we wait through the long, dark night of the winter, our anticipation will be Dr. Jacob Fitzpatrick NCTM rewarded when we see the emerging buds awaken. VP-Finance Nancy Van Kampen The last fourteen months have been a real challenge for us all, there is no doubt about VP-Marketing it. We have all needed to find our own reserves of strength—to cultivate our own Dr. Nick Susi capacity for patience, our own hope, our own faith that something better is on the VP-Membership horizon. Spring is here, both literally and metaphorically—just like the tulips, we are Dr. Sara Langmead Recording Secretary ready to emerge from the long months of the pandemic, ready to bloom, ready to burst Laura Harding, NCTM forth with more beauty and joy. Treasurer Marcia Vahl, NCTM I hope you will indulge my attempts at waxing poetic—when I sit down to write the Immediate Past President MMTA newsletters, I am never really sure where they will take me until each one is finished. And as this is the final newsletter of my MMTA presidency, which, curiously, In this issue: page now somehow seems impossible, I am feeling a bit nostalgic. I daresay this has been an Membership Renewal ........2 anomalous presidency in terms of the many unusual circumstances MMTA has faced Local Associations ...............3 over the last two years. My sincerest hope is that MMTA has been able to serve you and MMTA Convention ..............4 your students through these unusual times. MusicLink News .................6 Board Positions Open .........7 Some future events to look forward to: Theory Program News ........8 • This is the second year in a row when we will not have an in-person Honors Concert. Summer Exam Dates ..........8 Challenge Awards FAQ .......9 Let’s hope it’s the last! The Contest Committee is working on the MMTA Contest Diversity Addendum ...........10 Winner Celebration, a virtual event that honors and recognizes the efforts and Arts Advocacy .....................10 achievements of those declared winners in our annual 2021 Piano Contest. Looking Forward .................11 • The upcoming virtual 2021 MMTA Convention promises to be informative, 2021 Young Artist Winners .11 engaging, and enlightening. As always, the convention committee has assembled an Piano Contest Awards ........12 inventive program:“ Staying Connected, Looking Forward.” The annual convention is West Central Division News 14 National Certification .........14 one of my FAVORITE things about being an MMTA member! I always learn Board Mtg. Highlights .........15 something new, and this year’s line-up is fascinating. Be sure to attend the Summer Office Closure .......15 2021 MMTA Convention ....16 Continued on pg. 2 April, May, June 2021 [MMTA NEWSLETTER] Continued from pg. 1 MMTA Foundation Recital and Awards Ceremony on Sunday night, where, in addition to the fabulous music, the Foundation Board will unveil a new MMTAF program I’ve been developing that honors excellent teaching. • Did you know? The 2022 MTNA Conference will be in Minneapolis, March 26-30, 2022! The last time the national conference was in Minnesota was in 2000. I was thrilled to accept the invitation to serve on the selection com- mittee for the 2022 conference, and look forward to crafting a meaningful, inspiring conference alongside the other committee members. The breadth and scope of the national conferences is incredible—I hope to see you in person at the downtown Hilton in March! Some parting thoughts: MMTA works because of its members. Because of You! We are all volunteers doing our best to fulfill the mission of advancing the music teaching profession, while striving to nurture and inspire our music students. Our organization is only as strong as those who actively participate—so please consider this a call for you to become more involved! The Board of Directors has openings for the next term, and there are other volunteer positions open as well. This is your opportunity to make a difference, to contribute to our beloved professional organization, to help steer MMTA into the future. Consider sharing your talents and bringing your gifts—we will all be more richly blessed because of it. Finally, thank you. Thank you for your trust in the MMTA Board of Directors as we have navigated these unprecedented times. Thank you for your grace and flexibility as we all have learned and adapted together! And, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for the opportunity to serve. Yours in music and gratitude, Dr. Ann DuHamel, NCTM Dr. Ann DuHamel, NCTM MMTA President 2021-2022 Membership Renewal Now is our membership renewal period for 2021- 2022. MMTA/MTNA membership is a great value for the student programming offered, educational opportunities for teachers, and the network of colleagues that you gain. Renewing online can be done by going to the MTNA website. For Sale Lightly used Kawai K3, 48” vertical in ebony polish that is tuned and in excellent condition. Touch and tone are superb; hammer wear is minimal. This piano was purchased new in 2009 and includes a matching bench w/pad. Price negotiable. Contact [email protected] or 952-432-5206. 2 [MMTA NEWSLETTER] April, May, June 2021 Local Associations Kay Hawkins, NCTM, Chair Alexandria Area Music Teachers Association • Sunday, Apr. 25 – Meeting/Election of Officers following exams. Shalom Lutheran Church. Arrowhead Music Teachers Association • Tuesday, Apr. 13, 10:00 a.m. – Music and Capstone Projects presented by St. Scholastica Music Students. Music Hall, College of St. Scholastica. • Tuesday, May 11, 10:00 am. – Topic TBA. Hamlin Music Academy. Bemidji Area Music Teachers Association • Friday, Apr. 23, 1:30 p.m. – Topic TBA - Zoom meeting. • Friday, May 14, 1:30 p.m. – Topic TBA – Zoom meeting. Central Minnesota Music Teachers Association • Friday, Apr. 9, 9:00-11:00 a.m. - “Nature: Restores, Heals, & Enhances” with presenter Debbie Botzek-Linn. Zoom meeting. Contact Katie Johnson for an invite: [email protected]. • Friday, May 7, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Spring Luncheon and Election of Officers. Munsinger Park, St. Cloud, if weather permits. Otherwise Zoom. Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum • Tuesday, Apr. 6 – “Multi-Key vs. Middle C? Play by Ear vs. Sightplaying? A Personal View of How Piano Pedagogy Has Evolved Over the Years” with presenter Dr. Rebecca Shockley. Minnesota Valley Country Club or Zoom. • Tuesday, May 4 – Performances: Member Joan Wallace; Kristen Stuber, 2020 Mozart Concerto Alternate 9th Grade Award Finalists. Schmitt Music-Southdale Square or Zoom. Minnesota River Valley Music Teachers Association • Tuesday, May 11, 10:30-noon via Zoom (9:30 a.m. Business Meeting)– Minnesota Valley Music Teachers Association • Friday, Apr. 9, 9:00 Business Meeting, 9:30-11:00 Open Forum (Virtual) Rochester Area Keyboard Club • Thursday, Apr. 8, 9:30 - Business meeting and celebration of Carol Prescher for her 50 years in MMTA, with members performing. Location TBD. St. Paul Piano Teachers Association • Tuesday, May 11, 10:00 a.m. – TBA (Zoom – link will be emailed to the membership ahead of time) South Suburban Music Teachers Association • Tuesday, Apr. 6, 10:00 Business Meeting; 10:30– “Using the Technique of Variation in Daily Piano Practice” https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82717380489?pwd=S2ptSU1xVnNvOWt6UUF0RU4vS2ZQQT09 Meeting ID: 827 1738 0489 Passcode: SSMTA West Suburban Music Teachers Association • Friday, May 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (9:45 a.m. Social Time, 10:00 Business Meeting) via Zoom – “My Way to Play It: Encouraging Interpretive Choice” with presenter Dr. David Shaffer-Gottschalk. Zoom link will be posted 24 hours in advance at https://wsmta.webs.com/programs-events. 3 April, May, June 2021 [MMTA NEWSLETTER] MMTA Convention June 13-16, 2021 “Staying Connected and Moving Forward” Join us for our 122nd MMTA Convention. This year we will again be meeting virtually on zoom. Rather than two full days we will meet over three mornings, with performances in the afternoons and evenings. (All times Central Daylight.) • Monday morning (June 14) 8:00 am – 12:45 pm • Tuesday morning (June 15) 8:00 am – 12:45 pm • Wednesday morning (June 16) 8:00 am – 1:00 pm* * Sessions are spaced 45 minutes apart. Final session on Wednesday will be slightly longer. We’re excited to bring you two fabulous keynote speakers, several engaging sessions, some delightful performances, and a chance to connect during coffee chats and lunchtime meetups. Registration is $49 until May 15th, then $59 from May 16th-June 16th.