Collegiate Chapter News – Fall 2011

IMTA Collegiate Chapters News Fall 2011
by Lori Rhoden
The Collegiate Chapters Forum at this year’s IMTA conference featured Amy Chaplin, who recently completed her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Ball State University.  Amy has opened her own music teaching business, “Studio 88,” in Bluffton, Indiana.  Amy shared with the students and faculty who attended the forum about the process of opening her studio.  Look for her on Facebook to see pictures and find out more about her new studio!
All collegiate chapter members are encouraged to submit applications for travel grants to attend the 2012 MTNA national conference in New York.  The deadline will be in January – look for more information soon on the website or contact Dr. Lori Rhoden, lrhoden@bsu.edu.
Our collegiate chapters have gotten off to a great start this fall! Here are some of their activities:
Ball State University
–They have had several meetings this fall to get organized and make plans for the year. There are currently 14 members.
–They had a “get started” dinner at Dr. Rhoden’s house, followed by watching the movie “Twin Spirits” about Robert and Clara Schumann.
–The members are establishing a new tutoring program for the group piano class students to have assistance prior to their competency tests.
–Eight student members attended the 2011 IMTA state conference. Collegiate chapter president Su Bello presented a session on Friday afternoon:  “Brazilian Modern Nationalism: An exploration of Camargo Guarnieri’s 10 Momentos”
–As they have done in the past, the collegiate chapter will assist IMTA and MTNA with the performance competitions at BSU on Nov. 19.
–Several students hope to be able to attend the MTNA national conference in March.
Butler University
–The chapter presented a session at the IMTA state conference, “Grow and Play Together: Preparing Children to be Successful Collaborative Musicians” (a repeat of their MTNA session in Milwaukee, 2011).
–They are working on proposals for the 2012 MTNA national conference (many of the students hope to attend) and are writing a grant for their Student Government Association for travel money. They are also holding fundraising activities (bake sales, restaurant ‘give-back’ events).
–The membership is up from 8 to 13; all new members are non-pianists!
— –They will present their second annual Children’s Music Festival in January for area children (all instruments).
Indiana State University MTNA Collegiate Chapter
–The chapter has been reactivated with 6 current members after some years of inactivity.  Dr. Janet Piechocinski is the faculty advisor.
–Members are working on a proposal for a session at the national conference in March.
–The chapter recently had a joint meeting and pizza luncheon with the Wabash Valley MTA about collaborative efforts between the two groups, including a potential collaborative national conference proposal.