MTNA Launches New eFestival

Music Teachers National Association is now offering members a new and wonderful opportunity – an eFestival.

The MTNA eFestival is an online-only performance opportunity where you receive constructive comments from a highly-qualified evaluator. It’s perfect for those living in remote areas, have upcoming auditions, performances or competitions, anyone with performance anxiety and more. The more you perform, the better you’re going to be!

MTNA/IMTA members can learn more in-depth details about this eFestival from a webinar hosted by MTNA eFestival manager Amy Immerman. Visit this link to log into the members-only area of the MTNA website to learn more.

IMTA Celebrates the Life of Longtime Member Margaret Strong

IMTA celebrates the life of longtime member Margaret Strong who was awarded (posthumously) a 50-year membership at the Fall 2016 IMTA State Conference at Goshen College. This excerpt from a recent obituary in the Bloomington newspaper highlights Margaret’s wonderful life of service as a piano teacher.
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Margaret Ann (Schofield) Strong, 91
FEB. 23, 1925-OCT. 1, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Margaret Ann (Schofield) Strong, 91, a lifelong music teacher and promoter of civil and human rights, died October 1, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cause was complications from pneumonia.
Born on February 23, 1925, in Lockhart, Texas to William M. Schofield and Ethel (Lawrence) Schofield, Margaret attended Baylor University, where she studied Music (clarinet).
During World War II, she left school to work at the San Marcos Army Air Force Base. After that service, she attended the University of Texas, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree (1949) and met her future husband, Douglas Ray Strong.
Margaret and Douglas were married in 1949 and settled in Houston, TX, where Margaret performed and taught piano and where their two children, Narissa and Fred, were born. Margaret was one of only two piano teachers in Houston who taught both black and white students in the 1950s.
The family moved to Bloomington, Indiana, in 1959, when Douglas was hired to be the Head Piano Technician at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. In Bloomington, Margaret built her private piano practice and became active in the Indiana State Music Teachers Association and Mu Phi Epsilon, the music sorority. Margaret and Douglas were active politically and in the Unitarian Universalist Church, where Margaret was the Religious Education Director for many years and one of the regular musicians who played for services.Continue reading

2017 Hoosier Auditions State Results

The Indiana Music Teachers Association is pleased to announce the winners of the Hoosier Auditions State Round, held at Butler University Saturday, May 13. Butler was home to a total of 70 students, competing in Piano solo, Piano Duet, Strings, Classical Guitar, Voice, and Winds. All in all, it was a very exciting day, filled with wonderful music making. I would personally like to thank all of the volunteers who helped make the day a success. The winners will be invited to perform at IMTA’s annual conference in September, being held at Indiana Wesleyan University this year. Be sure to check the IMTA website www.indmta.org for information regarding Hoosier Auditions in 2018.
IMTA extends many thanks to this year’s esteemed panel of adjudicators, Senior, Collegiate and Junior Piano Solo, Dr. Lori Rhoden (Ball State University); Middle, Elementary and Early Elementary Piano Solo, plus all Piano Duet Categories, Dr. Rebecca Sorley (University of Indianapolis); All Voice categories, Thaddaeus Bourne (Butler University); All Winds categories, Cathryn Gross (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra). IMTA also wishes to extend gratitude towards this year’s awards sponsors Piano Solutions (All Piano Solo awards), the Butler Community Arts School (All Piano Duet awards), Indianapolis Violins (Senior Strings Award), Frank’s Violins (Middle Strings Award) & Arthur’s Music (Senior Classical Guitar Award).
 
Early Elementary Piano Duet
Winners: Evan Li & Erica Zhao, students of Natalia Rachford
Alternates: Crystal Wang & Judy Bai, students of Lai Ping Jean HoContinue reading

2017 Hoosier Auditions Results, District A

The Indiana Music Teacher’s association is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 District A Auditions, held at the Center for the Arts on the campus of Valparaiso University, Saturday, April 22, 2017. Thank you to Carey Scheck for her hard work in coordinating the Valparaiso site. The winners of each performance category will compete at the state round of Hoosier Auditions, Saturday, May 13 at Butler University. Congratulations to all!
 
Early Elementary Piano
Winner:                Jonathan Malchow, student of Valerie Webdell
Alternate:           Bailey Chavis, student of Carey Scheck

Continue reading

2017 Hoosier Auditions Results, District G

The Indiana Music Teacher’s association is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 District G Auditions, held in the Krannert Fine Arts Center at the University of Evansville, Saturday, April 15, 2017. Thank you to Grace Hemaida for her hard work in coordinating the Evansville site. The winners of each performance category will compete at the state round of Hoosier Auditions, Saturday, May 13 at Butler University. Congratulations to all!
 
Elementary Piano
Winner:           Tracy Wan, student of Grace Hemaida
Alternate:        Anika Paranjape, student of Cynthia Grassman
 
Middle Piano
Winner:           Cade Neely, student of Grace Hemaida
Alternate:        Kerry Ao, student of Cynthia GrassmanContinue reading

2017 Hoosier Auditions Results, District D

The Indiana Music Teacher’s association is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 District D Auditions, held in York Performance Hall on the campus of Anderson University, Saturday, April 8, 2017. Cheryl Everett, NCTM, judged all piano and piano duet performance categories. Rebecca Chappell was the judge for the winds. Thank you to Reg Rogers for his hard work in coordinating the Anderson site. The winners of each performance category will compete at the state round of Hoosier Auditions, Saturday, May 13 at Butler University. Congratulations to all!
 
Early Elementary Piano
Winner:           Grace Turner, student of Christina Whitlock
Alternate:        Kendall Turner, student of Christina Whitlock
 
Elementary Piano
Winner:           Gabe Reynolds, student of Christina Whitlock
Alternate:        Vedika Garg, student of Christina WhitlockContinue reading

2017 Opus Composition Festival Winners

We are pleased to announce that the 2017 Opus Competition Festival results! Thank you to all who submitted entries. Also, many thanks to our judge, David Schneider.
The winners in each category will have the opportunity to perform their composition at the IMTA State Conference in the fall of 2017 at Indiana Wesleyan University.
 
The winners in each category are:
 
Elementary: RachelAnn Lehman, student of Amy Chaplin
Junior: Anna Tanner, student of Amy Chaplin
Senior: Rida Bonday, student of Becky Baker
Young Artist: Alyssa Campbell, student of Caroline Ahn
 

President’s Message: "Spring into Action"

 
I know many of you, like me, welcome spring with open arms.  Despite the end-of-semester panics over wrapping up another year’s work, the promise of sunshine and a change of pace are often enough to put at least a little more “oomph” in our step!
My very favorite presidential responsibility is representing Indiana at the MTNA National Conference.  I continue to find myself overwhelmingly proud of the work we do here.  This, of course, is a direct result of the passion and commitment of our IMTA members.
On the topic of passion and commitment:  as you likely know, the need to educate others about the importance of the arts has never been more urgent.  I wish I could adequately describe what it felt like to be at the MTNA National Conference just days after President Trump released his budget proposal, which suggests eliminating all funds for the NEA and the NEH.
As we all know, the study of music – for its own sake – is beneficial, even fundamental, to our existence.  However, in light of an administration claiming to be focused on economic growth and job development, it can be useful for us to remind our elected officials – and peers – of the following points:

  • The arts are heavy contributors to all aspects of industry (businesses, employers, and consumers)
  • The arts are a driving force of tourism (studies show arts patrons stay longer and spend more when traveling)
  • Creativity is being touted as one of the single most important qualities 21st-century employers are looking for in new hires
  • Arts industries bring in an international trade surplus each year

Supporting statistics for these, and other valid points can be found here.
I hope you will carefully consider – even in the midst of spring semester chaos – contacting your elected officials and urging them to continue full funding to the NEA and the NEH.  You can find your House reps here and your Senate reps here.
There’s never been a better time to let your voice be heard!  A phone call or email to your government representatives takes mere minutes (seconds, even!), but the impact of our efforts – together – can help ensure the flourishing of our craft for a great many years to come.
After all, if we do not advocate for the arts, who do we expect to do so?

2017 Hoosier Auditions Results, District C Indianapolis

 
The Indiana Music Teacher’s association is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 District C Auditions, held in Lilly Hall on the campus of Butler University, Saturday, April  1, 2017. Thank you to Catherine Kling for her hard work in coordinating Indianapolis’ site. The winners of each performance category will compete at the state round of Hoosier Auditions, Saturday, May 13 at Butler University. Congratulations to all!
 
EARLY ELEMENTARY PIANO DUET
WINNER:         Evan Li and Erica Zhao, students of Natalia Rachford
EARLY ELEMENTARY PIANO
WINNER: Isaac Qian, student of Irina Gorin
ALTERNATE:  Jessica Flowers, student of Beverly & Sylvia Scott
HONORABLE MENTION:  Catherine Cai, student of Irina GorinContinue reading

2017 Hoosier Auditions Result, District B Goshen

 
The Indiana Music Teacher’s association is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2017 District B Auditions, held at the Music Center on the campus of Goshen College, Saturday, March 25, 2017. Thank you to Dr. Luke Norell for his hard work in coordinating Goshen’s site. The winners of each performance category will compete at the state round of Hoosier Auditions, Saturday, May 13 at Butler University. Congratulations to all!
 
EARLY ELEMENTARY PIANO
WINNER: Albert Lu, student of Linda Belleville
ALTERNATE: Lourdes Baltazar, student of Dr. Mary Rose Norell
HONORABLE MENTION: Ingrid Lund, student of Dr. Mary Rose Norell
Silvia Venturi, student of Dr. Luke Norell
Continue reading