SBMTA Announces 2013 Hartman Stickley Piano Competition

Posted on

Announcement is made of the eighteenth annual Hartman Stickley Memorial Piano Competition, which will be held on March 1 & 2, 2013 in the Spencer Gallery, Downtown Mishawaka Penn Harris Library, Mishawaka, Indiana.  The competition is open to pre-college students, ages 4-18.  The four winners in each of four divisions will each win cash prizes:  $150 for ages 15-18, $100 for ages 12-14, $75 for ages 9-11 and $50 for ages 8 & under, plus the opportunity to play in a winners recital on March 10, 2:30 pm, in the Kroc Center’s Auditorium, South Bend, Indiana.  Contestants who receive Honorable Mention will win cash prizes as well.
The competition, which is sponsored by the South Bend Area Music Teachers Association, is open to piano students residing in Berrien, Cass & St. Joseph counties, Michigan; and Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, St. Joseph, and Starke counties, Indiana.  Prize money is made available through the Elnora Hartman Stickley Scholarship Fund.
Judges will be Dr. David Abbott from Albion College, Dr. Winston Choi from Roosevelt College, and Dr. Lia Jensen-Abbott from Albion College.
The purpose of the competition is two-fold: 1) to honor the memory of Elnora Hartman Stickley, and 2) to reward talented pianists in the Michiana area.  The competition’s goal is to provide a performance venue for piano students in this area.  Music is a performing art, and all musicians need many chances to practice the art of performance.  This competition provides an excellent opportunity to do just that, along with getting feedback from highly-qualified judges.
Competition applications must be postmarked by January 25, 2013.  Brochures and applications are available at Shirk’s Piano in Mishawaka, as well as on the South Bend Area Music Teachers Association website at www.sbamta.org.  For further information, please contact the competition chair, Hyeja Chong Gahahl, at (574) 271-0625.
Event:  Hartman Stickley Memorial Piano Competition
Dates:  March 1 & 2, 2013
Place:  Spencer Gallery, Downtown Mishawaka Penn Harris Library
Times:  approximately 10 AM – 6 PM on Friday Mar. 1, and approximately
9 AM – 4 PM on Saturday Mar. 2
Free and Open to the Public

Virginia Adye honored for 45 years of membership

Posted on

Venita Hooper, president of the Greater Evansville Music Teachers Association presented Virginia Adye with a certificate honoring her 45-year membership in the Indiana Music Teachers Association. Hooper commented “Virginia has been a real influence in my life. During those exciting high school years, she afforded me many cultural opportunities, prepared me for college, and introduced me to many great piano works I love to this day. She has continued to be a friend and mentor in my life. She still has an active studio of about 20 students, with an enery level and attitude that is energizing” IMTA extends its warm congratulations to Virginia.

South Bend Area Music Teachers Association Fall Events

Posted on

The South Bend Area Music Teachers have had a great start to our year themed – The Classical Period starting with Dr. Rhein of Bethel College giving a program on The Classical Period; In October our VP-Paula Laskowski gave a program on ” Making Games to Supplement & Reinforce Theory”; and in November Linda Witchie gave a program on  “Student Motivation & Retention”. Our AIM festival at Bethel College was a huge success with 102 students entered. In December we have our “Classical Cameos” recital and we end the year with our Christmas Luncheon

West Virginia School of Music announces Summer Festival

Posted on

The WVU School of Music Keyboard area seeks proposals that would address the 2013 Festival topic, “The Intersection of Jazz and Classical Music.” Sessions of interest for pianists on jazz, classical music, or both, study and performance at all levels are welcome. The Festival is June 24-28, 2013. More information is found at http://music.wvu.edu/keyboardfestival

NCIMTA Monster Concert a Success!

Posted on

About a year ago one of our NCIMTA members, Michelle Roeske, had a dream of our local association sponsoring a Monster Concert.  She pictured up to eight pianos filled with students on stage at McHale Performing Arts Center in Logansport and a guest conductor of national stature.  That dream came true on Saturday, October 20.
Late last spring three of us met to consider whether and how we might undertake such a venture.  We are a very small local association; could we pull it off?  We decided to go for it.  We consulted with a variety of groups throughout the state who had undertaken similar projects.  Their suggestions and advice were a huge help.Continue reading→

Bill Hughes named 2012 Teacher of the Year

Posted on

Dr. Claudia Bossard, IMTA president read the following presentation at the Friday evening banquet honoring Bill Hughes, Teacher of the Year

Good evening.  It is my pleasure to reveal the name of the 2012 IMTA “Teacher of the Year.”
As is customary with this annual presentation, during my remarks, I will attempt to keep the identity of our recipient “secret” as long as I can.  What follows are testimonials to this person’s career from former and current students and colleagues.
This individual is an extremely dedicated and inspiring  teacher.
This person is a “master teacher” in our state and community.
This human being is active in support of IMTA programs and colleagues.
By putting each student “at ease” in their lesson by focusing on the discovery process – of what is in the score and what it takes physically to produce the right sound – this individual makes learning contagious and gets students engaged in the process of learning.
Everyone is fond of this person!
As a teacher, this dynamo has that special combination of knowledge and personal warmth that I aspire to have!
This individual has earned my admiration as a musician, my respect as a teacher, and my friendship.
The disciplines HE has taught me have helped me as I face the challenges of work and life.
I commend his holistic approach to music and life as an example of how music can enrich multiple areas of life.
The commitment to his students and his art are extraordinary.
This gentleman has to be one of the most genuinely nice human beings on the planet!
This person has an endless reservoir of anecdotes and stories about composers and performers that add so much to the learning experience with him.
He is skilled in creative methods of teaching the piano.
It is a privilege to be one of his students.
He is one of the most complete musicians I know and he has dedicated his life to sharing it with students.
I consider the time I spent with him in his studio not only important to my development as a musician but as a leader.
I was prepared to quit playing the piano until I met this motivating teacher.
A former university professor, he is always supportive of pre-college students as he shares his knowledge and expertise with enthusiasm and a refreshing approach.
I consider my life to be abundantly richer for having him as a teacher and friend.
In case you do not know who this individual is yet, please join me in honoring Dr. Bill Hughes as our 2012 IMTA Teacher of the Year!

 
 

IMTA Conference Schedule Updated

Posted on

An updated conference schedule that includes locations for each session is now available on the IMTA Website.  A PDF version is also provided for printing. See the complete schedule at https://indmta.org/conferenceSchedule.htm

Condolences to the family of Nancy Spahr

Posted on

Robert A. Spahr, husband of Nancy Spahr, passed away on Monday, September 3 in Peru, Indiana.  The online obituary can be found on the Eddy Funeral Home website. Nancy serves on the Indiana Music Teachers Association Board of Directors as the Recording Secretary.

2012 IMTA Keyboard Ensemble Scheduled for December 1, 2012

Posted on

The 2012 IMTA Ensemble Concert will be at Greenwood High School on December 1, 2012. The title of the event is A Keyboard Caper. The repertoire list for the concert is listed by levels and is not in program order. The program order will be announced closer to our performance date. This year’s conductor is Dr. Stephen Reen. Dr. Reen is an early childhood music specialist and is in demand as a performer and lecturer. The repertoire list, student registration form and teacher registration form are accessible on the IMTA Website.
Teachers should complete a player registration page for each student. Then attach your teacher registration page and mail the documents with one check. The postmark deadline is October 31, 2012. For the registration fee players may play as few pieces as one entry or several. There is no extra charge if you play more than one group. IMTA Member Teachers do no pay a fee to play in the concert. It is included with your IMTA membership.
Teachers and students will be notified by email of the part assignments. All players must attend rehearsals to be allowed to perform. Memorization is not required but players will need to attain the indicated metronome tempi which will be sent to all participants by email.

IMTA Website Upgraded!

Posted on

Indiana Music Teachers Association has a new online look!  The website was recently updated to present information in a more user-friendly and visually appealing format.  Be sure to update your bookmarks as page names and locations have changed.  Visit the new site at http://www.indmta.org/