Winter Weather

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Nancy Spahr Huskey, IMTA Certification Chair

This is the season of bad weather which results in two-hour delays or school closings.  What do you do when students can’t make their lessons because of the weather?

Maybe this is a good time to get online and look up MTNA Certification at www.mtna.org.  Click on “Engage” and then on “MTNA Certification Program.”  Start with the testimonials by three celebrated teachers, then explore “Get Certified:  Learn More.”  At the bottom of that page, you will find some more categories to read.  Click some more to see what it’s all about, what you will need to do, and how to go about it.

Now how about making a timeline for yourself?  Breaking the task down into small segments can make it all manageable.  After all, this much didn’t take too much of your time.  Now you can get started with one part at a time.  Working on a little bit during those canceled lesson times can help you make progress little by little.  Before you know it, you’ll have completed a sizeable portion of your certification!

I am always available to encourage and answer questions (nbspahr01@comcast.net or 765-438-6435).

Announcing the 24th Annual Hartman Stickley Memorial Piano Competition & Festival Winners Recital

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ANNOUNCING THE 24th ANNUAL HARTMAN STICKLEY MEMORIAL PIANO COMPETITION & FESTIVAL WINNERS RECITAL

Event: 24th Annual Hartman Stickley Memorial Piano Competition & Festival Winners Recital
Date: Sunday, March 24, 2019
Place: Louise E. Addicott and Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall, Indiana University, South Bend, Indiana
Time: 2:30 pm
Free Event and Open to the Public

Announcement is made of the 24th Annual Hartman Stickley Memorial Piano Competition & Festival Winners Recital, which will be held on March 24, 2019 in the Louise E. Addicott and Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall, Indiana University, South Bend, Indiana, at 2:30 pm.

The competition and festival itself will be held on March 15th & 16th at Indiana University, South Bend, and is open to pre-college students. The winners of the competition from each division will perform in the Winners Recital on March 24th and will receive cash prizes:

Division VI Ages 16 – 18 ($175)
Division V Ages 14 & 15 ($150)
Division IV Ages 12 &13 ($125)
Division III Ages 10 &11 ($100)
Division II Ages 8 & 9 ($75)
Division I Ages 7 & under ($50)

Contestants who receive honorable mention will also win cash prizes. All awards will be dispersed following the recital.

The competition and festival, sponsored by the South Bend Area Music Teachers Association, is open to piano students of teachers residing in Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties, Michigan; and Allen, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marshall, Noble, St. Joseph, and Starke counties, Indiana. Prize money is made available through the Elnora Hartman Stickley Scholarship Fund.

For more information, please contact the competition chair, Paula Laskowski,
574-276-9313 or Beethoven361@hotmail.com. You may also visit the South Bend Area Music Teachers Association’s website: www.sbamta.org.

Change in President for Northeast Indiana MTA

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Amy Hansel, President of Northeast Indiana MTA (NIMTA) will be relocating to Wisconsin due to a job move for her husband. The IMTA Board of Directors is sad to see her go as she has been a wonderful asset to the board as well as to the members of NIMTA. Most recently, Amy oversaw a big revision in the Bylaws of her local group.
As of March 1, Sara Davis, Vice President of the group, will step in to finish out the final two months of Hansel’s term.
Several members of the group met this past Saturday for a farewell luncheon. Hansel is pictured on the far right of the photo.

NIMTA Farewell Luncheon

Indiana Teacher on Slate for MTNA President-Elect

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Voting is now open for the MTNA National Elections. Please consider voting even if you are not personally familiar with the candidates! Take a moment to read about each nominee and determine who has the characteristics and leadership qualities that you would deep important for that particular role. It only takes a few minutes!
Vote Now!
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Indiana is proud to have one of our current members on the slate for President-Elect for MTNA! Karen Thickstun has been a valuable member of the state board for many years serving in a plethora of roles. See her bio below.
Karen Thickstun

Karen Thickstun, NCTM

Karen Thickstun, NCTM, teaches piano pedagogy at Butler University, directs the Butler Community Arts School, and maintains an independent studio. Thickstun holds degrees in piano performance/economics from Duke University, business administration from University of Virginia and piano pedagogy from Butler University.

Three of her pedagogy students have received the MarySue Harris Studio Fellowship award. She advises the Butler MTNA Collegiate Chapter, which has presented at state and national conferences. “I am devoted to mentoring young professionals. I believe they are essential to MTNA and our profession,” Thickstun says.

Thickstun served as MTNA Secretary-Treasurer from 2013–2015 and MTNA Vice President from 2015–2017. Recent national appointments include membership committee chair, grants and awards task force chair, MTNA Teacher of the Year committee chair and strategic planning committee. She served as director of East Central Division from 2008–2010, chairing the Local Associations Forum.

Thickstun authors a tri-annual business column for American Music Teacher. Her articles have also appeared in Keyboard Companion and Clavier Companion. She has presented business and pedagogy sessions at local, state and national conferences.

Thickstun has been active in Indiana MTA as state president, trustee chair, and various state and local positions. She received the Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and the Teacher of the Year award in 2008.

As founding director of the Butler Community Arts School, Thickstun provides leadership and vision. Serving more than 2,000 children through private lessons, group classes and camps, instruction is provided by more than 100 Butler University students that she mentors in professional teaching practices. Thickstun has developed a network of community partners to provide access to the arts for innercity youth. To fund outreach classes, Thickstun has written and received grants for more than $100,000 annually for the past eight years.

“I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the arts in meaningful ways. MTNA programs enlighten and challenge our members, as well as students, colleagues, and communities. MTNA has played a vital role in my own professional development. I pledge to bring my passion, integrity, and work ethic to the position of MTNA President-elect. I am honored to be nominated and will strive to maintain high quality programs while developing new ideas that engage and transform,” she says.

Opus Winners to Receive Discount to Composition Camp

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IMTA is happy to announce that Anderson University will be sponsoring an additional award for winners of the Elementary, Junior, and Senior levels of the Opus Composition Festival. Winners in each of these categories will get the opportunity to attend the 2019 Summer Composition Camp at Anderson University for 50% off the tuition.
 
During the camp, not only they will students learn how to compose music more effectively but also learn about orchestration, music theory, ear training, notation, and more. They will also have a piece to be performed at the recital on the last day. The camp will be held during the week of July 9-13, 2019. Details here.

Krause Named 2018 MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year

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IMTA is excited to announce that the Benjamin Krause has been named the 2018 MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year! 

Krause was the 2018 MTNA/IMTA Commissioned Composer whose piece, Taxonimies of Pulse, a work for two pianos, was premiered at the 2018 State Conference at Sweetwater Sound in Fort Wayne.

This award is conferred upon the composer of the most significant composition from among all works commissioned by the MTNA state affiliates. This year there were 28 submissions.

The recipient of the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year Award receives a $5,000 cash prize, made possible by the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND. The award also includes a performance of the composition at the 2019 MTNA National Conference, which will be held from March 16-20, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. The actual performance is scheduled on Sunday, March 17 from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 noon in the Conference Theater in the Spokane Convention Center.

The judges for the 2018 MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year Award were:

  • Dr. Philip Schuessler, 2017 MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year, Instructor of Music Theory & Composition at Southeastern Louisiana University
  • Dr. M. Shawn Hundley, Lecturer in Composition and Music Theory at University of Hawaii, Manoa
  • Dr. Michael-Thomas Foumai, Associate Professor of Composition & Music Theory Bethune-Cookman University.

 

Bio:

Benjamin Krause’s work has been recognized through grants, commissions, and awards by the Houston Symphony, Copland House, Network for New Music, Presser Foundation, ASCAP, Da Camera of Houston, and The American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France. Drawing freely from varied traditions and aesthetics, his music is characterized by its visceral rhythmic drive, motivic control, and colorful, dense harmonies reminiscent of jazz. As a pianist, he regularly performs new music, jazz, and the classical repertoire, appearing at Carnegie Hall, Zilkha Hall (Houston), the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Menil Collection, and in collaboration with such artists as Molly Barth (Eighth Blackbird), Jeffrey Zeigler (the Kronos Quartet), Timothy McAllister (PRISM Saxophone Quartet), and Ronald Feldman (the Boston Symphony). He has held residencies and fellowships at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers’ Symposium, Lutheran Summer Music, and the Bennington Chamber Music Conference, and will be in residency at the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts (WY) in Fall 2018. He was also recently awarded the prestigious Copland House Residency Award, which will grant him time to work and reside at Aaron Copland’s New York home.

Krause holds composition degrees from Rice University (D.M.A.) and the University of Oregon (M.M.), and a B.M. in piano performance from Valparaiso University, where he also served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music (2015-2018). He lives in Chicago with his wife, pianist Christina Giuca Krause.

Sympathies for the passing of former IMTA member Dr. Catherine Smith

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IMTA wishes to express it’s heartfelt sympathies to the family of Dr. Catherine A. Smith who passed away on January 2. Dr. Smith was active with IMTA for more than 10 years (approximately from the late ’80s through the early 2000s) serving on the board and various committees. Her obituary is posted below.

Catherine A. Smith
OCTOBER 27, 1924 – JANUARY 2, 2019

Dr. Catherine A. Smith, distinguished faculty emerita, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, passed away January 2 at Meadowood. She was born in LaPorte, Indiana, on October 27, 1925, to H. Myron and Marie (Burgoon) Smith. Cay graduated from Bloomington High School and received her B.M. and M.M. with distinction from the I.U. School of Music. She earned her A.D. Music degree from Florida State University under the tutelage of Ernst Von Dohnanyi. She was the first woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in piano performance. Cay taught piano for some 40 years, most of which were at Eastern Illinois University. She also taught classes and performed piano programs around the world. She led music and art European tours. At Eastern Illinois University she received the Distinguished Faculty Award, served as chairman of the Keyboard Department and was involved in faculty governance. She served on the Faculty Senate, Council on Academic Affairs. Cay served two terms as President of the Illinois Music Teachers Association. After retiring in 1988, Cay returned to Bloomington. She served as president of the National Society of Arts and Letters and the Community Chamber Music Association. She served on the boards of the Friends of Music, the Bloomington Adult Community Center, Meals on Wheels and the Indiana State Music Association. Cay was also involved with Sigma Alpha Iota, Community Kitchen, Catholic Social Services, Friday Musicale and the St. Charles Peace and Justice Committee. She was also an avid duplicate bridge player; sometimes playing with three different groups a week. Kay is survived by her sister, Marie Mitchell and 19 nieces and nephews. Several nieces and nephews live in Bloomington: Cathy Carter, Steve Carter, Mike Carter, Sally Carter, John Carter, and Susie McGlasson. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Henry Myron Smith, Jr, Joseph Smith, and Patrick Smith; and one sister, Margaret Carter. A mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 8, at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Church prior to the mass. Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E. Third St., Bloomington, Indiana 47401 is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bloomington-in/catherine-smith-8107762

MTNA Composition Competition Results – East Central Division

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Music Teachers National Association is pleased to announce the results of the composition competition for the East Central Division.

Elementary
Winner: Dhruv Moorthy, Student of Natalia Cernaianu, IL
Honorable mention: Madelyn Tanner, Student of Amy Chaplin, IN

Junior
Winner: Aaron Wang, Student of Catherine Rollin, MI
Honorable mention: Margaret Chen, Student of Nancy Bachus, OH
Honorable mention: Joshua Wolford, Student of Matthew Hagle, IL
Senior
Winner: Holden Mui, Student of Matthew Hagle, IL
Honorable mention: Lucas Huang, Student of Bradley Sowash, OH
Young Artist
Representative: Katherine Bodor, Student of Don Freund, IN

 

This year, the East Central Division judges were:
Jennifer Conner
Martha Horst
Thomas Wells

The winning compositions automatically advance to the national competition as national finalists. The results of that competition will be announced by the end of January. Congratulations to all of the participants in the competition! We hope that the comments you receive from the judges will be helpful to you and your teacher. Your efforts are to be commended, and we hope that you will continue to learn and grow as a composer. Good luck with your musical studies!

Edward Shure, East Central Division Composition Coordinator
(330) 920-8598

Christopher Goldston, National Composition Coordinator
(773) 580-7301
goldston@hotmail.com

South Bend Area Music Teachers Association Hosting 2019 Sonata/Sonatina Festival

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When:  Saturday, January 26, 2019
Where:  Moreau Center for the Arts, St.Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN
Registration Deadline: December 17, 2018
Nonrefundable Application Fee: MTNA members $ 25 per student; non-members $ 35 per student
Gold Medalists Recitals: Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Little Theatre, Moreau Center for the Arts, St.Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN (Time:TBA)

Requirement:

  • Participants will perform one movement of any sonatina or sonata without repeats.
  • He/she may perform the piece (1) memorized or (2) with music for evaluation only.
  • A copy of the music must be provided to the judges with every measure numbered.
  • No photocopies are permitted.

For more information, including an online application, visit https://www.sbamta.org/sonata-sonatina-festival

In other news from SBAMTA:

SBAMTA is pleased to announce that Marvin Blickenstaff, past President of the Frances Clark Center, will be presenting  “Teaching Little Ears to Hear” after our February meeting at Shirks Piano Gallery (4125 Grape Rd., Mishawaka, IN) at 10am on Friday, Feb. 1.