President's Message, Spring 2010

Hello to my fellow members of IMTA!
This is a new adventure for me at the helm of our organization and a big thank you goes to Janet Piechocinski for making the transition seamless for me.  I hope to fill in the big shoes left from Janet and previous IMTA Presidents including Lori Rhoden, Julianne Miranda, Karen Thickstun and Joyanne Outland.
We have enjoyed a wonderful tradition of Conferences – the fabulous 2009 IMTA Conference we experienced at Taylor University.  A warm appreciation goes to Leon Harshenin and his committee members for organizing the concerts and interesting sessions. The 2010 IMTA Conference was held October 8-9, 2010, at Wabash College in Crawfordsville.  Special thanks to Cheryl Everett who chaired this conference.  Look for more information on our website about the 2011 conference to be held on the campus of Indiana University.
As you work with your students during the upcoming months I encourage you to look at the AIM Syllabus and Festival for your students.  This student event provides solid assessment of your students’ progress at the piano.  And, AIM gives you, the teacher, a template of standards to build a well-rounded music education for each of your students.  Contact the AIM Coordinator, Doug Sperry, for further information douglassperry@hotmail.com.
A new IMTA event for your students is the Opus Composition Festival.  A special thank you goes to LeAnna Wilson, chair, for organizing this event.  Contact LeAnna for details leannarachelwilson@gmail.com.
As mentioned by Karen Thickstun, Director of East Central Division, at our IMTA association meeting in October, MTNA offers many resources for members of IMTA.  These resources include the Intermediate Chamber Music Repertoire Database and free legal consultation in selected areas to name just two. Visit the following link for more information http://www.mtna.org/Resources/tabid/146/Default.aspx
As I begin my two-year term as President of IMTA I would like to hear from you and so if you have any suggestions or concerns please contact me at cbossard8@aol.com.
Last thought:  If you need a friendly reminder about how important your work is as a music teacher, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI-l0tK8Ok0 to hear the Mayo Clinic Atrium Piano Duo with close to 5 million hits.
 
Claudia Bossard