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| Newsletter available online | ||
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The August/September 2010 issue of
The Florida State Music Teacher is now available
online. |
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| President's Message | ||
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Traditionally, the August/September issue of The Florida State Music Teacher is one that rallies all of us to success in the new academic year. Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, and because there has not been an issue since April, there are a couple of items that are important to mention before we “close” the previous academic year. FSMTA extends its gratitude to Mary Seal, Vice-President for FSMTA Competitive Events, for her many hours of planning and tireless work in coordinating the FSMTA competitive events which were held in May. We – and Mary – are also grateful to her hard-working team of coordinators for the individual competitions: Martha Stubbs, Liz Kiebler, Kyung-Ae Gibson, Norma Mastrogiacomo, and Mary McOwen. Thank you to Jacksonville University which was more than accommodating in hosting the event this year. FSMTA provided a successful competition season for our students, thanks to all of these individuals and many other teachers around the state who participated and assisted locally. For information on winners please check elsewhere in this issue, as well as the FSMTA website. As we collectively look ahead to the coming year, I encourage all of you to attend this year’s annual Conference to be held November 3-6 in Sarasota, with the Florida MTNA competitions to be held in conjunction with the conference at the State College of Florida in Bradenton (see details in this newsletter and on the FSMTA website). We have spoken the past year about “advancing music in the state of Florida,” and that begins with each of us as individuals. The annual conference affords each of us an opportunity for professional development, which benefits us and our students. Never underestimate how much your students’ success depends on your own professional learning and growth. While speaking at the Florida Alliance for Arts Education Summit last month, Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Dr. Eric Smith, stressed the importance of the arts and creative thinking for students to be successful in the future. We know firsthand that Commissioner Smith’s observations are right on target; we’ve seen what music education does for students while they are with us and in shaping their achievements in a variety of capacities long after they’ve left our studios. Unfortunately, with ever-decreasing resources, not every student in Florida will have the same access to arts education during their regular school day next year, and our efforts with our own students and local communities will be more important than ever. Our visibility and relationships with those who make decisions about arts programs can make the difference to a generation of students in our communities. What FSMTA does to advance music in the state of Florida depends on who we are as individual members; no plan, policy, or legislative action will do it all for us. As we prepare for the new school year and plan how we can best serve our own students, I encourage you to think about the influence you have as a musician and educator in your community. Perhaps this year’s lesson plans will include an objective for someone you haven’t even met!
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| Membership Update | ||
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by Anna Fagan, Vice-President for Membership
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| Florida MTNA Competitions | ||
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by Paulette Kilts, FSMTF President I was sorry to learn that Eleanor Morgan passed away on July 11, 2010, at the age of 99 years old. Eleanor was a recipient of the FSMTA Teacher of the Year award and served on many Local and State committees including the committee revising the 2000 the Student Activities Handbook. She also established an endowment for the MTNA Young Artist Composition Award. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, money be sent to FSMTF for the Eleanor Morgan endowment. Checks can be sent to
Foundation Treasurer Susan Myrick. A
form to accompany the check may be found on the website.
We are grateful to Eleanor for her service to FSMTA for
many years and for her establishing the endowed award so
that her love for music teaching can continue through
future award recipients. |
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| The MTNA Foundation Gives Back!! | ||
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by Adrienne LeBlanc, The MTNA Foundation article quite often expresses a request for donations so that you can personally be a part of the wonderful things the foundation does to support the growth and development of teachers as well as student musicians. Did you realize that YOU could be on the receiving end as well as the giving end? Here are some ideas that you might want to investigate so that you might benefit in the generosity of the MTNA Foundation. As the summer comes to an end and plans are being made for the upcoming season of programs and projects, now might be a good time to check out the following opportunities the MTNA Foundation provides to be of assistance to you --- its members and their associations.
Note: Details and application forms are available on the MTNA web site under MTNA Grants. It can be very exciting to pursue one of these opportunities. Professional growth is always a good thing, and bringing musical programs to our communities is probably more important than ever during these financially challenging times. And, just in case you thought I might have forgotten, donations are always welcome. Send donations to: MTNA Foundation 1001 Wildwood Drive Melbourne, FL 32940 And -- Thanks in advance!
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| Certification News | ||
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Mary Beth Purchase has received the Florida State Music Teachers Association’s Certificate of experience. She may now use the letters FSCTM after her name to signify her achievement and professional status. We have been informed that Judith Bartine has been certified by Music Teachers National Association. Judith may use NCTM after her name. Congratulations to Mary Beth and Judith! The FSMTA certificate is a lifetime one. One must keep one’s dues current, but otherwise there is no need to renew. The MTNA certificate requires annual renewal. This renewal process has been simplified. Both certificates show that the teacher has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism. MTNA has notified us that there are some FSMTA members who applied in a timely manner to take the MTNA Certification Exams. That is, they applied to MTNA before the cutoff date of December 31, 2009. These members have asked to take their exam(s) at the FSMTA conference in November. We look forward to this happening. For any persons who wish to be certified by MTNA, the information needed is all easily found on the MTNA website. If anyone has any question as to how to locate this material, call me at 850-862-2731 or contact Melissa Curtice at MTNA headquarters. Several FSMTA members
have requested information regarding FSMTA Certification
and have been sent application forms and the FSMTA
Certification Handbook. For FSMTA members who do not
hold a degree in music, new FSMTA certification
examinations in pedagogy, theory and music history are
being developed. This work is well under way. At the
June meeting of the FSMTA Board in Gainesville, the If anyone is
contemplating applying for FSMTA Certification, it is
important to apply early enough to have all paperwork
completed and to me no later than 8 (eight) weeks prior
to the date of the Student Day at which the
demonstration students will appear. I look forward to
hearing from interested FSMTA members |
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| FSMTA Competitive Events 2010 | ||
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Jacksonville University was the site for the 2010 FSMTA Competitive Events Day which was held on May 15. We received wonderful cooperation in the planning and execution of this event from the music department at JU and in particular from piano faculty professor Scott Watkins who helped facilitate and coordinate all the site details and also from staff accompanist Bonita Wyke who was indispensable. Thanks also to Lydia Sanchez (hospitality), local District IV members Sue Holder, Paulette Kilts and Liz Kiebler, and the JU students who assisted with monitoring, certificate preparation, and other essential tasks. The individual events chairmen, Kyung-Ae Gibson, Norma and Leonard Mastrogiacomo, and LizKiebler, also deserve praise for their time and efforts in organizing their competitions successfully. I also thank FSMTA President Marc Hebda for his help and support with these events. Judges for the events were:
I was particularly pleased to see that we had entrants this year in the Pre-College Chamber Music Competition and strong participation in the Piano and String Concerto and Gray Perry Young Collegiate Piano Competitions. In an effort to clarify and expedite the application for the district and state concerto competitions, an ad hoc committee has been formed to review the rules and procedures of the District Concerto Competition. The award winners’ names, pictures and bios are included in this issue and have now been posted on the FSMTA website on the Competitive Events page. Congratulations to all of them! Winners of
the Senior Concerto Competitions will perform at the
FSMTA state conference in Sarasota onThursday,
November 4. |
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| Student Day News | ||
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By the middle of September, all of
the Student Activities Handbook and the current year
tests should be online. All members may access the
Student Activities Handbook so that you can print out
what you need for your own use. The current year tests
are only accessible for the current Student Day
Chairmen. Please keep Tanya Brooks updated as to the
current chairman for your local and district. Contact
Tanya at
brooksmusic@comcast.net. |
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| MTNA Year of Collaborative Music | ||
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MTNA invites our state and local affiliates to take part in the Year of Collaborative Music (YCM) in 2010–2011. The YCM celebrates the importance of collaborative music making in society and in the profession worldwide. Led by MTNA in partnership with significant national and international music associations, the YCM promotes the diversity of ensemble- playing opportunities available to musicians of all ages and skill levels. The Year of Collaborative Music was launched in March at the 2010 MTNA National Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It will culminate on Saturday March 26, 2011, at the MTNA National Conference and NATS Spring Workshop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a special Salute to Collaborative Music to take place during Pedagogy Saturday. Throughout the year, performers, groups, ensembles, and associations around the world will focus on the importance of collaborative music in the life of every artist. In addition to the special salute, we have designated Saturday, January 22, 2011, as the International Day of Collaborative Music (IDCM), one special day devoted to collaborative music-making throughout the world. MTNA encourages all of our state and local affiliates to schedule collaborative music events throughout the year, particularly on January 22. Also, make plans to attend the 2011 MTNA National Conference in Milwaukee to celebrate the conclusion of the YCM. Participating in these events provides an excellent opportunity for collaboration with colleagues outside of MTNA, opening the doors for member recruitment and future collaboration. We hope that you will join us in this exciting endeavor. For more information, visit www.mtna.org or contact MTNA at (888) 512-5278 or mtnanet@mtna.org |
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| 2010 Local Presidents FSMTA Community Service Award Winner | ||
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Matthew’s list of musical contributions to his community is enormous. He has performed for many church events, winner of the Fifth Annual Epiphany Talent Show, performs at nursing homes and retirement centers, Pre-Mass piano performances, program for the Shrine’s’ Club, and Solo concerts for his family home in Poland. Within other Community Service projects Matthew has performed at various community events and fund raisers, not only as a soloist but also with the PVS Jazz Band. Matthew has been the recipient of numerous awards some of which are: SMTA’s Original Composition Contest 2nd place winner, 2008 FSMTA District VIII Concerto Winner. Clavinova Festival, selected to participate in the Juilliard Jazz Piano Cam and Performances in Atlanta, and a participate within the Annual Awards Recital for 2008, 2009, and 2010. The members of the Florida State Music Teachers Association are honored to send our congratulations to Matthew Falgowski. As an association it is a pleasure to have a young man of his excellence to be the representative of what community service truly means.
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| 2010 LeRoy Greenspan Memorial Community Service Award Winner | ||
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Allison’s list of musical contributions to her community is enormous. She has been performed at Shiner’s Hospital Holiday Show for pediatric patients, holiday performances within the area malls, performed with the First Baptist Youth Praise Band, lead children’s music on a mission trip to Jamaica, performed with “River Rhapsody”, Tri-m music honor society, and lead singing at numerous nursing homes in Manatee County. Within other Community Service projects Allison has worked with a playground at First Baptist Church, volunteered at a volleyball clinic, mission trip to Raleigh, NC to assist with re-roofing a house, a mission trip to North Georgia, volunteered with Salvation Army, collected donations for the Red Cross for Haiti, and worked with Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. Allison has been the recipient of numerous awards some of which are: Tri-M Honor Society, President of “River Rhapsody”, Florida All Sate Mixed Chorus in 2010, Florida All State Women’s Chorus in 2008 and 2009, Solo Vocal Performance Competitions earning superior ratings, participant in the Tampa Bay NATS Competition, Piano Festival Superior ratings for eight years, Outstanding Student of the Year in Chorus, and a member of the National Honor Society. The members of the Florida State Music Teachers Association are honored to send our congratulations to Allison Miller. As an association it is a pleasure to have a young woman of her excellence to be the representative of what community service truly means.
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| 2010 FSMTA Competitive Events Winners | ||
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The 2010 FSMTA Competitive Events were held May 15th at Jacksonville University. We are proud to announce the following winners. Congratulations to each one!
~ Mary Seal, VP for FSMTA Competitive Events
Concerto Competition
Strings:
Voice:
Piano:
Byrd Pre-College Piano Ensemble
Gray Perry Young Collegiate
Piano Competition
FSMTA Pre-College Chamber Music Competition
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| Foundation Gala | ||
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Foundation Gala
To be held Wednesday, November 3, 2010 ~ Treviso Restaurant ~
Includes:
Cash bar
Treviso salad
Choice of one entree: Chicken saltimbocca, grilled
salmon or vegetable mousakka
Gelatto of the day
Non-alcoholic drinks - cash bar available
Performance by 2009 FSMTA Guitar Competition
Winner - Roman Vazquez
Door prizes
Donation per person: $50 to be paid with conference
registration fees (select entree)
Carpooling from conference hotel
Host: Foundation President - Paulette Kilts
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| Florida MTNA Competitions | ||
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Denise Homsley |
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| Student Winner at MTNA Conference | ||
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We
are proud to announce that Ye Wong was the third place
winner at the MTNA Conference in the Junior Piano
category. He comes from District 5 and is a student of
Oleg Barsov. Congratulations to Ye Wong!
Click here to see
pictures from the 2010
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| FSMTA 76th Annual Conference | ||
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~ November
3-6, 2010
~ Mark your calendars and visit the website www.fmta.org. Click on Conference for bios and current information about our exciting Fall Conference. We have over 20 presenters with exceptional headliners:
Rising star & Steinway Artist Spencer Myer, fresh from the MTNA Conference, will be performing Friday at 8:15 p.m. at Neel Auditorium of State College of Florida. A senior Master Class will follow Saturday at 11:30a.m. at the hotel. We will have busing to both the Student Winners’ Concert Thursday and the Concert Artist Performance Friday evening. Ample parking is also available at SCF which is a mere 5-7 minutes away. For those who wish to extend their stay past our Conference Saturday afternoon, free transportation will be available to the fashionable St. Armand’s Circle on Lido Key to shop or go and relax on Lido Beach for a few hours. Contact the hotel for particulars. Don’t forget our FSMTA rate is only $87/night for Queen double or King single rooms. The Hilton Garden Inn’s 12- person shuttle will also be available for free transportation to and from the Airport or to trendy Sarasota’s Main Street or any place within a 5-mile radius.
We are truly
fortunate to have such a wealth of expertise coming to
the Sunshine State. Be sure to register early and make
your hotel reservations now for a conference not to be
missed! |
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| MTNA Competition Renamed | ||
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MTNA has recently named the
Senior Piano Duet competition "The Weekley &
Arganbright MTNA Senior Piano Duet Competition."
Dallas Weekly and Nancy Arganbright have become
the sponsors.
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| MTNA Conference 2011 | ||
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The 2011 MTNA National Conference will take place March 26–30 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and now is the time you should begin planning to attend! The MTNA National Conference provides a great opportunity to learn, communicate with your colleagues, sharpen your teaching methods, gather the latest information and revitalize your career. Attendees have the opportunity to see some of the best pedagogues in the world, the most seasoned performers, the latest teaching products and colleagues from across the country. Professional workshops, sessions, industry showcases, master classes, free evening recitals—are all an excellent way to bring in spring and recharge your teaching batteries. Prepare for the conference now as you set your schedule for the 2010–2011 teaching year. Determine how many weeks you are going to teach and when. Ensure you have the time off to go to the conference, and plan your calendar so you start teaching one week earlier or teach one week later. Another way to set the calendar is to go ahead and schedule the dates that you will be gone and then plan "make-up" lessons. Also, make sure to budget for the conference— registration, travel, meals, hotel and the like. Make it a group trip! Find out now if others from your local association or state are interested in attending and make plans now to be roommates. Depending on where you live, you might even consider car-pooling or even renting a small van together and really make it a "group thing"! If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact MTNA national headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or (888) 512-5278. More information about the 2011 MTNA National Conference will be posted on the MTNA website soon.
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| Did you Know! | ||
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Did you know that MTNA offers instrumental insurance to its members? Clarion Associates, Inc. offers music instrument insurance to MTNA members for a discount off the usual premiums.
For more information about the coverage available to you, visit www.clarionins.com or call (800) 848-2534.
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All contents ©
Copyright of FSMTA 2004-2009
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by Helen
Hartmann Dingus, FSCTM, NCTM
by
Mary Griffin Seal
from
Tanya Brooks
The
2010 Florida MTNA Competitions will be held November
5-6, 2010 at the State College of Florida,
Bradenton. The application deadline is 12:00
MIDNIGHT on September 14, 2010. Application
instructions are at 
