Here’s Announcing the Guild’s guest lecturers, performers and workshop presenters for the 2014-2015 year!
These events all take place at Kerrytown Concert House, and are conducted in conjunction with the Guild’s monthly “formal meeting.” While the meeting comes to order by 9:30 AM, guest presentations generally begin by 10:00 AM. These events are open to non-members, though space is limited. Please contact our vice president if you are a non-member who wishes to attend.
Sept. 18, 2015. Teaching compositions from Latin America and the music of Francisco Mignone Dr. Alexandra Mascolo-David, Professor of Piano (Central Michigan University)
Francisco Mignone was a Brazilian composer and a contemporary of Heitor Villa-Lobos. He has a considerable output of instrumental music and opera but also much that is beautifully written for piano solo. Though known for an eclectic style – at various times nationalistic, academic, improvisatory, or even atonal – he is perhaps best loved as a soulful and melodic interpreter of Brazil’s folk music heritage. Dr. Mascolo-David is an internationally known performer who has recorded two volumes of Mignone’s works and performed them to outstanding reviews from New York’s Carnegie Hall to her home country of Portugal. Her presentation will discuss his intermediate-level teaching pieces plus those of other Latin American composers – including a performance of several of Mignone’s waltzes.
October 23, 2015. Your students have trio partners: Now what will they play? Renee Robbins (piano) with Sara & Ian Cummings (cello and violin)
Collaborative music making should be an integral part of all young pianists’ early training! To this end, this and our March meeting feature chamber music. For this session, local instructors will lead an overview of beginner to upper intermediate piano trio repertoire with performances. The presenters are among of the area’s outstanding instructors, whose years of dedicated teaching have enriched the lives of countless young musicians – many of whom have gone on to win awards, scholarships and successful musical careers.
November 20, 2014. Lecture Recital: Expressive Meaning in Florence Price’s Piano Sonata and Teaching Pieces Dr. Lia Abbott-Jensen, Lecturer, Albion College
Florence Price (1887-1953) was the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra (Chicago) after winning the coveted Wanamaker Prize in composition for the symphony AND the piano sonata in e minor. Her vocal music was frequently performed by Marian Anderson. The presentation will include a full performance of the sonata and discussion of her many teaching compositions.
January 22, 2015. Carnival of the APPS! Teaching and Inspiring Creativity through Technology Sonya Schumann, DMA Candidate and President of MMTA’s Collegiate Chapter at UM
A presentation of Sonya and Elizabeth Schumann’s beautiful ipad app, “Piano Carnival”: its genesis, usefulness and success as a teaching tool. Ms. Schumann will discuss the process of the app’s creation, how it got started and how their ideas came to fruition. Other apps may also be considered to further inspire our students through the other six days between their lessons.
March 19, 2015. The Art of the Piano Duets: Strategies for Practice, Performance & More Christopher & Katherine Fisher, Ohio University
The experience of making music with other musicians can be one of life’s greatest joys! The art of collaborative music entails specialized skills that are valuable to all pianists. As such, we believe that collaborative music making should be an integral part of the young pianists’ early training. The presenters are acknowledged leaders in the teaching of chamber music and Mr. Fisher is the author of Teaching Piano in Groups, an incredible resource for teachers everywhere. Their workshop will present a discussion of the merits of collaborative training for young pianists, a brief history of the medium, an exploration of ideas for the implementation of such a program in the independent studio, practical teaching and rehearsal strategies for both teachers and students, as well as demonstration of important works from the early and intermediate piano duet repertoire. As an exciting bonus, the Duo will present a full recital on the night prior to this workshop, March 18, 2015, right here at the Kerrytown Concert House!
April 16, 2015. Teaching the uniquely challenged student Dr. Derek Polischuk, Assoc. Professor of Piano (MSU)
Many of us have experienced the challenges – often frustration – with the instruction of students with learning differences. But for those who have discovered a way into their mind and into their imagination, the rewards can be deep indeed. Dr. Polischuk will discuss the many issues faced by teachers when we engage with students possessing a range of learning challenges (from autism to ADHD). He will share his considerable experience, presenting some proven strategies and concepts for bringing music into their world.