TMTA April 15 Newsletter

President's Message

Here are some highlights from the MTNA Conference in Spokane, Washington.

Susan Paradis and Carolyn True, NCTM Texas MTNA Fellows honored at the MTNA Gala	Ann Witherspoon Receiving the MTNA Distinguished Service Award at the MTNA Awards Brunch

Texas Teachers enjoying dinner at Wiley's Downtown Bistro
on Sunday evening of the MTNA Conference.

Convention Canapes Roy Wylie, NCTM, TMTA President-Elect

I hope you have been making your plans to attend the 2019 TMTA Convention this June. And you know ALL about Guest Artists Anderson & Roe Duo Pianists, Guest Clinicians Catherine Rollin and Kevin Olson, and the myriad sessions, competitions, and concerts that are now on your “must hear” list. BUT DID YOU KNOW, that we have two new vendors helping us out this year? Ensemble Photographs will be taken by Cyndi Bender Photography. She comes to us with an extensive background in taking group photographs and provides an expanded stock of items to purchase to enhance the memories of this convention. General photographs of the convention will be taken by Blair Haynie Photography. Not only does Blair have great credentials as a photographer, he is also the grandfather of a piano student. Returning this year will be Crossroads Ink (T-shirts) and Rankin Imagery Production(Ensemble Video Recording). Your support of these new and returning vendors allows them to have a profitable time with us and makes it possible for TMTA to provide these services to you at little or no cost to the organization.

Register now and book your hotel room for the amazing 2019 TMTA Convention.

Deadlines

• May 7: Deadline to get Early Bird Convention Pricing
• May 28: Cut-off for hotel block (unless it sells out early!)

• April 15: Convention Activities Entries - All-Star Festival, Chamber Music Clinic, Convention Projects, Digital Keyboard Orchestra, and June Leondar Contest
• May 1: Ensemble Awards and Senior Awards
• May 10: Student Pages

• May 1: Deadline for declining Ensemble Rehearsals, withdrawing from Ensemble Program, Ensemble Theory Verification Volunteer Form, and adding or deleting student participants.

• May 15: Deadline for withdrawing from the contest

Association Highlight: Kingwood-Humble MTA

The Kingwood-Humble Music Teachers Association was formed in 1979 to serve teachers in the communities of Northeast Houston. They meet on the second Wednesday of each month, either at Lone Star College-Kingwood or in members' homes. They currently have 15 members. Their members vary from those who just graduated from college to those who are close to retirement. Some of their members are active performers and recording artists. Each November they hold a Fall Musicale, a series of three recitals on a Saturday. Their most popular event, for students and judges, is the Spring Tournament. Students are given a list of pieces and choose a piece according to their age. They must perform at the minimum age listed but can play up in age if desired. Students are given medals according to their scores. It's always interesting to hear the different interpretations. If the piece is popular with students, it's not uncommon to hear over 10 renditions!

MTNA FOUNDATION SILENT AUCTION Mary Loy, MTNA Foundation Chair Local Associations and individuals have the opportunity to participate in the MTNA Foundation Silent Auction at the 2019 TMTA Convention in Houston AND be recognized in the Convention Book. Each association in the state of Texas is asked to provide an item(s) that is unique to their association/region.  Teachers within your association may also donate via their individual studios.  You may contact local businesses to contribute. IF you fill out this brief form BY April 15, 2019 you will be listed in the Convention Book along with your donation item(s). Contact Mary Loy for more information.

IMTF Quick Tips for Your Studio: Triads, Part Two Janet Soller, IMTF Chair When you introduce a new piece to your student, try adding the discovery of triads as one of the first steps. Look at a chord. Teach blocking the chord if necessary. Ask the student if the chord is in root position. If “no”, ask which inversion it is in. If in an inversion, ask the student to play the chord in root position. Have the student write the letter name and quality of chord in their music.

Newly Certified Teacher Spotlight: Joanna Reeder, NCTM