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MTAC San Mateo County Branch
Newsletter
September, 2011
In this issue:
- President’s Pen
- Recital Hall Information History and Today
- Teaching Techniques Discussion – Friday, September 30, MTAC Meeting
- MTAC Student Recital Sunday, Nov. 6
- CM Program Student Registration Dates
- CM Teachers’ Training Session – October 9
President’s Pen
I recently saw a video on the web – you may have seen it too – it was the Copenhagen Philharmonic playing Ravel’s Bolero in Copenhagen Train Station. It was inspiring. I thought how great it was to bring such Soul into an everyday venue. Then I thought – that’s what members of MTAC do every day. We bring the soul of art to students through music every day! It’s easy to lose sight of what we are presenting because we get so tightly wrapped up in the process of teaching. I am going to remember the gift I am able to help bring, and bring “out” of my students.
To inspire teachers, our Branch is giving you some opportunities to learn and share about teaching and making music. Keep reading this newsletter to find out what is happening in our Branch this fall!
Pat McNutt
Our Recital Hall History and Today
Many years ago, our Branch members made an amazing project happen. They purchased a concert grand piano, and signed a contract with the city of Foster City to use a city venue for student music recitals. The project did not just involved MTAC members, but community groups, retailers and individuals who contributed for the purchase of the piano. There was a grand celebration concert at the opening of the hall and the first use of this fine piano.
Some years later, our Branch purchased a second piano with proceeds from the recital hall rental. Our relationship with Foster City has been long and profitable on many fronts. The accomplishment of owning two pianos, and providing recital hall space for our members and their students is remarkable.
As you know, the city has increased rental fees because of their financial strains. We are currently losing money on our recital hall. We charge each member $3 over and above our rental. This does not cover our expenses, which include maintenance, repair and tuning of pianos, insurance, and a stipend to our recital hall director.
A Branch Recital Hall Committee met for several months last year to consider options. We sent you a survey which you completed to help in the search. The committee concluded that we should continue to use our hall and pianos. No better options were found to house our pianos, and many members enjoy the use of the Wind Room and pianos.
Your board members know that you need to conserve expenses. Some of you are using other venues as a result of our increased rental cost. However, many of you still use the Wind Room for recitals, and we truly appreciate that!
We have worked out better hours with Foster City, as well as providing smaller rental increments at certain times. We hope this will help you consider using our hall and pianos. We are also opening up the rental to MTAC members in other bay area branches.
We hope you will continue, or start, to use the Wind Room and our pianos when it fits into your studio plans.
All Members – Join Us For A Discussion On Teaching Techniques
MTAC Meeting, Friday, September 30!
The past two years we have had a Q&A discussion about teaching challenges. We are going to start the year with this program. This meeting will be your opportunity to discuss the sticky, tricky, timeless issues that concern you about your music teaching.
Date: Friday, September 30
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Location: Oak Room, San Mateo Main Library, 55 W. 3rd Avenue, San Mateo
(Please enter at side of library after you exit the elevator)
Come with questions (already written, or we will give you a chance to write them down), or just to listen and get some new ideas. We will have time for mingling and food as well!
Contact Vija Norkvesta if you have questions about this meeting. See you September 30!
MTAC Student Recital – Sunday, November 6
First student recital of the year is Sunday, November 6, 2:00 p.m. (time may be adjusted slightly). Our recitals last year were full of pianos, voices, strings – how about winds?
Please go to our website, mtacsanmateo.org, click on Branch Recitals, read the information, and complete an application. For questions, contact Sumi Nagasawa.
Date: Sunday, November 6
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Wind Room, Foster City Community Center
Note: October 20 – deadline for sending applications
Certificate of Merit Program Student Registration
Registration of students for the Certificate of Merit Program opened September 15th.
Please start registering your students. The registration will close November 15th.
Mandatory Certificate of Merit Teachers’ Training Session:
Date: Sunday, October 9
Time: 2:00 – 4:00
Location: Allegro Music School
Please remember to bring with you at the meeting the completed CM Teacher's QUIZ!
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Do you have a change of address, phone or email? Please edit the changes in your teacher information at MTAC.org, and send them also to Vera Shamis, Branch Membership Secretary:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, 650 578-9040.
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