Each year my studentsand I “adopt” a composeras our Composer of theYear. The definitionabove completely reflectsour feelings, and we’vefound it to be a two-waystreet. In addition tobeing musically inspiredbeyond measure, we areproud to be patrons ofthe arts in our own,small way.

Past composers (and pieces they have written formy students) have included: Timothy Brown(Toccatina), Glenda Austin (Sizzlin’ Salsa, eightintermediate-level solos), Kevin Olson (FourArkansas Travelers, a piano quartet), Martha Mier(Arkansas Suite, four intermediate-level solos), and,most recently, Phillip Keveren (Urban Heartbeat).The Composer of the Year program includes awide range of activities that we weave into thefabric of our existing music curriculum throughoutthe school year.

CHOOSING A COMPOSER

Before the teaching year begins, I look first for abody of published music by a living composerwhich is both pedagogically sound and that Ibelieve will touch the minds, hearts, and creativespirit of my students, who range from veryyoung beginners through moderately advancedlevels of study. Then, I write a letter to thatcomposer asking if he or she would be willing tobe “adopted” by us for the upcoming year. Whenour offer is accepted, I prepare a handout for mystudents with a publicity photo and biography ofour Composer of the Year, and kick-off theprogram in the first week of September.

THE COMPOSER’S MUSIC

All students study in depth and perform at leastone piece by our selected composer at NFMC Jr.Festival, MTNA state level competitions, NationalGuild auditions, local and studio recitals, groupperformance classes, and other venues. We hopeto benefit the composer by giving his/her musicas much exposure as possible in our localcommunity.

MONTHLY CORRESPONDENCE

The students learn about the composer’s life,his/her original compositions, and the compositionalprocess through regular correspondence with theselected composer. I e-mail the composer once amonth with about ten questions, and we eagerlyawait a response! This golden opportunity hasprovided us each year with a unique perspectiveand understanding of the composer behind themusic, and has sparked some exciting creativityin the interpretation of his/her music.

COMMISSIONED PIECE

We commission a piece that is premiered on ourMay recital, A Celebration of Creativity, withthe composer in attendance. If the piece, orcollection of pieces, has been completed earlyenough in the school year, a student will performthe work. If not, the composer can treat us tothat first hearing!

STUDENT COMPOSITION BOOK

Throughout the year, I encourage all students tocompose at least one piece, following the processcompletely from inspiration to final printout onthe computer using either Encore or Sibelius. Ibind these into a book at the end of the year, wededicate it to our composer, and send him/her anautographed copy!

A newsletter for the piano pedagogy community

Volume 7 • Issue 3

InsideThe Teacher’s Corner

Page 1 & 2

In Touch Special Offer Packet

Page 3

NFMC 2004-2006 listPage 4 & 5

Technology CornerPage 6

The Student’s CornerPage 7

Special Offer for Piano Teachers

Page 8

www.halleonard.comemail: piano@halleonard.com

A Model “Composer of the Year” ProgramBy Linda Dale Kennedy

continued on page 2

Linda Dale Kennedy

Adopt, v, <Latin adoptare, choose> To take as your own; to embrace; to form a relationship.

THE MAY RECITAL –A CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY

With May comes the exciting culmination of a year of buildingrelationships, exploring our “adopted” composer’s music, andjoyous music-making. Our May event begins with a student recital.Students may choose to perform a piece by our composer, or theirown, original composition. In order to make it to the recital, anoriginal student composition must be interesting throughout, haveformal cohesion, and be played convincingly by the student.

Our composer is then featured in a special session. For this event, Iask the composer to draw from a “comfort zone,” in which thatparticular composer feels he/she best expresses himself to anaudience of students and parents. We have never failed to beinspired by the composers’ sharing their thoughts on music, or bytheir performances for us!

Following the student recital andcomposer session, we all gather fora festive reception and autographparty, giving the students andparents the opportunity to talkdirectly with the composer and tocelebrate the good feelings of thisyear-long activity together.

PHILLIP KEVEREN

Our 2002 – 2003 Composer of theYear, Phillip Keveren, has left anindelible print on our musicianship and creativity. We are still“riding high” from his visit to Little Rock in May when weexperienced first-hand the genuine spirit and incredible level ofmusicianship that characterizes his work. Meeting him in personwas a great ending to a wonderful, enriching year.

We had already learned a good bit about Phillip through ourmonthly correspondence with him. For example, when thestudents asked, “Do you know what ‘drew’ you to the piano as a child,and made you want to learn to play?” he responded, “My first strongmemory is seeing The Sound of Music at the movies and wanting toplay that music. I began picking the melodies out at the piano, and thisled to my parents’ asking if I wanted lessons.” The students loved itwhen he confessed to having his lazy moments practicing as a child –something that has afflicted us all from time to time! Theydelighted in learning that his family has a cockatiel that sings a lotof different melodies, including Ode to Joy and Jingle Bells.

We listened to one of his “…most favorite pieces ever written…” theAdagio for Strings, by Samuel Barber, and learned that he loves to sitand play Debussy’s Preludes. His excellent performance at the Mayrecital of Urban Heartbeat, (written for the students), and DigitalDance, played on a Clavinova CVP 209 (loaned to us for the day byour local Yamaha dealer, Sigler Music), still echo in our minds weekslater. Particularly inspiring were his several original improvisations,including an amazing one built on the phone number of a student!

A LASTING IMPRESSION

While reflecting and writing about our program, I asked studentsand parents what “adopting” a composer has meant to them. Forthe students, it has been a huge honor to play for and meet ourcomposers personally. They agree they’ve been inspired in bothperformance and composition. From the parents came thiscomment: “We are grateful for the inspiration they have given ourchildren. They are such enormously gifted composers, and are alsogenuine people, with kids and pets of their own. The message comesthrough that our children, too, can someday be successful in whateverpath they choose.”

I asked Phillip recently if we have been able to benefit him in anyway through our partnership. Here is what he said: “I was extremelyimpressed with the level of the student compositions, and was certainlyinspired. It caused me to remember the early days of my piano study whenI began to realize I wanted to compose.”

YOU CAN DO IT, TOO!

My event has its roots in aComposer Festival that began about20 years ago when I was presidentof the Hattiesburg Piano TeachersLeague in Mississippi. When I toldthe manager of our local musicstore that I wanted our students tohave a chance to meet a composerbecause they thought allcomposers were “dead, white

males,” the store offered to fund the first event! With a sharpchairperson and highly creative committee, a wonderful festivalwas born, and continues to this day.

In closing, I would like to encourage you to reach out to a composeryou admire and respect, either through your studio or your MTAassociation. An event such as this, or perhaps a different model thataddresses the unique strengths of your own studio or MTAorganization, is possible. An activity or participation fee perstudent/family (or a grant from MTNA to your affiliate MTA) canhelp finance it.

“The World needs dreamers, and the World needs doers. But, above all,the World needs dreamers who do!”

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

2

Linda Dale Kennedy was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. She receiveda Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Theoryfrom Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She hasmaintained independent teaching studios in Baton Rouge, LA, Hattiesburg,MS, and, for the past 17 years, Maumelle, AR – a suburb of Little Rock.Throughout her career, Linda has been committed to the important role ofindependent piano studios and has been an active member of MTNA andNFMC affiliates. She holds permanent national and state professionalcertification through MTNA and ASMTA. She is also a member of and judgefor the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She enjoys presenting programs onvarious aspects of teaching, especially student composition. She waspresented the "ASMTA Independent Teacher of the Year – 2001" award by theArkansas State Music Teachers Association. Linda is also theorganist/accompanist at First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock.For more information on Linda and her studio, visitwww.KennedyPianoStudio.com.

The students of Linda Dale Kennedy with Phillip Keveren at their May 2003 Recital.

3

The IN TOUCH SPECIAL OFFER PACKET is only availablethrough music retailers. Please visit your local music store to

purchase this packet. To locate a music retailer near you,visit www.halleonard.com for a list of

IN TOUCH DEALER NETWORK members.

ELEMENTARY CHRISTMAS PACKET

$20.95 (a retail value of $35.00)

Item# HL00296443• Jingle Bells

Arranged by Carol Klose/Pre-staff

• Jolly Old Saint NicholasArranged by Carol Klose/Pre-staff

• Away In A MangerArranged by Fred Kern/Level 1

• C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-SArranged by Carol Klose/Level 1

• We Three Kings Of Orient AreArranged by Phillip Keveren/Level 1

• God Rest Ye, Merry GentlemenArranged by Mona Rejino/Level 2

• Here Comes Santa ClausArranged by Carol Klose/Level 2

• Frosty The SnowmanArranged by Fred Kern/Level 3

• The Chipmunk SongArranged by Mona Rejino/Level 3

• White ChristmasBerlin/Arranged by Mona Rejino/Level 3

• Winter WaltzBy Rosemary Barrett Byers/Level 3

INTERMEDIATE CHRISTMAS PACKET

$19.95 (a retail value of $31.00)

Item# HL00296444• Christmas Fantasia

Arranged by Jennifer Linn/Level 4

• Greensleeves FantasyArranged by Matthew Edwards/Level 4

• Silver BellsArranged by Mona Rejino/Level 4

• Christmas OvertureArranged by Phillip Keveren/Level 5

• Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!Arranged by Mona Rejino/Level 5

• Skater’s DreamBy Carol Klose/Level 5

• White ChristmasBerlin/Arranged by Phillip Keveren/Level 5

• We Three Kings Of Orient AreArranged by Mike Springer and Eric Boston/Level 5

Celebrate Christmaswith NEW

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IN TOUCH SPECIAL OFFER PACKETS shown here.These packets include favorite traditional and contemporaryChristmas songs arranged by favorite HLSPL composers.

IN TOUCHSPECIAL\ OFFER

PACKETS

Maestoso (q. = 60)

Copyright © 2003 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATIONInternational Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

Dedicated to the congregation of Menifee Valley Church of the NazareneA Christmas Overture

By Phillip Keveren

ff

12

4 1 3 4

Con pedale

12

12

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4

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12

35

With motion (h = 76)

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12 “Angels We Have Heard On High”

(R.H. over L.H.)

pp

2

EarlyIntermediate(Level 4)

Late Elementary(Level 3)

Accompaniment (Student plays one octave higher than written.)Slowly

With pedalCopyright © 1997 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATIONInternational Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

5

5

bed. The lit tle Lord Je

2

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1

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1

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A way in a man ger no

Text by John T. McFarland (v. 3)

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Anonymous Text (vv. 1, 2)

Music by James R. MurrayArranged by Fred Kern

for a

Away In A Manger2

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God Rest Ye, Merry, Gentlemen19th-Century English Carol

Arranged by Mona RejinoModerately fast

2

God rest ye mer ry, gen tle men; let

3 1

13

noth ing you dis may. Re mem ber, Christ our

Sav ior was born on Christ mas Day to

6

Accompaniment (Student plays one octave higher than written.)Moderately fast

3 6

Copyright © 1997 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATIONInternational Copyright Secured All Rights Reserved

Elementary(Level 2)

Intermediate(Level 5)

Early Elementary(Level 1)

4

National Federation of Music Clubs FestivalsBulletin 2004-2005-2006

Hal Leonard Piano PublicationsPIANO SECTION

Piano Solo EventPre-Primary Class Sledding Fun, Otwell 296154 $2.50 Primary Class I Joyful Bells, Linn 296151 $2.50 Primary Class IV Quick Spin in a Fast Car, Keveren 296171 $2.50 Elementary Class IV Castilian Dreamer, Klose 296139 $2.50 Moderately Difficult Class I Witch on the Wind, Byers 296149 $2.50 Difficult Class I Street Cries or Russian Dancer, Dello Joio - Lyric Pieces for the Young 9283 $3.95 Difficult Class II Dance Scherzo, Agay 50290820 $3.95

Caccia or Giga, Dello Joio - Diversions 9250 $4.95 Scotch Poem, MacDowell 50270010 $3.95 Bagatelles Op. 5, No. 2, 6 or 7, Tcherepnin 50328890 $7.95

Very Difficult Class II Simple Sketches for Piano No. 1, 2 or 3, Dello Joio 220031 $5.95 The Harmonica Player, Guion 50277900 $3.95 Six Preludes for Piano Op. 6, No. 1, 3 or 6, Muczynski 50330000 $6.95

Musically Advanced Class I Excursions Op. 20, No. 1 or No. 4, Barber 50328730 $8.95 Prelude: To a Young Musician, Dello Joio 50283660 $3.95 Movement 4, Dello Joio, Suite for Piano 50283620 $3.95 Night Winds, Griffes 50272890 $3.95 The Lake at Evening, Griffes 50272870 $3.95 Piano Preludes, No. 10, Valenti 50226810 $9.95

Musically Advanced Class II China Gates, Adams 50236190 $6.95 Nocturne for Piano, Op. 33, Barber 50288310 $3.95 The White Peacock, Griffes 50273760 $5.95 The Fountain of the Acqua Paola, Griffes - Roman Sketches for Piano Solo 50332070 $7.95 Sonata No. 4, Op. 59, Mvt. 1, MacDowell - Piano Sonatas: American Composers Series 50336690 $8.95 Witches’ Dance, Op. 17, No. 2, MacDowell - Composers Series 50269430 $3.95

The Lynn Freeman Olson Piano Solo EventPrimary Class I Rainy Day Mood or Sleepy Morning - Rowlf’s Very Own First Piano Book 240835 $6.95 Primary Class II Rowlf’s Rag or A Song to You - Rowlf’s Very Own First Piano Book 240835 $6.95 Primary Class III Evening Prayer or From The New World Symphony - Rowlf’s Very First Book of Classic Themes 292022 $6.95

Morning (Peer Gynt) or Polovetsian Dances - Rowlf’s Very First Book of Classic Themes 292022 $6.95

Piano Concerto EventJunior Class I-A Concertino No. 2, Asch 290473 $4.95 Junior Class I-B Piano Concerto, Op. 44, Berkovich 50008570 $8.95

Concerto for Young Pianists, Edwards 296356 $11.95 Mvt. 2, Adagio only, Kasschau - Country Concerto for Young Pianists 50291190 $8.95

Junior Class II Concertino, Asch 290455 $4.95 Jubilation, Asch 290472 $4.95 Mvt. 1 or Mvt. 3 only, Edwards - Concerto for Young Pianists 296356 $11.95 Concerto in B-flat Major, K. 238, Mozart 50262130 $7.95 Concerto in C Major, K. 246, Mozart 50261770 $7.95

Junior Class III Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19, Beethoven 50255780 $7.95 Concerto in D Major, Haydn 50261000 $8.95 Concerto in A Major, K. 414, Mozart 50261210 $11.95 Concerto in C Major, K. 415, Mozart 50261760 $9.95 Concerto in C Major, K. 467, Mozart 50255950 $9.95 Concerto in D Major, K. 175, Mozart 50262160 $13.95 Concerto in F Major, K. 413, Mozart 50261750 $10.95 Concerto in F Major, K. 459, Mozart 50261010 $9.95

Senior Class Warsaw Concerto, Addinsell 312794 $9.95 Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15, Beethoven 50255770 $8.95 Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, Beethoven 50255790 $9.95 Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58, Beethoven 50255800 $8.95 Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73, Beethoven 50255810 $9.95 Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11, Chopin 50258690 $12.95 Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21, Chopin 50258700 $11.95 Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16, Grieg 50258960 $9.95 Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Liszt 50257570 $8.95 Second Concerto in D Minor, Op. 23, MacDowell 50336900 $15.00 Concerto in G Minor, Op. 25, Mendelssohn 50252470 $8.95 Concerto in F, Menotti 50252400 $24.95 Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op 1, Rachmaninoff 50260770 $10.95 Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18, Rachmaninoff 50260230 $8.95 Concerto in G, Ravel 50561684 $32.95 Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22, Saint-Saens 50259010 $12.95 Concerto No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 44, Saint-Saens 50259580 $12.95

Event Class & Level Piece Title, Composer - (Source, if applicable) HL Item # Price

Please visit your favorite music dealer to purchase any of the NFMC selections from Hal Leonard.

5

One Hand Piano Music for SCJMPrimary Class II Japanese Garden, Linn 296127 $2.50 Difficult Class Solfeggietto, Bach/Parsons/Lewenthal - Piano Music for One Hand 50331590 $14.95

Three Folk Songs for Left Hand, Kohler/Lewenthal - Piano Music for One Hand 50331590 $14.95 Scherzo, Reger/Lewenthal - Piano Music for One Hand 50331590 $14.95

Very Difficult Class Four-Voiced Fugue, Kalkbrenner/Lewenthal - Piano Music for One Hand 50331590 $14.95 Hungary’s God, Liszt/Lewenthal - Piano Music for One Hand 50331590 $14.95 Romanze, Reger/Lewenthal - Piano Music for One Hand 50331590 $14.95

PIANO ENSEMBLE EVENTSPiano Duo Event (Two Pianos, Four Hands)

Primary Class I Party Cat, Keveren - Piano Ensembles, Level 1 296064 $5.95 Primary Class II Stompin’, Piano Ensembles, Level 2 296065 $5.95 Primary Class IV Overture, Brandse 50453260 $3.95

Carpet Ride or Calypso Cat, Keveren - Piano Ensembles, Level 4 296067 $5.95 Elementary Class II Presto Scherzo, Keveren - Presto Scherzo 290475 $10.95

Wade in the Water, Kern & Keveren - Piano Ensembles, Level 5 296090 $5.95 Elementary Class IV Blues Alla Marcia, Keveren - Presto Scherzo 290475 $10.95 Moderately Difficult Class I Ring Around the Rosy or Run, Run, Pinto - Scenas Infantis 50327550 $9.95 Moderately Difficult Class II Hobby Horse, Pinto - Scenas Infantis 50327550 $9.95 Very Difficult Class I Valse Venezolano, Bolcom - Recuerdos 8707 $15.00

Movement 2, Milhaud - Scaramouche 50402440 $30.00Very Difficult Class II Choro, Bolcom - Recuerdos 8707 $15.00

Movements 1 or 3, Milhaud - Scaramouche 50402440 $30.00Danse Macabre, Saint-Saens 50560606 $25.95

Piano Quartet Event (Two Pianos, Eight Hands)Primary Class II Scherzo, Diabelli/Keveren - Piano Ensembles, Level 3 296066 $5.95 Primary Class III Street Fair, Keveren - Piano Ensembles, Level 3 296066 $5.95 Moderately Difficult Class I Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Jessel/Glover 7403 $3.95

Western Jig, Pace 372312 $3.95 Very Difficult Class Danse Macabre, Saint-Saens 50560606 $25.95

Hymn Playing EventPre-Primary Class Dreidle, Chusid - Hebrew Melodies 330719 $7.95

Jesus Loves Me, Kern, Keveren, Rejino - Traditional Hymns, Level 1 296196 $5.95 Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, Klose - Hymns Made Easy 310619 $6.95

Primary Class A I Love to Tell the Story, Fischer - Favorite Hymns 310121 $5.95 All Glory Laud and Honor, Kern, Keveren, Rejino - Traditional Hymns, Level 2 296198 $5.95 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Keveren - Great Hymns for Small Hands 8739101 $5.95

Primary Class C Adir Hu, Berr - Festive Songs for the Jewish Holidays, Level 3 296195 $6.95 My Jesus I Love Thee, Pace - Hymns Made Easy to Play 372345 $4.95

Primary Class D Crown Him with Many Crowns, Elvey - Hymn Treasures 110013 $7.95 Hevenu Shalom Alaychem, Evans - A Treasury of Jewish Songs 290608 $7.95

Primary Class E Chanukah, Oy Chanukah, Evans - A Treasury of Jewish Songs 290608 $7.95

PIANO CHAMBER MUSIC SECTIONPiano Trio Event I (Piano-Violin-Cello)

Elementary Class I Vielle Chanson, Blanchet - Petites Pieces Tres Faciles 50562981 $14.95 Elementary Class II La Boite a Musique, Blanchet - Petites Pieces Tres Faciles 50562983 $14.95

Piano Trio Event II (Piano-Flute-Cello)

Medium Class Allegro, Platti - Sonata in D POPDifficult Class Andante, Martinu - Trio for Flute, Cello, Piano 50225240 $19.95 Advanced Class Poco Allegretto, Martinu - Trio for Flute, Cello, Piano 50225240 $19.95

ORGAN SECTIONPipe Organ Solo Event

Musically Advanced Class I ‘Hallelujah’ Has Been Restored, Locklair - Locklair: Rubrics 50481108 $12.00 Musically Advanced Class II ‘The people respond – Amen!’, Locklair - Locklair: Rubrics 50481108 $12.00

Home Organ Solo EventElementary Class II Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. traditional - Favorite Sacred Melodies for the Hammond Organ 50329110 $8.95 Medium Class Younger than Springtime, Rodgers/Hollingsworth - Rodgers & Hammerstein All-Organ Book 312899 $12.95 Moderately Difficult Class I The Palms, Faure, J - Favorite Sacred Melodies for the Hammond Organ 50329110 $8.95

Climb Every Mountain, Rodgers/Shelley - Rodgers & Hammerstein All-Organ Book 312899 $12.95 Moderately Difficult Class II One Sweetly Solemn Thought, Ambrose - Favorite Sacred Melodies for the Hammond Organ 50329110 $8.95

Bali Ha’I, Rodgers/Hollingsworth - Rodgers & Hammerstein All-Organ Book 312899 $12.95 Difficult Class I I Enjoy Being a Girl, Rodgers/Miller - Rodgers & Hammerstein All-Organ Book 312899 $12.95 Difficult Class II Happy Talk, Rodgers/Laub - Rodgers & Hammerstein All-Organ Book 312899 $12.95

AMERICAN PATRIOTIC AND FOLK SONG EVENTPre-Primary Class This Land Is Your Land, Kern, Keveren, Rejino - God Bless America, Level One 296249 $5.95 Primary Class II God Bless America; The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Kern, Keveren, Rejino - God Bless America, Level One 296249 $5.95 Primary Class III God Bless America; You're a Grand Old Flag; This Is My Country; America, the Beautiful,

Kern, Keveren, Rejino - God Bless America, Level Two 296250 $5.95 Elementary Class I My Country, 'tis of Thee; Over There; Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean;

Yankee Doodle Boy, misc. - Patriotic Gems 110012 $6.95 Elementary Class II American Patrol; Hail to the Chief; Washington Post, misc. - Patriotic Gems 110012 $6.95 Elementary Class III If I Had a Hammer; Stars and Stripes Forever; God Bless America, Kern, Keveren, Rejino

God Bless America, Level Three 296255 $5.95 Moderately Difficult Class I God Bless America; This is My Country; My Country 'tis of Thee, Kern, Keveren, Rejino

God Bless America, Level Four 296256 $5.95 Stars and Stripes Forever; America, the Beautiful, Kern, Keveren, Rejino - God Bless America, Level Five 296257 $6.95

Event Class & Level Piece Title, Composer - (Source, if applicable) HL Item # Price

All prices listed in US funds. Prices subject to change without notice.

6

We are living in a time of greatnational anxiety. Just watching andreading the daily news makes us wellaware of this. On a different level, wehave other concerns that may notimpact the nation as a whole, but doimpact a smaller segment of oursociety. One that’s particularlyaffecting places of worship today isthe disappearance of church organists.If you are on the committeeresponsible for church musicians,you know this all too well.

Piano teachers and their students can do something about thisdilemma. It involves a partnership between piano teachers andministers of music, and it begins with an attitude that churchmusicians are bred, not born. When students learn how toparticipate in the music of their place of worship, it’s a gift toeveryone involved. The traditional path to making music in theU.S. usually starts with piano lessons. But that won’t automaticallylead to learning how to play the organ unless someone encouragesthat outcome. Any teacher can use Hal Leonard’s Traditional Hymns(five levels that coordinate with the Hal Leonard Student PianoLibrary), to begin training the next generation of church musicians:

Select a hymn appropriate to the student’s ability level andplace of worship.

• If the student is playing a digital piano and has learned thepiano part, select one of the organ sounds and beginteaching the difference between piano and organ touch.

• Contact the person in charge of the music at each student’splace of worship and discuss the possibility of the studentparticipating in a service. The music director’s receptivenesswill influence the attitude of everyone involved.

• If the student is comfortable with MIDI disk accompaniments,offer to send an MT-300 or MT-90s Music Tutor with thestudent. Explain to the music minister that the Music Tutorcan be connected to the church’s sound system so that theaccompaniment can be heard by the entire congregation.Having an accompaniment is comforting to a student whomay be intimidated by playing before a larger group ofpeople. Also, the accompaniment can be adjusted to repeatautomatically, lengthening the hymn for the service. Thiscan be another teaching opportunity if the student is capableof varying the composition during each repetition.

There’s no high on earth that can parallel the feeling when studentsplay successfully in front of a group of people who admire andsupport their musical progress. This experience, if repeated andcontinuously nurtured, can lead to a lifetime career as a churchmusician. We can either bemoan what is disappearing, or take stepsand effect a real change. What are we waiting for?

Plant Seeds for a FutureChurch Organist

By Brenda Dillon

Brenda Dillon

Brenda Dillon serves as Project Director for the NationalPiano Foundation and education consultant for Roland U.S.She serves as editor of NPF’s “Piano Notes” newsletter andassociate editor of “Keyboard Companion” magazine andRoland’s “Keyboard Educator” newsletter. With experiencesin academia and the music industry, her formal educationincludes bachelor and master degrees, as well as doctoralwork in music from the University of North Texas.

Traditional Hymns Level 1Book only 00296196 $5.95CD only 00296278 10.95GM Disk only 00296283 12.95

Traditional Hymns Level 2Book only 00296198 $5.95CD only 00296279 10.95GM Disk only 00296284 12.95

Traditional Hymns Level 3Book only 00296197 $6.95CD only 00296280 10.95GM Disk only 00296285 12.95

Traditional Hymns Level 4Book only 00296199 $6.95CD only 00296281 10.95GM Disk 00296286 12.95

Traditional Hymns Level 5Book only 00296200 $6.95CD only 00296282 10.95GM Disk 00296287 12.95

Traditional HymnsFavorite traditional hymns, carefully graded and arranged

for piano with great teacher accompaniments! Instrumentalaccompaniments are also available on CD and GM disk.

Arranged by Fred Kern, Phillip Keveren, and Mona Rejino.

Visit your favorite local music dealer to purchase anyof the Traditional Hymns books or disks.

Technique ClassicsEdited by Margaret Otwell, Carol Klose, and Jennifer Linn

This new edition of Czerny’s classic etudes includes:29 etudes in original form for the early-intermediate student

• Innovative student worksheets

• Orchestrated CD and GM disk accompanimentsby Phillip Keveren

• Informative biographical and historical facts

Etude 15, page 25Czerny Selections from The Little Pianist, Opus 823

(e = 108/q . = 60)

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Etude 15Practice Tips

• This is the first etude in 6/8 meter in this book. Pieces in 6/8 meter are usually felt in two pulses per measure.

• To feel the natural pulse, conduct the beats in ‘two’ with full-arm motions, as you count all six beats aloud.

• In the L.H. part, play each group of three notes with a ‘down-up’ motion of the wrist. Play with a natural pulse on beats 1 and 4 for a musical,dance-like accompaniment.

• Remember to play the two-note slurs in the R.H. part, measures 4 and 8 with a gentle drop/lift motion and a slight diminuendo.

• The R.H. and L.H. do not always play legato at the same time. Make sure that the R.H. plays legatothrough the end of each slur, while the L.H. maintains the ‘down-up’ motion. Focus on this skill byactually playing the R.H. part on the keyboard while silently fingering the L.H. part on your knee. Listen carefully for a smooth legato sound throughout each slur.

Quick Quiz1. Question phrases often end on the dominant (fifth scale degree) of the melody, and answer phrases

usually end on the tonic (first scale degree). In Etude 15, these question and answer phrases are all four measures long.How many question phrases are there in this etude? _______ measure(s)__________________How many answer phrases? _______ measure(s)__________________

2. Name the R.H. chord outlined in the last three beats in measure 1. _______________ Is this chord in root position, first inversion, or second inversion? _____________________________

3. Name the R.H. chord outlined in the last three beats in measure 13. ______________ Is this chord in root position, first inversion, or second inversion? _____________________________

Creative Corner• Make up a new version of this etude by changing

the L.H. accompaniment to a broken-chord pattern,as shown to the right.

• Give your new piece a title.

24

11

Conduct, orfeel pulse as:

Count:

2- 3-

24

5- 6-11

2- 3-24

5- 6-

(Etude 15)

L.H. 5

(Etude 15)

L.H.5

etc.

Worksheet for Etude 15, page 24Czerny Selections from The Little Pianist, Opus 823

Hal Leonard grants permission to photocopy and enlarge this activity for your students.

Czerny Selections fromThe Little Pianist, Opus 823

See page 8 for

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