Minutes of January meeting

MINUTES OF MEETING

The monthly membership meeting was held at Austin School of Music North in
Cedar Park on January 10.
The meeting was called to order at 9:45 am.


PRESENTATION

Guest speaker Craig Headley, Employment Specialist and Trainer at the Texas
Workforce Commission, spoke about interviewing skills. He went over
important
things to say at an interview. Achievements should be pointed out. He said
a
prepared elevator speech was important. He is available to answer questions
at 223-5493.


BMTA EVENTS

Student Affiliate
The procedure for SA registration with TMTA was clarified. The SA chairman
should send the list of registrations and the treasurer should send the fees.


Photographs
There should be a photograph release for parents to sign at each event, so
that we may publish pictures in the internet.

Sheet Music
We discussed the need for a release for sheet music printouts to be used at
festivals.
Lillian said she will use the release from the Piano Guild as a pattern.

Theory
Teachers should remember to give the theory test information sheet to parents
before the test.

Spring Festival
Martha will try to set up the Spring festival for a Saturday in April,
preferably the 21st. Lauren said she will prepare the certificates. Martha
will be the co-chair.

Ensemble
Our deadline for ensemble registration is January 13. The TMTA deadline is
March 1. Ensemble sheets are in the yearbook. Lillian said she has four
acoustic pianos, and she offered her studio for rehearsals. An ensemble flyer
was passed out.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Martha M announced that there will be an improvisation workshop next weekend at
Bachus Conservatory. Saturday April 14 at 10:00 am-1:30 pm

President Martha M introduced new member Martha V.   Martha graciously
offered her help and assistance for projects.

Martha M reported that she has had a lot of friendly contact with ADMTA.
They
have discussed guidelines that they use.

Lauren said she needs five subscriptions to get a group rate for Clavier
magazine.

Reavis announced that Strait Music has a 20 percent off offer in sheet music
for teachers in January and September. Christmas music is now 25 percent off.

An updated new members list was passed out.


The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.


Lillian Simmons
Secretary
Bluebonnet MTA
http://bluebonnetmta.org/

The monthly meeting of the Bluebonnet MTA was held at Austin School of Music
North on December 13, 2011.

Present were:
Mary A, Mary L, Sarah, Martha, Lillian, Reavis, Lauren and Kristi, guest.

There was discussion about electronic keyboards versus acoustic pianos.
Lillian mentioned that electronic keyboards do not have surface resistance,
which allows the non-playing fingers to rest lightly on top of the keys, thus
allowing the hand to relax.

Lillian said she will send out motivational ensemble info.

The spring theory test and the dance festival were announced by their
respective chairs.

Graded fall theory tests were passed out.

Sarah said she will send out Christmas cards to local music companies.

Lillian said she would send out blank SA registration form.

Ensembles were explained and discussed, and proposed duets were played by
Martha and Sarah.
Proposed duets are Sailor Son from Duet Favorites level 1 by Bastien
and Ancient Lantern from Treasures for Two (level 2) by Martha Mier.

Attendees enjoyed a nice potluck breakfast.

November minutes

> Subject: minutes
>
> For general membership
>
>
> The monthly meeting of Bluebonnet MTA was held at Strait Music North on
> November 8, 2011.
>
>
> PRESENTATION
>
> "New Music for the Piano Studio: 20th Century Avant-Garde Piano Literature
> for
> the Intermediate Level Student," was presented by Dr. Sallye Jeffcoat York by
> internet video.
>
> She said that avant garde music is motivational for students.
>
> She went over some suggested music. One of them was
> "Lyado is seriously ill" from The Adventures of Ivan by Khachaturian, also in
> Pictures of Childhood.
> Lauren said she will email the powerpoint presentation.
>
>
> FALL EVENTS
>
> We will be using the study lounge for office, close to the bookstore.
> Concordia does not want signs taped to walls. Signs may be placed on music
> stands only.
> Mary Adams suggested that teachers bring their own lunch, the idea was
> approved.
>
> Mary A requested a teacher to bring an extra CD player.
> We will put certificate packets in manila file folders.
> Lillian will bring photocopies of critique sheets to use as program
> worksheet.
> Lillian will draw up a schedule for monitors.
>
>
> MEETINGS
>
> We will have a potluck breakfast at the December meeting. Teachers are asked
> to bring a friend.
> We will play Christmas music.
> Lauren announced that at the meeting next month she will be offering Clavier
> group subscriptions.
> Lauren announced that she is planning to get a speaker about small business
> at
> the January meeting.
> Sarah offered her whiteboard for powerpoint projection.
>
>
> SPRING EVENTS
>
> Theory
> January 5 will be the deadline for spring theory registration.
> Mary Lee accepted the job of Spring theory chairman.
> Two weeks are necessary to get theory tests.
> The theory committee will be Mary Lee, Mary Adams and Pat Dolan.
>
> Ensembles
> The ensemble deadline will be the day of the January meeting.
> Mary A announced that ensembles require a minimum of two teachers
> participating.
>
>
> OTHER EVENTS
>
> The national convention of MTNA will be in new York and early registration is
> $275.
> Martha announced that James Dick will perform in Georgetown.
> See poster at: http://www.gsstx.org/James%20Dick%20poster.pdf
>
> Sarah announced Revel free concerts in Austin. See:
> http://www.facebook.com/revelmusic
> Sarah announced that there will be a sing along of Messiah on December 4 at
> St. Matthew Episcopal Church by Chorus Austin. See:
> http://chorusaustin.org/?page_id=35
>

>
> Lillian Simmons

December Meeting: 1st Annual BluebonnetMTA Holiday Breakfast Potluck

Join us at Austin School of Music North on Tuesday, December 13 at 9:30AM for the 1st Annual BluebonnetMTA Holiday Breakfast Potluck!  Bring a breakfast dish to share and prepare to reflect on our Fall activities, brainstorm for the future, sing your favorite holiday tunes, and more.  If you have a fellow music teacher that may be interested in joining our group, this would be a wonderful chance for them to meet our members.  


Let us know what food or drink items you'll be bringing by using the "Comment" feature below.  Coffee will be provided, as always.  


Happy Holidays from Bluebonnet Music Teachers Association!

November Meeting: New Music for the Piano Studio

Join us at Austin School of Music North on November 8 at 9:30AM for the program "New Music for the Piano Studio: 20th Century Avant-Garde Piano Literature for the Intermediate Level Student," presented by Dr. Sallye Jeffcoat York. Via Skype technology, Sallye will
introduce contemporary literature that uses avant-garde techniques appropriate for intermediate level piano students, such as clusters, aleatory, and extrapianistic activities. Specific pieces and collections will be discussed as well as creative ideas on how to easily incorporate this music into your piano studio.




Sallye Jeffcoat York recently earned her DMA from the University of
Alabama, where she studied with the former MTNA Teacher of
the Year, Amanda Penick.  Dr. York holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance with an Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma as well as a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Louisiana State University. She has studied under the instruction of Mrs. Constance Knox Carroll, 
Dr. Ed Gates, Dr. Jane Magrath, Dr. Ronald Shinn, and Dr. Lynn Faulkner.  Sallye has taught applied piano, class piano, and aural skills for the past six years at the collegiate level and has also served as an accompanist in multiple states and institutions. Dr. York has served on the faculty at the Tennessee Valley Music Festival and the Huntingdon College Junior Piano Camp.  She has participated in summer programs such as Brevard Music Center and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Muskegon, Michigan. Dr. York currently is the accompanist for The Montgomery Academy and runs a private piano studio in Montgomery, AL.






Coffee and light refreshments will be provided, and the program will be followed by a short business meeting. Interested in a one-year subscription to Clavier Companion magazine? If at least 5 of us subscribe, we can get a group membership for just $20 a person! Read more about Clavier Companion and view the latest digital issue at www.claviercompanion.com. 

Minutes of October meeting

Minutes of Meeting.

The monthly meeting of Bluebonnet MTA was held on October 11, 2011 at Austin
School of Music in Cedar Park.


EVENTS

Theory Test
Fall Theory tests will be held 8:30-10:30 am and will be repeated again at
4:00-6:00. Students can choose the most convenient time for them.
The Fall Theory chairman announced that she has received registrations from
two teachers, Lillian and Karen.
There will be no Fall theory makeup test.

Festivals
Lauren will schedule the judges.
Lauren will schedule two judges in each room for the Fall festival.
Tentatively, the Masters Composers festival will be held from 1:00 am to
4:00
pm.
There will be no Fall Festival make-up auditions.
Tentatively, the Spring Festival will be held at Steinway Piano Gallery.


ASSOCIATION MATTERS

Fall events
The Fall reservation at Concordia is from 8:00 to 8:00. Four rooms have been
reserved.

Membership
All members should personally ask other teachers to join Bluebonnet MTA. And
they may follow up by asking Lauren to send them an email invitation.
Two members have dropped out, Lisa Maher and Patti Irwin. Please cross them
out from your yearbook.
It was decided that musicianship requirements be added to the yearbook. We
will use the guidelines set up by ADMTA.
Price of yearbook was set at $10 for nonmembers. The yearbook may also be
downloaded for $10.

Refreshments
Strait Music will donate refreshments next meeting. Martha will bring juice.
Refreshments are considered a donation expense, and can be deducted in tax
returns.

Announcements
Lauren will announce Clavier magazine group membership next month.
The speaker Courtney Crappell announced that there is a collegiate chapter
of
NCKP at UT SA.


Lillian Simmons
Secretary
Bluebonnet MTA
http://bluebonnetmta.org/

Hiring Educational Sales Representative

From: Strait Music <clint@straitmusic.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2011 2:26 PM
Subject: Hiring: Educational Sales Representative

 

Strait Music is looking to hire an Educational Sales Representative for band and orchestral outside sales.  Applicants should be educated at the college level in band or orchestra, sales and/or retail experience preferred, must have a clean driving record, and must be able to easily lift/handle 40-50 lbs.  Please send cover letter and resume if you're interested to
Strait Music <clint@straitmusic.com>  Thanks!