February Minutes of Meeting

The general monthly meeting of Bluebonnet MTA was held at Austin School of
Music North on February 21, 2012.

PRESENTATION
The speaker was Lynn Liles from Liberty Tax Service.
The following items were discussed.
Concerts are deductible under professional development.
Traveling expenses may be deducted as per diem and do not require receipts.
Look up per diem standard amounts at irs.gov
IRS is picky about mileage log.
Meeting attendance is deductible as business mileage.
Drop box computer program saves receipts.
College education is deductible at 100 %.
Liffetime learning is deductible at 50%.
Quick Books is a good program, and is not difficult to use.
Income amounts lower than $600 should be reported even if you don't get a 1099
form.
Auditors look at income deposits in your bank account.

BUSINESS MEETING
There were reports about theory test. The test proceeded smoothly.
The tentative judges for the Dance Music Festival are Scott Donald, Courtney
Crappel and Sky.
The program for March will be a presentation about Yamaha by a Yamaha
representative.
The program for April will be about composition.
If a studio student registration form asks about illnesses, the studio becomes
liable if there is a student health incident in the studio.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.


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

February Meeting

Dear Members,

To accommodate our guest presenter for the February program, we will be moving our February meeting to Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30AM , Austin School of Music North location.  We are thrilled that Lynn Liles from Liberty Tax Service will be joining us to discuss tax preparation for small business owners.  Bring your tax questions and a good appetite--we'll have coffee and snacks!

See you Tuesday, February 21,

Lauren

 

February meeting

From: Lauren Thompson

Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 5:11 PM

Subject: Possible meeting change for February?

 

Hi Ladies,

 

First, I hope the theory test went well Saturday morning.  I was sending my warmest wishes, and I know with you all in charge, it went very smoothly!

 

Secondly, I have found a CPA from Liberty Tax Services who would be happy to come meet with our group to share information about tax preparation for small business owners.   Pat  especially asked about this, and I think it would be very helpful for all of us.  The only problem is that she is already booked for Tuesday February 14.  Do you think it would be possible to change our meeting to February 21 at 9:30 instead? 

 

For March, the Yamaha rep is coming to visit, and for April, a colleague from Arizona is going to present through Skype.  I know we previously had a business meeting scheduled for April, but we could easily do that at the May luncheon.

 

Let me know your thoughts!

 

Lauren

 

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!