Spring/Summer 2009 - Montana State Music Teachers Association

Montana
Music News
A Publication of the
MONTANA STATE MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Affiliated with Music Teachers National Association
MSMTA Officers . .....................................
Advertisers Index ....................................
President’s Message.................................
Scholarship Winner . ................................
MSMTA 2009 State Conference . .............
Certification ............................................
MTNA Membership Update . ...................
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Published Since 1968
Issue No. 3
Spring/Summer 2009
Dear Irma ................................................ 9
Fall Festival Competition . ........................ 9
Conference Session Summaries ............. 10
Local Associations . ......................... 14–15
Emails .................................................... 16
In Memoriam: Evelyn Folland . ............... 17
In Memoriam: Richard Podry ................. 19
Page 2
Montana Music News
MSMTA OFFICERS
2008-2009
PRESIDENT
Christopher Hahn
4663 Calistoga Lane
Missoula, MT 59808
Home: (406) 541-2211
[email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Molly Morrison
106 Westview Drive
Missoula, MT 59803
Home: (406) 549-0108
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Dorothy Beck-Peterson
409 Stephens
Missoula, MT 59801
Home: (406) 549-3915
TREASURER
Carla Bell
2700 1st Ave. North
Great Falls, MT 59401
Home: (406) 761-8746
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Karen Woodgerd
104 Southridge Drive
Missoula, MT 59803
Home (406) 251-2767
[email protected]
NW CERTIFICATION/COMMISSIONER
Linda Burger
1629 East Glass Avenue
Spokane, WA 99207
CHAIRS, DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES AND
LOCAL ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENTS
CHAIR PEOPLE: (Standing Committees)
Advertising................................................ Frank Baril
Fall Competitions.........................Elinore Quander
MTNA Foundation..........Charlene Waddingham
IMTF........................................................Eva Maxwell
Legislative..................................... Palma Wolverton
Scholarship........................................ Linda Holden
Spring Festivals......................................Judy O’Dell
Historian................................................ Ruth Rotundi
Certification Chair........................Elinore Quander
College Faculty...........................Christopher Hahn
Composition Competition.........Leann Vralsted
Local Associations.......................Leann Vralsted
Technology/Web Page..........Carol Thompkins
Mentoring..........................................Betty Hanzel
Finance........................................Judy Riesenberg
Library/Workshops.....................Jean Alexander
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
North Central....................................Marilyn Vinje
Northeast..........................................Linda Devries
Southeast...........................................Laura Morris
LOCAL ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENTS
Butte-Anaconda -- Ruth Rotondi
3069 Atherton Ln
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 494-4340
[email protected]
Billings -- Leann Vralsted
4412 Poly Drive
Billings, MT 59206
(406) 252-1151
[email protected]
Missoula -- Margery Whatley
1905 Dixon Ave.
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 542-0341
[email protected]
Kalispell Area -- Kris Eveland
P.O. Box 984
Whitefish, MT 59937
(406) 862-8074
[email protected]
Great Falls -- Catherine Bourne
616 36th Ave.NE
Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 727-0627
[email protected]
Southwest Montana -- Joni Benson
200 Gertrude Ave.
Belgrade, MT 59714
(406) 388-5104
[email protected]
DATES FOR THE 2009
CONFERENCE & COMPETITION
November 5th, 6th & 7th
To be held in Bozeman
MSMTA Website
www.msmta.com
MTNA NATIONAL
HEADQUARTERS
The Carew Tower
441 Vine St., Ste. 3100
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202-3004
(513) 421-1420
mtna.org
MONTANA MUSIC NEWS
is published 3 times annually by
the Montana State Music Teachers
Association , affiliated with the
Music Teachers National Association.
Publisher/Editor: The UPS Store
Richard & Jeanne Podry
300 Smelter Avenue NE
Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 455-6000-Phone
(406) 454-1277-Fax
[email protected] E-mail
Deadlines are:
Aug. 1, Dec. 1, and Apr. 1
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Popplers Music, Inc...............3
Hansen Music................................4
Montana Piano..............................7
University of Montana..................8
Morgenroth Music..................... 13
Eckroth Music............................ 20
page 3
Montana Music News
In the spirit of carrying on the important work that each
of us has been called to do, I was honored to represent
each of you as MSMTA State President at the 2009 MTNA
National Conference in Atlanta. The conference is always
a wonderful opportunity to visit with old friends, meet new
friends, find inspiration, get educated, and have some fun!
The conference also stands as a reminder of the larger
mission of MTNA. The association serves to unite over
24, 000 members across the nation who understand the
importance of being part of a “professional teachers”
organization, as do each of you who belong to the
Montana State Music Teachers Association.
MSMTA Spring/Summer Newsletter
President’s Message
Making the “Music” For Everyone
Happy Spring/Summer to all! The season of rejuvenation
and rebirth is upon us, allowing thoughts of the grueling fall
and winter seasons to become faint memories. But, as new
life emerges from spring into the summer months, we have
also been reminded of quickly the seasons of life turn over.
Within our collective organization, we said goodbye to two
very involved members of our association: Evelyn Fallon,
an esteemed teacher and longtime member of MTNA; and
Richard Podry, a wonderful person and the publisher for all
of our MSMTA publications. I offer prayers of strength and
healing to the families and friends of these individuals, and
to all who have lost loved ones this year.
It is encouraging knowing that the reason for all of these
nationally associated teachers is but for one purpose, one
joy, and one love: music. We do seem to suffer a bit of an
identity crisis, however. The organization is widely regarded
as the PIANO Teachers National Association, not only from
outside the group but also within the group as well. And
while this may be an accurate description on many levels, I
believe the association is going to need to reconsider such
a narrow focus of the beam in the coming years. While the
piano may be the messenger for many of us in MSMTA, it is
music that is the medium of the message.
We should strive to put the “music” back into the
Music Teachers National Association. This can impact your
local associations in a big way, especially in a state like
Montana that is geographically large but with distant
centers of population. By inviting a wide array of musicians
from your music teaching community to your local association,
your monthly meetings and programs from all
areas of music instruction, you can share in
the cross-pollination of ideas and solutions
in the teaching process. The continuation of
learning is a main goal of MTNA, and learning
from our colleagues is perhaps one of the
greatest advantages the MTNA membership
offers. Why not look to your voice colleagues
to help you teach a singing tone? And the
string instructors in your community will have
some insight into phrasing with the bow.
Music is universal and without boundaries,
and our national professional organization
ought to reflect this.
Your MTNA membership is coming up for
renewal in July, and the organization is
counting on your participation now more than
ever. Now is the time we must band together—
it’s up to each of us to keep the music playing.
Yours,
Dr. Christopher Hahn
President,
Montana State Music Teachers Association
page 4
Montana Music News
The Cinda Tompkins Piano Pedagogy Scholarship
Sponsored by the Montana State Music Teachers Association
I’m honored and grateful to be the recipient of the Cinda Tompkins Pedagogy
Scholarship this year. I have enjoyed participating in MSMTA Conferences and
getting to know Montana music teachers the past two years. This scholarship
is helping me pay for my senior year of my degree in Piano Performance and
Pedagogy.
This year is an exciting year for me. I’m learning how to balance the joys of
new motherhood and family with my goals as a professional music teacher
and student. It is comforting to know that wherever I move there will be music
teachers from this organization who gather to encourage each other and learn
from each other. I love this organization and I look forward to being a part of it
for many years to come.
I’m also excited to take over as president of our new MTNA Collegiate
Chapter. The UM Keyboard Society applied to become an official chapter
Elaine Bennion
and that application is well underway. My goals with the chapter are to
plan more social events for our pianists and organists to strengthen the
camaraderie that already exists in the chapter. Another goal is to get more pianists at UM involved in State and
National Conferences. This year the National Conference is closer and more affordable for college students. I think if
we get them there and show them everything the conference has to offer they will be more likely to stay involved as
they move on into the professional world.
page 5
Montana Music News
2009 State Conference and Fall Festival, Bozeman
November 5–7, 2009
Save the Date!!!
It’s never too soon to start thinking about our annual MSMTA State
Conference and Fall Festival to be held at the Emerson Center for the
Arts & Culture in beautiful Bozeman, Montana on November 5-7, 2009.
Your conference planning committee are full-steam ahead on the plans,
and this year proves to be one of our best yet, packed full of inspiration
and education.
Our guest artist and clinician will be world-renowned pianist and teacher, Nelita
True. Returning to her home town of Bozeman and to her childhood school
(now converted into the Emerson Center), Dr. True is absolutely thrilled to be
our guest artist for this year. In addition, we will feature clinicians Steven Hesla
from the University of Montana and Amy Grinsteiner, a Montanan and former
student of Dr. True. We will have intermediate and advanced piano master
classes, and a voice master class.
The Emerson Center for the Arts & Cultural is a fabulous space for our
conference. This institution is a major resource for the arts, arts education and
cultural activities in southwest Montana, and the facilities are first-rate. They
can accommodate our Festival, artist recital, workshops, and meals. Come and
check it out!
Spokane Steinway Gallery has generously agreed to provide pianos
again at no cost to us. So we get the best instruments, the best guest
artist and the best location for the best state association!
Plan to attend NOW so you don’t have any excuses LATER!!
Spread the word, bring a friend, and treat yourself to a few days of
camaraderie and collegiality.
page 6
Montana Music News
Newsletter Delivery
Do you like to have your MSMTA Newsletter mailed to your home?
Due to rising costs for paper and postage combined with the convenience of email, we will be continuing to distribute
your newsletter electronically. Also remember that your newsletter is always available on our website at www.msmta.org.
However, if you would like to receive a printed copy, we will be charging an annual $15 subscription fee to help pay for
the cost of the publication.
Please fill out the form below and send it in with your payment and start your subscription today!
Name
____________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Mail your completed form to:
Judy O’Dell
1108 24th Ave. S.W.
Great Falls, MT 59404
June, 2009
June,
2009
Teachers
The Montana State Music
Association would like to recognize and offer our congratulations to Mary
The
Montana
State
Music
Teachers
Association
would
like
to
recognize
Folkman (Laurel, MT) who successfully
completed her MTNA Certification in November.
and
offer
our
congratulations
to
Mary
Folkman
(Laurel,
MT)
who
successfully
completed
her
MTNA
Certification
in
November.
This is a significant achievement that signifies Mary’s commitment to MTNA and to her own professional
development. As stated in the certificate, Mary has “given evidence of competency and demonstration of
This
is
a
significant
achievement
that
signifies
Mary’s
commitment
to
required knowledge and skillsMTNA
and
to
her
own
professional
development.
As
stated
in
the
and having met all criteria in accordance with all approved standards and
procedures established by thecertificate,
Mary
has
“given
evidence
of
competency
and
demonstration
Music Teachers National Association,” and is designated with the credential
of Certified Teacher of Music inof
required
knowledge
and
skills
and
having
met
all
criteria
in
Piano.
accordance
with
all
approved
standards
and
procedures
established
by
On behalf of the MSMTA, thank the
Music
Teachers
National
Association,”
and
is
designated
with
the
you for your diligence and effort. May you wear your NCTM with pride!
credential
of
Certified
Teacher
of
Music
in
Piano.
Dr. Christopher Hahn, NCTM
MSMTA President
On
behalf
of
the
MSMTA,
thank
you
for
your
diligence
and
effort.
May
you
wear
your
NCTM
with
pride!
Dr.
Christopher
Hahn,
NCTM
MSMTA
President
page 7
Montana Music News
Membership
Membership
We are now at 160 members and growing in the Montana State Music Teachers Association! Please continue to
We
are
now
at
160
members
and
growing
in
the
Montana
State
Music
Teachers
encourage non-member teachers in your city, town or region to consider coming along to your monthly meetings or
various localAssociation!
Please
continue
to
encourage
non‐member
teachers
in
your
city,
town
events. Also, remember that student memberships are a real deal ($17 in Montana). If you have some younger
students whoor
region
to
consider
coming
along
to
your
monthly
meetings
or
various
local
are considering teaching music as a career, or perhaps they are already doing some teaching, you may wish
to direct them
towards becoming a member.
events.
Also,
remember
that
student
memberships
are
a
real
deal
($17
in
Montana).
If
you
have
some
younger
students
who
are
considering
teaching
music
as
a
career,
or
perhaps
they
are
already
doing
some
teaching,
you
may
wish
to
direct
them
New Members
towards
becoming
a
member.
We welcome
our new members from this past year:
New
Members
Laura Arnold, Kalispell
Alicia Bullock-Muth,
Missoula
We
welcome
our
new
members
from
this
past
year:
Lila Cleminshaw,
Missoula
Tien Huang,
Billings
Myles Nardinger,
Missoula
Laura
Arnold,
Kalispell
Alex Nauman,
Billings
Alicia
Bullock‐Muth,
Missoula
Aneta Panusz, Missoula
Lila
Cleminshaw,
Missoula
James Wallace, Missoula
Tien
Huang,
Billings
Ashlee Young,
Billings
Janell Zerbe,Myles
Nardinger,
Missoula
Missoula
Alex
Nauman,
Billings
Renewals Aneta
Panusz,
Missoula
James
Wallace,
Missoula
Did you knowAshlee
Young,
Billings
it’s time to renew your MTNA membership?
Janell
Zerbe,
Missoula
Your 2009-10
dues renewal statement should be arriving
shortly in the mail. However, your statement is also
available online, so you can renew your membership
today. UsingRenewals
your member number and zip code, it’s
easy to log in
and complete the renewal process at www.
mtna.org. Did
you
know
it's
time
to
renew
your
MTNA
membership?
As you know,
your membership offers you access
Your
2009‐10
dues
renewal
statement
should
be
arriving
shortly
in
the
mail.
to top-notch resources, including American Music
However,
your
statement
is
also
available
online,
so
you
can
renew
your
Teacher magazine, insurance programs, member
membership
today.
Using
your
member
number
and
zip
code,
it's
easy
to
log
in
and
discounts and—most
importantly—the opportunity
to network complete
the
renewal
process
at
www.mtna.org.
with your colleagues at the local, state
and national
levels. This year, MTNA is pleased to
announce the
new MTNA e-Journal. This exciting
As
you
know,
your
membership
offers
you
access
to
top‐notch
resources,
including
online publication
will feature the best in scholarly
American
Music
Teacher
magazine,
insurance
programs,
member
discounts
and—
music research and serve as a supplement to AMT.
most
importantly—the
opportunity
to
network
with
your
colleagues
at
the
local,
Now, more state
and
national
levels.
This
year,
MTNA
is
pleased
to
announce
the
new
MTNA
e­
than ever, is the time you need to be
connected Journal.
This
exciting
online
publication
will
feature
the
best
in
scholarly
music
with your colleagues and the music
teaching profession.
Make an investment in your
research
and
serve
as
a
supplement
to
AMT.
future by renewing
your
membership today.
Now,
more
than
ever,
is
the
time
you
need
to
be
connected
with
your
colleagues
and
the
music
teaching
profession.
Make
an
investment
in
your
future
by
renewing
your
membership
today.
page 8
Montana Music News
Page 9
Montana Music News
Dear Irma
Dear Irma,
Dear J. W.
Is it possible to earn a living as an independent music teacher?
Yes, but....it’s not so
easy. I do, however,
have a few ideas for you to think about.
First of all, ask yourself questions: Am I a knowledgeable,
skillful teacher? Do I get lots of calls, asking to begin
lessons? How does my family feel about my teaching
schedule? How much money do I need to live comfortably?
If you are a very good, very popular teacher with a tolerant
family and frugal habits, you will have a good chance to
make a go of it.
You might think that 20 hours of teaching plus 20 hours
of preparation would earn you a living. If you can charge
$50 per hour of teaching, you could. Otherwise you would
have to teach more hours.
Most of us in Montana do not charge $50 per hour.
However, don’t be afraid to be the most expensive teacher
in town. People want the best for their children.
If you happen to acquire a rich spouse or win the lottery, still
keep your rates high. Don’t undermine your colleagues.
Charge by the semester, rather than by the lesson, or even
by the month. Offer only 30-32 lessons per year. Make
each one special.
Don’t deduct for absences. Make up lessons only if the missed
lessons are your fault, if then. Don’t apologize. Use a swap list
so students can arrange trades when they have a conflict.
Set priorities on what
you purchase for your
studio. Buy a great
variety of music. A good
piano is a joy. Use a little technology, but don’t get carried
away. Get a knowledgeable tax accountant to depreciate it
all for you and save you money with the IRS.
Just Wondering
Offer music camps, group lessons, keyboard performing
groups, partner lessons on the weeks that you don’t have
regular lessons. Charge extra for them.
Combine teaching with accompanying, a position as
a church organist or choir director, part time work in a
music store, or adjunct teaching at a local college,
Adjudicate if asked. (Despite what you may think, you
can not make a living driving around in your car at 50.5
cents per mile!)
You will never be rich, but you may not ever notice!
(signed) Irma (the Music Teachers Friend)
Just call me IMTF
Thanks to all those teachers who answered the IMTF survey
from national chair, Lezlee Bishop. This topic was the most
frequently chosen by those Montana teachers who responded.
If you would like to participate in this survey, please let me
know ([email protected]) and I’ll send it to you. It’s too
late to participate in the national survey, but we can use
your input in Montana. Eva
New Fall Festival Competition
SINGLE PERFORMANCE
Exciting news! Our new state president came up with a wonderful idea last fall at the state conference, as we were talking
about “growing” the Fall Festival competition and making it more useful for students and teachers. So, in addition to the usual
Fall Festival competition that we will continue to have – this new competition will be offered for the first time in Fall 2009.
This will be offered for piano only.
Here is how it is going to work: students may enter performing only ONE piece of repertoire. We will have the following
levels:
Elementary, Junior, High School, and Junior and High School duets. Ages will be the same as the original Fall Festival
guidelines.
Then we will further divide each group into the periods of music: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary
(including Impressionism). Good pedagogical repertoire is required. Ribbons will be awarded for each level. So, example:
a student may enter Junior Classical. All the students in that level will compete against each other. Students entered in
Junior Romantic will only compete against each other. I hope you get the idea. We will provide the necessary forms in the
Fall newsletter.
Entries will be $10 for each student but there will be a $20 teacher fee if the teacher does not register for the conference
(a one-time fee for all fall festival entries – doesn’t matter how many entries you have.) NO REFUNDS.
Any questions? Contact Elinore Quander at [email protected].
page 10
Montana Music News
2009
MTNA
Conference
Session
Summaries
2009 MTNA Conference Session Summaries
This
year’s
MTNA
Conference
in
Altanta,
Georgia
delivered
on
its
promise
to
provide
a
stimulating
and
enriching
opportunity
for
professional
music
teachers
across
the
This year’s MTNA Conference in Altanta, Georgia delivered on its promise to provide a stimulating and enriching opportunity
country.
From
Olga
Kern’s
stunning
recital,
to
the
gala
dinner
at
the
Georgia
for professional music teachers across the country. From Olga Kern’s stunning recital, to the gala dinner at the Georgia
Aquarium
with
a
front‐row
seat
to
a
6.3
million
gallon
aquarium
(see
picture
Aquarium with
a front-row seat to a 6.3 million gallon aquarium (see picture below), they really know how to put on that
below),
they
really
know
how
to
put
on
that
Southern
hospitality
in
Atlanta!
Southern hospitality
in Atlanta!
So, for the benefit
of those who were unable to attend this year, I took the liberty of taking notes at some of the workshop
So,
for
the
benefit
of
those
who
were
unable
to
attend
this
year,
I
took
the
liberty
of
sessions. Many
of
the workshops were experiential, so taking notes would only serve a small part of the message.
taking
notes
at
some
of
the
workshop
sessions.
Many
of
the
workshops
were
experiential,
so
taking
notes
would
only
serve
a
small
part
of
the
message.
Next year’s conference will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico from March 20-24.
Next
year’s
conference
will
take
place
in
Albuquerque,
New
Mexico
from
March
20‐
Chopin24.
Janet Lopinski
His body is buried in Paris, but his heart is in a church in Warsaw
“The first of the great Nationalists” – Harold Schoenberg
-transcended his era in piano writing
-he does not copy (folk) melodies, but he evokes their spirit
-first work was a Polonaise, last was a Mazurka
The Polish National Anthem is a Mazurka!
Mazurek—a dance, but also a flat round cake served at Easter
Three types of Mazurka:
Mazur—energetic dance, stomping
Kujawiak—free, less rhythmic
Oberek—relentless rhythms, tempo increases as dancers whirl around
Chopin tends to combine all three in one composition
Emphasis is on the 2nd ad 3rd beats
Bag pipe drones are often found in the Oberek
Polonez (Polonaise)
-aristocratic dance
-started as a peasant dance
-evolved from folk dances and songs from village ceremonies
-by the 18th century, it was a courtly dance typically performed for the opening of formal balls
Michael Kleofas Oginski was the first composer of the Polonaise
-Chopin would have been aware of these pieces as a young boy
-Oginski was a member of the aristocracy
Chopin’s mature Polonaises featured the dotted rhythm and a more stoic nature
page 11
Montana Music News
Olga Kern Masterclass
Ballade no. 2 in F Major, op. 38
Chopin
Tell me a story—in the slow section, it was very nice but it sounded like nothing was happening. There is so much character
available in the pedal, and you are not using the left pedal at all. When you play the beginning, make a broader line otherwise
it doesn’t go anywhere. For the opening notes, just relax your hands and don’t make any swells—keep the line. Don’t allow the
rhythm of quarter-eighth note to become stuck—let it move through. Play as soft as you can. It is like waves in dynamics, and
this will make it more exciting. Everything you need to know is in the score.
At the Presto, be careful to not stop at the top, but keep going. More pedal. As far as phrase shape, the RH line goes
down in direction and in the sound, as the LH goes up in direction and in sound. Follow the line of each hand, and
make the line longer.
Sonata No. 5, op. 53
Scriabin
More sparkles, more joyful in the fast section—the slow section is so peaceful, now keep that same intensity and
concentration in the fast. Everything here needs to be sharper and shorter. More crescendo towards the top. Be sure
the tender melodies maintain a sense of ecstasy, different all the time. There is a sound of sickness inside all the
time—that is Scriabin. In my opinion, you don’t have enough forte—go for the trumpets! I would like to have more of
that sound. That you can make contrasts. More accelerando immediately—yours seemed tentative. Let the LH sound
like a butterfly, and little bit more airy. In the staccati, make it sound like little needles—very sharp. Use the left pedal—it
is very piano, but very concentrated. Nervous excitement—really show this.
Fantaisie in F minor, op. 49
Chopin
Beginning was not convincing for me—start much softer. It needs more fluidity. Go for more poetic but in the march
rhythm. Beginning needs to move somewhere. It is really difficult to make the opening 4 pages make sense because
it is very slow. Start from almost nothing, then different sound when the chords come in—two completely different
materials. In the LH double 8ves, give it a little more sound to show us the change. Keep the tempo—the tendency is
to slow down. Use the Polish edition (ed. Paderewski) as this Urtext has some inconsistencies. Give more shaping,
then completely different the second time (exact repeat—do something different—pp works nicely). Start to tell a story
at the triplets. Let it move ahead faster, but get every note. Don’t stop at the end of the crescendo leading into the
double notes passages. He wrote the crescendo because he wanted to continue that sound. If you want, do a slight
diminuendo before so you can relax the tempo into that section. When you finish before the B Major, set up the sound
you want to hear. Prepare yourself for the sound. At the B Major, hear the beautiful chorus, it is so special. Make it
sound like voices. The very long line goes and goes starting at the descending LH 8ves—he wrote that huge phrase.
Make sure it is legato and go down. Keep your hands simple, no movement. Just fingers are doing this legato thing.
Teaching The Sensations of Freedom:
Practical Steps to Well-Coordinated Keyboard Teachnique
Christie Johnson and Barbara Lister-Sink
Step 1
Awareness of decompressed, flexible spine
Step 2
Awareness of neck and breath
Step 3
Awareness of torso
Step 4
Awareness of collar bones & shoulder blades
Cues for Kinesthetic Awareness
1. Allow Spine to decompress
2. Notice head balanced on spine
3. Allow neck to release unnecessary tension
4. Notice breath flowing easily
5. Allow shoulders to release
6. Notice torso balanced on sitting bones
7. Allow legs to release & fall gently apart
8. Notice feet supported by floor
9. Notice arms hanging freely from torso
10. Allow joints of elbow, wrist and fingers to release
page 12
Montana Music News
The Joys of Adult Learning
Michelle Conda
-Encouragement speaks volumes
-Guilt has no place in lessons
-4 week rule—every 4 weeks the honeymoon is over—tell them ahead of time and they will get past it
-Communication—I help them reach their goals, not our goals
-Find correct situation for student
-Tuition based teaching—avoid the week-to-week lesson payment plan—adults love to cancel at the last minute
-20+ aren’t the same!
The 20s
-New in the workforce
-Experimenting with likes and dislikes
-Still used to being in an educational environment
-Has disposable cash
-Still hanging with friends
The 40s
-Worried about job, family
-Want to feel “safe”
-self nuturing
-Looking for a way to satisfy a “craving,” but not sure what this is
-Often in transition
The 50s
-not afraid
-making a fool of self
-asking questions
-saying “I don’t know
-saying “I’m sorry”
-Busy, fulfilled, happy
-Looking into arts for creative outlets, life enriching
“There Is No End To Learning”: Lifelong Education And the Joyful Learner
Kathryn Roulston, University of Georgia
Adults recognize:
-they are independent, self-directed learners who make informed choices about musical experiences, opportunities
and instructors
-participate in music learning voluntarily
We need to recognize:
-may need accommodations for physiological changes inherent in aging
-Adults can call on a lifetime of experience and prior learning
-explain concepts and terms in relation to prior knowledge
-experiences with familiar music may be a motivation to learn
Andragogy
-with maturation, there is a move toward self-direction
-has a rich storehouse of life experience that impacts learning
-has learning needs that relate to social roles
-focuses on problem solving and immediate application of knowledge
-internal motivated to learn
-need to know why they are learning something
page 13
Pedagogy
Montana Music News
Andragogy
Teacher-directed--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Student-directed
Implications for teachers
-Adjust pacing of instructions to provide sufficient time for adults to learn new skills
-Facilitate opportunities for adults to set personal goals that are meaningful, and contribute to development of lessons
-Explain the reasons for learning activities
-Provdie opportunities for group interactions and ensemble experience
“Embodiment” in learning
-engage the “body as a site of learning”
-the ways in which they rely on sensational response in relation to learning
-Provide a comfortable space for adult learners to explore new bodily sensations
Non-Western Perspectives on Learning and Knowing
-Communal learning
-learning as lifelong and informal
-Learning as holistic (involves the body, spirit, mind, and emotions)
Implications for Teachers
-adults motivations to learn music and orientations to learning are multifaceted and complex, and change over time
-Learning in adulthood is distinctive from learning in childhood in multiple ways that involve the learning context, the
learner, and the learning process
-Adults draw upon a lifetime of experiences in their learning
-Music learning involves embodiment
-Music learning in adulthood can be informed by non-Western perspectives in learning
page 14
Montana Music News
Missoula
We had our “From the Studio to the Stage” benefit performance
on February 8th at the Music Recital Hall on the U of M Campus,
which was a great success! Performances by Margaret Baldridge,
Christopher Hahn, Steven Hesla, Kimberly Gratland James,
Dorothy Beck Peterson, Madeleine McKelvey, Molly Morrison,
Gina Lapka, Margery Whatley, Fern Glass Boyd, Matthew
Nord, Nancy Caron and Lila Cleminshaw. The crowd of around
250 people helped to raise money for our MMTA Scholarship
Fund. Due to the success, we are planning this as an annual
event.
Southwest Montana
Music
Teachers Association
The Southwest Montana Music Teachers Association has
had a busy last few months. We have provided growth
opportunities for our students as well as our valued teachers.
In February we had our 2nd Annual Sonatina Festiva.
Our guest adjudicator was Sara Broomell of Bozeman.
Ms. Broomell is completing her DMA from USC Berkley.
Also in February: Our newest member, Mary Anne Moseley, We had 5 different skill levels represented with an Honor’s
teamed up with Jean Alexander to organize an MMTA student Recital at the end of the day to determine 1st and 2nd
recital at the Grizzly Peak Retirement community. Performances place winners. It is wonderful to explore the Sonatina style
were given by piano and voice students to a large, appreciative in depth through this format.
audience. We have been invited back for another recital, which
Last week on April 4, SMMTA held it’s Spring Festival
will be held on April 26th.
at Montana State University. Twenty-seven students
The MMTA Spring Festival took place on March 21st and participated in the event. Some new to the venue and
22nd, with students participating in piano, strings and voice many “veterans” played for Elinore Quander of Billings.
performances. Adjudicators included: Creighton James, voice, The full day event was well attended and students had
Julie Gosweiler and Barbara Miller, piano, and Pam Hillygus, a very positive experience. We are looking forward
strings. The festival culminated in an honors recital at St. Francis to hosting the November MSMTA Fall Conference.
Xavier church which featured winners from each discipline. The Planning and preparations are well underway. Hope to
students and teachers did a wonderful job!
see you all in Bozeman!
Gina Lapka
MMTA President
Joni Benson, President
Southwest Montana Music Teachers Association
Butte Anaconda
“Butte-Anaconda Music Teachers and Friends” presented a Scholarship Benefit
Gala on January 15th at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Butte. The program
included piano duets and a solo, vocal solos, duets and a trio (including
compositions by BAAMTA member Margaret Ricci), organ solos, a flute solo and
a jazz ensemble. The performance was in honor of Donna Jean Pickett, BAAMTA
Scholarship Chair. It netted almost enough cash donations to fund one scholarship
for a graduating high school senior who will study music in college.
Billings
Greetings from the Billings Music
Teachers Association. Had a very
busy fall and looking forward to many
more things going on this spring.
Our annual fall marathon, held at
Billings Clinic in October was a huge
success. In December we combined the
Holiday Marathon with Eckroth Music’s
BAAMTA’s Spring Festival and Sampler Recital took place on March 13, 14, and
Clavinova Festival--the birth of the
15 with Molly Morrison as adjudicator. A special treat was Molly’s workshop, “Let’s
Christmas Keyboard Gala. It was lots of
Become Better Readers.”
fun and so many students had a chance
Our final event of the season will be a student recital on May 10th at the Assembly to play on a clavinova keyboard.
One of Charlene Waddingham’s
of God Church in Anaconda.
students even won a Yamaha
Happy summer to all of our MSMTA friends!
Clavinova that day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This
spring has already seen the first
Ruth Rotondi, BAAMTA President
BMTA Sonatina Festival. The
response was great, and we are
looking forward to making it a yearly event. We presented our Duets and Donuts recital in March and now ready our
students for school district festivals and our own BMTA Spring Festival and Honors Recital to be held in May.
Leann Vralsted
President
page 15
Montana Music News
Great Falls
The Great Falls Music Teacher’s Association hosted their annual Spring Festival on March 20-21, 2009 at
First Baptist, First United Methodist, and First English Lutheran churches. There were 10 teachers and 94
students that participated in this event. Piano adjudicators for this festival were Kenneth Christensen from
Bozeman, Charlene Waddingham from Billings and Jessie Knowles from Great Falls. Larry Sheldon from
Havre adjudicated the voice students and Dennis Hayslett from Helena was the woodwind adjudicator.
Assisting with judging the Honors Recital was Lana Furdell of Great Falls.
Honors Recital scholarship winners were as follows:
Intermediate Voice: Tory Strauss
Advanced Voice: Emily Benjamin
Elementary Woodwind: Nicholas Yaeger
Intermediate Woodwind: Cole Bass
Advanced Woodwind: Kristin Story
Elementary Piano: 1st Dylan Haskell, 2nd Addy Jardee, 3rd Tyler Grina & Baylie Skawnski
Intermediate Piano: 1st Paul Heinen, 2nd Daniel Enseleit, 3rd Isaiah Vang
Advanced Piano: 1st Abigail Koljonen, 2nd Brenna Johnson
GFMTA also offers a Summer Study
Scholarship. Applicants must provide
a tape with 2 pieces and a paragraph
stating why they wish to go to camp.
Students must be taking lessons from a
GFMTA teacher. This year’s scholarship
has not yet been awarded.
At our April meeting we were privileged
to have a program presented by Maestro
Gordon Johnson, conductor of the Great
Falls Symphony. His topic was “Conducting
symphony orchestras in foreign countries”. Maestro Johnson has conducted in
many different countries (Japan, Germany,
France, Moldova, etc.) His presentation
was fascinating, entertaining, and very
informative!
Kalispell
KAMTA Spring Update
Happy Spring everyone. We have had an eventful winter with our
Alumni Scholarship Concert and our March meeting both cancelled
due to weather. Our students benefited from their time spent with
Ken Christensen and Christopher Hahn as our Spring Festival
adjudicators. We discussed our library and had a very informative
meeting with Dru Jackman a local life coach and organizational
guru in April. We are looking forward to the exciting process of
hearing our scholarship applicants later this month and our final
meeting in May to include our annual luncheon and musicale.
Congratulations on yet another successful year of inspiring the next
generation of musicians and music patrons.
Sincerely,
Kris Eveland, President
Kalispell Area Music Teacher’s Association
Following our May meeting GFMTA will
have a Superior Student Recital to be held
at First English Lutheran Church. Each
teacher may choose one of their students that received a Superior rating at the Spring Festival to perform
one piece at this recital. If a teacher teaches more than one thing (i.e. piano & voice) they may choose one
in each category. This gives students one more chance to show off their talents, plus all are invited to a
fabulous potluck lunch following the recital. (A great way to finish the year!)
May you all have a great summer!
Catherine Bourne
GFMTA President
page 16
Montana Music News
MSMTA UPDATED E-MAIL ADDRESSES
Aaberg, Phil............................................phil@sweetgrassmusic.com
Adoff, Stephen......................................stephenadoff@yahoo.com
Alexander, Jean......................................missoulamike@earthlink.net
Anderson, [email protected]
Astle, Alene....................................................... [email protected]
Balepin, Tatiana.............................................................. [email protected]
Baril, Frank.....................................Frank.baril@usw.salvationarmy.org
Basinski, Anne.............................................. [email protected]
Bassett, Lynn Walker................................. [email protected]
Beck-Peterson, [email protected]
Bell, Carla..........................................................carlabell@bresnan.net
Bell, Timothy.............................................timothybell3@earthlink.net
Bourne, Catherine....................................bournetone@bresnan.net
Brewer, Martha.................................... [email protected]
Briceno, Gail..................................................... [email protected]
Campbell, Henry.............................................hcampbel@knurl.com
Caron, Nancy.......................................................jimnancar@aol.com
Champion - Predmore, [email protected]
Cheetham, Robin..................................... [email protected]
Christensen, Ken...................................................... [email protected]
Clark, Sue.................................................................... [email protected]
Clawson, Ruth........................................robertandruth@yahoo.com
Coffee, Marilyn........................................william064@centurytel.net
Cogswell, Ann...............................................annkcogs@yahoo.com
Cromley, [email protected]
Cypher Nelson, [email protected]
DeVries, Linda........................................................rldev@yahoo.com
Detrick, Laura.................................................laurainmt@hotmail.com
Dickey, Linda.......................................................... [email protected]
Disney, Karen...........................................................disney@libby.org
Dwyer, Diane....................................................... [email protected]
England, Esther.................................. [email protected]
Eveland, Kris...............................................kriseveland@hotmail.com
Fallon, Maryruth...................................................... [email protected]
Folkman, Mary....................................................amfpatchy@aol.com
Funk, Florence..........................................................mtnuff@msn.com
Ganskop, Donnaleen............................... [email protected]
Garard-Brewer, [email protected]
Gazewood, [email protected]
Gorder, Suzanne.............................................szdngorder@aol.com
Gosswiller, Julie..............................................jgosswiller@gmail.com
Graves, Paula...................................... [email protected]
Guehlstorff, Kathleen.................................. [email protected]
Hahn, Chris................................... [email protected]
Hanzel, Betty L..............................................dhanzel@centurytel.net
Harris, Francine....................................... [email protected]
Hatley, Carole................................................. [email protected]
Hesla, Steven.................................. ... [email protected]
Haslip, Delores.......................................................... [email protected]
Heuermann, Beryl [email protected]
Hicks, Linda............................................. [email protected]
Hoffman, Janis.............................................sjhoff@montanasky.com
Holden, Linda..................................................... [email protected]
Holston, Marcy........................................ [email protected]
Hornung, Heidi...................................................hramseth@msn.com
Laing, Doreen....................................................... [email protected]
Lange, Robin................................................. [email protected]
Lee, Bill...................................................................bdrlee@3rivers.net
Lehman, Gail.............................................................. [email protected]
Loge, Charlene............................................................. [email protected]
Lohof, Arle................................................................ [email protected]
Marble, Sharon............... [email protected]
Marshall, Jodi...................................................... [email protected]
Maxwell, Eva.....................................................maxneva@rfwave.net
McCarry, Marcia................................................ [email protected]
McGillvray, [email protected]
McLain, Molly............................................mclainmolly@hotmail.com
McLean, Karen................................................7echoes@bresnan.net
Mesenbrink, Marla....................................... [email protected]
Mitchell, Louise..................................................lwmitch9@juno.com
Moore, Mary...................................................... [email protected]
Morris, Laura................................................... [email protected]
Morrison, Molly.......................................... [email protected]
Moseley, Mary.....................................................mamose@msn.com
Moyes, Becky............................................ [email protected]
O’Dell, Judith.........................................................jgtj@montana.com
Olson, Luciele..............................................lorinolson@hotmail.com
Orth, Sherlon......................................................... [email protected]
Palmiter, Marty...............................................palmiter@centurytel.net
Petersen, Lynn....................................................lpeterse@carroll.edu
Pirrie, Beth...................................................clanpirrie@centurytel.net
Quander, Elinore.................................................... [email protected]
Raynes, Leslie..............................................................leslie10@att.net
Renne, Joan.............................................................adlib@digisys.net
Rindlisbacher, Kevin....................... [email protected]
Ricci, Margaret................................................. [email protected]
Rogers, Jim.......................................................jimr105@hotmail.com
Rohrbach, Suzanne............................................... [email protected]
Rotondi, Ruth................................................... [email protected]
Schuerr, Deborah......................... [email protected]
Seeman, Cassidy............................... [email protected]
Severson, Betty..................................................jrseverson@aol.com
Siblerud, Marcia..............................................siblerud@bresnan.net
Smith, Danlynne..................................... [email protected]
Smothermon, Teddi......................... [email protected]
Steingruber, Bonnie........................................ [email protected]
Strizich, Carol.................................................... [email protected]
Subotnick, Sandra..................................... [email protected]
TeSelle, Lucille.............................................................lteselle@imt.net
Thompkins, Carol............................................pipergirl@bresnan.net
Tompkins, Cinda..................................................cindamt@juno.com
Upton, Rebecca.......................................... [email protected]
Volkman, Diane................................................vvvdlv@centurytel.net
Vowell, Kelly............................................... [email protected]
Vralsted, Leann................................................ [email protected]
Waddingham, [email protected]
Weaver-Knowles, [email protected]
Winkler, Carmen......................................... [email protected]
Winter, Jodell............................................... [email protected]
Wolverton, Palma............................................ [email protected]
Woodgerd, [email protected]
Yost, Laurel........................................................... [email protected]
*This list may not be complete or correct. In an effort to
keep this list current, please contact Karen Woodgerd at
[email protected] with additions or corrections.
page 17
Montana Music News
In Memoriam
The one and only Evelyn McPherson Lindblad Folland, past president of
MSMTA and of the Butte-Anaconda Accredited Music Teachers Association,
teacher of 11 state winners in the MTNA High School Piano Performance
Competitions (an achievement unequaled in Montana history), passed away
December 14, 2009, in Butte at the age of 99.
Born Evelyn Mae McPherson in Butte, MT, Evelyn was raised by her mother
after her father, a mining engineer, was killed in a mining accident. Her musical
training began when she started piano lessons as a grade school student under
Irene St. Quentin, a Leschetizky pupil. Evelyn’s first experience of teaching
occurred when she was in high school, and under the supervision of her teacher.
Thus began a career that lasted more than 60 years.
Evelyn went on to study at the Chicago Musical College. There she met her
first husband, tenor and, later, insurance agent, Art Lindblad. The couple
returned to Montana and Evelyn taught piano in Anaconda until her retirement,
mentoring many students who became music professionals, including
Dorothy Beck Peterson of Missoula, Barbara Beck Miller of Spokane, and Megan
Monahan Wallace of Wisconsin. Evelyn set the highest standards for her
students and for herself.
When, in 1986, Evelyn established the Evelyn Lindblad Folland Scholarship
at the University of Montana for music majors, her passion for music and her
sense of commitment to the larger musical community became clear. So it was
no surprise that in 1997 she funded an endowment which provides annual awards to 2nd place winners of the MTNA Senior
Piano Performance Competitions.
Evelyn Lindblad Folland
A devout Christian, Evelyn served as choir director and organist for the Anaconda Presbyterian Church for 25 years.
Some years after Art’s death, Evelyn married Shelby Folland who, like Art, supported her musical endeavors. He passed
away in 2002.
Evelyn will be remembered for her fine teaching, her elegant appearance, her warm personality, and her humor, by the
students and friends she labeled “monkeydoodles.”
Ruth Rotondi
Memories of Evelyn Lindblad Folland
By Dorothy Beck Peterson
How does one begin to describe the experience of studying piano with Evelyn Lindblad Folland? First of all, who could
forget her flamboyant style? There were the rhinestone glasses, furs, jewelry, tall blond hair, porcelain skin, long painted
fingernails, designer labels, and clicky expensive shoes.
Others may remember her loud whisper, the grand entrances to almost any event, or her doting husband, Shelby.
I’m sure all of her former students can picture her living room with its plush red carpeting, velvet curtains, French
provincial furniture, Dresden dolls, the two pianos and organ. I can still see the donut shaped pillow for her broken
tailbone that was on her teaching chair and the lipstick stained teacups that she’d sip from during her long teaching
days. Her bathroom, generally off limits to students, was a sea of light green surrounded by ornate mirrors and all
possible kinds of lotions and potions.
I was in the 6th grade when I had my first encounter with Evelyn. I had already heard many a story from one of Evelyn’s
students, the daughter of my first piano teacher.
page 18
Montana Music News
Therefore, I was more than a little apprehensive when Evelyn and her beloved first husband, Art Lindblad showed up one
evening at our house with my parents. They’d all been to an Elks function for dining, dancing, and a few “drinky poos” as
Evelyn would say. She breezed over to the piano and started flipping through the pages of my Nevin Piano Classics book.
“Play this,” she said. Then, “Now how about this?” I had already passed these pieces, so of course, hadn’t played them in
weeks. It turns out that this was my interview. I was accepted as a student for the following autumn. I really had no idea
what I was in for.
Evelyn had a knack for getting her own way. She never took “no” for an answer. We found this out during my first months
of lessons when a blizzard blew through Deer Lodge one Saturday morning. Driving on a two lane icy road to Anaconda
was not something my mom wanted to risk. We thought it reasonable to cancel or re-schedule the lesson. Oh, no. Evelyn’s
response to my mom’s call was, “Well, honey, you can’t let a little snowstorm stop you. You get Melvin (my dad) to drive her
up.” He did, and we never asked to rearrange a lesson again.
Soon after my first year of lessons with Evelyn, my sister, Barbara Miller, now a fabulous pianist and teacher, also
began lessons as a beginner. It seemed at the time that our Saturdays were devoted entirely to our piano lessons. Some
mornings we’d arrive at Evelyn’s house and knock long and hard to awaken her from her slumber. She’d finally greet us
wearing a mud mask and a toilet paper wrapped bee-hive hair-do. We’d then have to wait forever for her to get presentable.
She was quite the night owl. She’d never hesitate to call a student’s home at 11 pm. There were many lessons when Evelyn
would be on the phone a good portion of the time. This only meant that we’d be there that much longer. She’d never cancel
a lesson due to illness. If she had a headache or a cold, she’d teach from a reclining position on the sofa. Those were the
days when we got to play along with the recording.
Through the years I remember all of these wonderful qualities that made Evelyn such a unique character, but what
stands out in my mind above all else, was her one hundred percent commitment to music and her students. She may
not have done things by the piano pedagogy textbook, but she was ahead of her time in promoting professionalism
and excellence.
I’m amazed at everything she had all of us do. Each week during my first two years she assigned scales, arpeggios
of some sort, Hanon, Czerny, Burgmuller, pieces from the Francis Clark Piano Literature Series, Sonatinas, Bach
Inventions and sheet music solos. Lessons were expected to be prepared. Look out if they weren’t! Evelyn kept
up on the latest repertoire and was never hesitant about tackling new works. She had a huge library of music and
recordings and encouraged her students to buy recordings. She was a believer in duet and two piano playing, learning
concerti, attending concerts, taking summer lessons, and performing whenever possible. She was a stickler for fingering
and practicing with the metronome. It seemed that she was always moving the dial up a notch or two to increase the
speed of our fingers. She dragged many of her students to MSMTA Conferences and usually had them play in master
classes. All of her high school students performed in district and state music festivals and in her later years, many
students played in the Spokane Allied Arts Festival. In my senior year, she absolutely insisted that I perform in my
Baccalaureate Ceremony.
Her recitals, held in the Anaconda High School Theatre, were gala affairs that often lasted 3 hours. We’d always have
dress rehearsals the day before so we could try out the piano and practice the proper stage etiquette. Everyone performed
including several adult students. Evelyn loved to get the parents involved playing duets with their children. Often Evelyn
accompanied students on the stage organ. My sister, Barb reminded me that during intermission we’d have sing-alongs with
Evelyn at the organ.
Every time we’d sing the “Star Spangled Banner”. Never modest about her accomplishments, Evelyn’s elaborate recital
programs let everyone know that she was a nationally certified teacher and that her students were “consistently awarded
the highest honors in music festivals and national competitions.” She always listed her many MSMTA competition winners
of whom she was so proud.
Now that I have been teaching for about thirty years, I look back and realize how much of what I do I owe to Evelyn. I can
say with certainty that I would not have considered pursuing music as a career without her high expectations and belief in
my abilities. She is with me every day as I face the joys and frustrations of passing the skill of piano playing and the love of
music on to others. She introduced me to the beauty of classical music that has given my life so much meaning and sustenance. I
am so thankful that my parents sacrificed many a Saturday so that my sister and I had this opportunity to realize our musical
potential through this head strong, talented woman. If I have had half of the influence on my students as Evelyn has had on
hers, I will consider my work successful.
page 19
Montana Music News
In Memoriam
CASCADE - Richard Lee “Captain Rick” Podry, 57, of Cascade, an Air Force veteran and
owner of Westside UPS Store, died of cancer Thursday at Peace Hospice.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Podry of Cascade; a daughter, Janelle (Philip) Wilberding
of Great Falls; a son, Richard David (Shea) Podry of Malmstrom Air Force Base; his mother,
Dorothy Podry of Moorpark, Calif.; a sister, Jane (Eric) Grable of Moorpark, Calif.; a brother,
Robert (Bonnie) Podry of Great Falls; lifelong friend Scott Hubbard of Roswell, N.M.; and
four grandchildren.
Rick was born Jan. 24, 1952, in Glendale, Calif., where he was raised and educated,
graduating from Verdugo High School. He earned his Associate’s of Science degree from
Glendale Community College and obtained his aviation pilot’s license in Great Falls.
Rick served in the United States Air Force as a missile system analyst specialist from 1971
to 1978, when he was honorably discharged.
Richard Lee Podry
“Captain Rick”
He married Elaine Farman in 1972 in Rantoul, Ill.; they later divorced. He married Jeanne
Wirth on July 23, 1996, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Rick worked as a professional commercial pilot, an aviation insurance underwriter, an
insurance broker, professional magician and karaoke host, and, finally, as the owner of Westside UPS.
He was a member of Westside Optimist Club, the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle of Hollywood, Calif. He
played golf as well as various musical instruments, dabbled in the culinary arts, built RC models and was an avid hunter and
fisherman. He had talents as a mechanic, a landscape artist, electrician and structural craftsman.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Podry.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or the Fort Harrison Veterans
Administration Hospital.
Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
Montana Music News
Montana State Music Teachers Association
2112 5th Street NW
Great Falls, MT 59404