Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association

Newsletter November 22, 2011.

Presidents Message November December 2011 I am always amazed at the dedication and hard work of our members. The judges who come to serve us often comment on the skill and ability of our students. We can be assured that all our efforts are not in vain. The number of programs, both for ourselves and for our students, is comparable to those of much larger organizations. Most recently we had our Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival which gave our students an opportunity to work toward a goal and refine some of their pieces to the point of performance. Then, in the midst of a record-breaking snow storm, a good-sized audience gathered for a lecture/demonstration by professor Malcolm Bilson who brought his own fortepiano. Those who missed this lecture can obtain his two fine DVD's from his website. In addition this year, we have sponsored a Met Opera field trip, student recitals, auditions, the Playathon, master classes, special student rates for concerts, and summer camp/ Cheseboro scholarships. By the time we go to press, our AAA weekend of adjudication and honors recitals will have come and gone. Here again, students have a place to prove themselves and to see the results of their efforts awarded. The success of this program lies in the total dedication of the members to the completion of the many complex tasks needed to carry out this program. We did not have a chairperson this year for AAA, but three willing members, Barbara, Annie, and Debra, coordinated the whole program with extreme grace and patience. Thanks to Liz and Randi who made programs available when we thought we could no longer provide them. And, of course, thanks to Herb and Mirta who always provide the ribbons and certificates with accuracy and precision. Please let me know if you would be willing to serve as the overall chairperson for this event next year. You are much needed. Best wishes to everyone for a refreshing, Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous Holiday Season. Linda Perron, President

Newsletter November 22, 2011 Members:

Below is the link to a 2009 article in Psychology Today, which gives an argument for advocacy of the arts. The authors list inventions by scientists who were also active in the arts. As teachers we need to take every opportunity to advocate, since funding for the arts is being removed from our schools, and support is disappearing for arts-related nonprofits. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/imagine/200902/missing-piece-in-theeconomic-stimulus-hobbling-arts-hobbles-innovation Convention Grant: I would like to remind everyone that the deadline for the MTNA 2012 Convention Grant is December 1. Please visit the web site for details and send your application to me, either by email or regular mail. And for anyone who plans to denitely attend the conference, the reduced cost of registration is good until (or on) December 1. Carolyn Anderson Convention Grant Chair 2012 Play-a-Thon

Our annual Hannah Young Play-a-Thon will be held on February 25 and 26, 2012 at the Palmer Park Mall. This is our only fund-raiser, and a wonderful opportunity for our students to perform in public in a fun way. This event also heightens community awareness of our organization and its benets for students and teachers. Students are invited to perform any style of music, memorization is not required, and ensembles are encouraged. At the present time all of the information regarding the Play-a-Thon is available on our website, as are all the necessary forms. The deadline for entries is February 11, 2012. Chairing this event are Lori Huth, Randi Paul, and Cherie Murray; please contact one of them if you have any questions. Please support this event, and encourage as many of your students as possible to perform! 2

Newsletter November 22, 2011

Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival The Dorothy Sutton State Showcase recitals were held at Elizabethtown College on November 5. From our chapter, sixty one piano soloists and two piano duet pairs were eligible to attend, and thirty one soloists and both duet pairs did attend. Our chapter was therefore well represented. Students of the following teachers participated in the State recitals: Sue Kuntz, Keren Ligowski, Gloriana Sewell, Jack Stevenson, Darlene Sydlik, Desnise Williams, Liz Zemanek, and Darlene Ziegler. Elizabeth Zemanek DSPF chair