February 2025

​JMTA High Notes
February 2025 —Vol. 28, no. 5
The general meeting and program for February will be held at Keyboard Connection & over Zoom on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 9:30am
Program at around 10:15am: Lynn Roberts (Explore Music Jax) – Teaching younger students
Farewell Brunch for the Melvins around 11:00am
________________________________________________________________________
President’s Pen
Dear Colleagues,
We hope you will join us at the meeting, program and farewell brunch Thursday, February 13th at Keyboard Connection, beginning at 9:30am. This will be the last meeting at Keyboard Connection before they close. We wish Jack and Melody Melvin well as they start their retirement!
We’ve been confirming locations for the rest of our meetings for the year. We are still looking for a host for our March meeting, and have received 90% confirmation that April can be held at Mandarin Presbyterian Church. For May, we will be meeting in the beautiful home of Anita Renfroe for the meeting, scholarship/concerto winners’ concert and luncheon. We hope you will continue to join us in these locations, and we look forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Angie Holt
President, JMTA
________________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
Meeting Minutes . . . . . . .  2
JMTA TREASURY REPORTS
January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Monthly Programs
February . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . .8
JMTA Scholarships. . . . . .  8
JMTA Student Recitals. . .10
State Conference News . .11
District IV News . . . . . . . . . . 12
Event Application Deadline Reminders
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Over Coffee With . . . . . . . . . 13
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 17

________________________________________________________________________
Meeting Minutes
JMTA Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 14, 2024, 9:30am
Keyboard Connection/Zoom
Present (In-person): Sandra Stewart, Stefanie Batson-Martin, Ronald Touchton, Daniel Holt, Paulette Kilts, Lynn Freeman, Betty Atkinson, Rhonda Danielson, Mary Gniech, Christine Couch, Sandra Roberts, Angie Holt, Lorraine Sears, Kama Rasmussen-Li
Present (Zoom): Denise Homsley, Mary McKee

Call to Order: 9:40am (Angie Holt)

Parliamentarian: (Lynn Freeman)
Nothing to report

Secretary Minutes: (Stefanie Batson-Martin)
Paulette motioned to approve the minutes, Kama seconded

Treasurer’s Report: (Damon Martin and Stefanie Batson-Martin)
Went over the September 2024 and October 2024 Reports

Vice-President/Membership: (Mary McKee)
No new members to report

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Communications & Social Media Update: (Angie Holt)
Sent out the last newsletter for the year
Facebook was updated
Sent out emails
Few things to add to the website

Programs: (Open)
Andre Ferreira is presenting today at 10:30am

Social: (Sandra Stewart)
Passed another sign-up sheet around to sign up for refreshments
Needs help for January, won’t be able to make it to the meeting
There are refreshments after this meeting

Student Recitals: (Lorraine Sears & Gavin Taylor)
We had our October Recital at River Garden, the newsletter has pictures
Next one is December 15 at Arlington United Methodist Church, deadline to sign-up is December 4 with Gavin Taylor
Proton Therapy Recital is coming, no date yet, for intermediate and advanced students

Scholarship: (Kamila Shahtakhtinski)
Not present, she sent the information
High School Senior Scholarship Competition: March 15, 10am at Keyboard Connection, if there’s only one applicant, they can submit virtually
Application deadline: February 28, no exceptions
Summer Music Camp Scholarship: Deadline to apply is March 30

Student Day: (Angie Holt)
March 8 at Mandarin Baptist Church
Deadline to register is January 25

Altruistic: (Sandra Roberts)
Sent cards to Betty, Sonja Foster, Cheryl Dubberly, Melody Melvin
Sandra appreciates the card donations

Community Service Awards: (Joan Cordell)
Not present
No new information

Ethics: (Betty Atkinson)
Nothing to report

Historian: (Paulette Kilts)
Nothing to report

Wellness Liaison: (Denise Homsley)
Gratitude - November is Gratitude Month
Denise had everbody in attendance say one thing they are grateful for
Her challenge was to tell somebody why you’re grateful for them

Old Business:
State Conference: Rhonda and Paulette recapped their experiences

New Business:
State Conference 2025: Anita couldn’t make it today, Angie read a printout that was provided at the meeting

Adjourned: 10:02 (Angie Holt)

Submitted by Stefanie Batson-Martin, Recording Secretary


JMTA Special Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 14, 2024, Following the General Meeting
Keyboard Connection/Zoom
Present (In-person): Sandra Stewart, Stefanie Batson-Martin, Paulette Kilts, Lynn Freeman, Betty Atkinson, Sandra Roberts, Angie Holt, Lorraine Sears, Kama Rasmussen-Li
Present (Zoom): Denise Homsley, Mary McKee

Call to Order: 10:04am (Angie Holt)

New Business: (Paulette)
Change 1: FSMTA Amended their articles of incorporation and bylaws removing the “associate” membership category, so JMTA must also remove the “associate” membership category in their legal documents, so the executive board must “approve” the proposal to be brought to the general membership at the February meeting
Paulette made the motion the executive approve the proposal of only three membership types, Active, Retired and Student, Lynn Freeman seconded, unanimously approved

Change 2: Two places this category is mentioned in the bylaws in Section 2, the proposal would be to remove the mention of “associate membership” and to delete sections and renumbered, Paulette moved to make a proposal of these changes for the general membership, Kama seconded, unanimously approved

Adjourned: 10:10am (Angie Holt)

Submitted by Stefanie Batson-Martin

Program: Andre Ferreira presents his compositions
______________________________________________
In Sympathy
JMTA would like to extend our deepest condolences to Denise Homsley and to Gavin Taylor, both of whom lost their dear mothers in January. You are in our thoughts and our prayers.
______________________________________________
JMTA TREASURY REPORTS
January 2025
Checking:
Expenses
01/13/25 Check #1043 (LS - recital supplies) $20.19
Deposits
01/31/25 Interest - Business Checking $0.75
 CurrentChecking $7,952.58
 Warren Fund $827.73
 TOTAL Checking Account $8,780.31
Business Money Market (Scholarship):
Expenses
Deposits
01/31/25 Interest - Business Money Market $0.58
TOTAL Business Money Market Account $1,136.34
Business Shares (Festival):
Expenses
Deposits
01/31/25 Interest - Business Shares $0.45
TOTAL Business Shares Account $5,195.92
18-23 Month Business CD:
Expenses
Deposits
01/31/25 Interest - CD $13.40
TOTAL Business CD Account $5,354.34
TOTAL ASSETS as of January 31, 2025 $20,466.91
Submitted by Stef & Damon Martin 02/12/2025

________________________________________________________________________
MONTHLY PROGRAMS
FEBRUARY
Lynn Roberts, founder and instructor at Explore Music Jax, will be giving us valuable tips on teaching younger students on Thursday, February 13th, at Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd. The JMTA general meeting will begin at 9:30am and Lynn’s program about 10:15am. "Lynn earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Business, studying at both Florida State University and Liberty University. She has been playing piano and singing ever since she can remember, starting by playing her grandmother’s piano as a preschooler. She has performed throughout the east coast, south and midwest of the US. Before teaching private piano and voice lessons, Lynn taught music at a local preschool with eight centers. She has been blessed to teach ages 6 weeks to 83 years old. Her teaching specialties are young beginners and older adults. Her first young beginners were her own two children, both of whom are adults now and accomplished musicians in their own right. " - exploremusicjax.com

After Lynn’s program, please join us for the farewell brunch for the Melvin’s at Keyboard Connection.
For those who cannot attend in person, following is the Zoom link: February Meeting – 2/13/25
 Join Zoom Meeting https://unf.zoom.us/j/84616674661?pwd=WYAczsiSg0QFluyWOyZcqP8NOUhkkU.1
Meeting ID: 846 1667 4661 Passcode: 431658

UPCOMING MONTHS:
MARCH Thursday, March 13 – Dr. Anita Renfroe and Dr. Mary McKee – Duet Performance
APRIL Thursday, April 10 – Dr. Sandra Stewart – Teaching Music Theory
MAY Thursday, May 8 – Scholarship and Concerto Competition Winners’ performance, followed by the annual end-of-year luncheon
________________________________________________________________________
Photo Gallery
We enjoyed our January District meeting and program, and the goodies afterwards. Here are a few of our participants.
________________________________________________________________________
JMTA SCHOLARSHIPS

JMTA HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION GUIDELINES

The JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition will be held at location to be announced on March 15, 2025 at 10 am.
Deadline for application is Friday February 28, 2025. /NO Exceptions/
If there will be only one applicant auditions will be held online.
Auditions will be open only to students who have studied for six or more months with a JMTA member in good standing.
Only high school seniors who will complete work during the school year in which they audition and who state their intention to pursue a college degree in Music may apply.
Students seeking a dual major in Music and another field of study are eligible to apply.
Music minors are not eligible to apply.

The following must be submitted along with a signed application form:
(a) An entrance fee of $25.00 / check made payable to JMTA/
(b) Three letters of recommendation
1. A letter of recommendation from applicant’s private teacher
2. A letter of recommendation from teacher or administrator from applicant’s
school
3. A letter of character reference from a responsible adult who is not
applicant’s immediate family.
(c) Applicant’s repertoire list of three pieces from different time periods with duration no longer than 30 minutes.
Repertoire must be memorized.
The winner of the Scholarship Competition is required to perform at a future JMTA meeting. /TBA/
All required documents and application fee must be submitted by deadline to:
Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM,
JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair

JMTA SUMMER MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

JMTA Summer music camp scholarship is awarded annually only to pre-college students of JMTA members. The deadline for application is March 30, 2025. The scholarship may be awarded in full or partially.
Students who receive scholarships may attend the summer camp of their choice. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of need. Only one scholarship
per family may be awarded. Students who receive money for summer camps from other organizations are not eligible to receive assistance from JMTA.
Teachers must submit a short outline of their students’ qualification for scholarship along with their name(s) to the JMTA Scholarship Committee for consideration by the JMTA board.
Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM,
JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair
________________________________________________________________________ JMTA STUDENT RECITALS
Our next JMTA student recital will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at All Saints Episcopal Church on Hendricks Ave. Please adhere to the submission deadline of February 19 for guaranteed inclusion of your students. View all details at jaxmta.org. Go to the "Special Events" tab and click on JMTA Student Recitals.

~Lorraine Sears, Recitals Co-Chair

The Community “Proton Therapy” recital will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:00pm at the UF Proton Therapy Institute in downtown Jacksonville, for late-intermediate to advanced students. More information will be coming soon from Sandy Stewart, [email protected].
________________________________________________________________________
STATE CONFERENCE NEWS

Dear Colleagues,

Members of District Four of Florida (greater Jacksonville area) are thrilled to invite each of you to Amelia Island and the historic seaside community of Fernandina Beach for the 2025 FSMTA Conference! This 13-mile-long barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway boasts five public beaches, the tallest dunes in Florida and Ft. Clinch State Park. Amelia is a lively arts community with the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, Amelia Island Singers, Amelia Island Opera Company and art galleries galore.
The Marriot Courtyard and Springhill Suites complex will be our home for the conference. The ocean is visible from many of the rooms. Several restaurants are onsite or a block away.

You are encouraged to submit proposals for sessions that supports the theme: Unlocking Musical Treasures. Please send these to Dr. Mary McKee, [email protected] or Dr. Anita Renfroe, [email protected] by June 30, 2025.

Plan now to join us in this lovely setting to hear inspiring artists, charismatic speakers and motivational sessions. Headliners include Marvin Blickenstaff, Gail Berenson, Charles Turon, and Helen Marlais. Speakers include Arthur Campbell and Brian Shepherd.

Sincerely,
Anita
Dr. Anita Boyle Renfroe
Local Chair for 2025 FSMTA Conference
________________________________________________________________________
DISTRICT IV NEWS

Student Day

2025 District IV Student Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223. The application deadline for Student Day was Saturday, January 25, 2025.
We have 31 students registered, with seven participating teachers.

Student Day guidelines may be found on the fmta.org website, under Student Activities and FSMTA Non-Competitive Events, or here: https://www.fmta.org/fsmta-non-competitive-events.html, for sample tests, guidelines, suggested repertoire, and other materials. The password this year is Chopin (case-sensitive) to retrieve sample materials. The Student Day Handbook is also of help. In addition, an independent teacher has created a curriculum to help you prepare your students for the keyboard skills, written, and aural theory testing with helpful workbooks for each level. To order, email Sue Colvert (Music Masters) at [email protected]. Her phone number is 954-752-2856.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

- Angie Holt, District IV Student Activities Chair

Concerto Competition

This year’s District IV Concerto Competition will take place at UNF on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at UNF Recital Hall. Access the application here: https://www.fmta.org/district-concerto-application-form.html. The application deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025.

- Dr. Erin Bennett, District IV Concerto Competition Chair
________________________________________________________________________
Event Application Deadline Reminders

JMTA Student Recital – Sunday, March 2
Application deadline: Wednesday, February 19
District IV Student Day – Saturday, March 8
Application deadline: Saturday, January 25
JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition – Saturday, March 15
Application deadline: Friday, February 28
Concerto Competition – Saturday, March 22
Application deadline: Friday, February 28
JMTA Summer Music Camp Scholarship
Application deadline: Sunday, March 30

________________________________________________________________________

Over Coffee With . . . Sunny Kyeongseon Choi

We are getting to know another one of our newer members this month. Thank you, Sunny, for sharing with us!

Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I was originally born and grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and received my Bachelor and Master's degree in Voice Performance at Chung-Ang University. Then, I continued to studied music pedagogy at Vienna Conservatory in Vienna, Austria, and received Master in Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, and am currently a DMA ABD in Voice Performance and Pedagogy.

Q. What inspired you to begin music (or voice) lessons?
A. As a child, I was exposed to music while playing the piano and singing at my church children's choir at church. I took my first piano lesson at the age of 6 and fell in love with music thanks to my piano teacher full of love. According to my mom, since I was 2-3 years old, once I heard the songs, I memorized all melodies and sang by heart.

Q. Did you have a favorite music teacher(s) that made music more enjoyable?
A. Yes. My first piano teacher. However, unfortunately, I don't remember her name. I really loved and enjoyed every piano lesson time with her. Later, she moved to another city and I have learned the piano at a music institution around my town.

Q. Tell us about some things you have been/are involved in musically.
A. From my elementary to high school years, I always enjoyed playing the piano, and it was a great challenge for me to win the second prize in a voice competition when I was thirteen. I have sung at church choir from my age 5 to 17. This just made my life full of music. In addition to basic skills as a solo singer, I was able to learn musicality and musicianship in the church choir, and the sense of unity and real happiness that comes from creating beautiful music. I was able to learn and develop social skills, leadership, and consideration for others through all these music activities.

Q. Do you have a story of something that happened during one of your performances and how you handled it?
A. I suddenly forgot the lyrics while performing a duet with a tenor during an opera highlight concert in my college. I could not stop at the moment, so I improvised the Italian lyrics and ended it safely. I still feel very dizzy just thinking about that moment. ^^

Q. What advice would you give to help focus before a performance and curb nerves?
A. I keep thinking about song lyrics and music of the song until the moment I will go on stage to perform. This really helps reduce tension and tremor.

Q. What is one of the most interesting places you've visited, and why?
A. Croatia, mission trip in 2021. Beautiful beaches and lakes with our music mission team. Vienna and Salzburg, Austria in 2022. The most specific moments to witness and learn about the places (including their real house) where famous composers were active, beautiful nature, and historical landmarks were so impressive. I would never forget the heavenly and beautiful performance of the Vienna Children's Choir in the Vienna Cathedral forever.

Q. What do you find to be a challenge in teaching music and what do you find that helps?
A. Whenever I teach students, I try to learn about their upbringing and life stories. And this really helps them open their hearts and souls and sings truly. The process of correcting and developing bad singing habits that each student has is always difficult and requires patience. But I really enjoy those moments of perseverance. Those also helps me grow into a true and mature musician. I can always learn through teaching music.

Q. Who are some of your favorite music composers?
A. J. S. Bach. His music always gives the depth of music, the sublimity of faith, strict musical principles but freedom within them. Bach is the best blueprint of my whole music life. Wonju Lee, an active living Korean woman composer. Whenever I perform versions of her Korean art songs and modernized folk-art songs, Arirang in Korea as well as several countries, I have been always inspired by the lyrical yet the unique Korean ethos presented so beautifully. I also studied her songs in my doctoral dissertation.
________________________________________________________________________
Find A Teacher Section on Jaxmta.org
Teachers, please take a moment to check out your information on our Find A Teacher page on the JMTA website (jaxmta.org). If you would like any changes made, or if you’re not listed yet and would like to be added, please contact Angie Holt at [email protected] with the verbiage you would like put in.
________________________________________________________________________
Did You Know?
Residents of Duval county, if they have a Jacksonville Library card, can use the many electronic resources from the https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/digital-library. Getting a library card is free. All that's needed is your driver's license and sign up in person at any of the 21 branches.
The card allows the use of Kanopy - which has free streaming movies, documentaries, educational resources [older teens/adults]. I saw a documentary "Making the Grade" which profiled Irish students and piano teachers whose students are preparing to take the Irish Royal Academy of Music Examinations. It was funny, moving, informative, and relatable, especially seeing snippets of the teacher's lessons in action and how the students feel about piano and their teachers overall. I highly recommend members watch it (and explore the other resources available from JPL)!
- JohnWillard Utuk
________________________________________________________________________
Need a Sponsor?
Does anyone in the JMTA need a sponsor or need help in any way? If so, John Scott, owner of Jacksonville School of Music & First Coast School of Music, is interested in helping our organization. If interested, contact John at [email protected]. His direction phone number is 904-248-1848.
________________________________________________________________________
Music Exchange
Do you have too much music collected in your studio? Is there some you think you'll never use? Bring your unneeded music to any JMTA meeting. Bring home something new to you! Look for the "Free Music" spot. Music does not have to be brand new.
__________________________________________________________
Have you found us on Facebook?
Follow JMTA on Facebook for the latest happenings, photos, videos, and more!
________________________________________________________________________
Events Calendar
Please view our website for any updates or additions to these events, as well as for more details including application deadlines: www.jaxmta.org.
 
Thursday, February 13 9:30am – JMTA Meeting, After - Program; JMTA Meeting and Program – Lynn Roberts (Explore Music Jax); Farewell Brunch - Melvins Keyboard Connection / Zoom, 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257

Sunday, March 2 3:00pm - JMTA Student Recital, All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave., 32207

Saturday, March 8 As Scheduled - District IV Student Day, Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223

Thursday, March 13 9:30am – JMTA Meeting, After - Program; JMTA Meeting and Program – Dr. Anita Renfroe and Dr. Mary McKee - Performance, Location TBA

Saturday, March 15 10:00am - JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition, Location TBA

Saturday, March 22 TBA - District IV Concerto Competition, UNF Fine Arts Building, Room 1200, Recital Hall, 1 UNF Drive, 32224

Thursday, April 10 9:30am – JMTA Meeting, After - Program; JMTA Meeting and Program – Dr. Sandra Stewart – Teaching Music Theory, Mandarin Presbyterian Church

Thursday, May 8 9:30am – JMTA Meeting, After - Program; JMTA Meeting and Program – HS Scholarship and Concerto Competition Winners, End-of-Year Luncheon, Home of Anita Renfroe
​
Stay tuned for more events to come! High Notes is distributed on the first of the month excluding June-August and December. All submissions are due by the 20th of the month prior to distribution. Submissions may be sent to [email protected]