March 2021 High Notes

JMTA High Notes

March 2021—Vol. 24, no. 6
JMTA General Meeting (using ZOOM):
March 10, 2020: 9:30am - District IV meeting and program:
Answering Questions about This Year’s Virtual District Student Day

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From the President’s Pen:

As we welcome March and the promise of Spring, let’s look forward to a time when we can once again gather in the same room for our meetings and programs. We’re not there yet, but so much closer. Many of you have received your COVID vaccinations and I believe most will have them by mid-summer. Right now meetings for the Fall look “normal.”

Despite the challenges imposed on us this past year, we have had some wonderful meetings and programs. The JMTA membership has volunteered, answered and provided support for each new problem we have faced. We need to know the ideas of all the members in order to provide the best opportunities for teachers and our students. Please keep in touch with the JMTA officers to express those wishes to us.

Our next meeting is March 10th on Zoom.  I look forward to seeing you!

Right after our meeting is the MTNA ONLINE CONFERENCE – March 13-17.

The MTNA National Conference promises to be a feast of programs, workshops and “how-to” sessions that will appeal to all.  Sessions that focus on the youngest pupils to Recreational Music Making for the older students will be sandwiched in between presentations by a diverse array of composers from many countries. You will become acquainted with selections of all levels along with some background for the works. And…you’ll have two months to peruse these sessions at your own pace.

SMILE at yourself and your students – it will make you feel good all over!

Anita 
Dr. Anita Boyle Renfroe, NCTM
JMTA President
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JMTA General Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, February 10, 2021, Zoom

Present: Erin Bennett, Anita Renfroe, Sandra Stewart, Stefanie Batson-Martin, Angie Holt, Michael Mastronicola, Joan Cordell, Lisa Barwell, Kamila Shahtakhtinski, Denise Homsley, Kama Rasmussen-Li

Call to Order: 9:32am (Anita Renfroe)

Parliamentarian: (Lynn Freeman)

Not present

Secretary Minutes: (Stefanie Batson-Martin)

The November minutes were read

Treasurer’s Report: (Lorie Burningham)

Lorie is not present, both daughters have been very ill, please keep her in your prayers

Anita went over the treasurer’s report

Questions can be emailed to Lorie

Vice-President/Membership: (Sandra Stewart)

Ron Touchton has renewed

Cheryl Duberly is a new member, no information on her

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Altruistic: (Sandra Roberts)

Not present

She wrote some sympathy cards recently for Mary Lou Krosnick’s husband, Aaron

Anita ran into a Joseph who received a card and he was very appreciative

Michael Mastronicola will reach out to Mary Lou Krosnick on behalf of JMTA to let her know we are thinking about her

Dan Francabondiero passed away, Sandra Roberts will be notified to send a card if she has not yet

Communications: (Angie Holt)
Nothing to report

Community Service: (Joan Cordell)
Not present

Ethics: (Maureen Rhodes)
Not present


Historian: (Lynn Roberts)
Not present


Internet Media: (Angie Holt)
Nothing to report

Programs: (Michael Mastronicola)

Today is Robert Durso, he will give a program on technical skills, he is from the Taubman Institute

March 10, we are scheduled to have Marc Sabatella, but we will have Angie present a Student Day Q&A, will try to have Marc move to April or May

Discussed whether May would feature concerto competition winners and how so

Scholarships: (Kamila Shahtakhtinski)

A photo was sent in for the High Notes
Deadline for applications for high school is March 6, for video is March 20
Information is on the website

Music camp scholarship application deadline is set for March 27, this can be applied to virtual camps

Social: (Angie Holt)
Nothing to report

Student Recitals: (Angie Holt?)

Michael has the location, Lisa and Stefanie will work on the tech part, Erin offered to help with a program, and Angie offered to help coordinate, the next recital would normally be in March

Student Day Report: (Angie Holt)

Set for Saturday, March 27, registration deadline is Saturday, February 20

It will be held virtually

The written theory and aural theory test will be available until Tuesday, March 30 for students to take
Music will be scanned into a folder created for each student on Google
Student Day recital will be virtual, possibly on Zoom

Wellness Liaison: (Joan Cordell and Stefanie Batson-Martin)
Nothing to report

Old Business:
Sonata/Sonatina Festival adjudication comments have been received by Erin, she is creating the digital certificates and is planning on sending those to the teachers this weekend

New Business:
Concerto Competition application deadline is March 8, $40 fee, check should be made to FSMTA District 4, it will be be completely virtual, video submission deadline is March 22, needs to be uploaded to Youtube, video must be one un-edited take with a fixed camera angle, both live and virtual accompaniments can be used, hands and face should be visible, no clues to the identity of the performer, recording must be from 2021, winners will be announced by March 30

FSMTA District Updates will be discussed at March meeting

Adjourned: 10:23am (Anita Renfroe)

-Submitted by Stefanie Batson-Martin

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Monthly Meetings

March 10, 2021 - JMTA General Meeting / Program
Answering Questions about This Year’s Virtual District Student Day

After the general meeting at 9:30am on Wednesday, March 10, the program at 10:30am will be answering questions about this year’s virtual District Student Day.

The link to the meeting and program is as follows:

March 10 Meeting and Program:
https://unf.zoom.us/j/91060223826?pwd=QlBINkRUUG1wMndCbVdtdTdYekVnQT09
Meeting ID: 910 6022 3826
Passcode: 733518

Dr Michael Mastronicola, JMTA Programs Chair

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2021 JMTA Scholarships

2021 JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition will be held virtually. This audition is for high school seniors that will be attending college as a music major.  The repertoire must consist of 3 pieces of different periods (example: Bach Prelude and Fugue, Beethoven Sonata movement, piece by Debussy). Entrance fee is $25, and there will be three judges on the panel.  The deadline to submit application for the High School Senior Scholarship Competition is March 6, 2021. The deadline to submit video materials is March 20, 2021. Send 3 letters of recommendation for the student, a check with $25 made out to JMTA, and the repertoire list to Kamila Shahtakhtinski, 7990 Baymeadows Rd. E unit 202, Jacksonville, 32256.  For more info, email: kamilashaht@gmail.com or call Kamila, 904-645-6481.

- Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair

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JMTA Summer Music Camp Scholarship will be awarded annually to the students of JMTA teachers to attend summer music camp of their choice. Scholarship may be awarded in full or partially and will be based on family need. Teachers must submit short outline of their students’ qualification for scholarship along with their name(s) to the JMTA Scholarship Committee for consideration by the JMTA board. Students must show evidence of attendance at a camp. Students who receive money for summer camps from other organizations are not eligible to receive assistance from JMTA. Applications should be submitted by March 27, 2021 by mail or e-mail to JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair Kamila Shahtakhtinski.

All information, guidelines and applications for both scholarships can be found on the JMTA web page (jaxmta.org).

- Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair
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JMTA Student Recital
Sunday, April 18 at All Saints Episcopal Church

We are excited to announce a JMTA Student Recital is being planned for Sunday, April 18, at All Saints Episcopal Church. Details are currently in the works and more information will be coming in an email. This will be a hybrid recital where students will perform in scheduled increments before a camera (without an audience) and it will be recorded and put into a recital. The piano will be cleaned between each student and hand sanitizer used. Each student/family will be given a different time to arrive, and will be able to view the recital once it has been put together. More details coming soon!

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Mark Chen, Eva Nguyen, Alan Li, Fangze Chen, and Yunhan Shen - students of Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM. They are the recipients of 2nd and 3rd place Diplomas of the 2021 Charleston International Music Competition!!!

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DISTRICT IV NEWS

2021 District IV Concerto Competition

Application Deadline: March 8
Application: District 4 Concerto Competition Application

Application Fee: $40 (mail check to Sarah Hartley 1677 Geraldine Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32205) Checks should be made out to FSMTA District 4. 

Teacher Fee: FSMTA members who renewed their membership before November 30 pay no fee. All other teachers are required to pay $80 non-member fee. 

Video Submission Deadline: March 22

Send YouTube link to sarahe639@gmail.com. You may not send the link for your video until after the application is submitted. 

Rules for video submissions:

Video Requirements:

    •    Audition video must be recorded in one unedited take, the camera angle must be fixed (no multiple angles).

    •    Live and pre-recorded accompaniment are allowed. Accompanists are allowed to use electronic piano.

    •    The applicant’s hands and face must be clearly visible. The video may not contain any clues as to identity of the performer. It may contain date of recording (but not place) and titles of works.

    •    The recording must be recent, made no earlier than January 1, 2021.

    •    Recordings from public performances are allowed. However, no people other than performers should be visible. No spoken word or subtitles are allowed.

    •    Video submissions may only be a YouTube link. Do not include any clues as to identity (title or description) of the performer visible on YouTube. It may contain date of recording (but not place) and titles of works.

    •    You may record using laptop, tablet, cell phone, consumer-grade cameras, as well as a higher-grade camera with or without external microphones. Use of dedicated sound capturing devices is strongly recommended. Video quality of at least 720p or higher is required.

Accompanists:

    •    Live accompaniments are preferred, however, if entrants are unable to meet with accompanists, prerecorded accompaniments are acceptable. CDs and online platforms such as SmartMusic.com, Appcompanist.com, Piano Accompaniments.com and Acapella may be utilized as is appropriate.

    •    Teachers may accompany any entrant.

Other rules:

    •    All videos are randomly numbered and made anonymous to the judges. All decisions of the judges are final and will not be subject to further review. Judges have the right to declare no winner.

    •    Incomplete applications or video submissions that do not follow the above rules may result in the participant’s disqualification without refund. 

Winners Announced: March 30

- Sarah Hartley, District IV Concerto Chair


2021 District IV Student Day

The 2021 District IV Student Day has been moved back to Saturday, April 24. With most students taking lessons virtually, this will give students more time to prepare for each of the tests.

The live auditions before a judge, going over the repertoire and keyboard skills, will be held over Zoom. We have decided the aural testing will also be held over Zoom. The written tests will be sent to the teachers, who can distribute them to their students to complete in each of their homes. The deadline to return the written tests will also be April 24. We will not be using the online aural and written theory testing.

For those who receive scores rendering them eligible to participate in an Honors Recital, recordings made of their chosen Student Day piece can be uploaded to YouTube upon further instruction.

For the program after our general meeting on Wednesday, March 10, we will be answering questions about this year’s Student Day. Please also see last month’s High Notes if needed for more detail.

Please contact me by email (angiespianostudio7@gmail.com) with any questions you may have. We are all first and foremost music teachers, and we are here to help you in this new way of doing things. Thank you for your patience.

We are looking forward to a great 2021 District Student Day!

- Angie Holt, District IV Student Day Chair

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MTNA’s National Conference is being held virtually this year, on March 13-17. See the Florida state website at FMTA.org for more details!

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Over Coffee With . . .      

This month we are chatting with Lorie Burningham, who is our Treasurer. Thank you, Lorie, for taking the time to share your experiences with us!

LORIE BURNINGHAM

Hello, my name is Lorie Heaton Burningham. I am a mother of four grown daughters and 18 grandchildren. Besides teaching piano, I love photography and am obsessed with golf. I have taught piano lessons for 35 years. I have taught in Utah, Colorado, Maryland, Boston, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and now Saint Augustine. I believe in constantly improving my teaching by reading, watching, and learning. I am a past board member of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association and have been on the JMTA board for several years as secretary and now treasurer. Each year, I create a year-long printed incentive theory booklet and decorative wall banners. We have had pirate maps, Monopoly games, Clue games, sports, and this year is Harry Potter. We include sound theory, composition and a lot of games, iPad, computer, etc. This helps encourage my students to practice. I am a lover of technology.  I accompany from an iPad with Bluetooth pedal and encourage my students to do the same.

I was born in 1958 and raised in Provo, Utah and was one of six children. My parents believed that learning to play the piano was one of the greatest gifts they could give their children. Neither of them played the piano but my father played the guitar using simple chords. My father was a college professor and did not make much money, but they managed to have all six of us take piano lessons through high school. It must have been a sacrifice for them. Whenever I would argue with my mother about having to practice an hour a day, she would just say, 'Someday, you'll thank me,' and she would leave the room. I thank her every day, and it was an honor to play the organ at both of their funerals.

My favorite piano teacher was Mrs. Cundick. She taught me from years 8-12. She introduced theory games, notation, composition, music history, etc. My previous teachers never really made lessons fun. I needed that after so many years. I have carried that tradition on with my students.

One of my funniest piano stories took place when I was ten. On Saturday mornings, I would walk down the street to a neighbor's home (he was a music professor at Brigham Young University, so I guess my mom thought he must be good.) He would sit 12 feet behind me on the couch while he ate his breakfast. One Saturday, as I finished a piece in a John Thompson book, he did not say anything. He was silent. I turned around and what I saw horrified me! He was asleep! His hair piece (that I did not even know he had), had fallen off his head and into the breakfast on his lap. I started coughing to try to wake him up. As a ten-year-old, it was quite something.

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Accompanist Available

Dr. Sandra Roberts is available to play for Sunday morning church services if anyone has a need. Her email is skrmusic@bellsouth.net, or you can text or call her at 904-607-9068.

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Find A Teacher Section on Jaxmta.org

Teachers,

Please take a moment to check out your information on our Find a Teacher page.  If you would like to edit, add, or delete your information, please send whatever you would like changed to our Internet Media chairperson Angie Holt at angiespianostudio7@gmail.com.

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Need a Sponsor?

Does anyone in the JMTA need a sponsor or need help in any way? If so, John Scott, owner of Great Scott Music School, is interested in helping our organization. If interested, contact John at greatscottmusicacademy@gmail.com.

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Music Exchange (Will be on again once meetings are in-person)

Do you have too much music collected in your studio?  Is there some you think you'll never use?  Let's have a music exchange!  Bring your unwanted 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.

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Have you found us on Facebook?

Follow JaxMTA on Facebook for the latest happenings, photos, videos, and more!

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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.


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 jaxmta@gmail.com.