April 2024

JMTA High Notes
April 2024 —Vol. 27, no. 7
JMTA meeting and Program was held at Keyboard Connection & over Zoom
Thursday, April 11 - 9:30am meeting and program afterwards:
"The solo piano music of American composer Howard Hanson" presented by
Dr. Scott Watkins
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President’s Pen
Dear Colleagues,
As this school year winds down to a close, many of our music students continue to learn and take music lessons during the summer. As we’ve all probably read, taking music lessons has proven to improve academic achievement across the board. One study by the American Psychological Association has shown that high schoolers that take music lessons score higher in subjects like math, science, and English (APA). Peter Gouzouasis, PhD, of the University of British Columbia, is an author of the study. He said “It is believed that students who spend school time in music classes, rather than in further developing their skills in math, science and English classes, will underperform in those disciplines. Our research suggests that, in fact, the more they study music, the better they do in those subjects” (APA).
What might contribute to the benefit that music lessons can provide? According to Gouzouasis, “Learning to play a musical instrument and playing in an ensemble is very demanding. A student has to learn to read music notation, develop eye-hand-mind coordination, develop keen listening skills, develop team skills for playing in an ensemble and develop discipline to practice. All those learning experiences play a role in enhancing children's cognitive capacities and their self-efficacy” (APA). For the piano student, playing in duets contributes to the added bonus of developing team skills mentioned as one of the benefits to music lessons.
American Psychological Association. (2019, June 24). Music students score better in math,
science, English than nonmusical peers [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/06/music-students-score-better
Speaking of benefits, as we near the time of year to renew our association dues, it’s good to be reminded of the many member discounts and benefits included with our membership. You can go to our national association’s website, Music Teachers National Association (mtna.org), click on the Join+Renew drop-down, and choose Member Benefits (or click on the link below).
https://www.mtna.org/MTNA/JoinRenew/Member_Benefits/MTNA/JoinAndRenew/Membership/Membership_Benefits.aspx?hkey=44ba0e7c-0c1d-4d4e-b416-fcb4bd58afce
                From there you can click on Member Discounts, which will include Business, Online Counseling & Therapy Services, Prescription Savings, Publications and Products, Studio Management Services, Travel, and Home. You can also click on Member Insurance, which includes all kinds of insurance available to MTNA members.
          If you click on Business Resources, there is a wealth of information available on various subjects related to MTNA and teaching music. Our state website, Florida State Music Teachers Association (fmta.org) is also full of information and many helps as well.
Sincerely,
Angie
Angie Holt, President
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JMTA Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 9:30am
Keyboard Connection/Zoom
 
Present (In-person): Angie Holt, Stefanie Batson-Martin, Sandra Stewart, Lorraine Sears, Cheryl Dubberly, Paulette Kilts, Ronald Touchton, Sandra Roberts, JohnWillard Utuk
 
Present (Zoom): Denise Homsley, Erin Bennett, Mary McKee, Kama Rasmussen-Li, Kamala Shahtakhtinski
 
Call to Order: 9:37am (Angie Holt)
 
Parliamentarian: (Lynn Freeman)
•Not present
 
Secretary Minutes: (Stefanie Batson-Martin)
•Read the minutes from February 15, 2024
•Paulette motioned to approve the minutes as read, Ron seconded
 
Treasurer’s Report: (Damon Martin and Stefanie)
•Checking account as of March 14, 2024:
•Checking account: $7,862.28
•Business CD: $5,158.53
•Business Money Market: $2,024.04
•Business Shares: $5,186.05
 
Vice-President/Membership: (Mary McKee)
•New member: Emily Stuart
 
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Programs: (Open)
•JohnWillard Uruk is presenting in March
•Dr. Scott Watkins is presenting in April
•Concerto Competition/Scholarship Winners perform in May with a luncheon
 
Communications & Social Media Update: (Angie Holt)
•Nothing to report
 
Social: (Sandra Stewart)
• Sandra asked if anybody could help out with refreshments in April
 
Student Recitals: (Lorraine Sears & Gavin Taylor)
•There’s a report in the high notes
•The final recital was March 3 at All Saints Episcopal, 29 students and 10 teachers represented
•Lorraine will plan the next recitals at the board meeting over the summer
•Proton Therapy Recital - Tuesday, April 16 at 6:00pm - open to advanced students
 
Scholarship: (Kamila Shahtakhtinski)
•Matthew Phan, student of Peggy Edwards is this year’s Senior Scholarship Winner - he was the only applicant so he submitted a video audition, Dr. Erin Bennett was his judge, he will be performing at the May meeting
 
Student Day: (Angie Holt)
•37 students registered, 8 teachers, 3 of those are new to Student Day
•Angie broke down what Student Day is
 
Altruistic: (Sandra Roberts)
•Sent a sympathy card to Ron for the loss of his brother
•Will send Kama a card for her new baby
 
Community Service Awards: (Joan Cordell)
•Not present
 
Ethics: (Betty Atkinson)
•Not present
 
Historian: (Paulette Kilts)
•If you have something for the archives, please send it to Paulette
 
Wellness Liaison: (Lisa Barwell)
•Not present
 
Old Business:
•Sonata/Sonatina Festival: Two recitals, 20 participants, huge shout out to Lorraine for volunteering
 
New Business:
•Jack gave an announcement at the beginning of the meeting about the new SX series of Yamaha
•MTNA Conference is coming up on March 16-20 in Atlanta, Georgia
•District Concerto Competition: Saturday, March 23, only three entrants
•JohnWillard will be performing at Community Hospice on Sunbeam Road, Friday, March 22 at 10:30am
 
Adjourned: 10:11am (Angie Holt)
 
Program: “Compose, Create, & Collaborate: How poetry, imagination, and storytelling combine to create a unique musical experience” by JohnWillard Utuk
 
Submitted by Stefanie Batson-Martin, Recording Secretary
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JMTA TREASURY REPORTS February 2024 and March 2024
- submitted by Stef and Damon Martin________________________________________________________________________
MONTHLY PROGRAMSMAY
Next month, the JMTA High School Senior Scholarship winner and the Concerto Competition winners will be performing for us for our program, followed by our annual end-of-year luncheon at Carrabba’s.
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JMTA SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Matthew Phan, piano student of Peggy Edwards, is the winner of the 2024 JMTA High School Senior Scholarship.
Biography:Matthew is a senior at Bishop Kenny High School. Some highlights from his high school piano career include soloing with the Jacksonville Symphony, Northwest Florida Symphony, and Ocala Symphony Orchestras as the winner of their respective concerto competitions. He was also the winner of the FFMC Senior Concerto Competition, the Irene Muir Award, the Florida MTNA Senior Piano Competition and Chopin Prize, and the FSMTA Senior Concerto Competition. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 9. He also accompanies at Sunday Mass at his church weekly and is a founding member of the Bach to Back project, an organization that strives to promote arts education among underprivileged students in the Jacksonville area. He will be attending Vanderbilt University in the fall for piano performance.- Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, JMTA Scholarship Chair________________________________________________________________________
DISTRICT IV NEWSConcerto Competition
The District IV Concerto Competition took place Saturday, March 23 at UNF. Many thanks go out to our judges, Kamila Shahtakhtinski and Dr. Michael Mastronicola, as well as UNF pedagogy student volunteers, Jolie Nguyen and Nick DuVal!

Winners will advance to the state competition, this year to be held in Orlando at UCF on May 17-18.
 
Junior Piano Winner: Sasha Yan, student of Shigu Zhang
Bio:
Sasha Yan is the first prize winner of the 2022 Florida Federation of Music Clubs Junior Convention Piano solo, piano duet, and sight play in elementary class III. She is the first prize winner of the 2023 Oxana Yablonskaya Piano Institute Kovachevitsa Piano Festival Category C (Junior Group).  She took masterclasses with Prof. Oxana Yablonskaya, Prof. Tamila Azadaliyeva, Prof. Laia Martin in July, 2023. She also took private lessons with Dr. Jasmine Arakawa, Dr. Hsiang Tu, and guest artist pianist Dr. Elena Dabul during 2023 University of Florida International Piano Festival.
 
Intermediate Piano Winner: Yo-Yo Qu, student of Shigu Zhang
Bio:
Yo-Yo Qu is the first prize winner of the 2022 Florida Federation Music Clubs Junior Concerto Competition, 2022 Florida State Music Teachers Association Junior Concerto Competition, 2022 and 2023 Florida State MTNA Junior Piano Performance Competition, 2023 Oxana Yablonskaya Piano Institute Kovachevitsa Piano Festival Senior Group, and 2022 Chopin Foundation Florida Junior Chopin Prize. He is the alternate winner of 2023 Southern Division MTNA junior piano performance event. He studies with Profs. Shigu Zhang, Shijun Wang, and Hsiang Tu. He took masterclasses with Profs. Oxana Yablonskaya, Ran Dank, Soyeon Kate Lee, Tamila Azadaliyeva, Svetlana Vest, Elena Dabul, and Byeol Kim.
- Dr. Erin Bennett, Concerto Competition Chair

Student Day
The annual District IV Student Day testing took place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Mandarin Baptist Church. Thirty-five students were registered for this event, with eight participating teachers.
A big thank you goes to the three adjudicators for the event: Dr. Sandra Stewart, Dr. Michael Mastronicola, and Dr. Erin Bennett. Teachers with students participating in Student Day included Stefanie Batson-Martin, Angie Holt, Denise Homsley, Lara Lawrence, Anna Marr, Dr. Michael Mastronicola, Lorraine Sears, and Emily Stewart. Thank you also to the participating teachers for assisting in various ways to make Student Day successful.
The Honors Recital will be held on Sunday, April 28, at 3:00pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Avenue, 32207. Those students who received an Honors in their audition (performance and keyboard skills) and at least an achievement in their written and aural theory have been invited to perform and will receive an Honors medal from the State.
- Angie Holt, District IV Student Activities Chair
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Welcome to Our New Members!Nina KnightLara Lawrence________________________________________________________________________
Over Coffee With . . .Emily StewartWelcome to one of our newer members!
 
Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
 
A. I was born in Jacksonville, Florida and I lived here until 2019. Afterwards, I spent about two years in Cleveland, Tennessee where I continued my education, and I moved back to Florida in the summer of 2021. I am happy to be near family again. They have always been my greatest source of support, aside from the church family I grew up with, and always encouraged me to pursue music.
 
Q. What inspired you to begin music lessons?
 
A. I have been making music since I was very young through singing and playing the piano and the guitar. As a teenager, I realized that my two favorite things were to help others and make music, so I decided to pursue teaching. After I graduated college and earned my master’s degree, I became reacquainted with a friend from Jacksonville that helped musicians start teaching privately. I have been instructing students for a little over three years now, and it has been a very enjoyable experience.
 
Q. Did you have a favorite music teacher(s) that made music more enjoyable?
 
A. There have been a number of instructors that have been very influential in my life, but I would have to say that my mother would probably be at the top of the list. She has always been very musical and embedded music in my life from the time I was born. She also taught me how to play guitar and she's been an amazing example to me, particularly in the area of leading worship.
 
Q. Tell us about some things you have been/are involved in musically.
 
A. At the moment, my time mostly consists of my work as my church's music director and a music instructor. However, I have been missing the opportunity to be more involved in community choir and I hope to dedicate myself to one soon.
 
Q. What advice would you give to help focus before a performance and curb nerves?
 
A. I used to really struggle with nerves myself. I'm grateful to have overcome them over the years (at least mostly). I always encourage my students to practice and gain experience with performance and to own the moment. Sometimes nerves get the better of us, but we will always be our own worst critics and we shouldn't allow that to stop us from trying. I also find it very helpful to embody the character of the music and practice hyperfocusing on that rather than the potential opinions. Perform in the moment and save the constructive criticism and development for later.
 
Q. What do you find to be a challenge in teaching music and what do you find that helps?
 
A. Music is a challenging skill and language in itself, and I always have to remind myself and my students that sometimes the most important thing isn't perfection or the competition, but to learn to have grace and patience with ourselves as students and teachers to cherish small moment of progress. When that happens, any challenge can be overcome.
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AREA CONCERTS AND RECITALSCommunity Hospice Performances
If you would be interested in performing a recital at the Hadlow Center at the Community Hospice and Pallative Care on Sunbeam Road, they sponsor a monthly performance titled First Friday Recital Series, with performances starting at 11:30 a.m. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Sandra Stewart at 904-333-9280.
 
University of North Florida Music Events
Click on link for more information/tickets for each: https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html
 
Wednesday, April 17
UNF Wind Symphony and UNF Concert Band present: Athena
Performing music by Sarah Griego and Stacy Garrop
Dr. Erin Bodnar, Conductor
Lazzara Performance Hall – 7:30pm
 
Saturday, April 20
Violin Studio Concert *New!*
Dr. Simon Shiao, Director
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall - 3:00 PM
 
Monday, April 22
Music Tech Student Concert
Featuring original works by students created in the Audio for Media Application course. 
Dr. Joshua Tomlinson, Director
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall – 7:00pm

Tuesday, April 23
UNF Orchestra Concert presents: Spring DancesMusic for ballet, waltzes and tangos by Copland, Tchaikovsky and Marquez.
Dr. Simon Shiao, Conductor
Lazzara Performance Hall – 7:30pm

Wednesday, April 24
Jazz Combo Night at the Boathouse *NEW!*Featuring Combos 1-4. 
Lynne Arriale, Director
UNF Boathouse, 6:00-8:00pm
 
Wednesday, April 24
Piano PlayoffDr. Erin Bennett, Director
Fine Arts Center Recital Hall – 7:30pm

Friday, April 26
Performance Lab: School of Music Honors RecitalDr. John Daugherty, Coordinator
Lazzara Performance Hall - 12:00 PM

Friday, April 26 – 7:30pm
Sunday, April 28 – 3:00pm
UNF Opera Theater Spring Presentation*Kevin Fitzgerald, Conductor
Dr. John Daugherty, Director
Andrew A. Robinson Theater
*Title to be revealed
 
Jacksonville University Music Events
Click on link for more information and how to get tickets for each: https://viewer.joomag.com/creative-arts-series-2023-2024/0546091001658934607?short&
                                 
Thursday, April 18; Friday, April 19; and Saturday, April 20
Spring Dance Concert
*ticketed event
Swisher Theater – April 18 and April 19 – 7:30pm; April 20 – 2:00pm
 
Saturday, April 20
Spring Finale
“The Jacksonville University Orchestra closes out the 2023-2024 season with a program featuring masterworks of the orchestral repertoire as well as winners of the annual concerto competition.”
Terry Concert Hall – 7:30pm
 
Sunday, April 21
Spring Choral Concert: The SoundS of Science”
“Because the entire universe is made up of vibrating particles, our entire reality is literally music. Unfortunately, our ears and brains can only process a tiny fraction of these vibrations. Enter science. We close our Season of SoundS with music at the intersection of creativity and observation in collaboration with colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences.”
Terry Concert Hall – 3:00pm
 
Florida State College at Jacksonville Music Events
Click on link for more information:
https://www.fscj.edu/docs/default-source/wilson-center/fine-arts-calendar.pdf?sfvrsn=3b7dc316_2
               
Thursday, April 18
Symphonic Band Concert
“Under the direction of Dr. Paul Weikle, the band will perform diverse musical selections.”
South Campus Wilson Center Main Stage – 7:30pm
 
Friday, April 19
FSCJ Choirs: Spring Choral Showcase 2024
“Under the direction of Dr. Tommy Shapard, the Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus and The Chorale will present a concert with various songs.”
South Campus Wilson Center Main Stage – 7:30pm
Evensong
 
Friday Musicale Events
Click on link for more information and tickets:
https://fridaymusicale.com/events/
                      
Sunday, April 21
Dixon’s Violin
“You’ve never heard violin like this! Inspiring audiences across North America, from Burning Man and Electric Forest to TED talks.”
645 Oak Street, Jacksonville – 7:00-8:30pm
 
Friday, May 10
Benny Green, solo piano
“Benny Green possesses the history of jazz at his fingertips. Combine mastery of keyboard technique with decades of real world experience playing with no one less than the most celebrated artists of the last half century, and it’s no wonder Green has been hailed as perhaps the most exciting hard-swinging, hard-bop pianist to ever emerge from Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.”
645 Oak Street, Jacksonville – 7:00-9:00pm
 
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Events
Click on link for more information and tickets:
https://www.jaxsymphony.org/concerts-tickets/23-24-season/
 
Friday, April 19
Let’s Misbehave: Tony DeSare Sings Cole Porter - Matinee
Coffee Series
(See Description in next listing.)
“Coffee and cookies begin at 10:00am, concert begins at 11:00am.”
Grant O’Brien, Conductor
Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – 11:00am
 
Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20
Let’s Misbehave: Tony DeSare Sings Cole PorterPaysafe Pops Series
“Cole Porter’s sophisticated, sexy and timeless songs continue to inhabit a unique place in society and the Great American Songbook. It’s no wonder his work has been interpreted by countless artists across multiple decades. Join Tony DeSare with a smashing trumpeter and exhilarating tap dancer as they put a fresh spin on such hits as ‘Night and Day,’ ‘I Get a Kick Out of You,’ ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin,’ ‘It’s De-Lovely’ and ‘You’re the Top.’”   
Grant O’Brien, Conductor
Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – Both concerts: 7:30pm
 
Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27
The Pines & Fountains of Rome
Florida Blue Classical Series
“Experience Respighi’s masterpieces, Pines and Fountains of Rome. These stunning works reveal Respighi’s brilliant brushstrokes in painting scenes of the majesty of nature and dancing water. The program opens with two giants among today’s living composers: Hailstork’s powerful homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, followed by Michael Daugherty’s American Gothic, a work of irrepressible fun that brings the iconic art of Grant Wood to life!”
Case Scaglione, Conductor
Jacoby Symphony Hall – 7:30pm
 
Monday, April 29
Festival of Strings
Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Series
Grant O’Brien, JSYO Music Director & Assistant Conductor
Helen Morin, Conductor, Premier Strings & Encore Strings
Rose Francis-Wisniewski, Conductor, Foundation Strings
David Song, Conductor, Jump Start Strings
Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – 6:00pm
 
Saturday, May 4
Organ Chamber Music
Concert Organ Series
“This performance highlights the warm and tender side of the organ with string and wind players from the Jacksonville Symphony and a selection of colorful chamber repertoire. Greg Zelek brings his awe-inspiring talent to the stage and concludes this season’s Concert Organ Series with pieces that spotlight the instrument in all its shining glory.”
Greg Zelek, Organ
Grant O’Brien, Guest Conductor
Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – 7:30pm
 
Sunday, May 5
Terence Blanchard: Absence Featuring the E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet
Jazz Series
“Superstar trumpeter Terence Blanchard wraps up the season’s Jazz Series with a stellar fusion of his acclaimed band, E-Collective, and the double-GRAMMY®-winning Turtle Island Quartet in a program of original work and arrangements of Wayne Shorter’s music: Absence. Blanchard’s brilliant compositions also incorporate a string quartet, widening his signature spectrum of color and expression.”
Terence Blanchard, Trumpet
James Jenkins, Jazz Series Curator & Jacksonville Jazz Collective Director
Location: Jacoby Symphony Hall – 6:30pm
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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
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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 of the JMTA website (jaxmta.org).  If you would like to edit, add, or delete any information, please email our Internet Media chair Angie Holt at [email protected].
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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 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. 
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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.
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Have you found us on Facebook? Follow JMTA on Facebook for the latest happenings, photos, videos, and more!
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Events CalendarPlease view our website for any updates or additions to these events, as well as for more details including application deadlines: www.jaxmta.org.

Tuesday,
April 16
6:00pm
Community “Proton Therapy” Recital
UF Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., 32206

Sunday,
April 28
3:00pm
Student Day
Honors Recital
All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave., 32207

Thursday,
May 9
9:30 – Meeting
After - Program
JMTA General Meeting and Program – Concerto & Scholarship Winners
Keyboard Connection/Zoom
9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257

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].