February 2020 - Vol. 23, no. 5

JMTA High Notes
February 2020—Vol. 23, no. 5
JMTA General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2019
Time: 9:30am - Business Meeting; 10:30am - Featured Program:
Edie Moore-Hubert will present “The Healing Properties of Classical Music”
Location: Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 32257
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From the President’s Pen
Please welcome Stefanie Batson-Martin as the new JMTA Secretary. Stefanie is from the Orlando area and graduated from University of North Florida where she studied piano with Dr. Erin Bennett. Piano is her main instrument, but she also plays and teaches flute. Let Stefanie know how much we appreciate her taking over the job of Secretary.
Each week in private music lessons, we observe and have the opportunity to address a range of physical and psychological challenges our students are experiencing. Music teachers are often the first to notice when a student has problems seeing clearly. We may also observe a student who struggles to hear due to damage caused by extended exposure to loud music or video games. Other students exhibit poor posture or various musculoskeletal problems related to overuse of the body. We may notice that some students dread playing in public and feel overwhelmed. We are confronted with the issues of “Wellness” quite often in teaching. How do we handle these situations? Here are a few suggestions:
Vision
A short text or email recommending a visit to the eye doctor may be all that’s needed for the student struggling to see the music. Glasses or contacts can have a positive impact at the piano.
Hearing
Speaking with the students and parents about noise-induced hearing loss is critical! Making them aware of the long-term implications of daily hours of exposure to excessively loud sounds
will help them set guidelines for video and personal listening devices.
Posture
Engaging students with 1-2 minutes of breathing and stretching exercises at the beginning of the lesson time helps clear the mind (theirs and ours!) and allow them to be more receptive.
For younger students, a rounded dinosaur or puppet can demonstrate good hand position or posture. Using a mirror or looking at short video clips are effective ways to encourage good posture in older students. Doing a rhythm activity on the floor or away from the instrument breaks up the lesson and gives the student another opportunity to practice good alignment when they return.
Stress
Providing opportunities that build confidence such as duet or small group sessions help a student feel more comfortable. Music becomes “play” through board games, relays with notes, scales, chords, or rhythm patterns. If a student feels connected to others in musical activities, sharing music will become a natural part of the process.
As we prepare students for Student Day, festivals, and recitals, let’s be in tune with our students’ needs, wear a smile, show a positive attitude, listen and communicate effectively.
I look forward to seeing you at Keyboard Connections on February 12th at 9:30 for our next JMTA meeting and program.

Anita
Dr. Anita Boyle Renfroe, NCTM
President, JMTA
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JMTA Treasurer Transaction Monthly Report
January 1 – January 31, 2020
Premier Business Checking Total 31-Jan-20 $9,364.14
Expenses $0.00
Deposits
01/07/20 MTNA Dues $25.00
12/27/19 Interest (checking) $0.80
11/30/19 Interest (Business shares) $0.35
11/30/19 Interest (Money Market) $1.39
11/30/19 Interest (CD) $12.83
TOTAL INCOME $40.37

Current Checking $4,411.20
Piano Festival Fund (add to Business Shares Acct) $3,325.21
Warren Fund $1,627.73
TOTAL Checking Account as of December 31, 2019 $9,364.14

Other Accounts:
Business Money Market (Scholarship) $3,271.75
Business Shares (Festival) (add to amt in chking) $1,644.88
22-Month CD (matures 3/31/2020) $7,096.30
TOTAL as of January 31, 2020 $12,012.93

TOTAL ASSETS as of January 31, 2020 $21,377.07
- Submitted by Lorie Burningham 1/02/20
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JMTA General Meeting, February 12

After the General Meeting at 9:30am, we will have our Featured Program at 10:30am:
Edie Moore-Hubert will present "The Healing Properties of Classical Music." Ms. Hubert recently earned a Graduate Certificate in the Arts in Medicine from the University of Florida. She will give an overview of arts in medicine, including national and international trends, and local programs. She was recently interviewed by 'classicalmpr.org' and, in 2010, released a CD, 'Music to Calm Your Soul.' She has worked with young people bringing music performance to many hospitals, including Mayo, and therapeutic centers.

- Michael Mastronicola, DMA, NCTM
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Free Concert

Our own president, Dr. Anita Renfroe, will be giving a concert on March 1st:

“Suites & Sonatas a la mode”
Dr. Anita Boyle Renfroe, harpsichord
Sunday, March 1, 2020
7:00 pm
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
3976 Hendricks Ave.
Jacksonville

Works by Bach, Handel, Scarlatti
The program is free and the public is invited
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JMTA REMINDER - If interested, applications for these scholarships are due in March.

2020 JMTA Scholarships

JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition is scheduled for March 21, 2020 at the First Christian Church of Jacksonville, 11924 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, 32223, starting at 9.30 a.m. This audition is for high school seniors that will be attending college as music majors. 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 for entrance to the High School Senior Scholarship Competition is March 5, 2020. 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: [email protected] or call Kamila, 904-645-6481.

JMTA Summer Music Camp Scholarship will be awarded annually to the students of JMTA teachers to attend the 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 28, 2020 by mail or e-mail to JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair Kamila Shahtakhtinski.

- Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM
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DISTRICT IV NEWS

2020 District IV Student Day
Denise Homsley, Mus.M., NCTM, Chair, District IV Student Activities
District IV Student Day was held Saturday, February 1, 2020 on the campus of First Baptist Church Downtown. Heartfelt thanks are extended to the staff of First Baptist for the gracious use of the church campus.
Twelve JMTA teachers enrolled 50 students to participate in this year’s Student Day. Many thanks to our adjudicators: Joan Cordell, Dr. Michael Mastronicola, and Dr. Sandra Stewart. Your expertise and helpful comments are so appreciated!
Appreciation is also sincerely extended to the following for their assistance with the administration of Student Day: Ansel Audain, Lorie Burningham, Angie Holt, Jo Plunkett, Maureen Rhodes, Dr. Jeannie Rose, Lorraine Sears. Many thanks, as well, to Al Plunkett and Mark Homsley for their assistance at Student Day.
Many students have qualified to perform in the Honors Recital, which will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at 2:30 pm in the Recital Hall at UNF. Many thanks to Dr. Erin Bennett, Associate Professor, Piano and Piano Pedagogy, for securing the location for our Honors Recital.
Thank you to everyone for making this year’s Student Day very successful!! We look forward to 2021 District IV Student Day!
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2020 District IV Concerto Competition
Sarah Hartley, District IV Concerto Competition Chair

The District IV Concerto Competition will take place Saturday, March 14 in the recital hall at UNF. The application deadline is Friday, February 14. Please see the JMTA website for more information, under the Special Events tab, and in addition the following link will be helpful on the Florida State Music Teachers website: https://www.fmta.org/concerto-competition.html

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Hartley, Chair, at [email protected].
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Over Coffee With . . .

JOAN CORDELL

Having been involved in many positions in the JMTA over the years, Joan is currently the Community Service Award Chair of our organization.

Q: First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I was born and raised in Erie County, Pennsylvania by parents who were musical and surrounded by cousins who were very musical also.
We all attended a bilingual church, and although it was a small country church, it was filled with musicians (almost all related).
Q: What made you want to start piano lessons as a child and what inspired you to make music your life-long career?
A: My father was an amateur musician and many older cousins already were taking piano lessons. They tell me (I don't remember this) that I was playing by ear at a very young age. I started lessons at age 8 and loved playing the piano, but disliked practicing. Fortunately, I had no problems with note-reading or counting, so whatever I could find, I tried to play. This certainly helped my sightreading! I started playing in church at age 9 and became the organist at age 12 with free organ lessons from the church. It was a given that I wanted a career in music and chose Sacred Music as my major. My father encouraged me to change to music education instead, so I earned a B.S. in Music Ed with the proficiency in piano at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. I have come to appreciate how rigorous their music program was and is.
Q: Who was your favorite music teacher growing up, and why?
A: I had 3 teachers from age 8 through age 18 and I believe each of them contributed to my education in different ways.
The first one really taught reading and counting so well and so thoroughly.
The second one emphasized sightreading, so at every lesson, she pulled out duet music and we sightread through whatever music she chose.
The third teacher was more technical. I not only learned some good classics, but she also taught me how to arrange hymns and to do improvisation. This is when my ear kicked back in and I relearned how to play by ear (through theory, of course).
Q: Do you have any advice for someone setting up a private music studio in their home?
A: My private teaching has been mainly through schools. I have been employed by Trinity Christian Academy for decades as a private piano teacher. I have only taught a few lessons at my home. However, I do have an acoustical Yamaha, a Roland keyboard and an organ at home.
Q: What do you find to be a challenge in teaching piano and how do you suggest meeting that challenge?
A: I believe now, that the biggest challenge is making sure parents understand what is needed for success in piano. They do not always understand that their child needs to have an instrument that is decent, and that daily practice is needed. Communication is key in helping parents and student understand the commitment.
Q: Do you have a story of something that happened during one of your performances and how you handled it?
A: I have no specific story of a performance, but have learned not to show that I just made a mistake--just keep going, and know what key I am in.
Q: What advice would you give to help focus before a performance and curb nerves?
A: My college teacher instilled in me about complete preparation before a performance. Before any of my recitals, on the day of, she insisted that I use my music and play everything slow motion. Of course, that took twice as long or longer, but it was well worth it.
So, I have told my students the same.
Something else that really helps (as weird as it seems) is to run in place for one minute. This literally helps the adrenaline to slow down. I have stood backstage with my students and had them do this. They giggle a little and it helps the nerves.
Breathe during your performance. Do not hold your breath!
Q: Is there any advice you might give to a teacher struggling to keep up with their bookkeeping?
A: As to bookkeeping, keep it up daily, and do not be afraid to send reminders about payment. Be proactive.
Q: What is one of the most interesting places you have visited or lived in, and why?
A: Since my older daughter went to school and lived in NYC, and now my son works in Manhattan, I find that city to be extremely interesting to visit. I especially like to walk down 5th Ave, duck into some of the famous churches and listen to the boy choir practice or to the organist practicing.
My husband is a band director, my older daughter is a professional musician and mom in Philadelphia, my son has 2 children and is a video editor in NYC, and my younger daughter is an internal auditor for the state in Tallahassee.
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COMPASSIONATE MUSIC SERIES

Do some of your students need Community Service Hours? Community Hospice has begun a music series at their facility on Sunbeam Road. There is a "Music Minors" performance program for teen volunteers who wish to play piano for an hour in the patients wing on Sunday afternoons. Anyone wishing for more information please contact Sandy Stewart, [email protected].
- Sandra Stewart, DMA
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Find A Teacher Section on Jaxmta.org

Teachers,

Please take a moment to check out your information on the Find a Teacher page of our website. If you would like to edit, add, or delete your information, please send whatever you would like changed to Internet Media Chair Angie Holt at [email protected].
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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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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 [email protected].
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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? 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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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.

EVENTS:

February 9
2:30pm
District IV Student Day Honors Recital
Recital Hall at UNF, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, 32224

February 12
9:30am
JMTA General Meeting followed by Program:
Edie Moore-Hubert - “The Healing Properties of Classical Music”
Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257

March 11
9:30am
JMTA General Meeting followed by Program:
Dr. Lori Rhodes, Professor of Music, Ball State University: ‘Sightreading Boot Camp’
Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257

March 14
As Scheduled
District IV Concerto Competition
Recital Hall at UNF, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, 32224

March 20-25
As Scheduled
MTNA National Conference
Chicago, IL

March 22
3:00pm
JMTA Student Recital
All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave., 32207

April 7
6:00pm
Proton Therapy Student Recital – upper interm. /advanced students
UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., 32206

April 8
9:30am
JMTA General Meeting followed by Program: Concerto Winners will perform
Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257
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May 13
9:30am
JMTA General Meeting following by end-of-year luncheon
Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257

Stay tuned for more events to come! High Notes is distributed on the 1stof 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].