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H i g h   N o t e s

February 2023 High Notes

2/1/2023

 
JMTA High Notes
February 2023—Vol. 26, no. 5
District IV Meeting (at Keyboard Connection, also available on Zoom):
Wednesday, February 8, 2023: 9:30am – General Meeting and Program afterwards
__________________________________________________________
President’s Pen
 
As we begin the 2023 activities for JMTA, perhaps it’s time to reflect on what worked in 2022 and what needs to be improved. Here are a few ideas to consider:
  • Increase our membership
  • Increase opportunities for students
  • Provide a welcoming atmosphere for visitors
  • Encourage and assist other members
Most of us are so comfortable with our allegiance to JMTA that we forget that others know absolutely nothing about the benefits of membership.
Some of the many benefits of membership include: 
• Free or discounted attendance at high-quality teacher conferences
• Fantastic performance opportunities for your students at recitals, competitions, festivals
and special events held throughout the year
• Free listing in our professional Teacher Referral Service to help build your studio
• Free subscription to American Music Teacher – a premier professional journal published by MTNA
• Access to MTNA grants for teacher education
• Comprehensive personal health insurance & business insurance programs available exclusively to MTNA members.
• Membership discounts available for students!
• Access to adjudications locally and through MTNA Student Competitions

Are there different kind of activities our students would like to do? Some independent studios raise money for a cause with practice hours and performances attached. Is that of interest to you? Perhaps we should explore more interactive events with the college members. They bring fresh ideas and exciting programs! We should plan now to feature them in at least one program next year.
 
It’s difficult to extend a hand of friendship or a personal smile with “I’m so glad you are here today” when most of our members are attending meetings online. I understand that many members cannot attend in person and welcome the online meetings. Should we select a date at the beginning and/or end of the year (September/May) when we plan a luncheon with our meeting? This has worked well in the past and provided an excellent opportunity for teachers to chat and exchange ideas. How can we make our online sessions more welcoming?
 
Looking forward to seeing you in February!
Anita Renfroe
President, JMTA          [email protected]
____________________________________________________________
JMTA District Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 9:30am, Keyboard Connection
 
Present In-Person: Erin Bennett, Stefanie Batson-Martin, Paulette Kilts (and husband), Kama Rasmussen-Li
 
Present Zoom: Lynn Freeman, Lisa Barwell, Denise Homsley, Mary McKee
 
Call to Order: 9:39am (Kama Rasmussen-Li)
 
Vice-President: (Erin Bennett)
 
Secretary Minutes: (Stefanie Batson-Martin)
• Read January 2022 Minutes
• Change title from "General Meeting" to "District Meeting"
• Erin motioned, Paulette seconded
 
Treasurer’s Report: (Denise Homsley)
• Checking account: $6,321.72 (last year)
• Deposits:
Sonatina: $365
District Concerto $280
Student Day $720
Total deposits: $1,365
• Expenses:
Sonatina adjudication: $80
Concerto Competition:
  Erin Bennett background check: $79.25
  Adjudication: $340
  Concerto supply $60.25
Student Day Expenses:
  Janitor: $50
  Church donation: $100
  Adjudication: $450
  Certificates $24
Total expenditures: $1,183.50
• Checking Account Balance: $6,503.22 (December 31, 2021)
• Savings: $5,741.82 (January 2022), Currently: $5,740.62, under $6 dollars in interest

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
 
Student Day: (Angie Holt)
• Could not be at meeting
• Confirmed for Saturday, March 25, Mandarin Baptist Church
• Application Deadline: Saturday, February 11
• Honors Recital tentatively scheduled: Sunday, April 8, UNF Recital Hall
 
District Concerto Competition: (Erin Bennett)
• Saturday, March 11 at UNF
• Application deadline: February 7
• Applications are live on the state website
 
Sonatina and Sonata Festival 2021: (Erin Bennett)
• Sunday afternoon, February 26, UNF Recital Hall
• $15 for FSMTA members, $25 for non-members
• Application deadline: February 4
• Students must have a signed UNF waiver to perform
• Erin could use a few volunteers to help
 
Certification: (Kamila Shahtakhtinski)
•Couldn’t be at meeting, traveling
 
Community Service Awards:
•Applications due January 17
 
Old Business:
• None
 
New Business:
• Need to form a nominating committee for new committee officers
• Looking at April for an election and installation
 
Motion to adjourn: Stefanie, Paulette seconded
Adjourned: 9:59am (Kama Rasmussen-Li)
 
-Submitted by Stefanie Batson-Martin
 
Program: Our Music Our Planet by Kama Rasmussen-Li
 
_________________________________________________________
JMTA Treasury Report
 
December 2022
JMTA Treasurer Transaction Monthly Report     | December 1-31, 2022

Expenses   
12/15/2022Check #1150 (LS - recital supplies) $28.64    
Deposits   
12/09/22Check #289 (LS - JMTA Dec. Recital) $40.00
12/09/22Check #3342 (SS - JMTA Dec. Recital) $20.00
12/09/22Check #1821 (KS - JMTA Dec. Recital) $30.00
12/31/22Interest - Business Checking $0.93
    
 Current Checking $6,397.39 
 Piano Festival Fund (add to Business Shares Acct) $3,337.08 
 Warren Fund $1,127.73 
 TOTAL Checking Account $10,862.20 
    
Other Accounts:
Expenses   
    
Deposits   
12/31/22Interest - Business Money Market $7.87
12/31/22Interest - Business Shares $0.16
    
 Business Money Market (Scholarship) $8,063.62 
 Business Shares (Festival) $1,849.92 
TOTAL $9,913.54   
TOTAL ASSETS as of December 31, 2022$20,775.74 
    
Submitted by Stef & Damon Martin 01/05/2023   
_____________________________________________________

JMTA MONTHLY PROGRAMS

JMTA  MARCH AND  APRIL  PROGRAMS
JMTA is in need of a Program Chair to organize the monthly programs. In the meantime, Dr. Anita Renfroe will be looking for programs for us for March and April. If you have an interest in being the program chair, please don’t hesitate to contact Anita at [email protected].
_____________________________________________________

JMTA AND DISTRICT 4 BOARD NOMINATIONS
 
JMTA Members: It’s time to think about how you want to support JMTA in 2023-2025. Would you like to serve as an officer or on the Board? If so, please contact Anita Renfroe ([email protected]) to express your interest.
A nominating committee will be presenting a slate of officers for the 2023-2025 term at the March meeting.
District 4 is also putting together a nominating committee to present a slate of District officers. Please contact Kama Rasmussen ([email protected]) if you are interested in serving as a District officer. The District nominating committee will be presenting candidates at the March meeting as well.
 
Dr. Anita Renfroe, NCTM
[email protected]
________________________________________________
JMTA Student Recital

Our next student recital will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, 32207. It will be held at 3pm. Students should be checked in by 2:45p.  Guests are welcome to attend.  Photos and videos are permitted, however be sure devices don't make sound. Performances are welcome from any instrument and level. $5 per student must be paid before or at the recital.
Michael Mastronicola requests that 2-3 men or high school boys help with moving the piano. This will need to be done 30 minutes before the recital begins. If you have someone who can help with this, please include that with your student information.
View the website for more detailed information on applications and participation guidelines. https://www.jaxmta.org/jmta-student-recitals.html
 - Lorraine Sears, Student Recitals Co-Chair ([email protected])
 
Community “Proton Therapy” Student Recital
The annual Community “Proton Therapy” recital will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 6pm for patients and staff at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonville, 32206. This recital is for late-intermediate to advanced students only. Volunteer hours will be given.
View the website for more detailed information on applications and participation guidelines. https://www.jaxmta.org/community-proton-therapy-recital.html.
If you have qualified students who would like to participate, email information to Sandy Stewart at [email protected].
- Dr. Sandra Stewart is the organizer of this event.
__________________________________________________

JMTA Scholarships

JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition
The JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition will be held in March 2023, date and place TBA. If there will be only one applicant auditions will be held online.
The deadline for application is March 6, 2023, no exceptions.
Auditions will be open only to students who have studied for six or more months with a JMTA member in good standing and who state their intention to pursue a college degree in Music.

Students seeking a dual major in Music and another field of study are eligible to apply.

Three letters of recommendation, applicant’s repertoire list of three pieces from different time periods with duration no longer than 30 minutes along with signed application form and the fee of $25. 
 
Repertoire must be memorized.
The winner of the Scholarship Competition is required to perform at a future JMTA function, TBA.
 
Check the website for more information.
Guidelines:
https://www.jaxmta.org/jmta-high-school-senior-scholarship-competition-guidelines.html
Application: https://www.jaxmta.org/uploads/1/2/6/2/126223255/jmta_high_school_senior_scholarship_application.pdf

- Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, chair of JMTA Scholarship Committee.
 
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 27, 2023. 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. 
 
Check the website for more information.
Guidelines:
https://www.jaxmta.org/jmta-summer-music-camp-scholarship-application-guidelines.html
Application: https://www.jaxmta.org/uploads/1/2/6/2/126223255/jmta_summer_music_camp_scholarship_application.pdf
 
- Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, chair of JMTA Scholarship Committee.
_______________________________________________
​
DISTRICT IV NEWS

District IV Sonatina–Sonata Festival
This year’s District 4 Sonatina & Sonata Festival will take place at UNF: 
When:        Sunday, February 26, 2023, 2:00 p.m. 
Where:       UNF Fine Arts Center Recital Hall (room 1200) 
                   Building 45 on the following map; free parking in the adjacent Lot 44  
Cost: $15 for students of FSMTA members; 
                    An additional $10 (or $25 total) is required for students of non-
member teachers. Checks should be mailed to: 
Erin Bennett 
12534 Ashglen Dr N 
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Checks payable to “FSMTA District 4” postmarked no later than February 4, 2023 
Application:        Application is available online here or at https://forms.gle/MdGz58rLivGnhVBR7  
          Deadline: February 4, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. 
Please note: your application is not complete without a completed UNF Liability Waiver. This form is attached to this newsletter and should be linked on the website and can either be mailed in with your check, emailed to [email protected], or brought with you to the event itself. Additional blank copies will be available to be completed on-site on February 26. No student will be permitted to perform without a signed waiver form on file per UNF policies.  
Festival Rules: 
  • Only 1 entry per student 
  • Digital application & entry fee (postmark) are due February 4, 2023 
  • Please bring an original copy of your score for the adjudicator’s use 
  • Measure numbers at the start of each line are appreciated 
  • One movement of a Sonatina or Sonata by any composer from the Classical Era onward 
  • Contemporary or pedagogical sonatina/sonata composers are welcomed 
  • 10-minute time limit per student 
  • Repertoire must be performed by memory 
  • All pieces must be in their original form, written for piano solo. No transcriptions, arrangements, or simplifications 
  • Theme and Variations are considered one movement. All variations must be performed 
  • Repeats and/or first endings are not necessary unless the repetition is needed to complete the form (i.e. in the case of a da capo). You are welcome to take repeats so long as the 10-minute time limit is observed 
Public Health/COVID-19 Protocols: 
  • Masks are encouraged for everyone in the audience 
  • Performers need not wear a mask onstage (although they may if they would prefer to) 

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at this year’s in-person event.
Questions? Please email Erin Bennett ([email protected])  
 
- Dr. Erin Bennett, Sonatina-Sonata Festival Chair
 
District IV Concerto Competition
The Concerto Competition will take place at UNF on Saturday morning, March 11, 2023. Exact start time TBD, but likely 10a.
 
Application deadline will be Feb. 17, 2023.
 
Here is the Link to the application, then click on District 4:
https://www.fmta.org/district-concerto-application-form.html 
 
- Dr. Erin Bennett, Concerto Competition Chair
 
District IV Student Day
District IV Student Day will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Mandarin Baptist Church. The application deadline is Saturday, February 11 (if you need an extension, please let me know). If your student receives Honors in their audition, and at least an Achievement in their written and aural theory, they will be invited to perform in the Honors Recital, to be held at the UNF Recital Hall on Sunday, April 23, at 3pm, in addition to receiving the State Honors medal from FSMTA.

Participation in FSMTA’s District IV Student Day is an excellent way to assist in teaching your students written theory, aural theory, keyboard skills, and music from each time period as they progress through the levels. For Student Day written and aural (ear) theory sample tests, keyboard skills information, repertoire guidelines, and interactive examination sheets, go to FMTA.org or use this link: https://www.fmta.org/fsmta-non-competitive-events.html, using the FMTA password of Symphony. (Here are additional guidelines on our website:
https://www.jaxmta.org/student-day-application-requirements.html.)
 
To enroll your student(s): Mail to me one application form (link below) with all the student names included on it, and an interactive examination sheet (link below) for each student (with student’s name, and title, composer, and time filled in), along with a check (made out to FSMTA District IV) for $30 per student, plus $15 for your continental breakfast and lunch, to:
Angie Holt
408 Bridgeview Terrace
Saint Johns, FL 32259
 
Student Day Application link:
https://www.jaxmta.org/uploads/1/2/6/2/126223255/student_day_achievement_examination_application.pdf
Interactive examination sheets link:
https://www.fmta.org/fsmta-non-competitive-events.html (then login with “Symphony”, and choose the correct level in the Interactive Examination Sheets column for each student)
Please don’t hesitate to email me with any questions you may have! Hope to see you at FSMTA District IV Student Day.
- Angie Holt, Student Day Chair ([email protected])
_________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!
 
Our best to Dr. Erin Bennett!

UNF School of Music Spotlight On...
Dr. Erin Bennett
UNF Associate Professor, Dr. Erin Bennett, Piano and Piano Pedagogy and Coordinator, Keyboard Area, is a recipient of the 2022 Steinway & Sons Top Teacher Award.
_____________________________________________________

Over Coffee With . . .
This month we are hanging with FSMTA District IV President Kama Rasmussen-Li. Thank you, Kama, for taking the time to help us get to know you better!

KAMA RASMUSSEN-LI
Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and some of your early musical experiences. Looking back, what are some things your teachers did to encourage your love of music?  
A. I’m from the small town of Goldfield, Iowa and grew up on a farm. I remember playing around on my mom’s home organ when she had her hand over the phone receiver and asked me if I wanted to take piano lessons. I had no idea what that meant, but I automatically said “Yes!” My first year of piano was the only year my teacher, Kathryn Hansen, taught group lessons to all the interested first graders. In second grade, we all had private lessons. Whether it was a good or bad lesson, afterwards Kathryn always let us choose a piece of candy. Offering a treat, in one form or another, at the end of lessons is one practice I’ve adopted in my studio. It’s important for students to know our support and encouragement are unconditional. That same year, our organ was upgraded to a real piano, and I couldn’t walk by it without sitting down to play. Growing up, I suppose it helped that our piano was in the middle of the house. I could look out the patio door to my left and see the backyard. To my right, I could see out the front window and watch TV. I knew what everyone else was doing and had sufficient distraction to keep me playing. In the summer, I chose practicing to avoid going to the garden with my family to pick vegetables with the gnats, flies, and mosquitos. In my upper elementary and middle school years, I would practice my lesson music, then spend a long time just playing and singing songs from Disney, Phantom of the Opera, and pop music books, old recital and church pieces, or pieces from my old lesson books that had become easy. We belonged to the same Presbyterian church as Kathryn, and I grew up always playing for church. I played the flute and piccolo in band and All-State auditions, piano in jazzband, danced in showchoir, played and sang in honor bands, honor choirs, small and large group contests, sang in the fall musicals, acted in the spring plays, designed and painted set pieces for the musicals and plays, competed in art contests, speech contests—you name it. If it was in the arts or related to the arts, I did it.
 
Having many diverse experiences was one big advantage of living in a small town. The downside was being far away from more advanced opportunities and having to drive an hour and a half one way for my weekly piano and flute lessons in high school. Kathryn said it was time for me to transition to a new teacher and handed me a newspaper article about a student who would later become one of my good friends and his teacher, Cyndie Caruth. Under Cyndie’s guidance, I worked so hard those last two years of high school, learning, performing, and competing as much as I could. Winning the Iowa Music Teachers Association Auditions, I performed on public television. My calendar was always full, but I managed to graduate as valedictorian. My heart was always in solo piano, and I found it simultaneously challenging and personally rewarding. The quote, “When I count my blessings, I count you twice” applied to Cyndie since she showed me the path towards the musical career I’d always wanted and made it possible. For many years, I wished and wondered, “What if I had had a teacher like Cyndie from the very beginning?” But through my teaching over the years, I’ve thought a lot about motivation and cultivating a student’s love for music, two elusive intangibles that can’t really be taught no matter how much knowledge or expertise a teacher has. In that respect, Kathryn gave me the world.
 
Dr. Ron Albrecht at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa was my next excellent mentor. He invested in rebuilding my playing from the ground up, although it took me over a year to fully appreciate the invaluable work we were doing. During my senior year three-week May Term, Dr. Albrecht and I created an independent study in which I gave recitals and masterclasses, presented at IMTA meetings, adjudicated, and shadowed other piano teachers. He also encouraged my diverse musical collaborations at Simpson College, such as accompanying wonderful opera singers and opera scenes; playing flute and piccolo in wind ensemble, flute choir, and opera orchestras, tenor and soprano recorder and continuo (organ/harpsichord) in early music ensemble; counseling summer jazz camp; counseling the incoming undergraduate music seminar; and starting organ lessons. I accompanied the Chancel Choir at Dr. Albrecht’s Trinity United Presbyterian Church, the same church in which I would later marry my husband. I graduated summa cum laude with special honors in music history, accompanying, and performance, earning my B.M. in piano performance and a minor in religion. I loved how balanced I felt with just one religion class a semester, getting me outside my little practice room box.
 
I taught as a Graduate Assistant in Piano at the University of Florida in Gainesville, graduating summa cum laude and studying with Professor Boaz Sharon. I performed at international festivals in Russia, Prague, China, Washington D.C., and the Steinway Piano Festival at the University of Florida, which allowed studies with renowned teachers such as Joseph Banowitz, Ian Hobson, Robert Roux, Boris Berman, Douglas Humphreys, Zhang Jin, Paul Schenly, Maria Gambarian, Volker Banfield, Nelson Delle-Vigne, Logan Skelton, Alexander Tutunov, Yong-Hi Moon, Nikita Fitenko, Ivo Kaltchev, Daniel Shapiro, and David Dubal. At UF, I collaborated with composers and also accompanied strings, other instrumentalists, and singers. I was the featured guest artist at a Society of Composers, Inc. exchange concert in Atlanta, Georgia. My recordings of Dr. Chan Ji Kim’s Memoria No. 2 and Some Beautiful Things in Life and Dr. Chet Udell’s Hands Resist Him were included on the University of Florida chapter of the Society of Composers, Inc. CDs.  I developed my own private studio as well. After reviving and chairing the Gainesville Music Teachers Performer’s Group, I led as president of GMTA.  As the Associate Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, I served for nine years alongside Music Director and Organist Dr. Mark Coffey in televised services and worked with notable conductors such as René Clausen and Jonathan Willcocks. It was an invaluable experience, and we made a lot of wonderful music together.
 
Q. What are some highlights from your teaching so far?
A. When I moved away from Florida for my husband’s career, I had to find new teachers for my students. When we returned to Florida, it was a wonderful surprise to be invited to their senior recitals, see my former students earn full scholarships, win collegiate competitions, solo with orchestras, and continue their careers in music.
 
I always love the funny things that young children do and say in their lessons, and I like to ask questions that invite those sorts of responses. I try to archive stories or tell them so many times that I don’t forget them. Those memories are definitely worth keeping and remembering on the tough days!
 
Q. Any funny performance stories?
A. At Simpson College, I was the first performer on one of our Tuesday convocations. During this particular performance during my junior year, I was playing the slow movement from the Ginastera sonata followed by a Brahms Rhapsody. I started the Ginastera, a contemporary piece beginning pianissimo, slowly with one random-sounding note at a time moving from the low register to the high register. Somewhere mid-register, there was a big metallic ringing sound “wheeoww!” on one of the notes—what was that?! Something was in the piano. I snuck a peek between notes and discovered a pencil had been left on the strings from Madrigal Choir rehearsal in the hall just prior to convocation. So, I followed the rule of never stopping for anything and played the whole movement with a pencil stuck on the strings. Then, between pieces, I took out the pencil, and continued with my Brahms.
 
Another time, I was accompanying a string graduate recital at UF, and there was a bird in the recital hall. It chirped during our rehearsal but stayed quiet during the actual recital. People said that a bird in the hall is a good-luck charm, but I’d never heard that saying before.
 
Q. Any interesting travel stories?
A. There is a composer’s retreat a few hours’ drive outside Moscow in which Prokofiev and other famous composers took residence. Each little cabin had about three rooms, a grand piano, and a bathroom. It was like the summer dachas referenced in music history books. But…we were having international masterclasses there in the February winter. Coming from Iowa, I thought -20 degrees F was similar to -40 degrees F…but no. We had fires in our little cabins, stoked by a lady that came around everyday until 3:00. We thought our flue needed to be open to let out the smoke, and four of us slept in the same bed and woke up freezing. We knew the water needed to run continuously, but we had no idea what to do when the water in the toilet froze. Walking from cabin to cabin for lessons, masterclasses, and concerts, our eyelashes froze. We had to spend five minutes warming fingers by the fire before thinking about trying to move our fingers to play. At one evening concert, the heater in the hall broke. We drank cup after cup of hot tea at each meal to warm our hands. At each meal, we got so excited telling each other, “Guys! We have hamburger today!!” only to discover that it was liver…cooked a different way each time…accompanied by beets and cabbage. We made jokes to survive. The music, people, and parties were wonderful!! After a few days, we learned to shut the flue to help keep in the heat. Our two-hour return trip to the airport was in a vehicle too small for all of us. We crammed in together with luggage on laps and the trunk bungeed closed, and the heat didn’t work.
 
Q. What advice would you give to help focus before a performance and curb nerves?
A. My best advice would be to expect to always work at this and keep searching. We have to accept that the uncomfortable feelings are never going to completely disappear, and we wouldn’t want them to completely disappear since energy from anxiety, when refocused, can lead to magical musical moments. Figuring out what to tell oneself, figuring out a functional perspective, and preparing in many different ways is always a moving target. We come at each performance from slightly different circumstances. There is so much to discover and learn about performance psychology these days, as opposed to even twenty-five years ago. It’s possible to learn a lot and have a lot of tools to use whenever you need them, but it’s a continuous journey. We, as individuals, and our music, are never static—we’re always changing, and our art is created in the present moment.
 
__________________________________________________
 
AREA CONCERTS AND RECITALS
 
Community Hospice Performances
If you would be interested in performing a recital 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.
 
The Jacksonville Symphony presents:
“Brass, Organ & Percussion”
Grant O’Brien, JSYO Music Director & Assistant Conductor
Greg Zelek, Organ
“Take a journey to the heart of Jacoby Symphony Hall and discover a truly historical monument: the Symphony’s world-class pipe organ.”
Date: Saturday, February 11 at 7:30pm
Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: $25 and up
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://my.jaxsymphony.org/brass-organ-percussion/3089
 
University of North Florida School of Music presents:
“UNF Concert Band Outdoor Concert”
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor
Date: Wednesday, February 15 at 5:00pm
Location: On the Green (weather permitting) at UNF, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, 32224Cost: Suggested Donation: $104
Click on link for details: https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html
 
Dreamboat presents:
“Laura Jaramillo, Liz Robbins, Andres Rojas, and Brian Luckett”
At the Friday Musicale: “Please join us for Dreamboat Reading Series, a UNF-sponsored event series that combines poetry and music performances at the historic Friday Musicale.”
Date: Friday, February 17 at 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: 645 Oak St., JacksonvilleCost: Free
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://fridaymusicale.com/event/dreamboat-presents-laura-jaramillo-liz-robbins-andres-rojas-and-brian-luckett/
 
Jacksonville University faculty artists present:
“Voice Faculty Showcase”
An evening of classical, opera, and musical theater repertoire.
Date: Friday, February 17 at 7:30pm
Location: Terry Concert Hall, 2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville 32211Cost: FreeClick on link for more details:
https://www.ju.edu/cfa/events.php
 
Jacksonville Symphony presents:
“1,001 Nights: Scheherazade”
Elinor Rufeizen, Conductor
Jacksonville Symphony Chorus
Rimsky-Korasakov’s Scheherazade Featuring Adelya Nartadjieva, Concertmaster
“One of the greatest fantasies ever told entirely through music, Scheherazade is a storybook world of vivid colors and heroic characters.”
Dates: Friday, February 17 at 7:30pm and Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm
Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: Starting at $27
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://my.jaxsymphony.org/1001-nights-scheherazade/3019
 
Jacksonville University presents:
“Cabaret”
*ticketed event. “Based on the famous novel, I am Camera, this musical is set on the eve of the Nazi takeover of Germany. It frames this tumultuous time in global history at a nightclub, where its various players explore love, life, and loss.”
Directed by Erik DeCicco with choreography by Professor Yidi Lin.
Dates: Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm; Sunday, February 19 at 2:00pm
Location: Phillips Fine Arts – Studio North, 2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville 32211Cost: General Admission: $10Click on link for more information and for tickets:
https://www.jutickets.com

Jacksonville University Wind Ensemble and the First Coast Wind Symphony present:
“The music of Brian Balmages”
“This joint concert of the Jacksonville University Wind Ensemble and First Coast Wind Symphony will feature the music of Brian Balmages who will conduct both ensembles in performances of his own compositions.”
Date: Saturday, February 18 at 7:30pm
Location: Terry Concert Hall, 2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville 32211Cost: FreeClick on link for more details:
https://www.ju.edu/cfa/events.php
 
University of North Florida School of Music presents:
“Lawson Ensemble”
With pianist Yukino Miyake, featuring works by Schumann
Date: Sunday, February 19 at 3:00pm
Location: Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center, 1 UNF Drive, 32224Cost: Suggested Donation: $10
Click on link for details:
https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html
 
University of North Florida Orchestra presents:
 “Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals”
Dr. Simon Shiao, conductor
With Dr. Gary Smart and Eunice Paliy, pianos
Date: Tuesday, February 21 at 7:30pm
Location: Andrew A. Robinson Theater, 1 UNF Drive, 32224 (revised venue)Cost: Suggested Donation: $10
Click on link for details:
https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.htm

University of North Florida Wind Symphony Presents: 
“In the Spotlight  Featuring the Winner of the 2023 UNF Wind Symphony Concerto Competition”
Dr. Erin Bodnar, conductor                                                                                             With clarinetist Nicole Graham, winner of the 2023 Wind Symphony Concerto Competition    
Date: Wednesday, February 22 at 7:30pm                                                                 Location: Lazzara Performance Hall, 1 UNF Drive, 32224  
Cost: Suggested Donation: $10
Click on link for details:
https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html     

Florida State College at Jacksonville Presents:  
“Symphonic Band Concert
””Under the direction of Dr. Paul Weikle, the band will perform diverse musical selections.”                                                                                            
Date: Thursday, February 23 at 7:30-9:30pm                                                                 Location: South Campus – Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd., 32246   
Cost: Free
Click on link for details:
https://www.fscj.edu/news-events/calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D164426648
 
The Jacksonville Symphony presents:
“Sounds of Spring – Symphony in 60”
Kevin Fitzgerald, Conductor
“Feel the refreshed passion of the pieces you’ve heard your entire life as they are performed live by the Jacksonville Symphony. Listen to the tranquil refrains of nature with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastorale” and rejoice in the sonorous sounds of spring with Flight of the Bumblebee and Waltz of the Flowers.” Featuring music by Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and Sibelius.
Date: Thursday, February 23 at 6:30pm (Cocktail hour begins at 5:30pm)
Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: $25
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://my.jaxsymphony.org/sounds-of-spring-sym60/3093
 
Florida State College at Jacksonville Presents: “Choral Concert”
”Under the direction of Dr. Tommy Shapard, the Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus and The Chorale will present a concert with various songs.”                                        Date: Friday, February 24 at 7:30-9:30pm                                                                 Location: South Campus – Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd., 32246   
Cost: Free
Click on link for details:
https://www.fscj.edu/news-events/calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D164426649
 
Jacksonville Symphony presents:
“The Queens of Rock & Soul: Tina Turner & Aretha Franklin”
Grant O’Brien, Assistant Conductor
Tamika Lawrence, Vocalist
Shaleah Adkisson, Vocalist
John Boswell, Piano
“The Queens of rock, roll and soul rule the night in this empowering and emotional performance. Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin are two dynamos that put the spirit in Soul and R&B music. Exciting Broadway vocalists bring classics to the stage like Respect, Natural Woman, What’s Love Got to Do With it, River Deep-Mountain High, Proud Mary and so many others.”
Dates: Friday, February 24 at 7:30pm and Saturday, February 25 at 7:30pm
Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: Starting at $27
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://my.jaxsymphony.org/queens-of-rock-and-soul
 
Friday Musicale presents:
“San Marco Chamber Ensemble featuring Rance Adams and Kevin Day: Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
“An exciting concert featuring new music composed by Kevin Day and performed by the San Marco Chamber Ensemble with narrator Rance Adams. This family-friendly concert celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Date: Sunday, February 26 at 3:00-5:00pm
Location: 645 Oak St., JacksonvilleCost: Free admission for Jacksonville residents & Friday Musicale members – general admission $15 advance or $20 day of show.
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://fridaymusicale.com/event/martins-big-words-the-life-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
 
Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra presents:
“JSYO Winter Concert”
Aaron King Vaughn, Helen Morin, and Grant O’Brien, Conductors
“Founded in 1993, the Jacksonville Sy8mphony Youth Orchestras (JSYO) are Northeast Florida’s premier developmental orchestral ensembles serving more than 350 young musicians, ages 7-21, who are admitted through introductory interviews or competitive auditions.”
Date: Sunday, February 26 at 5:00pm
Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: Adult $8, Child $3
Click on link for tickets and for details:
https://my.jaxsymphony.org/jsyo/winter-concert

Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series presents:
“Guest Artist Recital featuring Renée Tatum, Mezzo-soprano and Denise Wright, piano”
Dr. James Hall, artistic director
Date: Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30pm
Location: Recital Hall in the UNF Fine Arts Center, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, 32224Cost: Suggested Donation: $10
Click on link for details: https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html

Jacksonville University presents:
“Bach, Boulanger, and Britten”
“Jacksonville University faculty Dr. Shannon Lockwood and Dr. Scott Watkins perform music for cello and piano by Johann Sebastian Bach, Nadia Boulanger, and Benjamin Britten.”
Date: Thursday, March 2 at 7:30pm
Location: TerryConcert Hall, 2800 University Blvd. N, Jacksonville 32211Cost: FreeClick on link for more details:
https://www.ju.edu/cfa/events.php

University of North Florida School of Music presents:
 “Timbral Constructions: UNF Percussion Spring Concert”
Dr. Andrea Venet, Director
Date: Thursday, March 2 at 6:30pm
Location: Andrew A. Robinson Theater Recital, 1 UNF Drive, 32224Cost: Suggested Donation: $10
Click on link for details:
https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html
 
University of North Florida School of Music presents:
“Jazz Combo Night*”
Lynn Arriale, Director
*New event!
Date: Thursday, March 2 at 7:30pm
Location: Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center, 1 UNF Drive, 32224Cost: Suggested Donation: $10
Click on link for details:
https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html
                                                             ________________________________________________________
 
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, Vice President of Membership
_________________________________________________________
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].
_______________________________________________________
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.
 
February 26
2:00pm
District IV Sonatina-Sonata Festival
UNF Recital Hall,
1 UNF Drive, 32224

March 8
9:30 – Meeting
After - Program
JMTA General Meeting
And Program TBA
Keyboard Connection,
9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257
And over Zoom
 
March 11
Time TBD
District IV Concerto Competition
UNF Recital Hall,
1 UNF Drive, 32224

March 25
As Scheduled
District IV Student Day
Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223
 
March 26
3:00pm
JMTA Student Recital
All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave., 32207
 
April 12
9:30 – Meeting
After – Program 
JMTA General Meeting
And Program TBA
Keyboard Connection,
9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257
And over Zoom

April 25
6:00pm
Community “Proton Therapy” Recital 
UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., 32206
 
May 10
9:30 – Meeting
10:30 – Program
JMTA General Meeting
And Program TBA
Keyboard Connection,
9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257
And over Zoom
 
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]. 

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