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JMTA High Notes January 2025 —Vol. 28, no. 4 The District meeting and program for January will be held at Keyboard Connection & over Zoom on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 9:30am District Program at around10:30am: Evan Mitchell (UF) _____________________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents JMTA TREASURY REPORTS November/December . . . 3 Monthly Programs January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Welcome New Members! . . . . . . . . . . 7 JMTA Scholarships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 JMTA Student Recitals. . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 District IV News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Event Application Deadline Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Area Concerts and Recitals . . . . . . . 13 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 District President’s Pen Dear JMTA colleagues, When was the last time you took a minute to reflect on some of the sage advice you received from the music teachers in your own life? If you’re like me, I can hear their voices and wisdom in my mind almost daily. When was the last time you found yourself repeating their advice to your own students? I would guess the answer might be about the same: almost daily. One year in college as school was finishing for the year, my teacher said, “Make sure to take time to do nothing.” I was ambitious, practicing hard and making up for lost time, wanting to move forward as fast as I could and take on the world. I’m sure I gave him a very confused look. He continued, “I’m serious. You need to take some time out and remember how to do absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing at all. It’s really important.” He was right—the importance of play is essential for so many reasons. Especially right now amid the busy holiday season and coming into the busy performance season, it’s important to find ways to make our work joyous and fun. Taking toys, coffee or tea, a blanket, etc. to the piano, wearing pjs, and sitting with a pet are all fun ways to make those tough practice days a little better. Breaks and time off, completely away from work are essential for the mind and body too. Even “doing nothing” can also be mindfulness and meditation. So many wellness ideas incorporate the importance of play. Is there a piece of advice or wisdom from one of your teachers that you need to remember and reflect on in this new year? I’m sure you can think of many novel ways to incorporate the importance of fun and play into your own music and teaching. As my teacher said all the time, “Have fun!” At our next meeting, Evan Mitchell from the University of Florida will speak to the myriad of ideas that go into developing a well-rounded musician and how we can apply these ideas to our teaching. You won’t want to miss it! Happy Holidays and here’s to a Happy New Year! Kama Rasmussen-Li President, FSMTA District IV _____________________________________________________________________________ HAPPY NEW YEAR! _____________________________________________________________________________ JMTA TREASURY REPORTSNovember 2024 December 2024 ________________________________________________________________________ MONTHLY PROGRAMS JANUARY Dr. Evan Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Florida, will be presenting the JMTA program over Zoom on Thursday, January 9th at Keyboard Connection, 9912 San Jose Blvd., beginning at 9:30am. Dr. Mitchell’s program will be: Beyond Repertoire and Technique: A Balanced Diet for the Well-Rounded Music Student “Whether our students are going to pursue music at the college level or simply wish to hold onto its lessons throughout their lives, there is a nearly inexhaustible amount of ground to cover in creating a well-rounded music student. In this session we’ll identify the various skills and types of knowledge needed to cultivate thoughtful musicians and informed music-lovers, and brainstorm how to include these myriad topics in lessons. For those who cannot attend in person, following is the Zoom link: January D4 Meeting – 1/9/25 Join Zoom Meeting https://unf.zoom.us/j/89441304142?pwd=uVVfqh0xUvZBah3FnloFfaOiV3JwwL.1 Meeting ID: 894 4130 4142 Passcode: 431700 Evan Mitchell Biography: Pianist Evan Mitchell’s performances have been deemed “incredibly beautiful” (Fanfare), “amazing” (Fort Worth Weekly), and “no less than stunning” (Lima News). Highlights include solo recitals for the prestigious Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts (Chicago), Merkin Concert Hall (NYC), and performances at major venues in Shanghai. Evan has soloed in concerti with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; worked with conductors including Jaap van Zweden and Miguel Harth-Bedoya; and collaborated in recital with major artists including double bassist Gary Karr. His 2015 album with bassist Szymon Marciniak earned rave reviews; Bass World called it “intoxicating…a seminal recording.” Evan’s solo debut American Century will be released in 2024 on the Centaur label. He can also be heard on “Piano de Pampa y Jungla: A Collection of Latin American Piano Music.” Evan was a featured artist for eight years on the Texas Touring Roster, performed more than 300 concerts for Cliburn in the Classroom, and serves as a trustee on the Board of Mount Vernon Music. His enthusiasm for the music of our time is reflected in world premieres of works by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Frank Proto, Stacy Garrop, and others. He has captured first prize in the Kingsville International Young Performers Competition, Five Towns Competition, PianoTexas International Festival Concerto Competition, as well as prizes at the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, among many others. Evan holds degrees from the IU Jacobs School of Music and Texas Christian University. His principal teachers have included John Owings, Arnaldo Cohen and the late Jose Feghali. His early mentors Dr. Thomas Parente and Dr. Brandt Fredriksen pointed the way toward a fulfilling life in music. A Steinway Artist, Evan Mitchell currently serves as Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Florida. In 2021, he was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame. For more information, please visit www.evanmitchell.net. UPCOMING MONTHS: FEBRUARY Thursday, February 13 – Lynn Roberts (Explore Music Jax) - Teaching Younger Students MARCH Thursday, March 13 – Dr. Anita Renfroe and Dr. Mary McKee – Performance APRIL Thursday, April 10, 2025 – Dr. Sandra Stewart – Teaching Music Theory ________________________________________________________________________ Welcome New Members! Edith Moore-Hubert Sunny Kyeongseo Choi ________________________________________________________________________ JMTA SCHOLARSHIPS JMTA HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION GUIDELINES The JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition will be held at Keyboard Connection on March 15, 2025 at 10 am. Deadline for application is Friday February 28, 2025. /NO Exceptions/
The following must be submitted along with a signed application form: (a) An entrance fee of $25.00 / check made payable to JMTA/ (b) Three letters of recommendation 1. A letter of recommendation from applicant’s private teacher 2. A letter of recommendation from teacher or administrator from applicant’s school 3. A letter of character reference from a responsible adult who is not applicant’s immediate family. (c) Applicant’s repertoire list of three pieces from different time periods with duration no longer than 30 minutes. Repertoire must be memorized. The winner of the Scholarship Competition is required to perform at a future JMTA meeting. /TBA/ All required documents and application fee must be submitted by deadline to: Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair JMTA SUMMER MUSIC CAMP SCHOLARSHIP JMTA Summer music camp scholarship is awarded annually only to pre-college students of JMTA members. The deadline for application is March 30, 2025. The scholarship may be awarded in full or partially. Students who receive scholarships may attend the summer camp of their choice. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of need. Only one scholarship per family may be awarded. Students who receive money for summer camps from other organizations are not eligible to receive assistance from JMTA. Teachers must submit a short outline of their students’ qualification for scholarship along with their name(s) to the JMTA Scholarship Committee for consideration by the JMTA board. Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair ________________________________________________________________________ JMTA STUDENT RECITALS A student recital was held on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Arlington United Methodist Church. 21 students from 6 member studios participated. We always enjoy the festive decor at this recital! Our next recital will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at All Saints Episcopal Church on Hendricks Ave. Please adhere to the submission deadline of February 19 for guaranteed inclusion of your students. View all details at jaxmta.org. Go to the "Special Events" tab and click on JMTA Student Recitals. ~Lorraine Sears, Recitals Co-Chair ________________________________________________________________________ DISTRICT IV NEWS Sonatina and Sonata Festival This year’s District IV Sonatina and Sonata Festival will take place at UNF on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at UNF Recital Hall. The application form can be found here: https://forms.gle/V5U6h5tHP77EnVd49 The application deadline is Friday, January 24, 2025 (with some flexibility). - Dr. Erin Bennett, District IV Sonatina and Sonata Festival Chair Student Day 2025 District IV Student Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223. The application deadline for Student Day is Saturday, January 25, 2025. Student Day guidelines may be found on the fmta.org website, under Student Activities and FSMTA Non-Competitive Events, or here: https://www.fmta.org/fsmta-non-competitive-events.html, for sample tests, guidelines, suggested repertoire, and other materials. The password this year is Chopin (case-sensitive) to retrieve sample materials. The Student Day Handbook is also of help. In addition, an independent teacher has created a curriculum to help you prepare your students for the keyboard skills, written, and aural theory testing with helpful workbooks for each level. To order, email Sue Colvert (Music Masters) at [email protected]. Her phone number is 954-752-2856. Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions. - Angie Holt, District IV Student Activities Chair Concerto Competition This year’s District IV Concerto Competition will take place at UNF on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at UNF Recital Hall. Access the application here: https://www.fmta.org/district-concerto-application-form.html. The application deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. - Dr. Erin Bennett, District IV Concerto Competition Chair ________________________________________________________________________ Event Application Deadline Reminders District IV Sonatina and Sonata Festival – Saturday, February 8 Application deadline: Friday, January 24 JMTA Student Recital – Sunday, March 2 Application deadline: Wednesday, February 19 District IV Student Day – Saturday, March 8 Application deadline: Saturday, January 25 JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition – Saturday, March 15 Application deadline: Friday, February 28 Concerto Competition – Saturday, March 22 Application deadline: Friday, February 28 JMTA Summer Music Camp Scholarship Application deadline: Sunday, March 30 ______________________________________ AREA CONCERTS AND RECITALS Community 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. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra EventsClick on link for more information and tickets: https://www.jaxsymphony.org/concerts-tickets/23-24-season/ Friday, January 10 and Saturday, January 11 Gershwin & Tchaikovsky Florida Blue Classical Series Robert Spano, Conductor Marcus Roberts Trio Carlos Simon – Motherboxx Connection George Gershwin – Concerto in F Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 Jacoby Symphony Hall – 7:30pm Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18 Star Wars: A New Hope in ConcertSymphonic Night at the Movies Series Matthew Wardell, Conductor Jacoby Symphony Hall – 7:00pm Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25 7 Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLES Experience Pops Series Nathaniel Efthimiou, Conductor 7 Bridges “7 Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLES Experience is a stunningly accurate tribute to the music of the Eagles. Alongside the Symphony, 7 Bridges faithfully re-creates the experience of an Eagles concert from the band’s most prolific period, featuring one brilliant hit single after another including ‘Hotel California,’ ‘Take it Easy,’ ‘New Kid in Town’ and others.” Jacoby Symphony Hall - 7:30pm Sunday, January 26 Local VocalsJ.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Jazz Series James Jenkins, Jazz Series Curator & Jacksonville Jazz Collective Director Linda Cole, Vocalist Lisa Kelly, Vocalist Bonnie Eisele, Vocalist Jacksonville Jazz Collective Jacoby Symphony Hall – 3:00pm Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1 Beethoven & Rachmaninoff Florida Blue Classical Series Michael Stern, Conductor Guillaume Connesson – Flame Writing Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 7 Sergei Rachmaninoff – Symphonic Dances Jacoby Symphony Hall – 7:30pm St. Johns Cathedral Music Events Click on link for more information and tickets: https://www.jaxcathedral.org/events/ Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February Bold City Opera “‘Another Sunrise’ and ‘For a Look or a Touch’ – A double-bill” Music by Jake Heggie Libretto by Gene Scheer Taliaferro Hall – January 31 at 7pm; February 1 at 1pm University of North Florida Music Events Click on link for more information and tickets: https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html Thursday, January 9 UNF Voice Faculty Recital Sachiko Frampton and Denise Wright, piano Fine Arts Center, Room 1200, Recital Hall – 7:30pm Friday, January 31 Cummer Family Foundation Chamber Music Series Dr. James Hall, Artistic Director Fine Arts Center, Room 1200, Recital hall – 7:30pm Sunday, February 2 Black History Month Legacy Concert with Emorja Roberson Dr. Cara Tasher, Director Fine Arts Center, Room 1200, Recital Hall – 2:00pm Jacksonville University Music Events Click on link for more information and tickets: https://viewer.joomag.com/creative-arts-series-20242025/0546091001658934607?short& Saturday, January 18 Gordon Stout’s “Two Mexican Dances” at 50 Years Concert “…two of the most important compositions for percussion-marimba written in the 20th century, ‘Two Mexican Dances for Marimba.’” Terry Concert Hall – 7:30pm Tuesday, January 28 A Jacqueline du Pre Recital Shannon Lockwood, cello, and Scott Watkins, piano Terry Concert Hall – 7:30pm Sunday, February 2 The Lost World: Scott Watkins, piano “Pianist Scott Watkins presents specially curated period music composed by Gaston Borch to accompany this groundbreaking silent picture. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Lost World.” Terry Concert Hall – 7:30pm Tuesday, February 4 Celebrating Black History Month Through Fine Arts ConcertTerry Concert Hall – 7:30pm Friday Musicale Events Click on link for more information and tickets: https://fridaymusicale.com/events/ Friday, January 24 Caroline Leigh Halleck and Greg Hankins “Based in Bologna, Italy, Caroline Halleck is a free-lance saxophonist/teacher from the United States.” “Greg Hankins is a collaborative pianist at the University of Georgia where he is on staff for the UGA Opera Theatre.” 645 Oak Street, Jacksonville – 7:00-8:30pm ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Find A Teacher Section on Jaxmta.org Teachers, please take a moment to check out your information on our Find A Teacher page on the JMTA website (jaxmta.org). If you would like any changes made, or if you’re not listed yet and would like to be added, please contact Angie Holt at [email protected] with the verbiage you would like put in. ______________________________________________________________________________Did You Know? Residents of Duval county, if they have a Jacksonville Library card, can use the many electronic resources from the https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/digital-library. Getting a library card is free. All that's needed is your driver's license and sign up in person at any of the 21 branches. The card allows the use of Kanopy - which has free streaming movies, documentaries, educational resources [older teens/adults]. I saw a documentary "Making the Grade" which profiled Irish students and piano teachers whose students are preparing to take the Irish Royal Academy of Music Examinations. It was funny, moving, informative, and relatable, especially seeing snippets of the teacher's lessons in action and how the students feel about piano and their teachers overall. I highly recommend members watch it (and explore the other resources available from JPL)! - JohnWillard Utuk ______________________________________________________________________________ Need a Sponsor? Does anyone in the JMTA need a sponsor or need help in any way? If so, John Scott, owner of Jacksonville School of Music & First Coast School of Music, is interested in helping our organization. If interested, contact John at [email protected]. His direction phone number is 904-248-1848. ______________________________________________________________________________ Music Exchange Do you have too much music collected in your studio? Is there some you think you'll never use? Bring your unneeded music to any JMTA meeting. Bring home something new to you! Look for the "Free Music" spot. Music does not have to be brand new. __________________________________________________________ Have you found us on Facebook? Follow JMTA on Facebook for the latest happenings, photos, videos, and more! __________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Events CalendarPlease view our website for any updates or additions to these events, as well as for more details including application deadlines: www.jaxmta.org. DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION Thursday, January 9 9:30am – District Meeting After - Program District IV Meeting and Program – Dr. Evan Mitchell Keyboard Connection / Zoom 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257 Saturday, February 8 TBA District IV Sonatina and Sonata Festival UNF Fine Arts Building, Room 1200, Recital Hall, 1 UNF Drive, 32224 Thursday, February 13 9:30am – JMTA Meeting After - Program JMTA Meeting and Program – Lynn Roberts (Explore Music Jax) Keyboard Connection / Zoom 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257 Sunday, March 2 3:00pm JMTA Student Recital All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave., 32207 Saturday, March 8 As Scheduled District IV Student Day Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223 Thursday, March 13 9:30am – JMTA Meeting After - Program JMTA Meeting and Program – Dr. Anita Renfroe and Dr. Mary McKee - Performance Keyboard Connection / Zoom 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257 Saturday, March 15 10:00am JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition Keyboard Connection 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257 Saturday, March 22 TBA District IV Concerto Competition UNF Fine Arts Building, Room 1200, Recital Hall, 1 UNF Drive, 32224 Thursday, April 10 9:30am – JMTA Meeting After - Program JMTA Meeting and Program – Dr. Sandra Stewart – Teaching Music Theory Keyboard Connection / Zoom 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257 Thursday, May 8 9:30am – JMTA Meeting After - Program JMTA Meeting and Program – HS Scholarship and Concerto Competition 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]. Comments are closed.
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