January 2026

JMTA High Notes
January 2026 —Vol. 29, no. 4
The January District IV meeting and program will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 15.
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District President’s Pen Dear JMTA members, This past New Year's Eve, our daughter Kaya and her cousins were able to stay up until midnight to ring in their first New Year's Day! After the countdown and cheers, I asked the kids, "Do you feel different than you did a minute ago?" The first kid nodded her head slowly several times with huge, wide eyes, "Mmm-hmm..." The second kid said, "Definitely NOT!" The third kid said, also with serious, wide eyes, "I don't know why, but my heart is RACING!" The fourth kid said, "I feel like I'm at a basketball game." Hopefully your holidays and New Year's were a restful, happy time out from our busy schedules. Please join us on Thursday, January 15 at 9:30am over Zoom for our District IV meeting followed by a presentation on "The Silent Role of Gesture in Musical Interpretation." During the FSMTA State Conference this past October, Peter Mack's talk on "The Art of the Phrase" and his masterclass got my mind thinking on a tangent -- specifically, the many ways in which gesture, motion, and movement inspire different musical interpretations. In lessons, we talk about images and stories a lot. But how often do we talk about images of gestures and movement to change our phrasing in transformative ways? What are the many ways we can use this under-utilized trick of interpretation? Join me on Thursday as we turn over an old leaf in a new way for a new year and possibly brainstorm some wonderful new ideas together!

See you soon,

Kama Rasmussen-Li
President, FSMTA District IV
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Table of Contents

MEETING MINUTES
November. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 3
TREASURY REPORTS
November & December . . . 4
Monthly Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
JMTA Student Recitals
March JMTA Recital . . . . . . . . . . 5
Proton Therapy Recital . . . . . . . 5
JMTA Community Service . . . . . . . . . . 6
JMTA SCHOLARSHIP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
District IV News
Student Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - 9
Application Deadline Reminders . . . 10
AREA CONCERTS AND RECITALS . . . .11
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
(control + click on link)

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MEETING MINUTES

Jacksonville Music Teachers Association
Thursday, November 13, 2025
10:15 AM

Mandarin Branch Library - 3330 Kori Road, Jacksonville

Call to Order: Angie Holt called the meeting to order at 10:29 AM.

Attendance:
In person - Paulette & Dan Kilts, Angie & Daniel Holt, Sandy Stewart, Jack Melvin, Cheryl Dubberly, Sunny Choi, Ron Touchton, Rhonda Danielson
Zoom attendees – Lynn Freeman, Mary McKee, Denise Homsley, Kama Rasmussen-Li, Christine Couch.

Parliamentarian: Lynn Freeman
Nothing to report

Secretary Minutes: Rhonda Danielson
Minutes from October 9 were accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report: Lorraine Sears
Accepted as presented in the written report.

Communications & Internet Media: Angie Holt
Nothing to report.

Vice President of Membership: Mary McKee
New member McKenna Trahan was sent a welcome letter.

Programs:
Rhonda presented a program about using Lion Theory to prepare for Student Day.
Cheryl talked to a woman who could do a presentation about teaching children with special needs.
Anita Renfroe will be filling the position of Program Chair beginning in January 2026.

Committee Reports:

Social: Sandy Stewart
Sandy thanked everyone for bringing food for the lunch today.

Student Recitals: Christine Couch & Gavin Taylor
21 students and 5 teachers participated in the October recital.
Next recital will be Sunday, December 14, at 3:00 at Arlington United Methodist Church. Send applications to Gavin by December 5.

Proton Therapy Recital: Sandy Stewart
Date: Proton Therapy Institute - Tuesday, April 21, 6:00pm

Scholarship: Open position

Student Day: Angie Holt
April 11, 2026, at Mandarin Baptist Church

Altruistic: Sandra Roberts absent
Sandra Roberts and Eunice Bainger are having some health issues.

Community Service Awards: Stefanie Batson-Martin
Deadline is Dec. 31.

Ethics: Betty Atkinson absent

Archivist/Historian: Paulette Kilts
Nothing new to report.

Wellness Liaison:
Open position

FSMTA Conference Report:

JMTA had many volunteers and all went very well.
Paulette Kilts received the Amy Turon award for outstanding service.
Many thanks to Anita and the conference planning committee, Sunny Choi for performing, and Erin Bennett for representing District 4 in the Teachers Recital.
Sandy Stewart’s student played in the Student Honors Recital and she encouraged other teachers to put their students in future student recitals.

New Business: None

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:57am

Respectfully Submitted,

Rhonda Danielson, Secretary
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TREASURY REPORTS

November and December 2025
Checking: Rate .10%
Expenses
Deposits
11/21/25 Dues ($63)/Recital ($15) $78.00
11/30/25 Interest $0.76
12/22/25 Dues ($30)/Recital ($45) $75.00
12/31/25 Interest $0.79
Current Checking $8,462.83
Warren Fund $827.73
   TOTAL Checking Account $9,290.56
Business Money Market (Scholarship): Rate .60% ($1000+)
Expenses
Deposits
   TOTAL Business Money Market Account $138.23
Business Shares (Savings): Rate .10% ($100+)
Expenses
Deposits
11/30/25 Interest $0.02
12/31/25 Interest $0.02
   TOTAL Business Shares Account $199.27
18-23 Month Business CD: Rate 2.95% Matures 6/7/26
Expenses
Deposits
11/30/25 Interest 13.29
12/31/25 Interest $13.77
   TOTAL Business CD Account $5,500.89
13 Month Promo CD: Rate 4.16% Matures 10/16/26
Expenses
Deposits
11/30/25 Interest 17.22
12/31/25 Interest $17.85
   TOTAL Promo CD Account $5,061.36
   TOTAL ASSETS as of Oct. 31, 2025 $20,190.31

Other Business:
Verified dues with MTNA--no changes
Active $30
Senior $30
Collegiate $3

Submitted by Lorraine Sears 01/06/2026

MONTHLY PROGRAMS
January
The January meeting will be our bi-annual District IV meeting, headed by District President Kama Rasmussen-Li. It is being held over Zoom on January 15th at 9:30am, with the program afterwards beginning about 10:00am. Kama will be presenting her program “The Silent Role of Gesture in Musical Interpretation.” Information about the presentation as well as the Zoom link have been sent out by email. We hope to see you there!
February – May
The dates for the rest of the spring semester meetings and programs are as follows, all on the second Thursdays of each month and as of this date beginning at 9:30am. Anita Renfroe, our new Program chair, is working on programs for these months.
February 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
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JMTA Student Recital

December Student Recital
The next JMTA Student Recital will be held on Sunday, March 29, at All Saints Episcopal Church. More information will be coming in the February newsletter. Christine Couch and Gavin Taylor are the JMTA Student Recital co-chairs for these events.

Community “Proton Therapy” Recital
Proton Therapy Recital Chair Sandra Stewart has announced the date for the annual Proton Therapy recital for late-intermediate to advanced students to be Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm at the UF Proton Therapy Institute. More information will be coming from Sandy in an upcoming newsletter.
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JMTA Community Service Awards

Community Service Scholarship Information for current 9th and 12th Graders:

9th Grade: Students can include a list of service through music activities from 7th grade through the first half of 9th grade; they will need a recommendation letter from a school administrator or music teacher at their school. This can be from a previous middle school administrator or teacher for the 9th grade students. Students will need to include a short biography, a photo, and a recommendation letter from the FSMTA member teacher. A $55 dollar fee must be paid by the local MTA chapter; if the student does not live in a county that is covered by the local MTA chapter, the teacher will be responsible for the fee. Students must reside in the state of Florida.

12th Grade: Same requirements as the 9th grade scholarship applicant; their musical service activities can start during the second half of 9th grade through the first half of 12th grade.

There are separate forms for 9th and 12th grade applicants, please be sure to submit the correct one. All materials are due to [email protected]. School administrators and FSMTA teachers can send their recommendation letters directly to this email. The deadline for payment and all documents is January 17, 2026. 9th grade State winners receive a certificate, plaque and a check for $250; 12th grade State winners receive a certificate, plaque and a check for $500. County winners receive a certificate.

Here is a link to FSMTA’s website with more information: https://www.fmta.org/community-service-awards.html

- Stefanie Batson-Martin, Community Service Awards Chair
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JMTA SCHOLARSHIP JMTA HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
The JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition will be held at Mandarin Baptist Church on Saturday, April 11, 2026, time TBA. The deadline for application is Friday, March 6, 2026.
• If there will be only one applicant auditions will be held online.
• Auditions will be open only to students who have studied for six or more months with a JMTA member in good standing.
• Only high school seniors who will complete work during the school year in which they audition and who state their intention to pursue a college degree in Music may apply.
• Students seeking a dual major in Music and another field of study are eligible to apply.
• Music minors are not eligible to apply. 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 the May JMTA meeting held on Thursday, May 14, 2026. All required documents and application fee must be submitted by deadline to:

Kama Rasmussen-Li
JMTA Scholarship Committee Chair
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District IV News

Student Day

A note from the FSMTA State VP for Non-competitive Events:

Student Day preparation: If you missed my presentation about Lion Theory at our Nov. 13 meeting, you are welcome to contact me anytime to learn how to subscribe and use this online theory preparation program. Another great resource for theory prep is the Music Masters Written Theory workbooks, which are specifically designed to prepare students for the FSMTA Student Day theory exams, levels Primary - 12. These materials are available at musicmasterstheoryprep.com. Student Day Judging: If you are interested in judging Student Day events in District 4 or other areas around the state, FSMTA has an Apprentice Judging process which helps to prepare you, because Student Day judging is unlike other types of adjudicating. Our new state Apprentice Judging Chair is Suzy Reiser and you may contact her ([email protected]) or Angie Holt, who is JMTA's District 4 Student Day Chair, for more information.

- Rhonda Danielson, FSMTA VP for Non-competitive Events 561-602-2709

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FSMTA District IV Student Day will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223. The application deadline is Friday, March 6. For more comprehensive information, please view the September JMTA newsletter under District IV News.

Here is the link to register: https://www.jaxmta.org/district-4-student-day.html
When registering, choose which section each student would like, morning or afternoon. All their activities will fall into their chosen section, including a non-graded recital, where each student can play one of their Student Day pieces for their peers.

For repertoire lists, sample written theory and aural theory tests, keyboard skills information, adjudication forms, etc., they are all on the FSMTA website (fmta.org). Click on Student Activities on the home screen, and then FSMTA Non-Competitive Events. Scroll down to Members of FSMTA, click on log in here, and use the current password of Chopin, which is case-sensitive. (The FSMTA password changes every October, and as a member you will receive an email from their website admin with the new password each year.) Or you can click here to go to the website, where there is also a Handbook of Student Activities for more detailed information:

https://www.fmta.org/student-day-handbook.html

For their hard work and preparation, each student receives a beautiful certificate, and a medallion if they receive achievement. If they receive honors in their judge audition and at least an achievement in their written theory and aural theory, they also receive an honors ribbon from the State, and are invited to perform in the Honors recital held in the Recital Hall at UNF.

More information about the Music Masters Theory Workbooks:

An independent teacher has created an optional curriculum to help you prepare your students for the keyboard skills, written theory, and aural theory testing with helpful workbooks for each level. These follow the same leveling and guidelines that are provided in the Student Activities Handbook on the FSMTA website. These materials will assist students in mastering the FSMTA guidelines for Student Day. The contact information is as follows: Music Masters, 4111 NW 79 Ave., Coral Springs, FL 33065. To order, email Sue Colvert at Music Masters at [email protected]. The phone number is 954-752-2856. You can also go to at musicmasterstheoryprep.com.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

-Angie Holt, District IV Student Activities Chair
[email protected]

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Application Deadline Reminders
(In order by application deadline)

JMTA Community Service Awards
Application deadline – January 17, 2026
District IV Sonatina and Sonata Festival – February 7
Application deadline – January 19
District IV Concerto Competition – March 14
Application deadline – February 20
District IV Student Day – April 11
Application deadline – March 6
JMTA High School Senior Scholarship Competition – April 11
Application deadline – March 6
JMTA March Student Recital – March 29
Application deadline – March 20
Community “Proton Therapy” Recital – April 21
Application deadline – April 14
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AREA CONCERTS AND RECITALS
Click on each link for a calendar of upcoming performances:

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Events
Click on link for more information and tickets:
Events | Jacksonville Symphony

University of North Florida Music Events
Click on link for more information and tickets:
https://www.unf.edu/coas/music/events.html

Florida State College at Jacksonville
Click on link for more information and tickets:
fine-arts-calendar.jpg (2550×3300)

Friday Musicale Events Click on link for more information and tickets:
https://fridaymusicale.com/events/

St. Johns Cathedral Music Events
Click on link for more information and tickets: https://www.jaxcathedral.org/events/

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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 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.
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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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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 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.

Thursday, January 15, 2026 9:30am District IV Meeting and Program Over Zoom

Saturday, February 7 As Scheduled, District IV Sonatina and Sonata Festival, UNF Recital Hall, 1 UNF Drive, Building 45, Room 1200, 32224

Thursday, February 12 9:30am JMTA General Meeting and Program TBA

Thursday, March 12 9:30am JMTA General Meeting and Program TBA

Saturday, March 14 As Scheduled, District IV Concerto Competition, UNF Recital Hall, 1 UNF Drive, Building 45, Room 1200, 32224

Sunday, March 29 3:00pm JMTA Student Recital, All Saints Episcopal Church, 4171 Hendricks Ave, 32207

Saturday, April 11 As Scheduled, District IV Student Day, Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223

Saturday, April 11 TBA, JMTA H.S. Senior Scholarship Competition, Mandarin Baptist Church, 11244 San Jose Blvd., 32223

Tuesday, April 21 6:00pm Community “Proton Therapy” Recital, U.F. Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 Jefferson St., 32206
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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].