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JMTA High Notes
May 2023—Vol. 26, no. 8 JMTA General Meeting and Program at Keyboard Connection and over Zoom: Wednesday, May 10, 2023: 9:30am meeting and program after: Performances by Winners of District Concerto Competition and JMTA Scholarship End-of-Year Luncheon following the program: Carrabas Italian Grill, 9965 San Jose Blvd., dutch treat at 11:45am (after the program) _______________________________________ President’s Pen Dear Colleagues of JMTA, This is my last article as your president. It’s time to say thank you to so many folks. Over the past four years we have had outstanding guest artists from a wide array of musical fields. Some have been with us at Keyboard Connections and others, online. Some of those clinicians are seasoned veterans and others, in graduate school. Dr. Michael Mastronicola was Program Chair from 2019-2021. Michael also made arrangements for JMTA recitals to be held at his church. Lisa Barwell was Program Chair for 2021-2022. Lisa and Michael were responsible for providing excellent clinicians during those years. In 2021-22, Lisa became the Wellness Chair and provided a few moments each month to show us clever ways to relax and breathe with our students in lessons as well as in our meetings! Past President Dr. Sandra Roberts has been indispensable as Altruistic Chair in sending personal notes and cards to clinicians, student performers, scholarship winners and their teachers to applaud and encourage their contributions to JMTA. She has also sent messages of condolence and get-well cards to members. Dr. Erin Bennett has been a blessing in providing Zoom links for our meetings and programs through UNF. Erin has also chaired the Sonata-Sonatina Festival, arranged for competitions to be held at UNF and supported JMTA in so many ways. She has also served as District President. Dr. Sandra Stewart served as VP from 2019-2021 and helped stay in touch with new members during this critical period. Sandra also co-chaired the Recital Committee and provided a unique opportunity for advanced students through the Proton Therapy Recitals. JohnWillard Utuk served as VP from 2021-2023 providing a link to our new members. He continued serving in this role even after assuming a full-time position at the Jacksonville Public Library. Lorraine Sears who has served JMTA in many capacities stepped in to Co-chair the Recital Committee. The interest and participation in Student Recitals have grown in the past year and it looks like we will be back to pre-pandemic numbers by fall. Joan Cordell served as Community Service Awards Chair and provided step-by-step instructions on our web pages as well as encouraging teachers in monthly meetings. Kamila Shahtakhtinski has served as Scholarship Chair for several years and has the process down pat. She kept members up to date on how many students were applying for scholarships, arranged for venues and judges and enthusiastically welcomed students and parents to these events. Betty Atkinson, Lynn Freeman, Denise Homsley and Paulette Kilts who have served JMTA as well as FSMTA in a variety of roles have been the folks I could call when I had no idea how to handle a situation. They are a “Brain Trust” for JMTA and have gently led me back on track when I needed that. Kama Rasmussen is our District President and a great source of innovative ideas for JMTA. We will welcome Dr. Mary McKee as our new VP in May. Mary has entered students in JMTA events in the last few years and is well-acquainted with the festivals and competitions. Mary will be our contact for prospective and new members. Damon Martin has served as Treasurer from 2021-23 and thankfully will be continuing in that role for the next term. He had to quickly learn how our budget is set up and what the requirements are at different times of the year. Stephanie Batson-Martin has served as Secretary since 2018 and has agreed to continue in that role. She has been at almost every meeting and presented clear, concise Minutes each month. Stephanie has also assisted Damon with Treasury reports. In addition, Stephanie has worked with Erin to be sure our Zoom links have connected, and she has set up the camera and TV monitor at Keyboard Connections for meetings and programs. This involves some ladder climbing and lots of cords. We would have not been able to have some of our online programs without Stephanie! Angie Holt is another member we simply could not replace! Angie has been in charge of the monthly newsletter since 2015 and has turned that into a wonderful means of communication for JMTA. The newsletter is rich in information about JMTA events as well as a wide array of musical activities in our area. Angie has also chaired the Student Day event for the past two years. She has provided members with dates, venues, rule changes and enrollment information. Angie will be assuming a new role in May when she becomes the new JMTA President. She will need the support of each member of JMTA. Some of her other responsibilities will need to be taken on by other members. Angie will be looking for folks to take positions on the Board. I’m encouraging all of our members who have joined in the last 3 years to take on some responsibility in JMTA. When Angie contacts you, say “YES!” One of our staunchest supporters is Jack Melvin, owner of Keyboard Connection. He has provided not only a place for us to meet, but tuned grand pianos whenever needed for meetings or other JMTA events held at KC. I look forward to seeing the new vision Angie Holt and her Board will adopt. Look forward to some changes and embrace them. It has been an honor to serve as President of JMTA. Anita Anita Renfroe President, JMTA anita@renfroepiano.com _________________________________ JMTA General Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 9:30am Keyboard Connection/Zoom Present Zoom: Lynn Freeman, Angie Holt, Kama Rasmussen-Li, Anna Marr, Mary McKee, Erin Bennett, Joan Cordell, Paulette Kilts, Denise Homsley, Sandra Roberts Present In-Person: Anita Renfroe, Lorraine Sears, Stefanie Batson-Martin, Lisa Barwell, Eunice Paliy-Bainger, Betty Atkinson, Dean Allen Slickis Call to Order: 9:33am (Anita Renfroe) Parliamentarian: (Lynn Freeman)
Altruistic: (Sandra Roberts)
Program: “Engaging Students with Autism in Music Lessons” by Yangmingting Fang from the FSMTA Virtual Conference -Submitted by Stefanie Batson-Martin, Recording Secretary ___________________________________________________________________ JMTA MONTHLY PROGRAMS MAY Performances by the Winners of the Concerto Competition and the JMTA Scholarship The winners of the 2023 District Concerto Competition will be performing for our May program on May 10th: Junior Division: Junior Strings Competition Winner: Amelia Harin Teacher: Sonja Foster Junior Piano Competition Winner: Ava Gong Teacher: Mary McKee Intermediate Division: Intermediate Strings Competition Winner: Louis Ossi Teacher: Melissa Barrett Senior Division: Senior Strings Competition Winner: Annelise Ossi Teacher: Melissa Barrett Senior Piano Competition Winner: Spencer McKee Teacher: Mary McKee In addition, the winner of the 2023 JMTA High School Senior Scholarship, Spencer McKee, will be performing for our May program and will be presented his scholarship money by Kamila Shahtakhtinski, NCTM, Scholarship Committee Chair. Spencer McKee “Spencer McKee is a senior at Nassau County, Florida Virtual School. Since beginning formal piano study at age 4 with his mother Mary Watanabe McKee he has earned awards including recently being named the winner of the FSMTA Concerto Competition District 4 senior division. In February 2023, he received first place in the 2023 Palm Beach Atlantic Young Artists’ Piano Competition. In 2022, he won the Musically Advanced II piano solo division at the State Competition of the Florida Federation of Music Clubs and subsequently was invited to perform at the 2023 State Junior Convention. Spencer enjoys playing for churches, care facilities and for social events. In 2022, he played benefit recitals in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville, raising over $2000 for the World Central Kitchen in support of Ukraine. His hobbies include baseball, A/V production, photography, and cooking.” ___________________________________ END-OF-YEAR LUNCHEON Following our meeting and program on Wednesday, May 10th, we will be having our end-of-year luncheon at 11:45am at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 9965 San Jose Blvd. A large table has been reserved. This is a Dutch treat event. Please join us! - Dr. Anita Renfroe ______________________________ DISTRICT IV NEWS District IV Student Day Thirteen students performed in the Student Day Honors Recital held at UNF’s Recital Hall on Sunday, April 23 at 2pm. Much appreciation is extended to Dr. Erin Bennett for making this happen. Certificates, medallions, and State ribbons are being distributed. Thank you to all who helped make this a successful Student Day! - Angie Holt, District Student Activities Chair (angiespianostudio7@gmail.com) _______________________ JMTA members in the symphony! You've probably heard the Jacksonville Symphony perform this year in one of their many concerts. From their classical masterwork's series, coffee concerts, outreach events for young children, pop concerts, guest artist series, movie soundtracks . . . and more! . . . they are some of the hardest working musicians in town. Have you noticed they often have a keyboardist playing as part of the ensemble? Members Michael Mastronicola and Scott Watkins have been playing alongside for many concerts again this season. Just recently, Michael Mastronicola performed on harpsichord in Bach's D Major makes an important appearance early on in the suite but remains tacet for the remainder of the work. Scott Watkins performed the fiendishly difficult piano part in the work as well and did it superbly! This past month, Michael performed the piano part in Copland's El Salon Mexico and the organ part in Elgar's Cockaigne Overture. And you may have heard Scott play the piano part in Copland's Rodeo and, just last week, the celeste in the symphony's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. Any type of keyboard is up for use, from harpsichord, piano, organ, and synthesizer: in years past, when an early 20th-Century European-style harmonium was needed in a performance of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde (Songs of the Earth), Michael performed the part on a synthesizer programmed to create the specific sounds the composer requested. He also performs on the wonderful Cassavant organ housed in Jacoby Hall each year on Handel's Messiah. This instrument is a true treasure in the city! Synthesizers programmed for every imaginable sound and instrument are used often when the symphony performs movie soundtracks, like Jurassic Park. Scott will be playing keyboards for the upcoming May 12th & 13th production of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Michael will be playing piano and celeste on May 26 at 11 am in a Coffee Concert featuring newer music, such as Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral and Copland's wonderful Clarinet Concerto. The symphony players are incredibly talented and committed musicians, performing at their highest levels with often minimal rehearsal time together before a concert due to their very demanding and busy season. They depend on your support and offer something for the entire Jacksonville community regardless of age or lack of familiarity with classical music. Bring your studio to a performance during their daytime concerts, or their brief 60-minute evening concerts, or their opera production, or perhaps one of their pops concerts that may feature jazz, the music of the Beatles, musical theater repertoire, and even disco! And of course, their performances of classical works from Bach to composers actively working today are always inspiring! Check them out at www.jaxsymphony.org. - Michael Mastronicola, DMA, NCTM ___________________________ 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. Saint Augustine Orchestra presents: From Broadway to Blockbusters “Bring your popcorn and enjoy soundtracks from stage and screen! From Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady to Grease to Jurassic Park and Raider’s of the Lost Ark, you won’t want to miss this night at the movies!” Scott C. Gregg, Artistic Director Dates: Wednesday, May 10 at 8:00-9:30pm and Thursday, May 11 at 8:00-9:30pm Location: Lightner Museum, 75 King St., St. Augustine, 32084Cost: Adults $27.50, students 11-17 $12, youth 10 & under free Click on link for details and tickets: https://staugustineorchestra.ticketleap.com/ Friday Musicale presents: Rose Shlyam Grace (piano) featuring Giovanni Bertoni (clarinet) and Alexei Romanenko (cello) “Program includes Beethoven Clarinet Trio, Op. 11 in B flat Major, Brahms Clarinet Trio, Op. 114 in A minor, as well as works by Schubert and Scriabin (Thursday night only).” Dates: Thursday, May 11 at 7:00-9:00pm and Friday, May 12 at 12:00-1:00pm Location: 645 Oak St., JacksonvilleCost: Regular advance admission $15, Free admission for Jacksonville residents with ID and Friday Musicale members. Click on link for tickets and for details: https://fridaymusicale.com/events/ The Jacksonville Symphony presents: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Symphonic Night at the Movies Kevin Fitzgerald, Associate Conductor “You-Know-Who™ is not the only one who has returned—Harry Potter™, Ron Weasley™, and Hermione Granger™ are back as well in this unforgettable concert event. Relive the magic with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix™ displayed on a giant screen in high-definition and accompanied by a symphonic orchestra. See Harry and his friends race through the Department of Mysteries, practice Defense Against the Dark Arts in secret, and endure Professor Umbridge™—all with Nicholas Hooper’s iconic score!” WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s22) Date: Friday, May 12 at 7:00pm and Saturday, May 13 at 7:00pm Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200 Cost: $59 and UpClick on link for tickets and for details: https://my.jaxsymphony.org/overview/harry-potter-5-in-concert?_ga=2.143332659.743574730.1683490684-757763258.1662407897 Saint John’s Cathedral presents: An Evening of Art & Music “St. John’s Cathedral hosts the First Coast Wind Symphony’s Mother’s Day concert. The music will delight all ages and a talented young musician will share the spotlight. Samuel Lewis, the winner of the 12th annual FCWS Concerto Competition that was open to all Florida high school musicians, will perform Albert Franz Doppler’s virtuosic ‘Fantasie Pastoral Hongroise’ with the Wind Symphony and will receive the first-place award of $1,500. Samuel will attend the Royal College of Music in London in the fall. Other selections that the whole family will enjoy include selections from the soundtrack of the first ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film. Immediately following the concert, enjoy an art reception in Taliaferro Hall. The exhibition on display is cphace photography from Jacksonville artist LAIRD titled Nature Transformed.” Date: Sunday, May 14 at 5:00pm, Reception at 6:30pm Location: 256 E. Church St., Jacksonville, 32202Cost: No cost mentioned. Click on link for details: https://www.jaxcathedral.org/blog/an-evening-of-art-music2560/ Friday Musicale presents: Junco Royals at Friday Musicale “Your friendly neighborhood concert hall meets your friendly neighborhood trad jazz ensemble.” Date: Wednesday, May 17 at 7:00-9:00pm Location: 645 Oak St., JacksonvilleCost: $10 regular admission, free for Friday Musicale members Click on link for tickets and for details: https://fridaymusicale.com/event/junco-royals-at-friday-musicale/ The Jacksonville Symphony presents: Mozart, Brahms & Schumann Florida Blue Classical Series Courtney Lewis, Conductor Simone Porter, Violin Joshua Roman, Cello “On May 19th and 20th the Jacksonville Symphony welcomes two celebrated guest artists. Returning cellist Joshua Roman and phenom violinist Simone Porter perform Brahms’ Double Concerto. Paired with the grace of Schumann and the poetic melodies of Mozart’s Great G minor Symphony, these performances are a highlight of the 2022/23 season.” Dates: Friday, May 19 at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 20 at 7:30pm Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: $27 and up Click on link for tickets and for details: https://my.jaxsymphony.org/overview/mozart-brahms-shepherd?_ga=2.80968337.743574730.1683490684-757763258.1662407897 Atypical Arts Presents: Dave Eggar and Band “Friday Musicale, along with Atypical Arts, present five-time Grammy nominee piano and cello virtuoso, Dave Eggar. Accompanied by renowned string band performers Blake Collins (mandolin) and Phil Faconti (flat pick guitar), along with Chuck Palmer (percussion), and rising vocal star Ashton Davison, Eggar and his band will perform their musical tribute, ‘From the Mountaintop,’ a soulful and adventurous exploration of bluegrass and favorites from Bach to the Beatles. A student of the great American composer Aaron Copeland, and legendary celloist Yo Yo Ma, Eggar has performed, recorded, and arranged for artists across genres including Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Roseanne Cash, Phillip Phillips, Coldplay, Frank Ocean, Tony Bennett, Andrea Bocelli, Foreigner, Harry Belafonte, Imagine Dragons, and John Legend only to name a few. Eggar and his band are not to be missed.” Date: Wednesday, May 24 at 7:00-9:00pm Location: 645 Oak St., JacksonvilleCost: $20 general admission, $15 for Friday Musicale members with advance registration Click on link for tickets and for details: https://fridaymusicale.com/event/atypical-arts-presents-dave-eggar-and-band/ The Jacksonville Symphony presents: Giovanni Bertoni Plays Copland Symphony in 60 Series Courtney Lewis, Conductor Giovanni Bertoni, Clarinet “Hear colorful musical melodies swirl through Jacoby Symphony Hall as the Jacksonville Symphony shines for Symphony in 60 Pride Night! Kick off the celebration at 5:30PM by sharing a toast with friends during the preconcert cocktail hour. Right after, revel in Aaron Copland’s jazzy Clarinet Concerto as it is brought to life by Principal Clarinet Giovanni Bertoni followed by Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral that conjures images of sapphire skies, a world premiere of Tarik O’Regan’s Recalcitrance and Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes that paints musical landscapes in watercolor hues. You won’t want to miss this vibrant finale of the Symphony in 60 Series this season!” Date: Thursday, May 25 at 6:30pm (Cocktail hour begins 5:30pm, concert begins 6:30pm) Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200 Cost: $25Click on link for tickets and for details: https://my.jaxsymphony.org/pride-night-sym60?_ga=2.106592773.743574730.1683490684-757763258.1662407897 The Jacksonville Symphony presents: Solo Organ Recital The Concert Organ Series Greg Zelek, Organ “Take a journey to the heart of Jacoby Symphony Hall and discover a truly historic monument: the Symphony's Bryan Concert Organ. Find yourself immersed in wonder with three riveting performances, each designed to highlight the organ's versatile musical power. Hear its melodies transform from intimate and colorful to grand and thunderous!” Date: Saturday, May 27 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/solo-organ-recital?_ga=2.88374173.743574730.1683490684-757763258.1662407897 The Jacksonville Symphony presents: Revolution: The Music of the Beatles, A Symphonic Experience Pops Series Grant O'Brien, Assistant Conductor “’Here comes the sun’ with the band who changed the world with their music. This new symphonic tribute with the orchestra and star vocalists drives us through Abbey Road on a musical and visual journey. Now is your chance to rock and roll to the best-kept secrets from the London-based archives of The Beatles official fan magazine and The Beatles Book Monthly. Arrangements transcribed from the original album include Hey Jude, Something, Penny Lane, Ticket to Ride and so many others!” Date: Friday, June 2 at 7:30pm and Saturday, June 3 at 7:30pm Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: $27 and upClick on link for tickets and for details: https://my.jaxsymphony.org/overview/revolution-music-of-the-beatles?_ga=2.189619757.743574730.1683490684-757763258.1662407897 The Florida Chamber Music Project presents: Schumann Piano & Strings “Pianist Hyunsoon Whang returns for this big piece which offers solo piano music with our strings. Also being performed on this concert is Rhapsody in B minor, Opus 79, No. 1 and Rhapsody in G minor, Opus 79, No.2, both by Johannes Brahms.” Quintet for Piano and Strings in E-flat Major, Op. 44 - Robert Schumann Rhapsody in G minor, Opus 79, No. 2 - Johannes Brahms Rhapsody in B minor, Opus 79, No. 1 - Johannes Brahms Date: Sunday, June 4 at 3:00-4:00pm Location: Beaches Museum Chapel, 505 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach Cost: $27 Click on link for details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/schumann-piano-strings-tickets-378542549957 The Jacksonville Symphony presents: Conrad Tao Plays Prokofiev Florida Blue Classical Series Courtney Lewis, Conductor Conrad Tao, Piano “Who better to close the season with Courtney Lewis and the Symphony than world-class pianist Conrad Tao? By popular demand, the young phenom returns to bring his jaw-dropping virtuosity to the explosive joy of Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto. Paired with Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony, relish in the final classical performance as it bursts into a colorful celebration and marks the perfect exclamation point on this exalted 2022/23 season.” Dates: Friday, June 9 at 7:30pm and Saturday, June 10 at 7:30pm Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts – Jacoby Symphony Hall, 300 Water St., Suite 200Cost: $27 and up Click on link for tickets and for details: https://my.jaxsymphony.org/overview/conrad-tao-plays-prokofiev?_ga=2.106158597.743574730.1683490684-757763258.1662407897 ________________________________ 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 angiespianostudio7@gmail.com. ______________________________ 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 schoolofmusicjax@gmail.com. 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. May 10 9:30 – Meeting 10:30 – Program 11:45 - Luncheon JMTA General Meeting And Program – Recital; End-of-year lunch follows Keyboard Connection/Zoom 9912 San Jose Blvd., 32257; Lunch at Carrabba’s 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 jaxmta@gmail.com. Comments are closed.
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