Member Resources
125th Annual State Conference
Dear MMTA members,
Preparations for the 125th MMTA conference are in full gear. The conference opens on Sunday, October 17 at 1:00 p.m. (on-site registration beginning at noon) and continues through noon on Tuesday, October 19 at the Detroit Novi Sheraton (21111 Haggerty Rd., Novi). Local host for this event is the Livonia Area Piano Teachers Forum, whose members are busy with the many behind-the-scenes details of conference planning. This year’s conference clinician is Martha F. Hilley, and conference artist is pianist Leon Bates. Other presenters include Brian Chung, Senior Vice President of Kawai Music, MMTA member Diana Munch (PDF), and Glenna Sprague, director of the Oakton Six Piano Ensemble (PDF).
Sunday Sessions
The conference opens on Sunday afternoon with a session by Martha on “Theory and Improvisation - the pb&j of music.” Continuing with this theme, Brian Chung presents “Improvisation for the Classically Trained Pianist,” and the afternoon’s events conclude with an Honors Concert featuring MMTA/MTNA student winners. The evening concert features the MMTA commissioned composition by composer Eric Guinivan, and Piano Ensemble Music performed by Michigan artists: Kazimierz Brzozowski, Roy Coloma, Tomoko and Yuki Mack, Kathy Ranus, Christina Dragone, and Diana Munch.
Monday Sessions
Monday morning sessions begin with a student master class conducted by Leon Bates, followed with a session by Martha Hilley on functional skills, including sight reading, keyboard theory, harmonization, transposition, improvisation and composition.
The afternoon opens with a performance by the Oakton Six, a student piano ensemble directed by Glenna Sprague from Oakton College in Illinois. Following their performance Martha presents a session on “Tips for incorporating Technology into your Studio.”
Break-out SAT sessions for piano and voice follow, and the last break-out sessions are on certification, as well as a new “Meet and Share” session for college music students hosted by Dr. Adam Clark, Assistant Professor of Music at Hope College, and MMTA’s new student chapters coordinator. The evening begins with the MMTA Gala Banquet, followed by the Gala Concert featuring pianist Leon Bates.
Tuesday Sessions
Tuesday’s sessions include a pianoforte presentation by MMTA member Diana Munch (PDF) on “Rethinking Piano Performance Traditions,” followed by Martha Hilley’s session, “Elementary to Intermediate - repertoire to inspire both you and your students.”
In addition to these motivating sessions and outstanding concerts, our MMTA Conference gives the opportunity to visit with many colleagues from, quite literally, the far corners of the state, and for extending those visits, the conference hotel is located near many restaurants and shopping areas. So plan on attending our quasquicentennial conference… it promises to be an invigorating event, propelling us forward in the new teaching season with inspiring performances and fresh ideas for repertoire, for incorporating technology in the studio, and with suggestions and insight for teaching the elements of music. Please join fellow-MMTA members at the 125th MMTA Conference, it promises to be a noteworthy event!
Sincerely,
Penny Draper, MMTA Vice President