2011.08.17 02:17:40

Susan Capestro

My colleague, Kathleen Theisen, and I presented a session at The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy in Lombard, IL, at the end of July, entitled, Instructional Videos - featuring YOU! Then there was the follow up, and the posting of our handout, and the filling out of the survey...Then I rode a long bike ride, to raise money for cancer research and treatment...then there was the writing of all the thank you's...lots to do...I'm finally getting around to blogging now!

At NCKP, I always enjoy seeing other fellow keyboard teachers. My favorite session was David Karp's, on the piano music of Bernstein. In general, I slipped into the back of several sessions. Some sounded promising, yet hashed over the same materials of past conference sessions. I was happy to see George Litterst, Stella Sick, Shana Kirk and Mario Ajero present a session on streaming; though I had already done much of this research myself, it was very interesting to hear other perspectives. There was a session on increasing teaching effectiveness, which presented and reinforced some salient points that I learned in pedagogy class decades ago, that are still relevant now.

The session on writing business plans was particularly valuable for young teachers just starting out. It's alarming how little they learned in music school about how to run a business; they could really benefit from more business sessions addressing marketing, accounting, outreach, professional development, etc. It's so hard for music schools to teach those kind of business skills, however, they are needed, especially for independent studio teachers.

Lastly, Tony Caramia's jazz piano performance of Americana was really fun.

Were you at NCKP this year? What did you like?

conferences | inspiration | teaching

2010.10.19 00:58:45

WML Scoops

Once in a while, I see a concert that's so "integral" I feel compelled to write a review! Hence, the Concert Reviews section of Whole Music Lessons was born. What exactly is an "integral" concert? Well, it shares many of our site's same values. If a review is published here, you can bet it's a show worth seeing! Its program may have been exceptionally varied, creative or educational. And/or, it may have championed the work of a new composer. You can read more about the principles of integral keyboard teaching here.

So...speaking of great concerts, last weekend, I was lucky to hear a concert given by the CRVO, a brand new, professional symphony orchestra! Pianist Virginia Eskin performed a movement of a piano concerto by Amy Beach. We also heard works by composers from the Cornish Art Colony in NH. There were no crowds to battle, no parking spaces to vie for. My seat in the balcony was only about 40 feet from the stage! Acoustics were wonderful. Read my complete review of the Connecticut River Valley Orchestra's recent concert, Music of the Gilded Age 1885-1910, Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Cornish Colony.

According to you, what are the thing(s) that make a concert worth seeing? Leave your comments below - I'd love to know what you think!

 

concerts | orchestra | symphony | NH | reviews

2010.05.11 19:37:37

WML Scoops

Every week, someone asks about which books I use, materials I recommend for teachers and students, or recordings that are good to listen to. Now they're right here for you, hand-picked by me (not just grabbed from a generic category), and listed in a convenient place. Best of all, Whole Music Lessons' Store works automatically. When you visit it, you can click on any item, then easily and securely check out right at Amazon.com.

I'll be editing selections and adding categories as time goes on, and highly would value your input along the way. Please let us know how you, as a Whole Music Lessons member, have used these materials, and how they've worked for you. Feel free to share your ideas, opinions, write your own reviews, even let us know of a great book you'd like us to consider recommending, by posting your experiences right here, on the Whole Music Lessons Blog!

books recordings CDs recommendation