NFMC Junior Keynotes Spring 2015

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS

Junior Keynotes Spring 2015 • Vol. 87, No. 3

2015 National Music Week Essay Winners SEE PAGES 14 – 23

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W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

TA B LE OF CONTENTS

SPRING ISSUE, 2015 Vol. 87, No. 3

4 Staff Directory 5 President’s Message 6 Junior Chairman / Editor’s Farewell 7 Festivals Chairman

A DV ER T I S ERS’ I N D E X

8 Festivals Bulletin

2 Hal Leonard

10 Dance Chairman

3 MTNA

11 American Music 12 American Music Travel Blog

5 NFMC 58th Biennial Convention Fargo, North Dakota

14 National Music Week Essay Winners

10

24 Rating Sheet

12 NFMC “Thinking of You” Cards

26 Scattered Notes

13 NFMC Junior Composers Contest

28 Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau Welcome 29 Imagination Nook: Sam Ecoff

Tish Rogers

13

NFMC Together We Sing

29

Clavier Companion

NFMC_MTNA_Ad_Layout 1 1/24/13 2:56 PM Page 1

Whether you are a seasoned professional or new teacher, membership in Music Teachers National Association is an essential part of your professional life.

Since 1876, MTNA has been the foremost leader in empowering the music-teaching professional by providing valuable resources and networking opportunities for its members.

Spring 2015

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 3

S TA F F D I R E C T O R Y

NFMC Junior Keynotes Directory National Federation of Music Clubs, Inc. • Chartered by the Congress of the United States (ISSN 0022-6629) HEADQUARTERS

National Federation of Music Clubs 1646 W. Smith Valley Road Greenwood, IN 46142 317-882-4003 Fax 317-882-4019 email: nfmc@nfmc-music.org www.nfmc-music.org President Carolyn C. Nelson 210 11th St. N. , Apt 205 Fargo, ND 58102 Phone: 701-235-5161 Mobile: 701-238-4053 nelson1125@gmail.com

No./So. Central/Western Regions: Jan Hansen, Chairman 101 Rio Mesa Drive Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-956-1659 jhansen3536@gmail.com

Joyce Walsh Award Anita Blackmon, Chairman 1101 S. Ricky Road Kennett, MO 63857 573-888-3998 abblackmon@att.net

Claire Ulrich Whitehurst Piano Solo Award Claire Frances Whitehurst, Chairman Coral Gate, 3360 SW 18th Miami, FL 33145 305-445-2128

Junior Club Rating Mary Thomason, Chairman 130 Creekside Drive Boerne TX 78006 mary@icanlearnmusic.com

Stillman Kelley/Byrum Nathalie Steinbach, Chairman 15 Mount Vernon Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-368-6352 ymfred@earthlink.net

Mary Alice Cox Award Matt Miller, Chairman 13819 W. National Avenue New Berlin, WI 53151 262-786-0487, Ext. 743 mattmillerbass@aol.com

Wendell Irish Viola Award Dr. George R. Keck, Chairman 421 Cherry Street Arkadelphia, AR 71923 870-246-5076 keckg@obu.edu

Music for the Blind Awards Lee Ann Cummings, Chairman 146 W Pinebrook Drive Brandon MS 39047 601.992.9330 cummings-lee28@att.net

Dance Gay Dill, Chairman 814 South Second Street Atwood, KS 67730 785-626-9434 gdill1@att.net

Improvisation Dr. Leon Whitesell, Chairman 5117 NW 161st Street Edmond, OK 73013 405-715-1636 lwhitesell2@cox.net

Festivals Bulletin Sandra Preysz, Editor/Chairman 2174 E. Loisdale Drive Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121 801-944-1808 sandrapreysz@msn.com

Theory Dr. Cherisse Miller, Chairman 6221 Yorkshire Dr. Columbia, SC 29209 803-783-0657 rissey88@gmail.com

Thelma A. Robinson Ballet Award Judy Barger Edgell 4023 Hazelridge Road, NW Roanoke, VA 24012 540-563-4782 jbarger1234@cox.net

Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Awards James Schnars, Chairman 331 Cleveland Street #804 Clearwater, FL 33755 727-400-4305

Festival Cup Award Gloria Lien, Chairman 6738 W Kimberly Way Glendale, AZ 85308 623-561-2989 Gloria.hope.lien@gmail.com

Junior Division Linda D. Lind, Chairman 8905 Longmead Court Burke, VA 22015 703-569-0014 linda.lind@cox.net

Festivals Jodie J. Jensen, Chairman 5475 Flag Way Colorado Springs, CO 80919 719-262-0394 jodiejens@yahoo.com

Junior Keynotes Magazine Patricia M. Grantier, Editor 1111 North First St., Apt. 2A Bismarck, ND 58501 701-222-0970 patg@bis.midco.net Summer Music Camps Odee Maier, Chairman 6292 13th Circle South Fargo, ND 58104 701-280-2437 odmaier@cableone.net

Heather Rathnau, So. Cent.

Chairman 6639 Sutters Creek Trail Missouri City, TX 77459 281-208-3799 hrhr308@earthlink.net Lisa Smith, SE Chairman 3774 Barbizon Circle S. Jacksonville, FL 32257 904-886-4188 lcspiano@hotmail.com Linda Maurhoff, NE chairman 203 Downieville Road Valencia, PA 16059 724-625-1761 Lindamaurhoff@consolidated.net

Advertising Jennifer Griffin, Chairman 1646 W. Smith Valley Road Greenwood, IN 46142 Phone: 317-882-4003 Mobile: 317-771-5369 Fax: 317-882-4019 jenniferk@nfmc-music.org National Music Week Essay Mary Ellen Ulmer, Chairman 168 East Branch Road Mercer, PA 16137 724-946-2877 ulmerme@hotmail.com NE, SE Regions: Julianne Edwards, Chairman 11907 Springfield Lane Apt. Bldg. 23 Fishers, IN 46038 561-613-7237 jmedwards103@gmail.com

Peggy Radmer, NC Chairman 1930 Sunnyside Drive Waukesha, WI 53186 262-547-2607 Pegs88keys@wi.rr.com Debbie Wiser, Western Chairman 8412 N. Rainbow Vista Prescott Valley, AZ 86315 928-772-6931 djwiser@gmail.com

Junior Composers Karen Bourne, Chairman 397 Riviera Circle Dakota Dunes SD 57049 712-274-7284 kjbourne@cableone.net

Martha Marcks Mack Junior Vocal Award Naomi Sanchez, Chairman 671 Ashbury Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-378-1447 Knsanchez@hotmail.com Lana M Bailey Piano Concerto Award Dee Blaser, Chairman 4404 Heritage Drive Lawrence, KS 66047 785-843-8776 dblaser@sunflower.com

Marilyn Caldwell Piano Solo Award Marilyn Caldwell, Chairman 2011 St. Francis Street Kennett, MO 63857 573-888-5274 mcaldwell6@att.net Periodicals Connie Randall, Chairman PO Box 522 Kaufman, TX 75142-0522 248-921-7032 connierandall@yahoo.com

Angie Greer Music in Poetry Contest Dr. Marie Speece, Chairman PO Box 1 Union Grove, NC 28689 704-539-5243 mariespeece@yadtel.net

The National Federation of Music Clubs is a tax-exempt, non-profit philanthropic and educational organization dedicated to music education and promotion of the creative and performing arts in America since 1898. The Federation was designated on the Official Roster of the United Nations in 1949, the only music organization thus accredited as a NonGovernmental Organization (NGO), and was chartered by the U.S. Congress on August 9, 1982. The mission of the Federation is to support and develop American music and musicians.

4 JUNIOR KE YNOTES

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Spring 2015

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Memo from the President

by Carolyn C. Nelson

This is my last “Memo from the

The Nelson Family: (clockwise from left) Paul Nelson, Karla Nelson Erlandson, John Nelson, Carolyn Nelson and Gil Nelson.

President.” June 19 will be my last day as your president. It has been a busy, educational and enjoyable four years. I have met many new friends and unfortunately lost a few too. We have made some changes, most of them were good. We always must look forward. NFMC has a great mission – support American music and musicians and support music education. There are many ways we can accomplish that.

There are 22 essays in this issue that revolve around the theme, “Music…

Heartbeat of the Soul.” The 22 winners have expressed their thoughts well. I hope you will take the time to read them. If you have a state winner, be sure to congratulate him/her. I made the National Music Week theme the theme for the annual conference in Portland and the biennial convention to be held in Fargo. I think we should celebrate during the entire year, not just one week.

My thanks to the editors of Junior Keynotes and the many

FARGO

NORTH DAKOTA

chairmen in the Junior Division who did yeoman’s work during my terms in office. We lost Mary Angela Strasser halfway through but Pat Grantier picked up the task and we didn’t miss a beat. Linda Lind has done a masterful job with the Junior Division. I must also thank Rich Westcott and his staff at Westcott Publishing for a great job of graphics and printing of most of our publications.

I hope many of you will plan to attend the 2015 biennial convention in Fargo, ND, June 16-20. It will be preceded by the Young Artist Competition and festival online training. We have some wonderful programming and I think you will find Fargo – North of Normal (the new tourism motto). Fargo is definitely not like the desolate town featured in the movie of the same name. Come and

t a e b t r a e .

Musico.f.the Houl S

N F M C 5 8 TH BI E N N I A L CO N V E N T I O N J U N E 1 6-20, 201 5

enjoy my going out of office party!

NFMC’s 32nd President

For more information, visit www.nfmc-music.org Spring 2015

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 5

JUNIOR CHAIRMAN

Recycling the Three R’s

Responsibility, Results and Relevancy

by Linda Lind, Junior Division Chairman

Responsibility

Results Successful results are the direct objective

Editor’s Farewell

By Patricia M. Grantier

Editor, Junior Keynotes

Responsibility

ults Res

As NFMC Chairmen we have accepted a responsibility to the Juniors and Junior Counselors in our care. It is up to each of us to educate them about the many opportunities available. Opportunities are often unrecognized because they sometimes take a little effort to seek out.

The Competitions and Awards Chart has done much of the work for us. The Junior Division awards begin on page 7. The chart can be downloaded and printed from the NFMC website.

Another tool at hand to use is this publication – Junior Keynotes. Every issue covers what has happened and what is going to happen in the Junior Division. Make it available to all Juniors and to their parents.

Don’t miss the opportunity to invite parents to become more involved through membership.

of observing rules and regulations. From whence did they come? A meeting of the Junior Division is held annually at the NFMC Biennial Convention or the NFMC Conference. Items for discussion are placed on an agenda and votes are taken. Members of the Division – chairmen of the various areas of work – are eligible to vote. The approved

items are then taken to the NFMC Board of Directors for consideration.

If you are interested in seeing a rule changed or a rule added, you must make it known to either the Division Chairman or the individual chairman. This must be done in writing but the best way is for you to be at the

•

Spring 2015

next meeting on June 17, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. in Fargo, ND.

Relevancy Rules and regulations are in place for the benefit of ALL members. They give ALL Juniors an even playing field.

NFMC is dedicated to finding and fostering young musical talent. We are the only musical organization whose sole mission is “to support and develop American music and musicians.”

We are in the business of “caring and feeding” our Juniors. As our Juniors grow, so grows the musical life of America.

Does that seem like a big challenge? It is, but every challenge brings opportunity and the bigger the challenge the bigger the opportunity for growth. No NFMC Junior will be left out or left behind because a challenge seemed too great to overcome. Every NFMC Chairman is ready and willing to help. That’s our job.

We are here to serve you – Juniors and Junior Counselors alike.

Recycling It is a good thing. Some things just need to be repeated and we need to be reminded.

NFMC Juniors are the best. They ROCK!!

When President Carolyn Nelson asked me to fill in as Junior Keynotes editor for the remainder of her term, I was excited and pleased. As I edit my final issue, I know I will miss the folks involved in this publication.

Thanks to the chairmen who not only wrote interesting columns, but sent them on deadline! Thanks to the teachers and music students whose accomplishments and pictures delight us all. Especially, I thank our publisher Rich Westcott for his unwavering encouragement, patience, and good humor.

I know that the new Junior Keynotes editor will enjoy the same prompt support, high resolution pictures, and clean copy that you have provided to me.

– Pat

6 JUNIOR KE YNOTES

3 R’s

Rele van cy

In this space there was once an article entitled “The Three R’s of the NFMC” Responsibility, Results and Relevancy. It seems Recycling of these “R’s” might be in order.

F E S T I VA L S R E P O R T

Festivals of Possibility

by Jodie Jensen, NFMC Festivals Chairman

“It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.” – Ella Fitzgerald A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to chat with an old friend who is head of piano at a university where one of my students desires entry into the music program. After discussing the details about the upcoming audition, we had the chance to talk about the community where my friend lives and works. This devoted musician and teacher expressed concern about the musical life of the community where he serves. He felt the quality of students coming to audition at his school from the local community were not prepared for entry and that the once stellar music life of that community had faded over the past few years. It made me very sad.

Many years ago, his community had a vibrant Federated Festival program where students participated, teachers created Junior Clubs that actually did more than “just Festival” and produced some wonderful young musicians. But for one reason or another, the teacher members of this community’s Federated clubs had decided to pull away from the NFMC Festival program and drop participation in the local Senior Club. I asked if he felt this decline had happened as a result of the lack of participation in the Federated Festivals. He felt it had.

I have been told over again about communities where Federated Festivals are no long part of the mainstream of musical offerings to Junior Musicians. Teachers in these areas have expressed concern over the decline in student skills and ability. Without benchmarks, goals and the opportunity to be a part of a Nationally based program, students seem to lose interest in music study. So what is to be done? How do we keep Federated Festivals as the archetype for musical excellence in our young musicians?

Vision. In the book, The Art of Possibility, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander share a discussion about vision. The quote begins,”In...vision, an individual’s unique expression plays an integral and constructive part in setting a direction for the group.” When we allow the individual teacher in our Area Festivals to become an integral and constructive

part of setting direction, we validate the efforts of that individual. This collective vision is very much a part of the Boulder Federated Music Club in Colorado. They know the direction they want for their club because they share that vision with each other. They educate, listen to and involve each other.

Validate. Validate your teacher members by allowing them to feel a part of the process. I am taking a quote and adapting it to the running of Festivals, “...if you’re making all the calls, then (Teachers) only have one person to blame if they don’t like what happens in the (Festival).”

Taken from The Dynamic Studio by Philip Johnston.

As Philip Johnston says, “As any expert in HR will tell you, employees who feel as though they have no control over their day-to-day jobs become unhappy employees, and unhappy employees leave.” When we feel we are not a part of the building process, have very little control over the decisions or are not allowed to innovate, we find somewhere else to give our time and energy. We need all our teachers to feel they are important which leads to my next point.

Communication. The best way to facilitate feelings of inclusion is through communication. Communication is a two way process of listening and speaking. So many issues arise in Festival that could be resolved had everyone just communicated and listened with respect. Sharing information, ensuring that every member have the materials needed for successful Festival participation is key.

Listening to needs both of the member and Festival Chairman will help avoid conflict.

Fun. I remember a music teacher conference banquet where a comedian/magician had been hired. We laughed at nearly every silly joke.

The entertainer said, “Boy, you guys don’t get out much do you?” He was right! We don’t get out much. We are just so busy! But we can’t feel like we are part of a team if all we do is work. All work and no play did make Jane/Jack a dull tool. By getting to know our colleagues, we build a sense of community. Eat lunch

together. Go for a walk. You might find out you have more in common than you thought. Good feelings start with building collegiality.

Respect. Respect one another’s time and efforts. Too many conflicts happen during Festival season because of a lack of respect.

Going Places. Making great Festivals is all about deciding where you want your Festival to go. There is a reason for Ella Fitzgerald’s quote.

It is not about where you have been but where you are going. Questions discussed in your Area Festival, like the ones below, allow for the creation of possibility: • Do you want to see students receive extra recognition for long term participation in Festival?

Should we create a Statewide Competitive • Festival for students who receive a superior rating at the Area Festival?

• What about inviting members of the community to an honors recital?

• Would you like to offer special incentives for students who do more than one event in a Festival year?

• How do we bring parents into the Festival process?

• How can we encourage other teachers to “Catch the Vision” of Festival participation?

Area Festivals and States have allowed this kind of discussion to take place. The results have created unbelievable opportunity for Junior Musicians in their community and state.

Vision is vital. Our Juniors are counting on us to make those kinds of decisions for their future and the future of their own children.

Don’t Give Up! As my term of service to NFMC ends, I would like to thank all of our devoted Area, State and Regional Festival Chairman for your years of service. Many of you have given years of selfless sacrifice to build a musical future for Juniors. You didn’t give up when you really could have just thrown in the towel. I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication and vision.

Spring 2015

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 7

F E S T I VA L S B U L L E T I N

OnLine Festivals Management System Update

by Sandra Preysz, NFMC Festivals Bulletin Editor/Chairman The beta testing has been successful as it showed us where the system is working as designed and where there are bugs and hard to use functionality. It also demonstrated how, generally speaking, the logic of this central system is functioning.

The major issue from the perspective of the local Festival is preparing the point history data in the proper format. The details are very complex and the process can be time consuming. To improve the process, we are working on the following:

• Registration is completed with all rules

• A revised Excel file that will help eliminate

being observed.

• Registration files are downloaded and

Festival areas are able to set schedules and organize Festivals. Most areas already have a system they love for running their Festival day and there is no need to change that system. They download the data from the online and proceed as they have in the past.

• Ratings for the current year are

uploaded with an Excel file or entered manually by the ADMIN for the Festival area.

• Reports such as Gold Cups, Consecutive

Superiors, and area Festivals summaries are easily generated with one click!

Several beta testing areas reported that the system would not allow a registration.

Sometimes it was an error in programming logic that needed to be corrected, but more often the teacher was unaware of a rule and registration was not allowed because of the rules restrictions. As a Festivals Chairman in California said to me during one such call, “Now I understand why we need to be using this system.” It certainly reduces the work of the chairman when compliance to all requirements is checked at the time of registration. This will maintain the integrity of the Festival program nationwide.

The eye opening finding of the beta testing process is that the project is much bigger than any of us had envisioned, even though we naively thought we knew the scope of the project. Originally, we planned that every area in every state would be using the online in 2016. We now know we need another year of additional pilot testing.

8 JUNIOR KE YNOTES

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Spring 2015

the problems with uploads discovered in Beta testing.

• A more user-friendly approach which

will provide a smoother integration from existing data whether still in paper format or in a local system.

It is already possible for a Festival area to designate an administrator. Once the ADMIN is authorized to access the online, that person enters all the data individually, one person and one event at a time. Two areas have successfully completed the process using this method and they will be ready to go online in 2016. This is from one of the Beta testers using this method: “It is my suggestion that festival areas skip the excel import step and just enter information manually. Do not attempt to manually enter the entire database, but rather begin simply with the students enrolled within the immediate festival. Construct point histories manually for each of those students first, gradually building up to the current year.”

The necessary login for security is still a point of confusion for many teachers.

The Google ID hurdle is a huge stumbling block for many. Once it is understood by the user, and once the correct e-mail is listed for authorization, it is no longer a problem.

Google will not authorize Sandrapreysz@msn. com if the email listed in the online system is sandrapreysz@msn.com They must match exactly. This process is necessary to ensure confidentiality. Teachers only see the data relating to their students.

Because of beta testing, the developer has

a list of issues to resolve before a year of pilot testing begins.

Beta test groups are also requesting: 1. An easier, fool-proof way to create a new student and then the teacher/student relationship.

2. An easier means of entering a choice piece composer.

3. A friendlier interface.

I had an interesting phone conversation with my friend, Betty Meyer, in Kansas. She has been the State Festivals Chairman for years and has kept meticulous records but she is feeling overwhelmed by this whole online idea. She told me she is 82 years old and just cannot do the computer stuff. She was feeling extremely frustrated and felt that Kansas might have to pull out of Federation Festivals.

I reassured her that she has done a wonderful job, and that her legacy will be those meticulous records. Kansas will find someone in the state who is younger, more computer literate, and who will be able to convert all of those records so they can be uploaded. Betty’s job is to continue to keep those meticulous records. Kansas and other states in a similar situation should rest assured that every state can continue with Festivals. Because additional testing is needed, mandatory use of the Online Festival Management System will not be implemented nationwide in 2016.

For pilot testing next year, we would like to encourage more states to have one Festival area participate in this process. A survey will be sent to all states this spring so that we can find a good mix of Festival areas. We will need festival areas representing the following scenarios: 1. Those who are starting without a local system and have paper records to need to be converted to the electronic system.

2. Those who have a local system and can use a self-service import process and tool (to be developed)

F E S T I VA L S B U L L E T I N

3. Those who need some assistance with the import process including helping transform their data.

On a personal note, I wish to extend sincere thanks to each and every teacher and Festival Chairman who participated in the Beta testing. Your efforts have provided vital feedback and a clear list of steps for the next phase. It has taken countless hours and it would have been easier for each of you personally to not participate in beta testing. Your selfless service has definitely benefited the Festivals program. (Congratulations to East Cobb, Georgia Festival area.

They participated in Beta testing and successfully uploaded their data on the first try.)

Beta testing areas were: California: Pomona Valley Georgia: East Cobb Indiana: East Indy Oregon: Mount Hood and Metro Portland South Carolina: Northwestern District II Utah: Gunnison, Salt Lake Piano, Salt Lake West Piano, Sandy Piano Beta testing has made us aware that we need more time to convert every area in the USA and more manpower to help achieve this goal. We will be looking for ways to ensure all areas transitioning to the Online Festivals Management System can do so with confidence, minimal problems and a strong support system.

NFMC Online Training Workshop June 16, 2015 • Fargo, North Dakota NFMC will be sponsoring a workshop to train Administrators for the Online Festivals Management System. The workshop will be Tuesday, June 16, 2015, the day prior to the start of the NFMC Convention in Fargo, ND. There is no fee for the workshop.

THE WORKSHOP WILL BE A 90-MINUTE SESSION, AND THREE SESSIONS WILL BE OFFERED: 8:30am -10:00am 10:30am – noon 1:00pm – 2:30pm The same material will be covered in each session. Attendance will be limited to 12 people per session and will require an application prior to the Convention.

This signup will be open beginning February 1 and will close on April 30, 2015.

Participants can find the link to the sign up on the NFMC website > Online Festivals Management System. Applicants will be accepted on a first come basis, but priority will be given to those with more computer qualifications and to those with large responsibilities in Festival Management.

Our goal is to train at least one person from each state so they can, in turn, train those within their state. Each state should think carefully about whom to select to receive the training. This person or these persons should be quite computer literate so that they will be able to learn the details of the Online Festivals Management System from the administrative side.

Participants should bring their own laptop. Either a Mac or PC works well but antique computers have proven problematic. Remember that the Online System cannot yet be accessed from an iPad or mobile device.

A precondition to being confirmed for participation in the workshop is that point history data has been successfully imported into the online system. At a bare minimum, the point history for two studios needs to be imported for the participant’s area. This should be the administrator’s studio and one other so that the administrator can learn to impersonate.

A revision to the excel file format is underway, The newer file should be used to prepare your data. It is available On Line at https://www.nfmc-festivals.org. There will also be a template in which data can be entered item by item. The template will convert the data into the proper format for each field. Many will find this template more accessible since many people find the technical requirements of the excel spreadsheet to be overwhelming.

After being confirmed, the following items will need to be completed prior to June 16 so the workshop can run smoothly.

• Java 7 (or latest version) installed on computer.

• e-mail registered with Google for identify verification • e-mail listed with nfmc-festivals.org website (making the person authorized for access)

www.nfmc-music.org Your source for all the latest NFMC news!

Because of the limited airline schedule into Fargo, those who will be flying to the Convention will probably need to plan on arriving on Monday, June 15th.

Sandra Preysz, NCTM

Spring 2015

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 9

DANCE

Attention Junior Dancers!

2014 Junior Dance Award Winners: JUNIOR I BALLET First place winner: Claire Synhorst, age 14 Valrico, Florida

by Gay Dill, NFMC Dance Chairman

Now is the time to prepare for the 2015 Junior Dance Competition!

Second place winner: Tatiana Sinelnikova, age 11 Wexford, Pennsylvania

JUNIOR I THEATER DANCE First place winner: Claire Synhorst, age 14 Valrico, Florida Second place winner: Grace Meyer, age 12 Jamestown, Indiana

JUNIOR II BALLET First place winner: Makenna Ortiz, age 16 Lakeland, Florida Second place winner: Alexis Low, age 16 Palm Bay, Florida

JUNIOR DANCERS, AGES 11 – 18 | DEADLINE: MAY 1, 2015

JUNIOR II THEATER DANCE

For information on the 2015 Junior Dance Award audition/competition, please direct inquiries to:

First place winner: Caitlyn Brady, age 17 Fishers, Indiana

Gay Dill, NFMC Dance Chairman 814 South Second St. Atwood, KS 67730 785-626-9434 (phone); 620-223-9484 (cell) gaydill1@att.net

The Annual NFMC Martha Marcks Mack Junior Vocal Award First Place: $1500 // Second Place: $500 High school students in grades 10, 11 and 12 may apply.

Audition by CD. Complete rules and application are available online at:

www.nfmc-music.org Naomi Sanchez, chair | knsanchez@hotmail.com 10 JUNIOR KE YNOTES

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Spring 2015

Second place winner: Lauren Cooper, age 15 Oregon City, Oregon

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AMERICAN MUSIC

American Composer Spotlight: Christos Tsitsaros

by Deborah Freeman, American Music Division Chairman NFMC Festival auditions are in progress, so most of you are either joyfully preparing or sighing relief from another successful audition season.

After teaching Love Song in the Rain, by Christos Tsitsaros, (Lyric Ballads-Six Romantic Ballads for Piano Solo) I was delighted to learn of his most recent honor. The Music Teachers National Association has named him its 2014 MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year!

Prof. Tsitsaros's winning composition, Three Preludes for Piano Solo (A Mythical Triptych), was commissioned by the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association and is published by Hal Leonard. The score was selected from 27 works entered into the blind competition. He will be performing the work at the MTNA National Conference in Las Vegas in March, 2015.

Christos is also quite active as a composer, having won the composition competition of the 1992 National Conference on Piano Pedagogy, which launched an ongoing relationship with Hal Leonard Corporation. His published works include Autumn Sketches, Poetic Moments, Songs Without Words, (Hal Leonard), Cinderella Suite, Songs and Dances, and Nine Tales (Frederick Harris Music). He has also written concert works, which he regularly performs in concerts.

In addition, he is contributing composer for the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library and editor for the Schirmer Performance Edition. Several of his compositions have been selected by numerous examination systems, including the National Federation of Music Clubs, the RCM examinations of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), and the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition. In 2001 he was artist-in-residence at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, and in the same year gave his New York debut recital at Weill Carnegie Hall.

He regularly appears in workshops and conferences as a performer and lecturer, and performs as soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician in Europe, the United States, Russia, and Canada. He has participated as a clinician and lecturer for the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, the World Piano Pedagogy Conference, the Music Teachers National Association Conference, and the International Conference on European Music Education (St. Petersburg, Russia).

Christos Tsitsaros

“... a strong and eloquent voice in the contemporary world of piano music.”

– P eter B urwasser , Fanfare While serving as Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, he also serves as Piano Chair for the Illinois State Music Teachers Association. Four recordings of his original piano works appear under the Centaur Records label.

The Lana M. Bailey Annual Piano Concerto Award The Lana M. Bailey Annual Piano Concerto Award is for high school seniors planning to enter university, college or conservatory as a music major in 2015. Two awards are available; first place $750, second place $200. These awards are endowed with funds to honor Past-National NFMC President Lana M. Bailey. For detailed information, see the NFMC website at nfmc-music.org. Click on Publications and see JR-20 and JR-21. Deadline for entering is May 1, 2015. Questions will gladly be answered

by Dee Blaser at: dblaser@sunflower.com.

Spring 2015

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PIANI APPLSTS Y!

JUNIOR KE YNOTES 11

TH A MEEOR RI CY ACNH M A IURSMI CA N

An Entry from my Travel Blog: American Music

by Jodie Jensen, NFMC Festivals Chairman Last summer, it was a pleasure to observe the musical life of a number of communities at home and in Germany. With all the talk in the US about the death of classical music, the dropping of music programs from public schools and the lack of solid commitment of young people in their private music study, you would assume the funeral and wake for all things musical in the US was a done deal.

However, from what I have observed, music is still alive and well in at least three places on the globe. Let’s take a look at Edmond, Oklahoma and The University of Central Oklahoma. UCO offered two camps/seminars in music for young and old in June. A Jazz Camp took place right along side a Keyboard Ensemble & Music Technology Seminar. Improvisation was a part of both events. UCO supports an active Jazz Lab program, bringing in local as well as well known Jazz musicians. The key to all of this is support from those who listen to the music. The Jazz Lab was full of active listeners making it hard to find a seat for the out of towner. Summer Season Music Theater is a huge part of the Oklahoma music scene. Peter Pan happened to be

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g, Germany.

Street musicians in Amber

Even with all the hype about the world cup, Germans are just as apt to watch the world cup game and then spend the rest of the night singing in groups, reliving the win through song. on the docket during my visit. It was quite obvious to the visitor that Edmond was in attendance with hoops and hollers to favorite members of the cast.

There is a general mind set amongst Americans that Europe loves classical music and is not much interested in anything else.

This statement is only part of the truth. On our small walks around Amberg, we found young people walking to and fro with their musical instruments strapped to their backs. The organ at St. George’s was very pleasing to listen to at the close of afternoon Mass. Regensburg is also filled with young people carrying musical instruments. Signs advertising local concerts were everywhere. I wish we could be in this area longer as a once a week organ concert in St. Peter’s Cathedral would be quite a treat.

A very well established music store in Regensburg had a constant flow of patrons. Musik Wittl, a Yamaha and Schimmel Piano Dealer does a brisk business in both acoustic and digital pianos. It was in this shop that I delivered a gift from the musician, teacher and writer, Leila Viss. A copy of her new book, “iPad Piano,” was given to Sebastian Wittl, Klavierbaumeister at Wittl Music. What is even more amazing is Sebastian’s age. When you think of an owner of a shop, your mind jumps to someone who is older, with more experience and tons of gray

AMERICAN MUSIC

hair. Sebastian is a young man who obviously has made the shop a huge success.

Even with all the hype about the world cup, Germans are just as apt to watch the world cup game and then spend the rest of the night singing in groups, reliving the win through song. We often think of sports and music as mutually exclusive endeavors. What a shame to think you can have one but not the other.

What amazes the troops stationed at the various bases around Germany are the number of radio stations that carry American/British rock standards. The playlist on most of the stations frequented by the troops contains American/British oldies as well as new songs with a more melodic flair.

(AFRTS is not the only show in town.)

Our troops are active participants in musicmaking as can be seen by what has been on US TV lately. It was during Memorial Day on US television that a tribute to the

Jodie and Seba stian Wittl, at W ittl Music, Klavierbaumeist er, Germany. troops was held by a number of Country Western artists. The unique thing about this special is their desire not just to entertain the troops but to highlight those talented military members who sang and composed music themselves. Obviously, American Music is still alive and kicking!

Colorado Springs offers so many summer music events for families to share. The

Philharmonic gives free concerts during the Fourth of July week. Colorado College has a summer music festival that features some of America’s finest musicians for a full month.

A free Thursday-at-noon organ concert at the Civic Center is just made for family fun. The gigantic theater organ is rolled out and plays while you eat lunch. A silent movie is often shown while the organist creates the sound track by improvising during scene change.

Concerts in the various parks around town allow you to pick and choose a concert to match your musical taste. There is nothing like live music from musicians playing real time.

When you have a minute this Spring, think about the music that touches you. Think about a piece of music that recreates a special moment in your life and try to find an artist who is playing that piece at a local concert.

We want music to live a long and healthy life as part of the American dream.

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National Federation of Music Clubs KE YNOTES 13 Spring 2015 • JUNIOR

N M W E S S AY W I N N E R S

NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS

N

l a n atio

c i s Mu e k e W 0, 2015 MAY 3-1

Music

Sou of the t a e b t r – He a

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NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK

2015 ESSAY winners Want to get rid of the winter blahs and greet spring with anticipation and enthusiasm? Read the 2015 National Music Week Essay Contest winning essays in this issue.

To say they are filled with enthusiasm, optimism and excitement is an understatement. Our young people have an understanding of music as a basic element of life beyond their years in many cases.

Our theme, “Music…Heartbeat of the Soul,” inspired our participants to explore the fundamentals not only of music, but of the vital signs of our lives.

I learned a lot about research and studies concerning the value of music in children’s development along with the healing aspects music contributes to the psychological and physiological well-being. After reading these pieces, I was struck by the amount of thought and academic effort given by each contributor.

We had essays from 22 states. In fact, this year we increased state participation by 5, almost a third more involvement. Happily our Western, North Central and South Central regions have begun to send entries. Another interesting note is that the number of boys writing essays increased. We applaud both changes.

Without the dedication of my two regional chairmen I would be overwhelmed.

Julianne Edwards, Southeastern and Northeastern Region Chairman, and Jan Hansen, South Central, North Central and Western Region Chairman, have really made this event successful. They helped me stay on target with our deadlines and gave constructive input. We give our thanks to Julianne and Jan for their dedication and enthusiasm.

We hope you enjoy the essays of these 2015 state winners. Share them with your students, members of Junior and Senior clubs and members of your community. Help us put music, NFMC and our youth in the limelight.

Mary Ellen Ulmer, National Music Week National Chairman

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NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS ARKANSAS Aaron Hong Grade 12 Jonesboro, AR Teacher: Dr. J.D. Kelly

I am an artist. Whereas most artists create from material, I create from sound. Silence is my canvas, and the piano is my paintbrush. I splatter my canvas with the colors of the notes.

When I play, the rhythm comes from my heart and soul. I visualize images to which no painting or sculpture could compare; it is here that I find meaning and substance in life.

Music has been my passion ever since I realized the power and structure behind every note. Whenever I sit down at the piano, all of my worries and stresses are released through the emotion I put forth through the music. Whether I play Chopin’s warinspired “Revolutionary Etude” or Debussy’s “Reflections in the Water,” emotion always conveys itself in ways words cannot describe.

My daily routine includes time spent practicing on the piano. When I play, the outside world becomes a blur. All I see are the images my mind generates from the sounds I create. The flow of notes through my fingers creates an invigorating and dynamic atmosphere. My senses are peaked as I attempt to unlock the magic held within the black and white keys. It is a laborious yet delightful expedition. Studying the techniques of other pianists also stimulates these senses, and I always appreciate their interpretations.

The joy of learning is only matched by the achievement of a performance well done.

Playing the melodies with precision and emotion requires discipline and long hours of practice. As a consequence, I have developed strong organizational and time management skills to cope with the rigorous demand of academics and extracurricular activities.

Participating in competitions has built both humility and self-confidence. The pressure to perform has never been higher. It is an allpowerful motivator for personal excellence.

I have always enjoyed performing for the public, whether at a competition, recital,

or church. The excitement is similar to the nervous expectation of a first date. Each piano has its own unique tone and sound quality.

I love exploring a foreign keyboard and unraveling its mysteries. The anticipation and trepidation that come before the performance are suddenly released in a rush of energy. I immerse myself into the melodies and convey the composer’s intentions through my playing.

As the performance comes to a close, I am proud of the musical journey that I have presented to my audience.

I cannot imagine my life without music.

With it, I have learned to communicate through the distinct medium of emotion. The emotion that comes through music can truly reach the human soul in a way that mere words cannot. No matter what I do in life, I can always count on music to remind me of the beauty in life. Playing the piano comforts me in times of sorrow, calms me in times of stress, and lifts my spirits when I feel lost.

For me, music is more than a passion; it is a faithful friend who will never leave my side.

FLORIDA Shelby Harding Grade 12 Sarasota, FL Teacher: Marian Cox

Thump-thump...thump-thump...thumpftratap...

What if the only rhythm in our daily lives was the monotonous beating of the heart? Its life-giving, albeit simple, beats supply the basis of life and the potential for far more complex rhythms.

Thump-thump...

It is, in fact, the consistency and stability of the heartbeat that inspires the variation for the infinite tunes society has only begun to unearth. If my own life-giving force was so dull, surely my life would be bleak and bland as well. This is why I rely on music to support my being. It is the variations of sonnets and airs, of blues, jazzes, bass lines and concertos

whose rhythms wake me up each morning.

Throughout the day, my mood will change, and so does the song in my heart. Just as blood circulates through the chambers of the heart – each unique, but with its own vital function – the music that gives me life similarly circulates through its genres. Early in the morning, I am awakened by a slow andante piece, until the humdrum and the anticipation for the day quickens the tempo to allegro. As I stroll through the center of my school, a “legato” waltz narrates my leisurely process. Later, as I take an exam, a vivace tune races through my head as my time runs out (sometimes alternating into a minor key when I recognize an unanswerable question); I feel it speeding through the phrases, faster and faster...but it never ends, only transitions to a different tune.

Later that day, I sit down at my piano, my own personal heaven-on-earth; it is only here that I feel a combination of archaeology, history, and math right beneath my fingertips.

All the music that ever was or will be is waiting right in front of you to be discovered!

The possibilities are endless, and they’re literally under your nose – all you have to do is see them. Dig the patterns out of the bundles of black and white smeared across the keyboard, bring order to the muddled thumps and bumps and you can create beautiful melodies, haunting harmonies, - anything your heart desires. Music is the purest expression of emotion, the sincerest voice of your soul.

Thump-thump....thump-thump...

The simplest chord can bring a piece together, but it is just as likely to alter the entire tone. Similarly, life can change in the blink of an eye, but it keeps on going.

Whatever happens in my future, I know that the world will never lack for music, and I will never want to. Submersed in my songs, I can be myself, free of societal pressures, free of restrictions; music allows the complete expression of emotion and thoughts that would otherwise be hidden within. I know that wherever I am, I will be content as long as I am able to hear the music within my heart.

Spring 2015

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 15

N M W E S S AY W I N N E R S

NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS ILLINOIS Allison Kirkegaard Grade 12 Downers Grove, IL Teacher: Nancy Hagen

In a medical emergency, first responders rush to find the victim’s pulse. A heartbeat is the difference between a person and a corpse; a heartbeat is life. But as crucial as a pulse may be in signaling that the body is alive, it is music that signals that the soul is alive.

Music is the persistent heartbeat of the soul weighed down with oppression and hardship.

We feel that pulse in the powerful spirituals that kept slaves’ souls strong when their bodies were broken and we hear it in the hopeful song of a young Rwandan girl struggling to live amidst unimaginable violence. For me, music is what has kept my soul beating with life in difficult times of illness. Being confined to bed can hardly confine your soul when a ukulele can carry you away to Hawaiian beaches on sweet strains of “Ahe Lau Makani.”

Music is the pounding heartbeat of the soul inflamed with the passion for change. From “We Shall Overcome” through “Sonderzug nach Pankow” to “Shosholoza,” songs have breathed life into revolutionary movements.

If we look back further, we recall that our country was founded by patriots marching to their souls’ musical heartbeat with anthems like “Chester.” My own steps toward change may not be so momentous, but I still feel my soul resonate with Lennon’s “Imagine” as I yearn for a better world in the optimism of youth.

Music is the skipping heartbeat of the soul dancing for joy. When I was a toddler, I would hum myself to sleep every night, contentedly improvising my own little lullabies. Fifteen years later, I am still turning to music to express happiness; my first reaction to the good news of college acceptance was an elated performance of Vivaldi’s “Et Exultavit.”

Whether today we sing along to Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” or Pharrell Williams’s “Happy,” we sing to the thrum of the soul’s exultation.

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We know that music is all of these and more because music is present wherever a soul is alive. It is truly the heartbeat of the soul.

KENTUCKY Lloyd White V Grade 12 Louisville, KY Teacher: Sandra Cherry

“The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match nature with Nature.” - Joseph Campbell My heart wasn’t always beating. In fact, it didn’t beat at all until I learned what it was.

My heart used to lie dormant; still and asleep.

A large number of people I know still haven’t gotten their hearts to beat, and I pray for the day they finally do.

I’m sure you have figured out by now that I consider the word “heart” to mean something that is much more than a hollow muscle that pumps blood through the body.

It is motivation. It is emotion. It is love. It is generosity, trust, imagination, compassion, and all the things that make us human. However, for the heart to echo with the heartbeat of the soul, it needs a near divine purpose - a passion.

I believe my purpose is to make the world a better place, not by curing a strain of cancer or constructing a cutting-edge space probe, but by making music. Music, like the heart, can be perceived many different ways by different people. For example, the best thing about art as a whole is that it can quite literally be anything you want it to be. A painting of a lake that you bought at the flea market for $5 could be priceless to you because it reminds you of the times you spent at your grandparents’ cabin when you were younger. The poem you wrote in eighth grade could make you cry every time you read it, because you remember how alone and invisible you use to feel. These forms of expression give us inner strength; some call it inspiration.

I hope that one day I can use music to inspire and strengthen others to find and fulfill

their own purpose. With that goal in mind, my purpose can’t be complete until everyone has a “beating heart.” I want the whole world to hear my heartbeat, in the hope that each heart will be inspired to pursue its own purpose.

When I sing one of my favorite arias, sit at a piano, or even whip out my bongos, my heart beats so quickly it ignites a fire in my soul. I become completely engulfed, and a euphoric feeling fills my body. I’ve figured out what makes my heart beat, and now it can’t be stopped. Music will forever be the heartbeat of my soul.

LOUISIANA Helen Tran Grade 12 New Orleans, LA Teacher: Sylvia Lewis Palmer

As I begin to play, the melodic sound of notes gliding across the piano keys instantly relaxes me. Emotion surges through my body, conveying the mood of the piece. A pulsing feeling runs across my veins as I play short, staccato notes; the music and I are one as I play long, fluid slurs. My heartbeat speeds up as I play in allegro; it slows when I return to andante. Accent marks surprise anyone listening, including me. My fingertips tiptoe across the keys as I play in pianissimo; they bang against the keys as I play in fortissimo.

My heartbeat is in sync with the music. Sitting down at the piano and playing a piece instantly takes my mind off of everyday stress. I know that I can always come sit down and play, and the sound of music will instantly distract me.

However, that wasn’t always the case. I started piano because my parents encouraged me to. I would always see the pianist in church playing along with the choir with so much poise and elegance. The sound of the piano would stand out above the singing and guitars. I found myself tapping my feet along to the beat of the music. My parents saw this and thought it would be a good idea to have me take classes so that I could play for the church choir. Seven years ago in fifth grade, I

N M W E S S AY W I N N E R S

NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS went to my first piano class nervous, hoping that I would impress my new piano teacher.

Getting me to practice was a struggle. I’d only practice when my mom made me. “Did you do homework yet? Did you practice yet?” my mom would say incessantly every day. As time went on, it became less of “Did you practice yet?” to more of “That was good! Play again!”

My advancements in my music allowed me to learn to love music more. It was encouraging that I was able to apply all these new techniques to my playing that I couldn’t do before, and I wanted to practice and practice so that I could perfect it. Now, I play so much that my parents ask, “More playing? We heard this song already!” Piano now is different than piano in the past.

Today, playing the piano is second nature; I don’t have to think about what I’m doing.

I don’t have to hesitate, wondering if what I played was right; I know it’s right. That feeling of knowing is the most reassuring.

My new piano teacher encourages me to do my best and is very patient with me. And so, I start to look forward to Monday evenings at 6, excited to get to lessons. Ms. Palmer sits next to me and directs me through the lesson, occasionally standing up and demonstrating how pieces should be played with much passion and excitement. I play the music; she listens. Her feet tapping in rhythm; my fingers keeping the beat; and our heartbeats are in sync to the music.

PENNSLYVANIA

Victoria Pennington Grade 12 West Wyoming, PA Teacher: Leonardo Sperrazza

The beat pulses, over and over again, relentlessly predictable, never ending. The strong, steady beat is like a perfectly rhythmic drum sounding within one’s chest. It is a living heartbeat, but without the color and passion of life, the heartbeat is simply a senseless pounding that pumps blood through a body.

Scientific studies have shown that when

people make music together, their heartbeats synchronize. Music is a universal language that invigorates the musician both physically and emotionally with beautiful melodies and striking, harmonic chords. The sound and more importantly, the feeling the sound evokes in listeners and performers alike is the heartbeat of the soul.

For centuries, music has brought people together and opened hearts to the possibilities of life. One of my conductors once said, always give your best performance because you never know, someone may need to hear it. People of varying situations, lifestyles, and dispositions all need different things to satisfy their wants in life and music can give that to anyone. Anyone that is depressed can find music of different genres to help uplift them.

There are cheery songs for someone looking for happiness to absolve the depression and soulful songs of experience for someone looking for a person that shares their pain and/or needs to know they are not alone. For example, I remember singing a song entitled “When You Are Old” in a choir concert.

The concert’s theme was the progression of life, so it started out with songs of a child to parent relationship followed by songs of young love and finished out with songs of old age and wisdom. “When You Are Old” is about a person who has lived a full life and is now looking back on how they have changed through the years and the loves that have passed. I remember during the performance my attention was repeatedly drawn to an elderly man sitting in the front row of the left section of the audience. He was so entranced by the song that by the end, he was on the verge of tears. The instant the song was over he stood up and applauded with all of his might. In that moment I understood what my conductor meant. I felt the connection and energy transferred from soul to soul. The elderly man clearly related to the song and was deeply moved by it, just as I had been.

Music is a foundation and way of life for some people, but it is not limited to that. It can reach anyone deeply with its message. It is an intimate experience shared by musicians and listeners where musicians can pour their heart and soul into a work and have the feeling

reciprocated and felt by a captivated audience.

There is no greater feeling in the world than making music with others and having their heartbeats match up both literally and figuratively. It is the closest thing to real magic in this world.

VIRGINIA

Rena Miu Grade 12 Oakton, VA Teacher: Marilynne Jost

An individual’s work ethic is shaped and molded by rigorous studying at school, and from many and all outside influences. Twelve years in primary school poke and prod at one’s ability to stay motivated and to continue studying, hoping to be prepared for the elusive future. Everyone has their story of sweating it out and patiently confronting hours of work.

My story sits on a black wooden bench, its fingers at the ready, hovering over the first few keys, and beats in time with the measured notes of piano music.

Despite Ms. Jost’s elderly stature, her voice was youthful and vibrant as she welcomed us into her home basement studio. We sat down on her worn couches and my parents conversed with her for a good half an hour before she invited me to play a piece I had prepared for all my prospective teachers.

Pushing my nervous heartbeats aside, my fmgers flew effortlessly across the piano, and I beamed at her comment at how advanced a piece this was for my age.

She pulled out a children’s book of music and flipped to a random page.

“Play this.”

Thrown off, I squinted at the scattered dots on the page.

Ms. Jost made her diagnosis quickly: I couldn’t read music. After my previous two years of piano lessons, I was unable to read piano music. She made her rejection verdict clear, but agreed to meet once more at the end of the summer to give me one more chance to be her student.

Spring 2015

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 17

N M W E S S AY W I N N E R S

NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS During that summer break, my dad and I sat down at the piano for an hour a day, sometimes two, to struggle through his old piano books. Eight-years-old, I complained and whined about the increased work.

Three months of vigorous, hard work ensued. Albeit my dad motivated me to progress, I still recall the satisfaction and triumph after finally plugging my way through the first page of Für Elise.

I gained the ability to focus from learning to read music. Any pianist can attest: practicing without focus is wasting time.

Mastery cannot be attained with five minute intervals; rather, periodic intervals of twenty - at least - are required to name it ‘practice.’

That’s the ultimate life tool: focus. Patience, determination, commitment - they are only a few of the benefits of cultivating focus.

Distractions are ubiquitous, especially in the constant temptations of social media.

Ultimately, it is focus and dedication that build our work ethic and define our values. This same piano-mindset has guided me through the years of elementary, middle, and high school, and surely those hereafter.

Fast forward ten years: Ms. Jost still teaches me weekly, offering fond stories of her grandchildren along with candid feedback of my Valenti Prelude. Our piano lessons will someday come to an end, but I confidently declare that this mindset and work ethic is here to stay as the heartbeat of my soul.

CALIFORNIA Samantha Yu Grade 11 Walnut, CA Teacher: Sophia Kwok

What is a heartbeat? Is it the thing you hear pounding inside the chest? The thing that indicates vitality and existence? No, a heartbeat is not just these things. A heartbeat, constant and sentient, lives in everything.

What is music to the soul? Just noise? No, music is the heartbeat of the soul and every tempo written down in the music has a

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meaning in the great symphony called life.

Life’s music starts out slow. Adagio. The tempo of a heartbeat when the soul is at rest and free from the responsibility and turmoil of life. Slow and steady. Life is relatively uneventful and does not seek to disturb the monotonous rhythm of the heartbeat.

The heartbeat within the music starts to liven up. Andante. A departure from a state of peace and insight into life. Life is not hard yet. Still carefree and a walk in the park. The chain of events are literally set to occur at a walking tempo and much time is given so that surroundings and observations can be fully taken in.

The symphony is getting more interesting, but the heart is also beating faster. Allegro.

The pace of life is picking up, but not enough to scare the soul. The pulse is lively and jubilant, ready and eager, but unaware of life’s true nature. The soul thinks that it is ready for what is to come. What it does not know is exactly what to expect.

The soul has been challenged by the Allegro beating of the heart. But then comes Vivace. Now aware of and accustomed to life’s routines and the rapidity of them. There are no surprises anymore; the soul is fatigued from the mundane, but vigorous cycle called life. However, life is getting a little too fast for comfort and the heartbeat begins to fluctuate and fall from the steadiness. It no longer follows the rhythm life’s symphony has set.

After the orderly patterns the music has created, a sudden Rubato confuses the soul.

Life presents problems that cannot be solved.

The heart palpitates and the steadiness of the heartbeat is disturbed furthermore.

Even though the soul and the heartbeat are equally lost in life’s mysterious symphony, the music still presses on. There is something at the end of the road that the soul desperately wants and so the tempo is increased to Presto. The soul is tired and strained from the hardships of life. The heartbeat is significantly quickened as the soul tries to satisfy its desires.The soul wants to stop and give it a rest, but the notes are still written and the music must go on. The heartbeat perseveres and continues its furious racing until the soul achieves what it wants.

A huge sigh of relief as the pace of life’s symphony finally comes to Largo. It is all over. The soul is fulfilled. The course of life has been run and thoroughly wrung dry of its merits. There is nothing much left to do except allow the heartbeat to follow the flow of the music and see that the symphony ends on the right notes.

The great finale that the audience has been waiting for is simply Ritardando. The body may be physically starting to slow down and mechanics may be fading, but the soul is still alive as ever in the music, and therefore in the heart, as well. Though life’s symphony does not end in a bang, its every tempo holds a special meaning for the soul and represents exactly how the heart beats whilst in that moment. Music is truly the heartbeat of the soul.

NEBRASKA

Kathleen Walenta Grade 11 Omaha, NE Band Director: Mr. Peter Wilger

Few things in this world are universal, thus creating conflict. Beliefs about deities, the meaning of life, and simple worldly ordeals perpetually conflict. Yet, one constant remains in every human story. That is: the desire for music. The primal urge for the swell and emotion of music overwhelms everyone on this earth and provides a type of sanctuary. For example, during the period of African slavery in America, the bleakness of the slaves’ situation was overwhelming; however music rescued them from the depths of despair. As the slaves labored in the fields, songs such as “It Makes a Long Time Man Feel Bad”, “Arwhoolie”, and “Hammer, Ring” were sung to lighten the mood and make the time pass more quickly. The entity of music brought joy to a people who could have just as easily given up on life and all things beautiful.

Another individual who found salvation in music is Ela Stein Weissberger. She was abducted by the Nazis and placed in Terezin,

N M W E S S AY W I N N E R S

NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS a concentration camp that was rather different from the infamous slaughter houses. Terezin was a location for especially gifted Jews, and was a means for Adolf Hitler to fool the rest of Germany into thinking he was treating the Jews well. They wrote poetry, painted, and performed operas. Several young people, Ela Stein Weissberger included, wrote and performed an opera known as Brundibar.

The opera covertly poked fun at Nazi Germany, however, the ignorant Hitler used it as propaganda. Every time the Red Cross visited Terezin, he forced them to perform it. Ela Stein Weissberger’s heart became overwhelmed with joy when she performed in Brundibar singing, “We’ve won a victory, since we were not fearful, since we were not tearful, because we marched along singing our happy song, bright, joyful and cheerful.”

A final person who found solace in music was my late grandfather. In the late eighties, he became terribly ill with leukemia. My mother bought him a Walkman for him to take with him to chemotherapy. As his body was failing him, his love of music engulfed his soul, something that no matter how rapidly a cancerous cells divide, could not be exterminated. It is said by scholars that as people lie dying, they frequently hear music. Apparently, it transcends all thoughts of fear or regret, it comforts them and ushers them into a world unknown. The tones are unique and truly unlike anything that can be experienced outside of their minds. People have been revived and tried to compose this music, others state that it was not music at all.

Nevertheless, it cannot be replicated.

However sophomoric or ridiculous this notion may sound to others, those who have experienced it cannot be persuaded to believe otherwise. For, music is all encompassing, it cannot be argued out of existence. Music is the heartbeat of every individual, which is why I am certain it ushered my grandfather into heaven. It unites everyone and beats each heart as one. Music is the heartbeat of the soul.

OHIO

Chloe Metcalf Grade 11 Bloomington, OH Teacher: Sonja Kalb

The first thing we hear in our life is the heartbeat of our mothers. We learn to be comforted by the smooth rhythm. Then, we are born into the world and introduced to millions of sounds. Some are comforting, exciting or even scary. Once we discover these sounds we then find that they can make music.

Music is very important to almost everyone.

For many people, there is not a day that goes by that doesn’t involve listening to some kind of music. Just like food feeds the body: music is what feeds the soul. When someone is sad they tend to listen to music or when they are trying to get pumped up for a big event they listen to music. Whenever an event is planned music is always on the list. Music can be very personal. It can be what brings people together or can even bring division. Music is the language of the world but it also can be someone’s very own language.

My personal experience with music goes back to even before I was born. My mom would play piano music for me when I was still in her belly. Music became as normal to me as my own heartbeat. I began playing the piano when I was five. Music has always come naturally to me; it is almost like it flows through my blood. As I have grown I have come to enjoy all types of genres. Some types comfort me and remind me of happy memories from my childhood. Others help me wake up in the morning or get prepared for a big game. When I was in fifth grade I began to play the flute. Learning to play a new instrument was interesting and fun and it came very naturally. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t listen to music. It has really helped me get through some rough times, and also create wonderful memories.

I know that there are some people who may not listen to music as much as I do, but even those that I know that don’t find music

as fulfilling, still hold a few tunes dear to their heart. With songs come memories. I know I hear my parents reminisce about songs that were their songs” back in the day”, that I sometimes enjoy as well. We may hear an “oldie” come on the radio and I see a smile on my mom’s face and hear them discuss what year that song ‘came out”. I couldn’t imagine not having the gift of music in my life; it would leave a huge emptiness that truly is not even imaginable. I think the heartbeat of the world would truly be damaged without the blessing of music.

NEW YORK

Amanda Mason Grade 10 Colton, NY Teacher: Mr. Don Cannamela

Music is the heartbeat of the soul. Not just mine, but yours, everyone’s. Imagine if your heart didn’t beat, there would be silence, you wouldn’t be able to live. Like in a band, the drums represent the pulse that the rest of the band can follow. They use this beat to get into a groove, whether it be fast representing urgency, loud for high emotion, soft and hypnotic, or slow and steady. Without drums the rest of the band would have a hard time functioning as a whole.

Your heart is like a drum. It carries out the beat that the rest of your body follows.

Everyone’s beat is going to be different, we all have our own tempo that we live on, and that’s part of who we are, a part of our soul. If your soul is beautiful your song may be melodic with a steady beat. If your soul is driven and you are a workaholic your song may be loud and fast paced. If you are in love and your soul is floating on a cloud, your beat may be soft with an occasional fast pitter pat of the snare.

Music is a magical instrumental representation of our moods, circumstances, and dreams, it is the heartbeat of our souls.

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NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS TEXAS

Varsha Appaji Grade 10 Plano, TX Teacher: Ann Radebaugh

The soul is probably the most abstract quality of the human species, so much so that it seems inadequate to refer to it as an “object,” or a “thing.” But to a musician, and to myself, sound cannot be appreciated or understood with anything worldly.

Melody and rhythm are not so much heard, but felt; an emotional stimuli that physically moves us. The goose bumps on our arms, the twitch in our feet, and the nodding of our head is such a simple response, but incredible to think about how “organized sound” invokes that. A doorbell ringing, the microwave humming, or a person’s bounce in their step is an ordinary noise that goes unnoticed— but not underappreciated because suddenly when those tones are strung together we do not hear individual sound anymore, we hear music. And this music transports us through time, defying the laws of mortality. When we hear our favorite song, or any song in general, immediately we associate it with a memory. Personally, I have a few songs that whenever heard I think back to summer nights when friendship was easier and much more carefree. I get a whirlwind of emotions. My thoughts are clouded with laughter at the fun times, but there is also an ache in my heart for these memories to be relived. Eventually the feelings are shaken off, but it is quite tough to do so and it is amazing to realize that music allows our mind and body to experience sensations of feeling that science cannot begin to explain. Songs like these, as well as songs from every single different time period and every single different culture, have a place in someone’s heart around the world allowing music to live on forever and innocently. Much like the soul. This is why music can only be explained by this arbitrary concept. And this is why we exist; its tempo is the heartbeat of the soul.

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MINNESOTA Teagan Shumaker Grade 9 Paynesville, MN Teacher: Kari Shumaker

Music means more to me than just notes on a page. It is the creation of a story told by how you choose to play or sing it. Music is intertwined in my family and me. It has an amazing ability to show emotion and to show a deeper part of who an individual is. My way to connect with the world is through music. It helps to release anger, center my nerves, and create peace and happiness within my soul.

Music is and will forever be part of me.

My pulse quickens as I listen to the percussion section play the drums. The tempo is moving faster as I wait anxiously, ready to make beautiful tones with my flute. We all play, as many different instruments portrayed as one being. In perfect sync with each other we let our hearts loose as the marvelous sound of music fills our minds. It’s my turn.

The place in song that I’ve been waiting for, longing for to share with the audience the magic in the music that I vividly listen for whenever I practice in my room. As the rest of the band becomes softer, I crescendo. My soul rejoicing in the music I love to hear.

When I am playing, I am suddenly the sole person in the room. I am completely alone.

There is no audience, no one sitting behind stands, and no director, just me and my music.

I visualize the notes flying off the pages as if they have a mind of their own. They surround me and come closer and closer as if the notes are about to consume me, but I hold my ground and keep playing. The notes highlight in different colors as I play them. C is yellow, D is blue, E is purple, and so on. They float around me as if to wrap me up in a blanket.

Except they don’t just surround me, they seem to come into me as if I have been elected as their leader.

I finish my solo, but I am still alone. My heartbeat becomes the down beats of the piece. I blink and then slowly open my eyes.

I am not by myself any longer. It is like there

is a burst of sunlight that is soon replaced by a rainbow of color. I have been rejoined by my classmates, audience, and director. I see everyone playing their individual instruments as a whole band. It makes me smile, to see so many different people from so many different backgrounds coming together to create something amazing. And as the song ends, the only sound I hear is the heartbeat of music dancing in my soul.

WASHINGTON

Jessica Waller Grade 9 Mercer Island, WA Teacher: Sharon Van Valen

Music is the heartbeat of my soul, speaking to me in ways words cannot. A sad song makes me cry; an upbeat song lifts my spirits.

Music can ease my fears and disappointments.

It can resuscitate a memory. When I listen to classical music while doing my homework, I’m more creative and can work longer without being distracted. Music can be energizing and encouraging, or peaceful and sleep inducing before bed. The beat can relax or energize, but it is always a part of my soul.

For all Earth’s living creatures, music is like a heartbeat – necessary and always present. Music unites people and reminds them they are not alone. It connects people with a universal language that requires no words. Similarly, nature is full of songs, from the singing birds to the howling wolf who serenades the forest. A powerful song encourages or comforts all creatures. Music provides nourishment to the soul that could not be obtained anywhere else.

As a composer, pianist and French horn player, music is part of my day, every day. It is my greatest joy, and my biggest challenge.

For example, I had to fight to be allowed to join jazz bands with my French horn, but it was worth the fight when I was awarded a solo to play at the Shoreline Jazz Festival.

If it is something I love, and believe in, it’s worth whatever effort it takes! I am passionate

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NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS about my music, and the joys far outweigh the frustrations.

To me, that’s what it means to say that music is the heartbeat of my soul. Music is a part of me, and is all around me; it is something I struggle to master, but my struggle is worth every bit of effort I put into it. I couldn’t live without my heart, and my soul couldn’t thrive without music.

ALABAMA Jeremy Chu Grade 8 Birmingham, AL Teacher: Mrs. Betty Bridge

Music makes noise; music makes a happy soul. Thu-Thump! Thu-Thump! Thu-Thump!

I start playing piano and warmth flows into my soul. Music empowers my soul just like the heartbeat that keeps my body alive. Every time I hit a key, it’s just like a thump! While playing through the piece, the melody flows throughout my whole body and I enter into the world of music. I forget everything and let music take over. Your heart pumps blood every day to keep you living; without it you would die. Likewise the music takes over and relieves you from all your troubles. Without music the world would be a much quieter and less joyful place. Music is an outlet for me when I am stressed. Through piano, I can unwind and just relax.

Beethoven for example, still having trouble hearing and eventually being deaf around age 26, was able to compose amazing music without flaw. The Ninth Symphony was one of his masterpieces. After finishing the symphony, since he couldn’t hear anything he had to be notified how well he did on his performance.

This feat was an act of his heart beat of his soul. Even without being able to hear, he let the music take over him, control him, and keep him going like a heartbeat.

While thinking of music, there is one moment I will always remember while playing piano. My dog, a dachshund named Brownie would always sit right beside the piano when I began practicing. As I played the piano he

howled because he loved listening to music and its sweet sound. That soothed me because I heard that my dog enjoyed my music. My music was like a heartbeat to my dog’s soul. He felt good and that is what caused him to howl.

Music is a part of nature. Humans and even animals can be filled with joy when listening to music. It’s fun and enjoyable when I play for my dog or family, and it also makes me feel happy on the inside too. The piano’s melody is like a heartbeat in my soul.

GEORGIA Alana Dapper Grade 8 Albany, GA Teacher: Amanda Latona

To some, music is just a way to relax, to others; it is a way to lighten up a celebration.

For me, music is like an endless metronome helping me find the beat in practically every situation. It is like an ongoing musical inside my head; the sound of the washing machine acting as my drums and the air conditioning system humming in tune with the beat. Before too long, tons of sounds have entered my ear all in perfect harmony. It’s a never-ending concert in my head, taking me to many different places in my imagination. If the rhythm is soft and sweet, I imagine myself lying on the firm green grass looking up into the endless blue sky. If the sound is more upbeat then I imagine I’m attending a concert full of many fans cheering on the talented performer on the stage in front of them.

Music can also control my emotions. If the song is slow and appeasing then I start to feel calm and relaxed, but if the music is quick and joyful then my spirits are lifted and I feel like I’m dancing on a cloud.

It is surprising that something as small as a beat could make such a huge impact on someone. This is why I consider music similar to a person’s heartbeat. It is constantly there; beating to a tune of its own. It controls my mind at times. It relaxes me and helps me to function better just like my heart which pumps

blood to help my mind function correctly.

Almost everything around you has a beat and if you listen closely, they all seem to fit together into one perfect song. It’s as if the earth is always singing, praising the Lord who created it. The plants and trees seem to sway along making the most peaceful sound as the cars racing by add a quick swoosh to the melody. The breeze contributes the perfect harmony, echoing the noises around it. It can change your mood in a matter of seconds.

Music can also help us express ourselves and express the way we are feeling. It can encourage us, and it can bring words of hope in tough situations. It can also carry words of joy and words of sorrow. Music is like a friend, helping you along through life just like our hearts are always there for us, helping us to live.

Whether people realize it or not, music is the heartbeat of their soul.

MISSISSIPPI Trevor Florence Grade 8 Byram, MS Teacher: Susan E. Walker

Music is a way to express ourselves. It comes from the heart and soul. Without it our lives would be colorless and bland. We praise GOD, celebrate, say goodbye to loved ones, and represent our country with music. Mostly we create music for fun. You may come up with satisfying rhythm that you may want to share with your friends but why? No one knows why, but maybe it’s because music has attached itself to our hearts.

Music is just a part of everyone. It sticks with you for the rest of your life and you will never want to get rid of it. Someone might prefer a type of music over another, but it’s still a part of his or her lifestyle. GOD told us to praise him with music, and we’ve done it from the beginning of time to now. It connects us in a way nothing else can because there is music in our souls.

Because of talented musicians like Bach,

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NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS Chopin, and of today, we are inspired to do things like play an instrument or sing. Also without music being the heartbeat of our souls, the wonderful musical talents, with which GOD has blessed us, would have never been discovered. All of the assembled clubs across America were formed because people shared a simple interest in music.

Not only America but the world shows interest in music. On a global scale, there are too many artists, singers, and composers to simply name. We all share the single heartbeat of music. The many, many years the Earth has been here, music has become a global epidemic and united us in the language that ALL people,understand because...

Music is the heartbeat of our souls!

NORTH CAROLINA Carson Garcia Grade 8 Charlotte, NC Teacher: Diane W. Higgins

Every day, we use music all of the time, without realizing it. When we go to the movies, the music helps produce the emotion of the scenes. On the radio, we listen to our favorite songs to help cheer us up. Many of us play musical instruments for pleasure. Music is what keeps us happy.

Now, imagine if music completely disappeared. As this happens, the world becomes a dark and miserable place. At the movies, everything is silent. No one can listen to his or her favorite songs on the radio. And even worse, no one can play any musical instruments. The sky is gray, and trash blows through the streets. The water in creeks and lakes is dark and murky, and not even a single smile can be found. No one is ecstatic, and everyone is independent. This continues on for many years, and as each new day comes, the thought of music slowly slips from the world’s hands.

Now, music is barely a whisper. But as a man is walking one day, he finds a piano in a dumpster, and drags it into his garage. He

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examines it and sits down. Then, he wipes the dust off of the piano. And as he begins to play, the placid sound of music fills the room. It not only fills the room, but the music also begins to blow through the cities and countries. Far away, in her house, a woman hears the music, and she finds her violin in her attic. She begins to gently stroke the strings with her bow. The delightful music begins to spread across the world even farther. The dark clouds clear, and the sky turns luminous blue. The murky water clears, and the trash disappears from the cities. The sun shines, and people soon fill cities, rejoicing together for the wonderful gift of music. This sets off a chain event, were everyone begins to play music together, where all of the different voices of music blend together as one. However, as amazing as the outcome might seem, we take music for granted. We have never known what it is like to live a life without music. If the many melodies of music were to slowly slip away from our hands, the world would go into total chaos, not finding any way to show emotions and feelings.

However, this will never happen. Inside our souls, there is a heart, where there is only one important thing that keeps us going. Music.

As long as the heart continues to beat, we will remain as one, joined together by music. But if the heart stopped, we would all separate, and who knows what would happen? Music is a way for us to express our feelings and emotions; it can be bright or gloomy, lively or lethargic. But most of all, music is the heartbeat to the soul that unites us as one.

ARIZONA Jacob Packer Grade 7 Prescott Valley, AZ Teacher: Debbie Wiser

Music. It can be used for so many things. It is loved in many places and used in daily life.

Music is the Heartbeat of the soul.

With every song you hum under your breath, or sing out loud, you are hearing

music. It is used so often that it can be considered a heartbeat, which is also used so often. it can be used as a soothing start or finish; end or beginning. Music is there, just sometimes not under the description of known words. It can be beautiful and slow or loud and fast. Music can be made with anything, a piano, a violin, even yourself, or a cup.

Music is cool and fun. It is something to pass time, and to set backgrounds, as in movies.

It is in more places than you imagine because you might have had been thinking of a song just before reading this. You may have just forgotten that. Now think of how many thousands of times you did that before. Than multiply that by every person in the world.

Music is truly part of you, within you.

INDIANA Elie Cuevas Grade 7 Kokomo, IN Teacher: Margaret Faust

Music. 1-2-3-4, 2-2-3-4, 3-2-3-4, 4-2-3-4, and on and on, until one time it stops. But until then, the time passes by. In a certain time, not just a random one, but organized time, to make this beautiful thing we call music. Now what about the soul? The soul, going through life alongside your physical body as time flies by. One day, two days, three days, four days, and on and on, until one day it stops. But until then, time passes by. In a certain time, not just a random one, but organized time, to make this beautiful thing we call life.

The soul is the base of what happens in life itself. What happens in your soul happens in your life. Your soul is constantly ticking, timing itself. Seeing when something happens, like a musical score. Your soul wants ugly parts to go by fast, and great things to last.

Just like in music, you want that part you don’t have down to go by fast, and the part you know perfect to be slow and enjoyable.

And time goes by and new things are added.

Just like in music, life progressively gets

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NATIONAL MUSIC WEEK // 2015 ESSAY WINNERS harder the longer you are in it. Music is constantly in time, just like in life. Just like your soul. It shapes your life. And music soothes and relaxes your soul and keeps time.

Music is really the heartbeat of the soul. It keeps it going, like a fluent song, counting as things happen. And just like in music, your soul knows the time to do something. Like when to come in, at the perfect time to make everything happen in splendor and in unison.

Where does your soul learn how to count and keep track? Music in general is where it learns. Your heartbeat goes up, you feel things going crazy, but with a steady beat in the soul, it stays nice and allows you to sit back and enjoy the ride that we call life. Music keeps your soul in time. The time of your life is now, and with music giving your soul a steady beat, you will be able to enjoy it, the seemingly never-ending time of our lives. Keep it slow, relaxed, and steady. Sit back and let music really be the heartbeat of your soul.

KANSAS Chloe Strecker Grade 7 Arkansas City, KS Teacher: Vickie Burroughs

Nothing is heard like music can be. When all is silent, music is heard. Your heartbeat is like a drum beating thousands of times everyday of your life, which makes an amazing song with every organ working throughout your body. Music is like an escape to a whole other world.

Music is the sound of dance because dance is inspired by music. With music, when you are down, it will lift your spirit. All you need is music to make a lovely dance. Music can be written just like love is given. It can even cheerfully breathe life.

Music can be the fun in nothing, because when all else fails, it will always be there.

Music will change moods instantly. Songs are not only heard but they are felt. With the music you hear, which can horribly or wonderfully change your life, try to mostly

hear, when possible, true spiritual, Godly music.

Music is like life, which can change easily.

Through music, you can be lifted up or even let down! God can even speak to you through it, because He is a powerful, loving, and an amazing God! Hearts are one of the wonderfully designed music makers, as God intended them to be. Now, I know you can make music, but can music make a part of you?

live without it, and I wouldn’t want to. A life without music would be like a life without a heart; miserable and impossible.

MISSOURI Morgan Schindler Grade 7 Excelsior Springs, MO Teacher: Dorothy Mullikin

As Ludwig Van Beethoven once said, “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and sensual life.” That is exactly how I feel about it. Music is like the veins that lead to my heart, without it I couldn’t survive. Music is like the lub dub of my heart, beating on rhythm. Music is the heartbeat of my soul.

When I play I get a tingling feeling in my soul, I feel more alive than ever, with each note generating a heartbeat quicker and quicker than the last. Music is my soul; my soul is made of music. When I play, it is almost like the melody of the song is in correspondence with my heartbeat. Music is the heartbeat of my soul. As I get into a song I feel powerful.

I am no longer playing with my fingers, but now with my soul; my heart. Music is my passion, I don’t just hear the music with my ears; I hear it inside of me. Music is my passion, I don’t just feel the keys with my fingers; I feel it with my heart.

When I dance I feel the music within me. I let my body move to the melody. The music is in my soul, controlling my body and telling me how to move. When I perform my heart is racing, but then I listen to the music and I fall into a daze, no longer worrying about the crowds of people, or the judges listening to me and watching me. Music calms my soul, takes me to another world.

Music is the heartbeat of my soul. I couldn’t

OUR COVER ARTIST

Cover artist Amy Li is a 14 year old 8th grade student at Kimpton Middle School, Stow, OH. A violinist in her school orchestra, as well as the Stow Youth Symphony and the Akron Philharmonic youth orchestras, she has participated many years in NFMC Festivals. Amy studies art privately with teacher, Mrs. Newhall, and studies violin with Mrs. Jacoby.

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R AT I N G S H E E T

Club Rating Sheet: This is How You Do It! National Federation of Music Clubs

Junior

JUNIOR CLUB RATING SHEET

JR 1-1

CLUB NAME: ____________________________________ STATE: _____________ NO. OF MEMBERS: _________ POINTS

ITEM NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION: Multiply points per occurrence (OC), POINTS PER LINE ITEM LINE ITEM per student (ST), per club/studio (CS), or per $ as indicated.

AVAIL. OC, ST, QUANTITY TOTALS

Club Organization/Club Activities:

(A)

CS, or $

(B)

(A x B)

1) The Club has: 1a) Constitution / Studio Policy.............................................................................. 10 CS ___ 1b) Yearbook .............................................................................................................. 10 CS ___ 1c) Achievement Record Book ................................................................................ 10 CS ___ 1d) Won state award - Achievement Record Book .............................................. 20 CS ___ 2) Held meetings/recitals during club year ........................................................................... 20 CS ___ 3) Held installation of officers ................................................................................................. 10 CS ___ 4) Opened meeting with Junior Ritual, Hymn, Collect, Pledge ......................................... 15 CS ___ 5) Conducted meetings using parliamentary procedure ...................................................... 10 CS ___ 6) Stressed courtesy in all situations ....................................................................................... 10 CS ___ 7) Junior Keynotes Chairman called attention to instruction in each issue ..................... 5 CS ___ 8) Club uses Junior Counselor's Handbook, Jr Keynotes, JR 1-1 form as guides .......... 20 CS ___ 9) Number of subscriptions to Junior Keynotes (One subscription is included in your junior club's annual dues. Order more subscriptions for students.) ...................... 10 OC ___ 9a) Each teacher in Jr. club receives Jr Keynotes magazine ............................... 10 OC ___ 9b) Members share magazines with schools, church & other musicians ........... 5 CS____ 10) Purchased insignia from NFMC headquarters (Attach list) ........................................ 3 $ _____ 11) Purchased Festivals poster (NFMC headquarters) ........................................................ 10 OC ___ 12) Sent donation of funds earned by students to State Treasurer for National Projects (3 points per $) 12a) National Past Presidents Scholarship; ........................................................... 3 $ _____ 12b) Fund for Advancement of Musical Arts; ...................................................... 3 $ _____ 12c) Music for the Blind Award;..........................................................................3 $ _____ 12d) Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award ............................................................. 3 $ _____ 13) Contributed funds earned by students to Local/State Federation Projects - 3 points per $ if donations were made to at least two of the above National Projects .......... 3 $ _____ 14) Participated in: 14a) Parade of American Music .............................................................................. 15 ST____ 14b) Crusade for Strings ........................................................................................... 15 ST____ 15) Celebrated National Music Week ..................................................................................... 15 ST____ 16) Held an exchange program ................................................................................................ 5 OC ___ 17) Had Music in Assisted Home programs reported at meetings..................................... 5 OC ___ 18) Gave hospital programs as a group .................................................................................. 10 OC ___ 19) Had programs at meetings: 19a) Held an American Folk Music Program ....................................................... 10 OC ___ 19b) Featured one American composition ............................................................ 5 OC ___ 19c) Sacred Music Program ........................................................................................... 5 OC ___ 19d) Meeting devoted to opera study ..................................................................... 5 OC ___ 19e) Program stressing International Music .......................................................... 10 OC ___ 19f) Devoted one program to MacDowell............................................................ 15 OC ___ 19g) Featured songs from Together We Sing (formerly Hymn of the Month) ... 5 OC ___ 19h) Meeting / Recital attended by 75% of members ......................................... 10 OC ___ 19i) Had parents as guests at some meetings ....................................................... 5 OC ___ 19j) Participated in joint program with Federated Clubs ..................................... 10 OC ___ 19k) Featured club composers ................................................................................. 5 OC ___ 191) Featured compositions rated Superior in Junior Composition Contests 5 OC ___ 19m) Had guest speaker providing information about Federation ................... 10 OC ___

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

________ ________ _________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

20) Presented a radio or television broadcast ........................................................................ 20 21) Competed at a Jr. Convention .......................................................................................... 10 22) Gave musical cheer to shut-ins ......................................................................................... 10 23) Performed for or assisted a Senior Club .......................................................................... 10 24) Went Christmas caroling .................................................................................................... 10 25) Attended musical events as a group ................................................................................. 10 26) Performed as accompanists in school activities and/or church activities ................. 10 27) Performed in musical ensembles at school, community or church............................ 10 28) Performed in talent shows using musical skills.............................................................. 10 29) Entered Junior Composers Competitions ...................................................................... 15 30) Won an award in Junior Composers Competitions ……………………………...30

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

Student Member Activities:

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OC ___ ST____ OC ___ OC ___ OC ___ OC ___ ST____ ST____ ST____ ST____ ST____

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________

_________ _________ _________ _________ _________

________ ________ _________ ________ ________

_________ ________ _________ ________ __________________ _________ ________ _________ ________

R AT I N G S H E E T

Complete this 2-pg form. Tally the points your club has earned. Mail to: Mary Thomason, 130 Creekside Drive, Boerne, TX 78006 (Must be postmarked by June 1, 2015). Please contact us with any questions: mary@icanlearnmusic.com or 210-471-898.

JUNIOR CLUB RATING SHEET - JR 1-1 31) 32) 33) 34) 35)

(continued)

Entered Angie Greer Jr. Music in Poetry Competition ............................................... 15 Won an Angie Greer Jr. Music in Poetry Award ........................................................... 30 Entered National Music Week Essay contest ............................................................... 15 Won a National Music Week Essay contest ................................................................... 30 Entered NFMC Festivals ........................................................................................................ 20 35a) Performed in solo events .................................................................................... 10 35b) In Theory Event ................................................................................................... 10 35c) In Dance events..................................................................................................... 10 35c) Other events (sight sing/play, hymn, improv) .................................................... 10 35d) Concerto......................................................................................................................... 30 36f) Performed in ensembles: ......................................... miscellaneous................. 10 duet/duo ........................ 10 trio/quartet .................... 10 class keyboard ............... 10

ST ____ ST ____ OC____ OD ___ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____

________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________

36) Paid dub dues on time ....................................................... ............................................... 15 37) Recitals were presented ..................................................................................................... 10 38) Enrolled student members / Gold Cup plan ................................................................ 10 39) Gold Cups earned in current year: ...................................................... 1st Cup ............. 5 39a).................................................................................................. 2nd Cup ............. 5 39b) .................................................................................................. 3rd Cup ............. 10 39c) .................................................................................................. 4th Cup ............. 30 39d) ............................................................................................ Grand Cup ............. 60 39e) .....................................................................................President's Cup ............. 90 40) Discussions on music therapy .......................................................................................... 10 41) Discussions on summer music camps, Federation scholarships and awards ............ 10 42) Had members pictured in magazine ............................................................................... 5 43) Publicized activities in local news media .......................................................... ............. 5 44) Reported activities to state news gatherer ........................................................ ............. 5 45) Students participated in group lessons ............................................................. ............. 10 46) Taught more than one instrument, including voice (points per instrument) ................ 10 47) Taught basic music composition ....................................................................... ............. 10 48) Taught music history ......................................................................................................... 5 49) Taught music theory ................... ...................................................................................... 10 50) Used computers at lessons......... ...................................................................................... 10 51) Used Internet programs at lessons ............................................................................................... 10

CS ____ OC ___ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ CS ____ CS ____ OC ___ OC ___ CS ____ OC ___ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ ST ____ CS ____ CS ____

_____ ____________ _____ __ _________ _____ __ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ ________ _________ _________ _________

Counselor/Teacher Activities:

TOTAL POINTS EARNED (All points refer to current year) SEND COMPLETED JR 1-1 POSTMARKED BY JUNE 1st TO:

GRAND TOTAL: __________

Mary Thomason, National Chairman 130 Creekside Drive Boerne, TX 78006

Itemize below information for #10, #13

Phone: 210-471-8984 E-mail: mary@icanlearnmusic.com The criteria for number of ribbons awarded is as follows:

5000+ points - add 10 ribbons + ruby, emerald, sapphire & gold stars 4000 to 4999 points - add 10 ribbons + ruby, emerald & sapphire stars 3000 to 3999 points - add 10 ribbons + ruby & emerald stars 2000 to 2999 points - add 10 ribbons + ruby star 1000 to 1999 points - add 10 ribbons to certificate & seal (continued in next column)

900 to 999 points - add 9 ribbons to certificate & seal 800 to 899 points - add 8 ribbons to certificate & seal 700 to 799 points - add 7 ribbons to certificate & seal 600 to 699 points - add 6 ribbons to certificate & seal 500 to 599 points - add 5 ribbons to certificate & seal 50 to 499 points - certificate & seal

The achievement record book is No. 1 on the rating sheet. This chairman encourages each club to keep a record book to display at conventions and for historical value to its own club.

Please type or print information below: Name of Club: ____________________________________________________ Reporting Counselor/Teacher: ____________________________________ Street Address: __________________________________________________ City/State/Zip Code: _____________________________________________ E-mail: ________________________________________________________ NFMC Senior Club: ________________________________________________

No. of Members:_________________ Telephone: ______________________ Cell Phone: ______________________ Rev. 8/2014

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 25

S C AT T E R E D N O T E S

Scattered Notes ALASKA Interlochen Center for the Arts has announced that the 2014 National Federation of Music Clubs Academy Scholarship was awarded to Logan Boyle, a new junior from Kenai, AK. Logan Boyle Logan is a Euphonium major at the Academy. He also attended the Interlochen Arts Camp last summer.

organ when she received a scholarship from the Dayton chapter of the American Guild of Organists. On top of teaching, she is also a church musician. She is a member of the Dayton Music Club.

Harpist Kathleen started harp lessons at the age of fourteen. She later received her BA in Harp Performance from Thomas Edison State College and her MA from the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. She is the founder and director of the Dayton Area Youth Harp Ensemble.

VIRGINIA

OHIO The Bisson Family of Huber Heights was chosen as the OFMC Musical Family of the Year. The three sisters (Shannon, Kathleen and Serena) presented a concert, with Shannon playing the piano, Kathleen playing the harp, and Serena playing the violoncello. Another sister, Sarah, could not perform as she is away at school in South Carolina. After their performance, they were presented with an award.

Pianist Shannon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Thomas Edison State College. She is the junior counselor of the Musical Fingers Junior Music Club. She teaches piano and her students participate in the junior music festival in District III G (Wright State University). She is also active as an adjudicator during the festivals in District III. She also studied the

Portsmouth Music Club Submitted by Judy S. Liles, Vice President Portsmouth Music Club Portsmouth Music Club plans some exciting musical programs to welcome the 2015 Season. The highlights and dates are as follows: January, 28, 2015 – “Broadway Show Tunes” sung by popular Carrie Grace Morgan, as well as, a special observance of NFMC Founders Day. February 25 – Beazley Singing Beez (ladies chorus) and the Heart Songs Trio.

March 25 – “A Variety of Classical, Ragtime, Big Band, and Broadway Tunes” performed by the much sought-after Southside Brass.

April 22 – Tapestry, a well-known Handbell Quintet, performs beloved selections of folk, sacred, classical and pop music. May 3 (Sunday Afternoon) – in observance of

Sisters Shannon, Kathleen and Serena Bisson were selected as OFMC’s Musical Family of the Year

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“National Music Week” – “Music for an Olde Towne Afternoon” celebrated at the historic Monumental United Methodist Church, Portsmouth, with organist Ryan Michael Blake and musical talents from local university students, all followed by a formal reception for all attendees. May 27 – “Scholarship Recital” featuring PMC current and past scholarship winners, with a luncheon afterwards.

All regular monthly programs are free and open to the public. A small fee is charged for Sunday, May 3, “Music for an Olde Towne Afternoon,” to raise funds for scholarships.

PMC invites anyone in our area and across Virginia to attend our meetings and programs!

You will enjoy our hospitality, as well as, meeting our performing artists.

Woodbridge Music Club The Woodbridge Music Club started off the New Year with a wonderful performance on January 24 by pianist Marianna Prjevalskaya at Westminster at Lake Ridge. The club is also looking forward to some exciting events in the next couple of months, to include a student recital on February 8. In March, the club will hold its annual Kiki Thomaidis Piano Scholarship Competition, and its annual WMC Instrumental and Vocal Scholarship Competitions. Winners of these scholarship competitions will perform in a Winners Recital on Sunday, March 15 at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 5pm. The club’s next Saturday evening performance will take place on March 21 at 7pm at Westminster at Lake Ridge, and it will feature flutist Geoffrey Crowley, a member of the WMC. Piedmont Music Club Piedmont Music Club kicked off the new year by hosting a conductor’s workshop with Manassas Symphony Orchestra conductor, Jim Villani. Our Club’s teachers, students, and the community were invited to attend this exciting workshop where they learned the history of conducting, the role of a conductor, how to read a conductor’s score, and how to conduct properly. The attendees were given a conductor’s baton and a conductor’s score to take home for further practice. Attendees were invited to conduct the large string ensemble from the Manassas Symphony Orchestra.

Conductors who tried their hand conducting

S C AT T E R E D N O T E S

the ensemble varied in age from 7 all the way through adults. What an exciting way to learn how to conduct!

In March, we will be hosting a master class with the NFMC Ellis Piano Duo, Tiffany Delgado and Hilary Mauler. Student piano ensembles from our area are invited to apply to participate in this master class and all students are invited to attend.

The Duo will be performing the following evening with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra in the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.

WASHINGTON Theme and Variations Gala

Recommended Reading Making Music and Enriching Lives: A Guide for All Music Teachers

By Bonnie Blanchard with Cynthia Blanchard Acree Indiana University Press, 2007, $24.95

Piedmont Music Club

by Sondra Hopper In 2001, my friend, Marian Wisham, asked me if I would like to try an event called Theme and Variations Gala. She explained her idea of combining our studios and presenting our students in a group event. I loved the idea and we had our first Theme and Variations Gala in 2001. Marian moved away in 2003, but I continued the event with Selina Chu and this year we held our 14th gala. We do this every November.

This is how it works. Students from both of our studios sign up to participate.

They pay an entry fee to cover the cost of the venue, the awards, and the judges. We usually have about ten students from each studio. The next step is to sort through Theme and Variations music. After we make our choices of music, we assign each student various themes or variations to learn. We make sure that students from both studios perform in each selection.

14th Annual Theme and Variations Gala They become a team. student participants One week before the gala, we have one LONG rehearsal with all the students so they can hear the whole piece. The student with the theme starts on the first piano and Variation I is played by another student on the second piano. As one student finishes, the next student takes a seat at the piano. It goes back and forth between the two pianos.

Judges choose the winning team using the following criteria: 1. All members of team must be well prepared.

2. Students should bring forth the character of the piece.

3. The team must work well from beginning to end, including the “team bow” at the end of the piece.

While the judges make their decision, Selina and I perform a two-piano piece – usually humorous. Students love to see their teachers having fun at the piano.

This year we planned a pizza party for the winning team and played some musical games after we ate. Everyone had a great time.

Theme and Variations Gala is always very popular with our students and they are already asking if we can do it again next year.

305 pages plus index and suggestions for further reading.

Bonnie Blanchard is a successful Seattlearea violin teacher with a mission. She sees all of the competing interests with which music teachers must cope, and she has a plan – one that has worked in her violin studio and that she is anxious to share. At the recent NFMC Portland conference, she shared some of her ideas. I was so enthused that I bought the book.

Blanchard’s book is segmented into four parts: Enriching Lives, Making Music, Tackling Your Toughest Challenges, and RunningYour Private Music Studio. The content can be summarized by her chapter titles, i.e. Show Students Your Commitment to Excellence; Promote a Love of Learning and Independence; Host Fun Music Events. Blanchard details specific ways that she creates a fun, empathetic atmosphere while demanding accountability and achievement.

For example, she uses her dog’s reactions to signal when students make mistakes or play wrong notes. First and foremost she focuses on establishing a relationship with the student.

She emphasizes the importance of teacher preparation before the lesson, setting the atmosphere for learning, team-building, and fun.

This book is full of sound coaching and teaching ideas--ones that will have students looking forward to attending their lessons and to performing. I highly recommend the book and the website. http://musicforlifebooks.com. And if you have a chance to attend her workshop, DO. She is attractive, funny, engaging and inspiring. ~ Pat Grantier

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 27

Bordering the state lines of Minnesota and North Dakota lies the destination of Fargo-Moorhead. Here you will find a wealth of cultural highlights, from modern, contemporary exhibits to historical museums, theatres and studios.

Bonanzaville

While you’re here, plan to visit at least one of our many attractions! Walk through a pioneer village at Bonanzaville, with 43 authentic buildings from our prairie past, and learn about Native Americans of the Red River Valley, bonanza farms and homesteading, and the modernization of North Dakota.

Engage your sense of wonder at the Red River Zoo, where rare and endangered species are their specialty with over three hundred animals on thirty –three acres of land. The Red River Zoo focuses on animals native to Red River Zoo

areas with similar climates.

Pay homage to heroes at our air museum with planes that still fly. The Fargo

Air Museum has rotating planes on exhibit. Ninety percent of them can still take flight. There is a full scale replica of the Wright flyer and The Fred Quam Research library houses over 2600 rare aviation and military books. The museum has children’s interactive exhibits to include the Huey helicopter, the Polywagon “Seat of the Cockpit” experience, the DC - 3 and a WWII military jeep for children to move in and out of.

Take in our rich Scandinavian heritage at the Hjemkomst Center with a full size Viking ship that sailed to Norway in 1982 and a replica Viking church, also known as a Stave Church. Both massive pieces of Norwegian tradition were built by Fargo-Moorhead locals and donated to the Museum.

In the heart of our city is a historic downtown filled with vibrant arts scene with several area galleries, trendy restaurants that can handle small to large groups and boutique shopping with many locally made products.

Fargo-Moorhead is located at the intersection of interstate highways I-29 and I-94. With easy access, this is a perfect destination for your conference.

Enjoy your visit! fargomoorhead.org

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Spring 2015

PHOTOS COURTESY FARGO-MOORHEAD CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU www.fargomoorhead.org

Welcome to Fargo-Moorhead!

I M A G I N AT I O N N O O K

Let Your Imagination Go! Sam Ecoff

Sam Ecoff

Sam Ecoff wrote A Gra’ when he was a high school senior, dedicating it to a girl he liked.

He played the piece in a local talent contest and won. The title comes from a line in the Gaelic poem, Smaointe. Sam’s initial translation of the term led him to believe the work to be about a lover returning home to his beloved after a long absence. He learned only years later that the poem is actually about a girl standing over her grandfather’s grave, remembering the times they’d had together many years ago. Sadly, about a year after writing A Gra`, he was asked to play it again in honor of the girl for whom it was written, but this time, at her funeral. She had been killed in a tragic car accident on the way home from school.

Sam Ecoff has been teaching private music lessons since 1988 and has been a member

of the piano faculty at the Waukesha County Conservatory of Music in Hartland, Wisconsin since 1997. Currently president of the Wisconsin Federation of Music Clubs, Sam is very active in the professional music world. His compositions have been used on television programs here and abroad including American Idol, Adventure Time, Jersey Shore, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, 20/20, Dateline NBC, The Tonight Show, CSI, The West Wing, Martha Stewart Living, Access Hollywood, Look for Less, How Do I Look, Pawn Stars, Swamp Wars, What Not to Wear, America’s Most Wanted, Days of Our Lives, Dancing with the Stars, Dr. Phil, A&E Biography, NBA Access, the Olympics, and The Teen Choice Awards.

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 29

I M A G I N AT I O N N O O K

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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 31

National Federation of Music Clubs 1646 West Smith Valley Road Greenwood, IN 46142

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID TWG, INC.

Junior Keynotes

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Subscribers (Individuals and Clubs) Your subscription entitles you to three issues of Junior Keynotes, starting with the one following the insertion of your subscription into the computer at National Headquarters, 1646 West Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, Indiana 46142.

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