NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS
Junior Keynotes Winter 2016 • Vol. 88, No. 2
Music...
Notes to the Future
CLASSICAL THEMES arr. Fred Kern, Phillip Keveren and Mona Rejino This series presents favorite orchestral classics, carefully graded and expertly arranged for piano solo with great teacher accompaniments! The newly formatted book/audio versions feature fully orchestrated accompaniments that are available online for download or streaming. Both MP3 or MIDI files are provided.
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
Air (Handel) • Can Can (Offenbach) • The Emperor Waltz (J. Strauss, Jr.) • Morning (Grieg) • Russian Dance (Tchaikovsky) • Symphony No. 3 (Beethoven) • Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) • Theme from Swan Lake (Tchaikovsky), plus background notes on each composition. 00151806 Book/Online Audio $8 99
Alleluia (Mozart) • Barcarolle (Offenbach) • Hallelujah (Handel) • In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg) • Marche Militaire (Schubert) • Plaisir d’amour (Martini) • Romanza (Mozart) • Symphony No. 9 (Largo) (Dvorák) • Symphony No. 94 (Surprise Symphony) (Haydn) • Waltz (Tchaikovsky). 00151807 Book/Online Audio $8 99
The Elephant (Bizet) • Entr’acte (Schubert) • La donne é mobile (Verdi) • Lullaby (Brahms) • Merry Widow Waltz (Lehár) • Polovetsian Dance (Borodin) • Scheherezade (Rimsky-Korsakov) • Symphony No. 1 (Brahms) • Trumpet Tune (Purcell) • Turkish March (Beethoven). 00151808 Book/Online Audio $8 99
Ave Maria (Schubert) • Carmen (Bizet) • 1812 Overture (Tchaikovsky) • Funeral March of a Marionette (Gounod) • O mio babbino caro (Puccini) • Pilgrims Chorus (Wagner) • Rondeau (Mouret) • Symphony No. 6 (Tchaikovsky) • Symphony No. 7 (Beethoven) • Symphony No. 9 (Dvorák). 00151809 Book/Online Audio $8 99
Air on the G String (J.S. Bach) • Also Sprach Zarathustra (R. Strauss) • Carnival of the Animals (Saint-Saëns) • Hungarian Dance No. 5 (Brahms) • Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J.S. Bach) • Theme from Romeo and Juliet (Tchaikovsky) • Sicilienne (Fauré) • Spring (Vivaldi) • Symphony No. 40 (W.A. Mozart) • William Tell Overture (Rossini). 00151580 Book/Online Audio $8 99
COMPOSER SHOWCASE COLLECTIONS
THE BEST OF CAROL KLOSE FIFTEEN ORIGINAL PIANO SOLOS Early Intermediate to Late Intermediate Level 00146151 $12 99
MINIATURES IN STYLE SIX ORIGINAL PIANO SOLOS by Mona Rejino Intermediate Level 00148088 $7 99
TCHAIKOVSKY’S THE NUTCRACKER SUITE
ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS TOO
POPULAR SONGS SERIES arr. Lynda Lybeck-Robinson Late Elementary/Early Intermediate Level 00147906 $7 99
EIGHT ORIGINAL PIANO SOLOS by Jennifer Linn Early Elementary/ Elementary Level J00147789 $7 99
MYTHS AND MONSTERS NINE ORIGINAL PIANO SOLOS by Jeremy Siskind Late Elementary/Early Intermediate Level 00148148 $7 99
Order today! Please visit WWW HALLEONARD COM to order from any music retailer
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
TA B LE OF CONTENTS
WINTER ISSUE, 2016 Vol. 88, No. 2
4
Staff Directory
5
President’s Message
6
Junior Chairman
7
Marilyn Caldwell Award
20 Junior Dance / Thelma Adams Robinson Ballet Award
8
Festivals Update
22 FAMA
9
Federation Cup Winners
23 Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award
11 Junior Club Achievement
19 American Music: Austin Wintory
24 National Music Week Essay Content / Stillman Kelley & Thelma Byrum Awards
12 Junior Clubs 13 Teaching Lessons 14 Imagination Nook 16 Junior Composers 17 Junior Composers at National Convention
A DV ER T I S ERS’ I N D E X 2 Hal Leonard 3 Music Teachers National Association 6 Clavier Companion 21 Willis Music
25 Junior Member Feature
23
26 Scattered Notes
23 NFMC Junior Composers Contest
NFMC Together We Sing
27 NFMC Federation Festivals Bulletin
18 Summer Music Centers
27 NFMC American Music Posters
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.
Winter 2016
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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) W Region: Aaron Bloom, Chairman 4633 Exeter Street West Linn, OR 97068 503-656-6948 abpianolessons@gmail.com
HEADQUARTERS National Federation of Music Clubs 1646 W. Smith Valley Road Greenwood, IN 46142 317-882-4003 Fax 317-882-4019 email: info@nfmc-music.org www.nfmc-music.org
Federation Cups Gloria Lien, Chairman 6738 W. Kimberly Way Glendale, AZ 85308 623-561-2989 Gloria.hope.lien@gmail.com
President Michael R. Edwards 891 NW 73rd Avenue Plantation, FL 33317-1141 Phone: 954-791-9273 Cell: 954-325-00064 micedwards@aol.com
Federation Festivals Database Sandra Preysz, Chairman 2174 E. Lonsdale Drive Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121 801-944-1808 sandrapreysz@msn.com
Advertising Jennifer Griffin, Chairman 1646 W, Smith Valley Rd. Greenwood, IN 46142 Phone: 317-882-4003 Mobile: 317-771-5369 Fax: 317-882-4019 info@nfmc-music.org
Junior Club Achievement Mary Thomason, Chairman 130 Creekside Drive Boerne, TX 78006 210-471-8984 mary@icanlearnmusic.com
Junior Division Linda D. Lind, Chairman 8905 Longmead Court Burke, VA 22015 703-569-0014 lindalindva@gmail.com
Junior Composers Deborah De La Torre, Chairman P.O. Box 2680 Centennial, CO 80161 303-519-4395 trazom1234@yahoo.com
Junior Keynotes Magazine Editor, Mary Thomason 130 Creekside Drive Boerne TX 78006 210-471-8984 nfmcjrkeynotes@gmail.com
NE Region: Judith De Wette 16 Godfrey Road Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 973-746-4254 jdewette16@comcast.net
SE Region: Gina Sprunger 4813 Appletree Ct. Greenville, SC 29615 864-284-9127 ginasprunge@bju.edu
Federation Festivals Bulletin Sandra Preysz, Editor/Chairman 2174 E. Lonsdale Drive Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121 801-944-1808 sandrapreysz@msn.com
NC Region: Lori Jessen 1912 Locust St., Box 851 Dakota City, NE 68731 712-253-0718 LoriJessen@gmail.com
Federation Festivals Lisa Smith, Chairman 3774 Barbizon Circle S. Jacksonville, FL 32257 904-886-4188 nfmc.festivals.chair@hotmail.com NC Region: Peggy Radmer, Chairman 1930 Sunnyside Drive Waukesha, WI 53186 262-547-2607 Pegs88keys@wi.rr.com NE Region: Virginia Kleeberg, Chairman 200 W. Roosevelt St. Muncie, IN 47303 765-288-6404 ifmc-music@outlook.com SC Region: Lavonna Whitesell, Chairman 5117 NW 161st St. Edmond, OK 73013 405-715-1536 Lswsongbird@yahoo.com SE Region: Cynthia Abernathy, Chairman 13115 Pavilion Ln. Fairfax, VA 22033 703-376-8883 cjaneabernathy@gmail.com
SC Region: Bonnie Dove 4116 Stonewick Drive Arlington, TX 76016 682-429-7273 pianodove@sbcglobal.net
Dance Judy Barger Edgell, Chairman 4023 Hazelridge Road NW Roanoke, VA 24012 540-563-4782 jbarger1234@cox.net
National Music Week Helena Meetze, Chairman 613 Hatrick Road Columbia, SC 29209 803-776-6500 hmeetze@bellsouth.net
Thelma A. Robinson Ballet Award Gay Dill, Chairman 814 South Second Street Atwood, KS 67730 785-626-9434 gaydill1@att.net
NMW Essay: NE Region Mary Ellen Ulmer, Chairman 168 East Branch Road Mercer, PA 16137 724-946-2877 ulmerme@hotmail.com
Wendell Irish Viola Award Dr. George R. Keck, Chairman 2112 Hinson Rd. #23 Little Rock, AR 72212 870-403-2951 keckg@att.net
NMW: SE Region Julianne Edwards, Chairman 116 S. Walnut St., #201 Muncie, IN 47305 561-613-7237 jmedwards220@gmail.com
Angie Greer Music in Poetry Contest Dr. Marie Speece, Chairman P.O. Box 1 Union Grove, NC 28689-9001 704-539-5243 mariespeece@yadtel.net
NMW Essay: NC/SC/W Regions Jan Hansen, Chairman 101 Rio Mesa Drive Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-956-1659 jhansen3536@gmail.com
Stillman Kelley/Byrum Nathalie Steinbach, Chairman 15 Mount Vernon Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22405 540-373-6352 ymsfred@earthlink.net
Summer Music Centers Mary Ellen Nolletti, Chairman 104 County Road 537 Etowah, TN 37331 Phone: 423-263-5889 snupy36@msn.com
Claire Ulrich Whitehurst Piano Solo Award Suzanne Carpenter, Chairman PO Box 357275 Gainesville, FL. 32635-7275 352-373-5049 treasurer@ffmc-music.org
State News Connie Randall, Chairman PO Box 522 Kaufman, TX 75142-0522 248-921-7032 conniebrandall@yahoo.com
Music for the Blind Awards Lee Ann Cummings, Chairman 146 W. Pinebrook Drive Brandon, MS 39047 601.992.9330 cummings-lee28@att.net Marilyn Caldwell Piano Solo Award Marilyn Caldwell, Chairman 2011 St. Francis Street Kennett, MO 63857 573-888-5274 marilyncaldwell5@yahoo.com
W Region: Jodie Jensen 5475 Flag Way Colorado Springs, CO 80919 719-262-0394 jodiejens@yahoo.com
Joyce Walsh Award Anita Blackmon, Chairman 1101 S. Ricky Road Kennett, MO 63857 573-888-3998 anitablackmon@outlook.com
Lynn Freeman Olson Composition Award James Schnars, Chairman 331 Cleveland Street #804 Clearwater, FL 33755 727-400-4305
Martha Marcks Mack Junior Vocal Award Naomi Sanchez, Chairman 671 Ashbury Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-378-1447 Knsanchez@hotmail.com
Mary Alice Cox Award Matt Miller, Chairman 13819 W. National Avenue New Berlin, WI 53151 262-786-0487, Ext. 743 mattmillerbass@aol.com
Lana M. Bailey Piano Concerto Award Dee Blaser, Chairman 4404 Heritage Drive Lawrence, KS 66047 785-843-8776 dblaser@sunflower.com
Music Clubs Magazine Editor, Jean Moffatt P.O. Box 791 Seminole, TX 79360 Phone: 432-758-2419 Cell: 432-209-0298 jmoffatt20@live.com
REPRINTING: All material is protected by copyright. Request information and permission from the editor for any reprints. DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the National Federation of Music Cubs or of Junior Keynotes Magazine. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: A subscription is included in each Junior Counselor’s membership dues. Additional subscriptions are available for $6. See PR 12-1 for bulk pricing. SINGLE ISSUE: Purchase extra single issues for $3 each. Use PR 12-1 Magazine Order Form.
ABOUT THE COVER: The cover artwork came to the editor without identification. Will the artist please identify yourself? We’d love to give you the credit your art work deserves!
NATIONAL FEDERATI
Junior Ke ynotes ON OF MUSIC
CLUBS
Winter 2016
Music... Notes
to the Future
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 became officially chartered by the U.S. Congress on August 9, 1982. The mission of the Federation is to support and develop American music and musicians.
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• Vol. 88, No.
2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Memo from the President by Michael R. Edwards
Winter is a busy time for our Junior Division! With
Linda Lind gives us? Sandra Preysz spends a minimum of
Federation Festival auditions around the corner for most
four hours a day working on the NFMC Online Festivals
states, the chairmen are busy preparing for these events.
Management System. This is dedication!!! Also in this
Having served as a festival chairman for sixteen years, I
issue, notice the smiles on the faces of the juniors who are
understand and appreciate the hard work done by these
recognized for their accomplishments. Rest assured, there is a
chairmen.
dedicated teacher and Federation chairman responsible for the
Planning for our February festival in Florida began
many opportunities afforded our students. A big “Thank You!”
in September with an initial letter going out to festival
goes out to all who have given of their time and talents to the
teachers. In early November registration materials were
Federation.
sent to Federation teachers. The deadline for returning
Finally, all of us should be able to relate to the article
applications was December 10, and then the real work began!
“A Student Always Remembers.” Virginia Cegelski Kane,
My committee checked for accuracy while my children
who is celebrating her ninetieth birthday, discusses the
helped sort and alphabetize the applications. During those
influence of her music teacher John Steinfeldt. This is a
years at Christmas time, the dining room table was buried in
remarkable story of how one teacher can have a profound
festival applications! After clearing the table for Christmas
influence on a student throughout her adult life. Ask yourself,
dinner, the applications were returned and work resumed.
“Am I having a positive impact on my students?”
The process continued until the final reports were sent to the state festival chairman in early March. Now imagine this
Are you making a difference in student lives? I’m confident that the answer is YES!
process being duplicated all across the country by Federation members whose goal is to provide festival auditions for our
Keeping the Music Alive for the Future!
students! These dedicated members ensure the success of our Federation Festival program. As you read through this issue, do you sense the energy and enthusiasm of each chairman in the Junior Division? Can you imagine the time and effort that our Division Chairman
NFMC’s 33rd President
Connect! These young men are ready to “take a bow”. Can you find Michael now? Hint: If you’re still not sure, hunt for the answer contained within this issue.
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JUNIOR CHAIRMAN
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CLUBS!! Junior Clubs! Junior Clubs! by Linda Lind, Junior Division Chairman In this issue we feature news about some very special Junior members and their club activities. Thanks to one of South Carolina’s Junior Club Coordinators/Counselors, Deborah Freeman (aka NFMC’s American Music Division Chairman), for sharing words of wisdom for a successful Junior Club. Thanks also to Mary Thomason, Junior Club Achievement Chairman, for bringing to our attention three very special states with Junior Clubs engaging in the activities listed on the Form JR 1-2 - and REPORTING them!!! Read her article and think “CHALLENGE!” How about a special JR 1-2 certificate for the state having the most new/different Junior Clubs reporting Junior Club Activities by 1 June 2016? (Not student activities! Not Junior Counselor activities! Just activities undertaken by the whole Junior Club.) Go for it! Be awarded your certificate at the State President’s meeting in Tulsa!! What a brilliant way to add another dimension to every studio. What a delightful way to incorporate musical learning with parliamentary
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procedure. What a magnificent way to give our NFMC Junior members the opportunity to hold positions of leadership in a warm, nurturing atmosphere. Your Junior Club could be featured in Junior Keynotes. As we speak, we have Junior Clubs being organized all across the country. We want to hear about them. Submit your reports. Share your news!
JUNIOR DIVISION UPDATE/REVIEW: The following sections recap how Junior members are eligible to enter the myriad of events available to them. Think – Junior Composers, Lynn Freeman Olson Composition, Mary Alice Cox Award, Dance Awards, TARBA, Wendell Irish Viola Award, Angie Greer Poetry, Stillman Kelley, Claire Whitehurst and Marilyn Caldwell Solo Piano Awards, Joyce Walsh Award, Martha Marcks Mack Junior Vocal Award, Lana M. Bailey Piano Concerto Award and National Music Week Essay Contest. There is also an award in Crusade for Strings for Junior Clubs.
JUNIOR CHAIRMAN
Check it out! Hopefully, this will be helpful to Junior Counselors and lay to rest any questions they may have. So many awards and competitions to explore! MEMBERSHIP DUES: Junior Clubs pay annual dues at rates established by each state. State dues include a portion allocated to cover membership dues required by NFMC. Effective July 1, 2016, NFMC requires a minimum of $16 per Junior Club (1-16 members), plus six dollars ($6.00) for the Junior Counselor’s subscription to Junior Keynotes for a total club NFMC minimum of $22.00. For 17 members or more, the rate is $1.00 per additional member. States establish Junior Club dues above the NFMC minimum rate at their discretion. (Standing Rule J-10.) JUNIOR AWARDS ELIGIBILITY: ALL NFMC Junior members are eligible to enter all competitions and awards offered by NFMC. The Competitions and Awards Chart found on the NFMC website lists these in their entirety to include annual, biennial, and summer music center awards. Some events have a very nominal entry fee but many have no monetary requirement for entry. A great bargain for all Junior members! FESTIVALS/ELIGIBILITY: Each Junior Festival entrant must be a Junior member of NFMC either through a Junior Club or as a Junior Individual member. Each teacher of Festival entrants must be a senior member of NFMC either through a Senior Club or as a Senior Individual Member. Entrants over the age of 19 on festival date must be Student/ Collegiate or Senior members of NFMC. (NFMC Festivals Bulletin page 1) FESTIVAL FEES: National and State fees must be paid by each entrant for each event entered. Per student “surcharges” may be added when needed to cover only Festival expenses, provided they are not combined with any other fees. Festival teachers who add any form of administrative fees must disclose those fees as such and not advertise or include them as Federation Festival fees. This is in compliance with the
IRS rules governing 501(c)(3) organization. No co-mingling of studio charges, etc. with Federation Festival Fees. “Teachers may not charge festival entry fees in excess of the amount established by the area festival chairman/committee. State Boards may set a financial penalty for failure to comply.” (Standing Rule K-2) The National portion of the Festival Fees must be paid before receiving Festival Certificates and/or Federation Cups. FESTIVAL FEES ARE SEPARATE FROM MEMBERSHIP DUES. NFMC FEDERATION CUP AWARD: All participants entering events in Federation Festival and Junior Composers Contest are eligible to enter the Federation Cup Award Plan. Only points earned in conjunction with NFMC Federation Festivals are valid. Only the official NFMC Federation Cup may be awarded for Federation Festival participation. No other cups are authorized and any points earned using cups other than the official ones will not be recognized in calculating points toward any NFMC cup award, regardless of size. NFMC FESTIVAL CERTIFICATES: All participants entering events in Federation Festival are eligible to receive a certificate. The state certificate is available to all entrants regardless of rating. The NFMC Superior Certificate is awarded to those receiving a Superior rating in any event entered. If local or state clubs award non-NFMC certificates, it is a local or state recognition -- not recognized by NFMC and should not be represented as such. Seems like a lot of rules and regulations??? They are in place for the benefit of ALL members. It is so easy to think of only our own state or even our own immediate area. Much thought goes into each of these rules to 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.” Our Juniors are not only the future of the NFMC but the future of music in America.
Marilyn Caldwell Piano Award submitted by Marilyn Caldwell, Chairman Do you have a student who has mastered any of the following repertoire or selections of comparable level? Or, who will have a 10-15 minute “performance ready” program by February? • Bach: Any Prelude and Fugue from Well-Tempered Clavier, Volume 1 • Schubert: Moments Musicaux, Op. 94, No. 4 • Debussy: Arabesque in G Major, Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum (The Children’s Corner) • Chopin: Impromptu in A-flat Major, Op. 29; Nocturne in E Minor, Op. 172 • Griffes: Night Winds, Op. 5, No. 2 (American) • One movement from a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven (not Op. 49, Nos. 1-2) If so, then record a CD, follow the instructions on NFMC Form JR 19-1, and submit the Application Form JR 19-2 to compete for the $800 First Place Marilyn Caldwell Piano Award ($300 Second Place). All application materials must be in the hands of the chairman by March 1, 2016. Email marilyncaldwell5@yahoo.com if you have questions.
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F E S T I VA L S B U L L E T I N
Bulletin News by Sandra Preysz, NFMC Festivals Chairman/Festivals Bulletin Editor
You may order the Festivals Bulletin from NFMC Headquarters after February 15, 2016 at $10.00, plus shipping per book. NOTE THIS CHANGE: The new Bulletin will go into effect on July 1, 2016. The current Bulletin states that it will be in effect until January 1, 2017 but this change rolls its effective date back to July 1, 2016. This change is being made to align the NFMC Festivals Bulletin with the Online Festivals Management System. Since the system is designed to support NFMC’s fiscal year which runs from July 1 through June 30, and since there are Festivals conducted in the fall in some states, this adjustment is required in order to get systems support synchronized with Festival activities.
Online Festivals Management System This year of pilot testing has many more Festival areas participating. Other areas are busy entering historical data and will be ready to participate next year. In response to many user requests, an easier worksheet is now available to use in preparing historical data. This worksheet can accommodate the records for one teacher, so a separate worksheet must be prepared for each teacher in a Festival Sponsoring area. This worksheet must be proofed, approved and submitted by the Area Festival Chairman.
The next Bulletin will be in effect for four years: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2020. In it, you will find: • The new rules for combining of points in voice will go into effect. These rules were approved at our national meeting in 2013. • The American Patriotic and Folk Song Event will have additional classes so that they match exactly with the Piano Solo Event. • Vocal – both Art Song and Musical Theatre will now have Male and Female repertoire listings in the Junior Classes. • Flute Ensemble events will have additional classes. • Violin Concerto Event at Senior Class will be limited to those listed in the Bulletin. • There will be correlation level parameters for more instruments so that there is parity among various events for an instrument. The requirement that events represent the same level of musicianship will be outlined as they currently are for Piano Solo, Piano Ensemble and Piano Concerto.
The other option whereby complete Area Festival data can be prepared for import is still available as well. Area Festival Chairmen or their technical support person can access either worksheet on the home page: https://www.nfmc-festivals.org One topic that continues to confuse teachers is the process of registering an email address with Google. Registering your email address with Google does NOT mean that you must have a gmail address. I have accessed the online system from day one of alpha testing in 2013 using my current email address: sandrapreysz@msn.com. It is possible to register your current email with Google. However, you must select the option to register your CURRENT email because the default setting is to create a gmail address. This option appears directly below the field for creating a gmail.com address. There is a PowerPoint on the website to help with this process.
great musical quotations “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
Michael Edwards, wearing a bow tie and standing alongside classmates in this school photo, says that in the Spring of 1960, this was how students dressed to attend Junior Club meetings or to perform in recitals.
– FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE
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“People haven’t always been there for me but music always has.” – TAYLOR SWIFT
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.”
– PLATO
– MAYA ANGELOU
F E D E R AT I O N C U P W I N N E R S
Federation Cup Winners PRESIDENT’S CUP WINNERS Idaho Maren Brendefur, a member of Idaho’s Treasure Valley Federated Music Junior Club, received her NFMC President’s Cup after the Spring 2015 Festival. Maren Maren Brendefur has been a student of Cynthia Waldon in Boise, Idaho, for the past eleven years. She has earned five NFMC Piano Solo Cups as well as her first Piano Concerto Cup and her first Hymn Cup. Congratulations, Maren!
Idaho Lora Ririe of Meridian, Idaho took her first piano lessons at age five and has been relentlessly playing ever since. In addition to piano lessons, she danced with Studio C Lora Ririe for twelve years, and also joined a youth community choir, known as Cantus. In addition to NFMC Junior Festival participation, Lora performs for church, her classes, talent shows, concerts and recitals. She graduated from Compass Honors High and studies Web Design and Development at Brigham Young University - Idaho. She is currently taking a break to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Lora appreciates her various accompanists and instructors, Tina Meyer and Carol Wintersteen, for the countless hours, patience and diligence that they invested in her. She’s also grateful to her parents for their support and refusal to allow her to quit whenever things got tough.
GRAND CUP WINNERS Louisiana Victor Rushing of Watson, LA, earned three NFMC Grand Cups in Piano Solos, Duets, and Hymns by earning twelve consecutive superiors. Studying with his aunt, Melanie
Rushing, he placed First in District Rally four years, received awards in the LSU Bach Contest, Baton Rouge Music Teachers Association’s Tournament, Allen Fleming Competition, Victor Rushing and with his sister Sammi as his partner, won first place in the BRMTA Concerto Duo Competition in 2009. Taking Studio Piano for high school credit for two years, he also performed a senior solo piano recital in May. Victor’s accomplishments in academics, school clubs and sports earned him Valedictorian and Louisiana State Student of the Year for 2015. He attends Tulane University in New Orleans majoring in Economics in preparation for Law School and is currently working as a Louisiana State Senate Page.
North Dakota Cindy Lim had her first piano lessons in 2002 with Elizabeth Lahey. She studied with Sara Bloom from 2005 - 2007 winning first place in Scott’s Piano Competition and Cindy Lim receiving her 1st Gold cup in 2007. She continued study with Gloria Bethke in 2007. Cindy entered the NFMC Junior Festivals for eight years receiving a Superior rating each year. She also played in the Senior Concerto Event for four years, receiving Superior ratings each year. At her Senior Recital she was presented her NFMC Grand Cup. Cindy attended Red River High School, Grand Forks, graduating in 2015. She was involved in Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Science Bowl and Math Club. Cindy played violin in the orchestra and consistently excelled academically. As a competitive tennis player on the Red River Roughriders tennis team, she won the state tennis singles championship her junior and senior year. She currently attends Cornell University.
Ohio Mark Bixel of Bluffton, Ohio has been a piano student of Kathleen Price since 2001. Mark has played in Ohio Federated Music Club Festivals for 10 years in Piano Mark Bixel Solo, 3 in Hymn Playing, and 3 in Senior Piano Concerto - all with superior ratings. He won the IPFW Gene Marcus Piano Competition senior division in 2014 and performed on a Fort Wayne PBS broadcast. He was the runner-up in the Fort Wayne Symphony Concerto Competition in 2015. Mark was a co-winner of the 2015 Venetia Hall Piano Concerto Competition in 2015. He has been a semi-finalist in the BGSU DuBois Piano Competition for the last 3 years. He studied violin with Rachel Lewis and played in the Bluffton Schools String Orchestra as well as the string ensemble.
Ohio Maureen Hickey is currently a freshman at Miami University in Oxford, OH. She intends to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Bachelor of Arts Maureen Hickey in Art & Architecture History. Maureen started violin at the age of three, studying with Heidi Flanders. Always a Suzuki student, she attended the Suzuki Family Camp at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for fifteen years. She has also participated in the Accent Chamber Music Camp, Cincinnati Junior Strings, and was a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra for all four years of high school. In addition to violin, Maureen plays French horn and enjoys ukulele, singing, and making art.
South Dakota Three South Dakota students of Julie Blazer earned NFMC Grand Cups in 2015. They are pictured here from left to right: Kelli Aughenbaugh, Maria Schwader, and Andrea Pommer.
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F E D E R AT I O N C U P W I N N E R S
active in volleyball, basketball, track and golf. She attends South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD with plans to study and major in Nursing.
NFMC CLAIRE ULRICH WHITEHURST PIANO SOLO AWARD
ATTENTION PIANO TEACHERS OF JUNIORS by Suzanne Carpenter, NFMC Chairman As newly appointed Chairman of the NFMC Claire Ulrich Whitehurst Piano Solo Award ($500), I hope you will consider entering your talented high school piano students (grades 10, 11, or 12). This biennial award is presented in even-numbered years. Postmark your application accompanied by quality CD by March 1, 2016. Requirements: • CD performance (15 to 20 minutes) • Original piano solo compositions representing various periods of music literature • At least one composition by an American composer • Music must be performed by memory • Applicant must not have reached their 19th birthday as of March 1, 2016 • Be a member of an NFMC club or hold Individual Junior Membership • Be native citizen of the U.S. or have received naturalization papers The Claire Ulrich Whitehurst (Flanagan) piano solo award was established by Claire-Frances Whitehurst to honor her mother’s lifelong dedication to NFMC, FFMC and the Coral Gables Music Club of which she was one of the founders in 1939. Claire’s mother was a harpist, outstanding pianist and magnificent coloratura soprano. Application (NFMC Form JR 14-2) and Procedure form (NFMC Form JR 14-1) can be downloaded from www.nfmc-music.org . Use search word Claire Ulrich Whitehurst or the form numbers.
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Kelli Aughenbaugh achieved her NFMC Grand Cup participating in Piano Solo and Piano Concerto Events. She also participated in Piano Duets, Piano Trios and Hymn Playing earning a total of twelve Federation Cups. Kelli, who graduated as Valedictorian from DeSmet High School, was a member of the National Honor Society and was active in music in school, church and community. In high school, she participated in choir, show choir, women’s choir, mixed octet, triple trio, All-State Chorus, band, woodwind choir and pep band. Kelli was also involved in FCCLA, volleyball, basketball, track and golf. She is attends the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD in the Honors Program. She is majoring in Medical Biology with plans to pursue a career in Optometry. Maria Schwader studied piano for thirteen years and earned her Federation Grand Cup by participating in Piano Solos for twelve years and Senior Concertos for three years. She also earned cups in both Piano Duets and Hymn Playing. Maria graduated as Valedictorian from Howard High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and was active in music in school, church and her community. Maria also participated in Oral Interpretation, all-school play, one-act play, basketball, cross country, Girls State, Farm Bureau, and Youth Group in her church. Maria attends Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD with plans to study and major in Business Management. Andrea Pommer earned her NFMC Grand Cup after playing Piano Solos for eleven years and Senior Concertos for three years. She also participated in Piano Duets, Hymn Playing and Piano Trios. She earned a total of twelve Federation Cups. Andrea, a member of the National Honor Society, graduated with highest honors from DeSmet High School where she was involved in music in school, church and in her community. Andrea also participated in choir, show choir, women’s choir, mixed octet, triple trio, All-State Chorus, band, woodwind choir and pep band. Andrea was
Julie Loewen, recent graduate of James Valley Christian School in Huron, SD, received her NFMC Grand Cup in Piano Solo and her third cup in Piano Duet in 2015. She played piano solos for eleven Julie Loewen years, piano duets for nine years and piano concertos for three years to achieve this goal. She studied with Beverly Bigge, NCTM of Huron. Her previous teachers were Brenda Ruedebusch and Eric Bliss. Julie began winning awards and recognition at age 10, including first place honors for three years in the piano duet competition. She was active in band and choir and also participated in cross country, track, basketball, and volleyball. Julie has provided special music and offertories and plays keyboard for the praise team. She attends Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas majoring in biochemistry. She has received a Premier Scholarship, Track and Field/Cross Country Scholarship and Legacy Scholarship.
Texas Evan Tey of Austin, TX has studied piano for thirteen years. His teacher for the last ten years was Zemfira Zade. In 2015 he earned his NFMC Grand Cup for Piano Solo and Evan Tey Concerto, as well as All State Honors including a monetary award at the Texas State Festival. He consistently earned top ratings at Texas UIL Competitions, and took and passed with distinction ABRSM exams. In school, Evan was a part of the Science Olympiad Club, Math Club, and Computer Science Club. In 2015 he helped his Science Olympiad team finish third in the nation. Evan represented the USA in the 8th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in Siceava, Romania. He also loves to play soccer. Evan is attending MIT in Boston. He says he will always remember the life lessons learned from his piano teacher.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
Junior Club Achievement: Reporting Club Activities by Mary Thomason, Junior Club Achievement Chairman What do South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia have in common when it comes to NFMC Junior Achievement? Hint: download and review NFMC Form JR 1-2. Across this great nation, there are only eight NFMC Junior Clubs reporting about activities listed in that form! Four of these clubs are from South Carolina: Crescent Heritage Junior Music Club (sponsored by Crescent Music Club/Greenville), Greenville Melody Music Club, Greenville Tempo Music Club, and Greenville Harmony Music Club (sponsored by Greenville Woman’s Music Club/Greenville). Three are from Pennsylvania: Ellen Johnson Piano Studio (Pittsburgh), Workshop for Young Performing Artists (Dora Zlatkia/Lancaster) and Young Musicians Club (Dan Rambo/Allentown). One is from Virginia: Terry L. Francisco Piano Studio (Salem). Have you figured it out yet? These eight junior clubs are maintaining and publishing Achievement Record Books as well as Junior Club Yearbooks! In this age of computer apps, texting, “selfie” instagrams, Twitter and Facebook, these young musicians are taking the time to use their creative organizational skills to maintain Junior Club histories in style. Not only that, but they plan and attend monthly meetings, elect junior club officers, arrange program agendas and publish a Junior Club Yearbook. There are several other Junior Clubs that report maintaining an Achievement Record Book; and, several that report publishing a Yearbook. But only eight report doing both! Kudos to the “Extraordinary Eight,” to their Junior Counselors, and to their sponsoring Senior Clubs! Although Achievement Record Books and Junior Club Yearbooks are not submitted for national judging, what a treat it must be for the State Presidents of South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia to review the outstanding work of these Junior Clubs. The only way NFMC finds out about these Junior Club achievements is via Form JR 1-1. Claim the recognition you and your junior clubs deserve! Submit your JR 1-1 by the annual June 1st deadline. Perhaps next year, you’ll be reading about the “Superb Sixteen!”
Greenville Tempo Music Club Members
Greenville Harmony Music Club Members
LANA M. BAILEY PIANO CONCERTO AWARD Are you a high school senior who will be majoring in music next year at a college, university or conservatory? Check out the Lana M. Bailey Piano Concerto Award forms JR 20-1 and JR 20-2 to find the rules and application for this $800 annual award ($200 2nd Place). The competition has a postmark deadline date of .May 1st, 2016 so polish your performance and submit your CDs! First or last movement from one of the following concerti meets the repertoire requirements: • Beethoven Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15 • Beethoven Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 • Gershwin Concerto in F • Grieg Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16
• Mendelssohn Concerto in G Minor, Op. 25 • Prokofiev Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 • Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 • Saint-Saens Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22
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JUNIOR CLUBS
Exploring Junior Clubs: Spotlight on South Carolina NFMC Junior Clubs have been in existence and have garnered news coverage long before Junior Keynotes began publishing this magazine dedicated to publicizing the NFMC Junior Division’s awards and activities. These Junior Clubs are quite varied in organizational style with some clubs operating on a very formal basis while others are more informal. The only requirements for membership in an NFMC Junior Music Club are: 1) age (less than 19 years old), 2) a dues-paid membership (usually collected by your Junior Counselor / Teacher), and 3) sponsorship. Must Junior Clubs are sponsored by a Junior Counselor who is an adult member of NFMC, or by a Senior Club affiliated with NFMC. Often, the term “Junior Counselor” is interchangeable with “Teacher”. If there is no active Junior Club in your area, you may join as an “Individual Junior Member” of NFMC. NFMC Publication JR 3-15 is our Junior Counselor’s Guide. It outlines helpful suggestions about forming Junior Clubs to accomplish the following: • Bring together young people for regular group study of music, for performance before others and for social enjoyment; • Train future club leaders; • Cultivate courteous and appreciative audiences; • Stimulate interest in creating music; • Provide incentive for high standards of performance through Festival events and the Festival Cup Program; • Encourage service through music; and, • Broaden the vision and the ability of members through understanding of and cooperation with the State and National goals.
In this issue, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia Junior Clubs are recognized for maintaining Achievement Record Books and Yearbooks. Since half of the Junior Clubs mentioned are from South Carolina, let’s take a look at how their Junior Clubs work.
Junior Club President ready to bring his meeting to order.
Crescent Heritage Junior Music Club
Greenville Tempo Music Club (grades K-4)
Greenville Melody Music Club (grades 5-8)
Greenville Harmony Music Club (grades 9-12)
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Each of these four clubs is sponsored by a federated Senior Club which appoints or elects a Junior Club Coordinator/Counselor to provide the guidance and assistance needed by these fledgling student clubs. Gilda Hendricks, member of The Crescent Music Club of Greenville, serves in this capacity for the Crescent Heritage Junior Music Club. Deborah Freeman, member of the Greenville Woman’s Music Club, is the Junior Clubs Coordinator for the three Junior Music Clubs sponsored by GWMC. Each of these coordinators is quick to point out that every Junior Club has several other Junior Counselors helping to make it successful. Every September, South Carolina Junior Counselors, Coordinators and Junior Club Officers meet to decide on a Plan of Study and select a Book Study. Monthly Junior Club meetings are held from September through May and include programs: sometimes outside guests, sometimes student performances. The meetings follow general rules of order: Call to order; Recitation of Junior Pledge, NFMC Collect, “Federation Hymn”; Reading of the minutes; Reading selections from Junior Keynotes; Program; Adjournment followed by hospitality, socializing and snacks. During the year, all student members have an opportunity to perform on a program in a non-threatening environment while club members are taught recital etiquette. Junior clubs are thriving, not only in South Carolina, but all around the country. Many Junior Clubs may operate less formally than the four highlighted in this article, but through Junior Counselors, our junior members continue to seek opportunities and to take advantage of the benefits of NFMC membership. Send in news about your Junior Club activities and achievements to your state news coordinator or submit your articles to Junior Keynotes Magazine at nfmcjrkeynotes@gmail. com. Remember to submit your club’s Junior Achievement Report JR 1-1 by June 1st. Share the news!
KEEP THIS CHART HANDY IN YOUR TEACHER’S TOOLKIT! Check out what’s available to our Juniors. A lot has changed in Competitions & Awards this year so be sure you’re up to date.
NATIONAL FEDERA OF MUSIC CLU TION BS
COMPETIT AWARDS IONS & CHART 2015 – 20 16
NATION AL FEDE
RATION of MUSIC CLUB
1646 Wes t Smith Valle y email: nfmc Road // Greenwo od, IN 461 @nfmc-m 42 // 317 usic.org // www.nfm -882-400 3 c-music. org
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DOWNLOAD PUB.CA-20-1
TODAY!
TEACHING LESSONS
A Student Always Remembers Part 2
by Mary Thomason, Junior Club Achievement Chairman Virginia Cegelski Kane of San Antonio, Texas has been taking piano lessons since 1934 and has been teaching since 1957. As she celebrates her 90th birthday, she recounts her life-long lessons she learned at the piano and lovingly reflects on her experiences as a student. Although she can regale anecdotes about each and every teacher with whom she studied, Virginia most vividly remembers the teachings of her favorite: John Steinfeldt. Find biographical information about John Steinfeldt and Virginia Kane in the current Music Clubs Magazine, available through your Junior Counselor or any member of your nearest NFMC Senior Club. Virginia began studying with John Steinfeldt in 1936 at the age of 11. Her piano lessons were conducted at Mr. Steinfeldt’s studio which she describes as filled with beautiful plants and smelling faintly of the cigar he chewed on while teaching. He always wore a coat and tie, vest and watch with a chain. Each lesson cost $3.00 (over $50 in 2015). Virginia would sit down at the piano and look out at a playground before she started warming up on the chromatic stretching exercises he assigned. She remembers seeing many of the children gather at the fence to listen through the open window and reminisces about how fortunate she was to be making music for them as they listened. She still enjoys performing and she still uses the same technical exercises for herself and with her students. In fact, she treasurers her collection of pages of handwritten technical exercises he wrote for each of her lessons. Here’s one of Virginia’s favorites. It starts on C, hands together, and continues the pattern up an octave chromatically, then back home to C – always holding at least one finger down to sustain one tone throughout the measure (usually finger #1 or #5 but try it with others!):
Part 1 of this article appears in the Winter 2016 issue of Music Clubs Magazine.
Virginia Kane with shy student who hides behind her hair to control stage fright!
Once she had the pattern mastered, Steinfeldt required that she perform it using varied touches (legato, staccato, hands in parallel and contrary motion, sustaining the first note of each measure while playing staccato with the other fingers) and in all sorts of different rhythmic patterns like these:
For every composition Steinfeldt introduced to Virginia, he had a story about its origin, his inspiration for writing it, and the hidden messages he hoped his students would find in the music. She left each lesson with notes on her music, some instructional and some congratulating her on progress. Her library contains nearly forty of his compositions, including one that he dedicated to her, handwritten and never before published. Steinfeldt infused his love of music into every lesson – a legacy Virginia hopes she’s able to pass on to her own students. Although she only studied with John Steinfeldt for five years, his impact on her is everlasting! She loves sharing these stories with her students, or anyone else who is interested!
Can you figure out the story behind this composition by John Steinfeldt? Winter 2016
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I M A G I N AT I O N N O O K
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A Forest Violet (Piano Solo), John M. Steinfeldt Family Papers, 1819-1993, MS 35/Box 3/Folder 29, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
I M A G I N AT I O N N O O K
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JUNIOR COMPOSERS
Start Composing! Now is the Time to Encourage Your Junior Composers by Deborah De La Torre, Junior Composers Contest Chairman JUNIOR COMPOSERS CONTEST
POP QUIZ! 1 When is your State’s
Junior Composer Contest Deadline? (Hint: you can find it on the NFMC Junior Composer Contest web page).
2 If your student wins
at the State level, their composition will be forwarded to the Regional Contest. Who is your Regional Chair? What is their email address? And when is your Regional Junior Composer Contest deadline?
3 What is the Junior
Composer Contest form number? (Hint: You can find it on the NFMC Junior Composer Contest web page).
4 What is the form number
for the Contest Rules?
(Hint: You can also find this on the NFMC Junior Composer Contest web page).
5 True or False: There is
no (eighth rest) featured on the Junior Composer’s Contest Poster. (Hint: If you have not already received your copy of the poster, you can find the poster on the NFMC website under Publications/Junior Division).
Answers: 1.) You can find it on the NFMC Website under Navigation/Competitions & Awards/Junior Composer Awards, 2.) Same answer as Number 1, 3.) JR7-2, 4.) JR7-1, 5.) True
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One of the most frequent types of discussions I have with teachers concerns how to start their students in learning the composing process. “How do I start?” or “What is the best way to start my students composing?” There are a zillion ways that a student can enter into this activity! My own experience tells me that there is no absolute “right” way, so just do it! Do they need to learn notation? Users of GarageBand certainly have an opinion on that question! On the other hand, what if the students were to come up with their form(s) of notation?
If you’re going to use software, try it out together. One teacher I know begins with her youngest students who copy by hand some of their beginning-level songs, just as soon as they start to learn how to play! Since many students now have access to iPads and electronic notebooks, what about exploring some music composition software together during the lesson? One great way to try out new software is to ask your student to transcribe a measure or two of one of their pieces into the new software program (just as we would learn how to write it out by hand). Even if your studio is not “lab oriented” this activity could be a great time to bond, to share and explore together. If you're not sure which composing software to use, you can start out by visiting Colorado Composes with Friends (http:// www.coloradocomposes.org) and joining your students in their music composition activities via their super-easy online notation system called Noteflight.
Schedule listening sessions and use “art-words”. A listening session is a great way to expand the horizons of both student and teacher. Remember that coloring activity we all used to do in grade school, when the teacher would play music and ask us to color what we were listening to? Before listening to the excerpt, ask your student to associate certain shapes, colors, textures and even flavors to what they are hearing. Consider applying a topical set of descriptions:
Winter 2016
papery and dry, scratchy like bark, smooth like a new leaf, sharp like a pine needle, squishy like a berry, oozing like sap, salty like the ocean, or any suggestive set of words that comes to mind.
What happens when we ask “what is music?” Short discussions on the topic of aesthetics are important in helping to form the student's understanding of “what is music.” Does it have to be lovely? Soft? Loud? Short? Long? Rhythmic? Should the composer have had a certain number of repetitions or were there too few or too many? Why yes? Why no? What if it wasn’t (too soft/loud, etc.)? What would happen if one composed a song out of only five types of notes? What would happen if one composed a song based on multiple languages? What if you write the music and then turn it upside down?
Keep up with the times and get out more! Performing arts teachers must keep sharpening our skills and learning new things! We now live in a global society, and our teaching methods should be incorporating a much broader spectrum of tools, methods and repertoire. In our digital age, “out-of-date” doesn't mean last decade... it means last year ... or more likely last month! We do our students a disservice by limiting their frame of reference to a short-stack selection that excludes world music styles, new composers, new performers and new trends. Attending concerts and performances of new works, especially those involving multimedia, stimulates the imagination, so why not make it a group activity? It will certainly inspire your students and spark creativity and conversation! There are so many ways to encourage your students to start composing their new creation. You will all have a lot of fun by keeping those artistic horizons open! As your new NFMC Junior Composers Contest chairman, I am proud to serve in this exciting role, following my wonderful mentors Karen Bourne and Karen Greenhalgh. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions. Email: trazom1234@yahoo.com.
JUNIOR COMPOSERS
Junior Composers at National Convention submitted by Sharon Wesbrook, North Dakota Junior Composer Contest Chair On Saturday, June 20th, Dr. Seth Custer conducted a master class for junior composers. The two hour session was the first such event ever held during an NFMC Convention. Four young students were selected to present their work. Pictured from left to right, they share their stories here:
Nathan Proege Aberdeen, SD – student of Helen Anderson Composition: Sonatina in A Major; however, Dr. Custer suggested changing it to Rondo because of the form. I haven’t finished the piece yet so it’s still a sonatina, but I may change it to Rondo. About Me: I just finished my senior year of high school in Aberdeen, South Dakota. I was home-schooled. Some of my interests are music and piano (of course), participating in the worship team at my church, and reading. I enjoy being a part of my church’s youth group and am looking forward to attending North Central University in Minneapolis.
Ella Zhang Grand Forks, ND – student of Gloria Bethke Composition: A Music Box’s Tale and Juggling About Me: I’m 13 years old, and I just finished 8th grade. I’ve been playing piano since I was 4, and started composing about three years later. I’ve entered a composition into the Festival Composition Competition every single year since then, in addition to playing solos in the event.
Dr. Seth Custer General director and program director of the Junior Composers Summer Camp Programs
Sarrah Bushara Edina, MN – composition student of Dr. Edie Hill and Dr. Sarah Miller, oboe student of John Snow and Julie Madura Composition: Bagatelles for Wind Quintet About Me: Next year, I will be a high school senior as a full-time PSEO (post secondary enrollment option) student at the University of Minnesota and will continue to study regularly with my teachers. In addition to music composition, I enjoy playing the oboe for Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies and Minnesota Youth Symphonies (GTCYS and MYS) and have performed with All-State and AllNational Honor ensembles as well as the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA). In addition to music, I enjoy creative writing and art historical research.
Jonas Fisher Warroad, MN – student of Heather Hahn of Warroad and Dr. Naraki Sugiura at University of North Dakota Composition: Peace Choir Song About Me: I’m a recent high school graduate, from Warroad, Minnesota, and I’ve always had a keen curiosity about music, instruments, composition, and the process of perfecting one’s musical abilities. I have studied composition with Dr. Christopher Gable at the University of North Dakota. I studied piano with Heather Hahn of Warroad and am currently studying with Dr. Nariaki Sugiura at the University of North Dakota, where I’m majoring in piano performance, composition, and math. I’ve participated in the National Federation of Music Clubs Junior Festival, Piano Solo and Concerto events, earning five Federation Cups, attaining the Grand Cup in 2015. I love composing and also attended the Junior Composers Institute at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, in 2013 and 2014 My composition Credence, a quintet for piano, oboe, flute, violin, and cello, won first place in the Minnesota Junior Composer’s Contest in 2015.
Cover me, Please!
Submit your original artwork for Junior Keynotes Magazine covers! Juniors only, 8.5 x 11, pen and ink w/color drawings, collages and photography will be considered. Please send original artwork by mail, or email high resolution PDF files. Email nfmcjrkeynotes@gmail.com for more information
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SUMMER MUSIC CENTERS
Junior Composers Summer Program features Reading Session by Pat Steege, Administrative Director There are electrified moments of learning that are life changing for teenagers. Junior Composers Institute knows this. That is why we developed the program of themed readings for our students. In July every year, students come to Minneapolis for composition camp and the unforgettable opportunity to hear their music performed by professionals. It’s amazing to them – heavenly, almost surreal. Working with a score on the computer, a student gets a good sense of the music being created using the play-back feature. However, that sound pales in comparison to listening to live musicians on high quality instruments
bring life to the notated page. Last July in Minneapolis, seven composition students received recordings of their original work that featured wind ensemble. The University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble came together in their off season to help students learn more about themselves and their music. The results were out of this world! In order to participate in these readings, which in essence becomes a wonderful master class experience, students must compose and submit their scores in June before the summer camp begins. Explore www. juniorcomposers.org to find out more.
Where Are They Today?
NFMC Summer Camp: Chautauqua School of Music, 1975
NFMC Scholarship winners are pictured here with Mrs. William B. Millard, 1975 Chairman of the Scholarship Department and NFMC Representative to the Chautauqua School of Music. Some preliminary research suggests that at least five of these students have excelled in making music their livelihood over the last forty years. Is one of them your teacher? Have you heard a recital performed on the famous John Wanamaker Grand Court Organ in Philadelphia? Perhaps you’ve attended a concert presented by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and noticed the principal clarinetist; or maybe you play on a violin made by this violinist who spent 27 years refining his instrument design as he performed in symphony orchestras. More research is required before confirming the successes of these 1975 scholarship winners, but that research will become easier and easier to do as Dr. George Keck continues to process our massive NFMC Archives. Meanwhile, let us know if you recognize any of the students in the picture. They would be adults now so any one of them might be your teacher! Photo supplied by Dr. George Keck, NFMC Archives Committee Chairman
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Dr. Jerry Luckhardt confers with student Max Friedman (TN) about his wind ensemble score during the reading session.
Students took charge of the baton to conduct their original pieces.
For more information about Junior summer programs, awards and scholarships, see the Winter Issue of Music Clubs Magazine. Also, search for the Junior Awards Chart at www.nfmc-music.org.
AMERICAN MUSIC
Austin Wintory: American Composer for Video Games by Deborah Freeman, American Music Division Chairman Austin Wintory is a leading composer in the video game industry who has scored more than 300 projects (films, games, television, video art and more) including Flow, Journey and Banner Saga. His work for Journey was the first ever nominated for a Grammy in the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. He later took pieces of the Journey soundtrack and wrote a cello concerto, Woven Variations, which he performed with cellist Tina Guo. Since its release, orchestral excerpts and the stand alone mini-concerto Woven Variations have been consistently scheduled for concert performances all over the world. Wintory began his obsession with composing when he was ten years old and went on to study at NYU and USC with composers Morten Lauridsen, Charles Fussell, and Erica Muhl. Never satisfied with working in a single medium, Austin has worked in the concert world, film music, and video games.
Austin Wintory photo courtesy of Margarita Kravets In March 2012, the PlayStation3 game Journey was released, after three years of work. The game instantly became Sony’s fastest-selling PlayStation title, and the soundtrack album debuted on the Billboard charts higher than any original score in gaming history. In December 2012, more history was made when it was announced that
Journey had become the first-ever Grammynominated video game score. The score subsequently won an Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences D.I.C.E. award, two British Academy Awards, a Spike TV VGA, and IGN’s “Overall Music of the Year,” five G.A.N.G. Awards and host of others. Austin’s next major game effort was The Banner Saga. The game and soundtrack were released in early 2014 to critical and commercial success; the score earned Austin over a dozen awards and nominations, including his 4th and 5th British Academy Award nominations, and a nomination for the peer-voted ASCAP Composer’s Choice Award for “Best Video Game Score of the Year.” He is currently working on The Banner Saga 2, which was announced live, on-stage at The Game Awards to an audience of nearly 2 million people. Passionate about education, Austin is a regular public speaker at schools and events around the world, in addition to pre-concert talks and workshops. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit Education Through Music – Los Angeles, as well as the Board of Directors for the Society of Composers and Lyricists. Outside of games, Austin is also very busy working in films and composing / conducting for the concert stage. He has also scored over 45 feature films, and his first major film score, for Captain Abu Raed, was shortlisted for the 2009 Academy Awards for Best Original Score by the LA Times. The Boulder Symphony named Austin their Composer in Residence in 2011, first premiering the award-winning orchestral/choral work Gray Rain. In April 2015 Austin debuted This Gaming Life with an evening-length show with the Melbourne Symphony. With many young composers looking to the growing gaming industry, in another few decades it’s
possible that composers like Austin Wintory could be recognized as a major part of the orchestral music production. Go to YouTube. Watch! Listen! Here’s the link to a presentation of the complete score to JOURNEY, with text commentary, featuring a combination of official artwork by the award-winning Matt Nava, and some stunning and inspiring fan art. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=qGcXI_BaR2Y. Celebrating American Music from sea to shining sea…
Did you know? In the United States alone, video games generated a staggering $21 billion in revenue in 2013. To put that number in context, the Motion Picture Association of America reported $10.9 billion in box office revenue for the combined U.S./Canada region during that period, and the Recording Industry Association of America put last year’s domestic revenue from recorded music at $7 billion. Likewise, video game music is starting to become a summer seller for orchestras as game tunes regularly get the full concert hall treatment through traveling series such as Symphony of the Goddesses, or Video Games Live, which was recently performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Video game music has come a long way from the electronic beeps and MIDI tones where it started in the ’80s. Many of the most popular modern game composers are classically trained and compose for and record with symphony orchestras!
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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 19
JUNIOR DANCE
Thelma Adams Robinson Ballet Award by Gay Dill, Thelma Adams Robinson Ballet Award Chairman After chairing Junior Dance for NFMC over the last four years, I now look forward to the next four years as Chairman of the Thelma Adams Robinson Ballet Award (TARBA). This award honors the 25th NFMC President, Thelma Adams Robinson. TARBA is open to dancers ages 16 to 18 who intend to major in ballet in college. The $2500 scholarship is awarded every two years at the NFMC Biennial Convention.
Start preparing your program now! Applications must be submitted by October 1st of even-numbered years. For information on the TARBA auditions requirements Form JR 10-2, rules Form JR 10-1, and audition requirements Form JR 10-3, visit NFMC website at www. nfmc-music.org. Contact National Chairman Gay Dill, 814 South Second Street, Atwood, KS 67730; gaydill1@att.net.
INSIGHT: Dance - The Most Beautiful Art in Motion submitted by Gay Dill
*historical data gleaned from A Musical Legacy of 100 Years, by Lucille Parrish Ward
In its efforts to pursue every possible avenue in support of dance in America, a "National Dance Department" was established at the Biennial Convention in St.
Louis, Missouri in 1960. But it was not until 1963 that the NFMC Dance took a leap and surged forward thanks to the efforts of cochairmen, Jane Benedict and Jeri Kettering. Immediately upon their appointment, they contacted the dance director of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, Alfredo Corvine, with whose help they drew up a Dance Syllabus*. Thus began Dance Events at NFMC Junior Festivals. Initially, NFMC Junior Festivals included ballet and modern dance only. Check out each dance event syllabus on the Junior Division publications page on NFMC’s web site www.nfmc-music.org. Search for JR 17-5, JR 17-6, JR 17-7, JR 17-8 and JR 17-9.
Ouida Keck
[
$1500 ANNUAL AWARD
for the Independent Piano Teacher
Dr. Ouida Keck
NFMC President, 1999-2003
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to be used for Professional Development
]
Today more than ever, continuing and increased interest in dance has catapulted NFMC Dance to new heights. Not only can dancers earn Federation Cups through participation in NFMC Junior Festivals, but they can also compete for the Junior Dance Awards and the Thelma Adams Robinson Ballet Award (TARBA). The Junior Dance Award attracts junior dancers, ages 11- 18, from every part of the country. TARBA is open to dance competitors between the ages of 16 to 18 who will major in ballet in college. The quality of dancers who compete annually is awe-inspiring and gratifying. The future is bright for NFMC Dance!
This award provides financial assistance to an independent piano teacher who demonstrates superior teaching in the private studio and wishes to further enhance teaching skills. This award is endowed by funds given to honor Past National Federation of Music Clubs President, Dr. Ouida Keck. For information see the NFMC website at nfmc-music.org. Click on Competitions and Award Division/Sr. Annual Awards. The application form is CA13-1 and deadline for entry is June 1. For additional information contact Laurel Ince at ljince@gvtc.com.
N EW R ELEAS ES FROM
WILLIS MUSIC EASY DUETS
LATER ELEMENTARY TO EARLY INTERMEDIATE LEVEL Arranged by Glenda Austin, Eric Baumgartner and Carolyn Miller Each collection features 7 great piano duets to perform at a recital, play-for-fun, or sightread! The pieces are appropriate for any age and have been pared down to their essence and wonderfully arranged. In addition, audio files online are available to download or stream if your favorite duet partner is unavailable!
EASY BROADWAY DUETS
Close Every Door (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) • Happiness (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) • I Whistle a Happy Tune (The King and I) • Matchmaker (Fiddler on the Roof) • On My Own (Les Misérables) • Phantom of the Opera • The Sound of Music. 00145766 Book/Online Audio (1P/4H) �������������$10�99
EASY CLASSICAL DUETS
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WEEKEND IN PARIS
Naoko Ikeda Mid-Intermediate Level In this lovely duet, the Primo sings a carefree melody that soars over the Secondo’s easy syncopated beat, evoking happy memories in one of the most romantic cities in the world. 00149102(1P/4H) ������������������������������������������������������$3�99
WARM KITTY (THEME & VARIATIONS)
Piano Solo arranged by Glenda Austin Intermediate Level This humorous solo piano arrangement of “Warm Kitty” will provide an entertaining touch to any performance, whether at home with friends or in a concert hall! Immortalized in pop culture history as “Soft Kitty” on the CBS television series “The Big Bang Theory” (where it’s sung repeatedly by the show’s stars Sheldon and Penny), this impressive theme and variations arrangement by Glenda Austin features a tango, a music box, and other tongue-in-cheek surprises. BONUS: An image of the original “Warm Kitty” song, published by Willis in 1937. 00151669 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������$3�99
TEACHING LITTLE FINGERS TO PLAY MOVIE MUSIC
Arranged by Carolyn Miller Elementary Level 9 magical movie arrangements by Carolyn Miller. Titles: Dawn (Pride and Prejudice) • He’s a Pirate (Pirates of the Caribbean) • I Love to Laugh (Mary Poppins) • Let It Grow (The Lorax) • My Heart Will Go On (Titanic) • Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People (Frozen) • Suddenly (Les Misérables) • Touch the Sky (Brave) • When She Loved Me (Toy Story 2). 00139189 Book/Online Audio ����������������������������������������������������������������������$10�99
TEACHING LITTLE FINGERS TO PLAY MORE MOVIE MUSIC
Arranged by Carolyn Miller Later Elementary Level 10 more magical movie arrangements, arranged by Carolyn Miller. Titles: Bella’s Lullaby (Twilight) • Deep in the Meadow (The Hunger Games) • Forrest Gump • I See the Light (Mary Poppins) • Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) • The Pink Panther • Somewhere Out There (An American Tail) • The Sound of Music • Summer Nights (Grease) • True Love’s Kiss (Enchanted). 00139190 Book/Online Audio ����������������������������������������������������������������������$10�99
CLASSICAL PIANO SOLOS
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FA M A
$$ Show me the Money Have you checked out NFMC’s Fund for the Advancement of Musical Arts? Fund for the Advancement of Musical Arts (FAMA) grants are designed to (1) encourage the composition & performance of music (2) support music projects (3) promote music, education and (4) increase public knowledge and appreciation of music. FAMA grants are non-renewable and are intended to support a specific project; preference is given to projects that strengthen music education and music appreciation in the United States. Read about “Colorado Composes with Friends” in this issue to follow a recent grant award from FAMA! There are no age restrictions for applicants. Requests for funds should be made by someone who will serve as contact person for the project. Past projects that have received FAMA funding include a community lending music library needing to acquire materials, a local Suzuki program needing funds to purchase lending violins, a musician invited to present at an international conference,
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and a community orchestra seeking funds to commission and premiere a new America composition. Please note that FAMA Grants cannot be awarded to help pay for college tuition or living expenses, to pay professional musicians to perform a work, or as a stipend or salary to musicians involved in a project. If no proposals meet any of the goals and methods as listed, the Committee reserves the right to withhold the grant for a given year. Similarly, the FAMA Committee may choose to partially fund multiple projects at their discretion. All decisions of the Committee are final. To make application for FAMA Funding, postmark or email your application by the annual deadline of May 1. Download NFMC Finance Form FI 11-1 from nfmc-music.org. Permission to publicize these projects in NFMC magazines is given by the recipients of the grants.
Winter 2016
Colorado Composes with Friends! Submitted by Jodie Jensen and Karen Greenhalgh Have you ever thought how cool it would be to write your own musical composition? Well, if you have, there is a new composition website developed especially for you and your teacher. It is called “Colorado Composes with Friends!” and was developed by two Federation teachers, Jodie Jensen and Karen Greenhalgh, with assistance from the FAMA Division of the NFMC. And the really good thing is that you do not have to live in Colorado to participate! Just go online to coloradocomposes.org and take a look. If you decide you’d like to participate, submit your participation fee and sign the terms of agreement. We think that you will love seeing and hearing compositions written by other students. The monthly themes are presented by well-known music composers/presenters and will help spark your creativity so that you can go into the Colorado Composes Noteflight community to put your musical ideas down on the music staff. Awards are given to the students who complete their composition each month. Contact us if you have questions: Jodie Jensen jodiejens@yahoo.com or Karen Greenhalgh greenhalghkaren8261@ gmail.com.
“What’ll Ya Have?!” These words are rattled off at the speed of bullets and concealed in a heavy southern drawl. Anyone from Atlanta, Georgia immediately recognizes the trademark call for your meal order at The Varsity, beloved provider of hot dogs, cheese steaks, orange shakes and fried pies! Food for the body that reaches the soul. Junior Keynotes Magazine would love to become equally beloved as your provider for musical news and items of interest. Just answer this: “What’ll ya have? What’ll ya have? What’ll ya have?” Submit ideas, articles, high resolution photos, sheet music, performance or practice tips, musical word puzzles, jokes or cartoons, cover art, poems and anything else interesting to Junior Counselors or to our junior members. Send in your “orders” to Mary Thomason, Junior Keynotes Editor at nfmcjrkeynotes@gmail.com
J U N I O R D I S A B I L I T Y AWA R D
Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award by Anita Blackmon, NFMC Chairman, Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award It gives me great pleasure to announce that the 2015 winner of the Joyce Walsh Junior Disability Award has accepted the invitation of NFMC President Michael Edwards to perform at the 2016 convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Winner Abigel Szilagyi of South Pasadena, California will perform on violin. Be sure to catch her performance! This 2016 award is waiting for a winner in each of the five regions. Awards are given for outstanding musical performance. It is the quality of the
Selection of music is important. The compositions should be of contrasting styles or from different periods of music. Many winners have used the pieces that were performed at Junior Festival. Judges listen to the first ten minutes of the CD. The audition CD should be checked for quality, and that the performance is complete but not more than 10 minutes in length. Have your teacher help you prepare and check the audition CD. Make application using NFMC
performance that is considered. Applicants may enter several times if they have never been the first place winner. An applicant must have reached their twelfth but not their nineteenth birthday. The overall national first place award is $2000 and the second place award is $1500. Regional awards are $700. If there are no performances that are considered worthy, a regional award will not be given. The judge’s decision is final. Rules and Requirements are found in NFMC Form JR 16-1.
Joyce Walsh, 1924 - 2014 Form JR 16-2. It is important that your application be legible. We look forward to your applications and auditions. Do your best and good luck!
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Visit the Competitions & Awards page for more information.
National Federation of Music Clubs
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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 23
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National Music Week May 1-8, 2016
Music... Notes to the Future May 7-14, 2017
Music... An Adventure for Life SOUTH CAROLINA FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS
by Helena S. Meetze, National Music Week National Chairman
SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY ENTRY NOW!! The NFMC theme for the 2016 contest is: “Music…Notes to the Future”. This Essay Contest for our Juniors provides a wonderful avenue to encourage expressing ideas about music in the future and to suggest ways to keep the love of music thriving. HELENA S. MEETZE, PRESIDENT COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA
Please observe these guidelines in order for your submission to qualify: 1. Students in grades 7-12 eligible. 2. Postmark deadline – January 15, 2016. 3. Maximum of 500 words. 4. $50.00 prize awarded to each declared state winner. 5. Find Application Form AR 13-1 online www.nfmc-music.org 6. Application and photo must be sent to regional chairman along with essay. 7. All information must be supplied, as indicated on application form. Winning essays and photos will appear in Junior Keynotes Magazine!
LET’S MAKE THIS OUR BEST YEAR EVER! 24 JUNIOR KE YNOTES
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Stillman Kelley & Thelma Byrum Awards Submitted by Nathalie Steinbach, Chairman Are you teaching any talented young instrumentalists who will not have reached their 19th birthday by March 1, 2016? Consider entering them in this competition. On the national level, there are 9 awards ranging from $200-$1000! Deadline 2/1/2016! For a complete set of rules, guidelines for repertoire and application forms go to the NFMC website www.nfmcmusic.org and download JR 13-1 and JR 13-2. All forms are also available to order from the National Federation of Music Clubs, 1646 W Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, IN 46142. The Stillman Kelley Competition was established in 1938 for the continued musical education of exceptionally talented junior members of the National Federation of Music Clubs. The Thelma Byrum Piano Award was added in 1980. It goes to the top scorer in piano unless that is Edgar Stillman Kelley the Stillman Kelley winner. In that case, the Byrum award goes to the next highest scorer in piano. Briefly: students enter first at the state level. The entrant makes a DVD of the program of 15 - 20 minute duration on his or her selected solo instrument performed entirely from memory. The application forms and DVD must reach the state chairman by February 1, 2016. Each state choses one winner to advance to national judging. Last year twelve states submitted entries for the Stillman Kelley and Thelma Byrum competitions. Six performances were for piano entries, three were for violin, two for viola and one for cello. Catch the SKTB fever and enter your winners! Contact: ymsfred@earthlink.net or 540-3736352.
J U N I O R M E M B E R F E AT U R E
MRS.
RAZZLE DAZZLE The name Mrs. Razzle Dazzle is used with permission. Copyright Faber Piano Adventures. All rights reserved.
Submitted by Samantha Strunk, past Alabama Junior Newsgatherer One of the most wonderful qualities of music is that it can be interpreted in an infinite number of ways. A single song has the ability to strike ninety-nine different people in ninetynine completely different fashions. How we as individuals interpret, analyze, and express music stems from the one who guides us to love it. The Alabama FMC includes an incredible number of talented musicians. Within each club, the students are eager to learn and work hard to perfect songs, styles, and rhythms. Also within each club is a teacher working tirelessly to instill a love of music in his/her pupils. In Federation, we often focus on the many successes of the students who are dedicating a portion of their lives to the study of music. However, it is important to recognize that we musical apprentices do not master music overnight or on our own. Behind every trophy awarded or student recognized, stands an ecstatic teacher proudly beaming. It is the leaders of these clubs that make the groups who they are. Our teachers are the ones who shape us. They are the ones who never give
up on us. And yes, they are the ones who look at our meager practice time and shake their heads. They do so much more than teach us notes, rhythms, and time signatures. These instructors step up and take an active role in our lives. They give us a place to vent about practically anything and teach us how to reflect and express these emotions in the music we play. In addition to teaching us theory and expression, our music instructors teach us even more about life. At the Magic Fingers Junior Music Club, located in Talladega, AL, that dedication is apparent in the way that my piano teacher, Pamela Thomson, interacts with each of her students. Every student is unique in his learning habits, and every student requires something just a little different – specifically geared toward him in order to maximize what he gets out of piano. Whether it’s the way that Mrs. Razzle-Dazzle (as she is affectionately known by some of her younger students) takes the time to pick out pieces that fit each student’s personality and ability or the way that she sets up ‘mock’ festival practices. Every student (from age four to eighteen)
Guidelines for Publication This year, we are implementing a few new guidelines for the Junior Keynotes Magazine. Our purpose is to maximize the space we have and to be impartial and all-inclusive in coverage. Please know that we appreciate your contributions of news and advertising. We want to tell the NFMC story in the best way possible. Help us do that!
participates in a Christmas Piano Party by dressing up in festive attire and enacting a musical Christmas story. Students who have learned other musical instruments often perform together and explain a bit about their instruments. At the end of this unforgettable night, everyone partakes in homemade holiday goodies – a feast fit for children and overactive imaginations. And it truly is unforgettable! Of the many things that her now-adult former piano students mention, the Christmas Piano Party is always remembered - and always recalled with that child-like joy and a twinkle in their eyes. In conversing with piano students from several different clubs and considering my own experience, I have come to realize just who a teacher is. A teacher is someone who cares enough to “go the extra mile.” A teacher not only shows a student the structure of a scale, she also is consistently there when it seems as though no one else may be. Our musical mentors are some of our strictest instructors and some of our closest friends. Cherish them!
✔ We will try not to duplicate news in both Music Clubs Magazine and Junior Keynotes. News which applies to Juniors will go in Keynotes, all else will go in MCM.
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See your Junior Counselor or teacher if you’d like to read or subscribe to Music Clubs Magazine (MCM) and find out about what’s happening in our Senior and our Student/Collegiate worlds.
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We welcome submissions, but they may have to be edited for space. We may have to limit photos unless there are several different topics with pictures. Coverage will be dictated by space available. We will always try to be fair.
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Submit only the highest quality pictures. We may ask for better ones if the ones you send have been edited to reduce pixel count or to save storage space in your files.
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S C AT T E R E D N O T E S
Scattered Notes ALABAMA Alabama Junior Convention 2015 submitted by Isaac Fowler, State Junior News Gatherer
The Alabama State convention of the Junior Division of Alabama Federated Music Clubs was held on April 11, 2015 at Southside Baptist Church in Fayette, Alabama. Attendees were welcomed at registration with a beautifully designed commemorative T-shirt as a memento of the Convention, and with refreshments and lovely decorations based on the NFMC theme: “Music: the Heartbeat of the Soul.” The meeting was called to order by President Madison Williams of the Winston County Piano Artists JMC, the Invocation, Welcome and Response were given and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Abigail Lovelace of RichSchool JMC. The singing of “America” was directed by Madison Williams and accompanied by Katie Humphries of Winston County Piano Artists JMC. The Federation Hymn was then directed by Isaac Fowler of Treble Melody JMC and the Collect was led by Karina Hurtado of Magic Fingers JMC. After the reading and approval of the Minutes, the Hymn of the Month, “Blessed Assurance” was directed by Abby West and accompanied by Whitney Webb, both of the Winston County Piano Artists JMC. The guests were then introduced and Mrs. Renee Richardson, 4th Vice President of the AFMC, spoke to the convention on “Things Junior.” The AFMC Auditions report, the announcement of the Junior Composer , National Music Week Essay winners and the Festival report were given.
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This was followed by the Newsgatherer’s report and the Roll Call of Junior Clubs. Honor Students performed a wonderful recital after which Federation Cups were presented by Chairman, Mary Ellen Sanford. A delicious luncheon of catfish with all the trimmings was enjoyed, along with lots of fun and games and fellowship. During the afternoon session, Mrs. Iva Gardner Wooten and some of her students, former students and friends presented a very interesting and informative program on the art and history of solfege and shaped note singing. The next order of business was distributing certificates and awards. New officers were elected and installed. They are: President - Samantha Strunk, Vice-President - Katie Humphres, Secretary - Whitney Webb, and News Gatherer - Isaac Fowler. The Junior Pledge was led by former President of the Junior Division of AFMC, Diana Thomson. The meeting was adjourned. Mrs. Renee Richardson is to be congratulated for such a wonderful convention. Also thanks are due to several AFMC members and to local parents volunteering their assistance.
NORTH DAKOTA Changing Times in Minot, ND submitted by Arnola Leverson, President The Minot Piano Teachers Club, of Minot, ND, will be renamed Schumann Music Guild. We hope to attract new members who are music lovers, artists, and performers in addition to our current base of teacher members. Read more about this change in Music Clubs Magazine. In 1921 the Schumann Choral Club was formed in Minot, later becoming the Schumann Club. The club became federated with NFMC in 1922. In 1984, they disbanded and The Minot Piano Teachers Club became federated in order to continue sponsoring the Federated Junior Festivals. In honor of and thanks to the Schumann Club for their rich legacy, we will now be known as Schumann Music Guild. We hope that we can continue to provide programs that enrich the lives of our members and our community.
By Grace Noel, student of Phyllis Chvostal, Wexford, PA
S C AT T E R E D N O T E S
EDITOR’S CHALLENGE
Did you figure out the story behind “A Forest Violet” by John Steinfeldt?
Insignia? Bring it On!
This is Virginia Kane’s favorite composition by Steinfeldt. In fact, she’ll be performing it in a February Tuesday Musical Club recital featuring several Steinfeldt selections arranged for two pianos. You might think the title tells the story but the piece is not strictly about the flower. It’s about the discovery of the violet. Steinfeldt was on a nature hike in Germany, taking a break from his composition studies with Moskowski and Lestisky, when he came upon a wondrous sight. In the midst of a bubbling brook rose a large rock where crevices allowed a lovely violet to grow. Steinfeldt uses this piano solo to communicate his discovery and subsequent indecision about whether to pick this beautiful flower or to leave it. See if you can find the musical point where he first discovers the violet. Then find his question “And what should I do?” The last measure is his question to us: “And what do you think I did?” When students asked him what he did, Steinfeldt’s answer was always “I am not going to tell you. It’s in the music!” When Steinfeldt taught Virginia this piece, he marked a fermata in the score and complained that his first publisher had omitted this critical marking. Can you figure out where that fermata should go? You decide! It’s your journey of discovery through music!
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Insignia (“emblem, token, symbol”) is defined as symbols or tokens of an official body of jurisdiction. Most organizations have some sort of pin, badge, patch or other unique “emblem, token or symbol” which can be worn or displayed in a manner that identifies its members. NFMC is one of those organizations. In fact, there is NFMC insignia designed specifically for Junior Counselors and for Junior Club members! Do you have any NFMC insignia? Show me the photos! I’ll reserve space in Junior Keynotes Magazine for a photo collage of our Junior members displaying NFMC insignia. Submit high resolution photos by February 1st for publication in the Spring 2016 issue.
American Music 8-1/2" x 11" Posters • Available Now!
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the National federation of music clubs 1646 W. Smith Valley Road | Greenwood, IN 46142 | 317.882.4003 | info@nfmc-music.org | www.nfmc-music.org
Winter 2016
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JUNIOR KE YNOTES 27
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Submit all materials to the Junior Keynotes Editor by the time frame listed: • Front Cover Artwork: Juniors, 8.5 x 11, Pen and ink w/color drawings, collages and photography will be considered. Please send original artwork by mail, or email high resolution PDF files. • Photos: Please email good-quality, high resolution digital images accompanied by a news article in Word format.
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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views of the National Federation of Music Cubs or of Junior Keynotes Magazine. Annual Subscription Price: A subscription is included in each Junior Counselor’s membership dues. Additional subscriptions are available for $6. See PR 12-1 for bulk pricing. Single Issue: Purchase extra single issues for $3 each. Use PR 12-1 Magazine Order Form.