Upcoming Master Class with our Piano teacher Colleague, Joe Graziose

Words from Fred Barnett - Let's stop and think about what we are doing as piano teachers

  Our Higher Calling

As we go about our daily business of hopefully practicing, building repertoire, preparing students for recitals, NYSSMA, GUILD, competitions, developing sight reading, technique, interpretation, etc, just to name a few, one cannot help to sometimes wish to stop and reflect -

Is there a higher calling? Unequivocal answer: ABSOLUTELY!

If yes, is there, perhaps, some divine evidence of such a calling? Ditto!

Since childhood many of us have been inundated with reported signs of divine evidence, some perhaps fabricated, many clearly authentic: perfection of the universe, rising and falling sunsets, life itself, etc. And wouldn’t the divine creations of the Bachs, Beethovens, and Chopins during recent centuries and currently continuing also rate as nothing less than spectacular? Especially those whose time on earth never reached forty years?

The multi chaptered “Music and Its Secretive Influence,” by Cyril Scott, re-published in 2013, delves into such matters, even convincingly inferring that the music of the masters, the very music we teach, can be and often is construed as the voice of the Almighty.  Certainly recommended reading for music educators. Published by “Inner Traditions”

During this current and widespread malady of our era - inert “spectating” as never before - TV, the web, entertainment, sports, celebrity worship, etc. - what sets our SPTF apart is that our clientele are “doers and participants: our students.” As the great violinist, Isaac Stern, once mentioned in a chance encounter and chat again “hopefully some cultural achievement of note will somehow emerge in some pocket and hopefully escalate”

We are clearly on track and progressing in that direction.

 Fred Barnett

Job Opportunity

Michael Belajonas, long time faculty at SCCC has just opened beautifully renovated teaching space at 149 North Country Road in Port Jefferson.  Mike would like to bring in an experienced piano teacher qualified to teach through NYSSMA Level 6.  For further information, Mike may be reached at 631.363.0707 or by e-mail at belajom@sunysuffolk.edu.

The Well Balanced Pianist Announcement

The Well-Balanced Pianist
The Integrated Approach

Dear Friends,

I'm writing to tell you about a Well-Balanced Pianist program, New York 2015, that will take place at my house!

The Well-Balanced Pianist is an integrated program for piano study, for pianists at every level, that I founded and continue to direct. We have had weekend-long and week-long programs in Long Island, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Illinois since 2003. Since it is my dream program, I've included everything I think a pianist needs in order to improve in all aspects of playing and performing. I also have the privilege of choosing instructors whose work and integrity I respect.

Here are the details: we will meet in Stony Brook, NY from January 17-19. This session's clinics will focus on technique. Susan Nowicki and I will teach piano, and my own fantastic Feldenkrais (bodywork) instructor Sharon Oliensis will join us for classes and private sessions. We are also privileged to have the amazing certified and licensed Dalcroze Instructor Dorothea Cook teach us how to feel rhythm and meter through movement. Participants will have lessons, clinics, mindset discussions, an open forum for questions on technique, and a chance to play duets!

Enrollment is limited to 10 pianists (high school age and up) so we can provide personal attention and detailed intensive instruction. Obviously, space is limited, but I hope you or your students will consider joining us. The Early Bird registration deadline is October 15.

Please send any questions to me at tdybvig@gmail.com. And do feel free to forward this message.

Terry

Announcing - new Guild Chair For 2014 - 2014

We are lucky to be able to offer Guild to our students on Long Island.  It is programs like these that keep our students motivated.

Tamara Slobodkin is retiring from Guild chair and we thank her for keeping this valuable program going for many years.  Now we welcome Esther Chung Marks, who has volunteered as a Guild Chair to continue the good work of Tamara.  We are very grateful and appreciate her time towards this endeavor.

Pictures from the June Pot Luck

What fun! a Potluck!

A thank you note from one of our members

Dear Friends & Colleagues of SPTF,

 I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Johanna Kosak, our current president, Diane Gale, Ellen Spergel, Tami Levy, Fran Hanlon, & Karen Cellala our past presidents since the mid 1990's for their time and dedication to this outstanding organization. It's been aproximately 20 years of learning and growing with all of you. I enjoyed our journey together. I reach out to all of you with my sincere gratitude for unselfishly sharing your time, education, and talents with me throughout these years. You have all helped me in one way or another to grow in developing a full-time piano studio and giving my students opportunities to participate in recitals and competitions. I've enjoyed working with you at the recitals I participated in. As you are all aware piano is my secondary instrument. I was somewhat apprehensive at first to teach piano but after consulting with my piano teachers from Pa. and the help of this group, I now have full confidence in my teaching skills as an experienced teacher and will take all that I've learned from this organization with me. I'd just like to leave you with something I feel very passionate about. Always remember that everyone has strengths and weaknesses and has value in this organization. Pull from each other's strengths. listen to one another, and above all respect each other whether you are young or old. We can all learn and benefit from each other. 

Thank you again for your respect and friendship, 

Fondly,

 Linda Loeper

 P.S. You are all welcome to come and visit us in Florida. We will have a guest room. . Keep in touch.