May Announcements

Awards Recital
It pains me to say this, but our Awards Recital will be canceled. Due to the uncertainty of when we can have large group gatherings again, I can't even plan to reschedule. So I have decided just to cancel it for this year. For the past 13 years I've put together a recital in May. So this is very sad for me. Since there is not a recital the last week of May, I will extend a week of lessons through the end of May for those who would like one.

Summer Lesson Schedule
Summer lessons will begin June 8th. Should you want a different lesson time for the summer, let me know. Otherwise, lessons will remain at their same time. I will resume in person lesson in June only for those who feel comfortable doing so. Should you prefer to continue with remote lessons during the summer, that is fine as well. If you plan on coming to the school for lessons, you'll need to stop by the office and get your temperature taken. If you have any symptoms or signs of feeling ill, you should plan on doing remote lessons.

Senior Recognition
I have six seniors this year, so I am really sad I can't honor them properly at a recital. But here they are:


Haley Bondurant- Haley is graduating from Pace High School. She plans to attend Mississippi State University in the fall to study Music Education. Her favorite piece has been "Symphony of Spring" by Kevin Costley. She began studying piano in the first grade and has studied with me since the 5th grade.

Clark Dunham - Clark is graduating from Trinitas Christian School. He is attending US Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, NY to study Marine Engineering. His favorite piano piece has been "He is Born" arranged by Wendy Stevens. He started playing the piano in kindergarten.

Ella Griffith - Ella is graduating from the IB program at Pensacola High School . She plans to attend the University of Notre Dame to double major in German and Biochemistry. She has loved so many of the pieces she's learned, but says she'll always remember "Le Salon de Musique" by Eugenie Rocherolle. She started playing the piano in the 2nd grade and began studying with me in the 6th grade.

Katie Hilliard - Katie Hilliard is graduating from Pace High School and plans to attend University of West Florida to study Music Education. Her favorite piece has been "La Chapelle" by Eugenie Rocherolle. She began studying piano in kindergarten and began studying with me in the 3rd grade.
                          


Erica Radcliffe - Erica is graduating from Trinitas Christian School and plans to attend St. Andrews College in Scotland or Willamette Univeristy in Salem, Oregon to study Medieval Studies and Biology. Her favorite song she has sung is "Solveig's Song" by Edvard Grieg. She started voice lessons with me in the 11th grade.

Kiley Talbert - Kiley is graduating from home school. She plans to attend Pensacola State College to finish her AA degree, and then she will pursue studies in hospitality. Her favorite piece has been Bouree in E Minor from Suite in E Minor for Lute by JS bach. She began studying piano in the 6th grade and has been with me since the start.

April Announcements

Welcome to April. Wow what a year. Here are several recaps, updates, and announcements.

Lessons are being held remotely for the time being. Once things get back to normal, I'll let you know when we're ready to move back to lessons in my classroom. I can't wait for that day. =)
Here are some things you can do to help to make these lessons successful.
1. Set up the camera off the piano. If you don't have a tripod, try setting it up on an end table on books. It is best for me if the camera is at a side shot of the piano. This shot is preferred.


2. Have all your books, flashcards, and a pencil ready at the piano before the lesson starts.
3. Keep a quiet atmosphere in the room. I know. We're all at home with the kids. But for that lesson time, you can help me by reducing noise.
4. Students will need to fill out their assignment sheets.

Spring Recital
I have no answer right now. If we can have one, I'd love to of course. But I just don't know. I'll update you when I do know.

Student Day
Our state is moving forward with Student Day, however it will be through video submission.

Written Theory Tests: It is expected that the student would take this test without any help beyond clarifying instructions.

Aural Theory Tests: A link to a video will be provided to teachers. This can be shared with students. It is expected that the student would take this test the first time they watch the video, would only watch the video once, and would not have access to a keyboard or other helps while taking the test.

Playing Audition:
1. The student should clearly state their name and the level they are entering at the beginning of the video. DO NOT HAVE THEM SAY THE TEACHER’S NAME 2. The audition must be one continuous video.
2. Technical skills should be completed first. You will receive a list of which 10 skills to complete on the video. A parent or teacher may assist with this portion by reading the questions for students in lower levels.
3. The student should state the name of each piece before playing.
4. The camera should be focused on the student and instrument throughout the audition. For pieces that require memory, the camera should clearly show the student is not using music. The video does not need to show the musical score at any point during the audition. Accompaniment is not required.

Uploading the Audition:
1. The teacher will be provided with a link to the upload location. This can be shared with students.
2. The file must be named “instrument-level-lastname-firstname”
3. Submitted files will be shared with judges for evaluation and a portion of the video may be cut to be included in an Honors Recital video.

Sonata Contest Recap
Congratulations to the following students for their participation in the PMTA Sonata Contest

Alek Agustin - Honorable Mention
Hadassah Cowart - 1st Place
Jackson Cowart - 3rd Place
Sophia Cowart - 1st Place
Clark Dunham - Participation
Rachel Hedaria - 3rd Place
Reena Lin - 1st Place
Landon Varela - 1st Place
Olivia Varela - 1st Place

March Announcements

Sonata Contest Results


I had 9 music students participate in the Pensacola Music Teachers Association Sonata Contest at UWF on Saturday, March 7. This year 485 students and 55 teachers from the area participated in the contest in piano, voice, strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion.

First Place 

Sophia Cowart – Piano 2A
Hadassah Cowart – Piano 3B
Reena Lin - Piano 6B
Landon Varela – Piano 3C
Olivia Varela – Piano 4A

Third Place 
Jackson Cowart – Piano 4B
Rachel Hedaria - Piano 6B

Honorable Mention (10)
Alek Agustin - Piano 4A

Participation (5)
Chris Dunham – Piano 7A


Remote Lessons


During this time of school closure I am transitioning to web-based music lessons. I will let you know when my school reopens and we can resume face-to-face lessons. Here's what that will look like for now. I will be available during our regular lesson time. If that is a problem, please let me know, as I cannot be “on call” all day long. Once a lesson time is established, that is the time I will be prepared to teach. Missing that time would be just like being absent from a lessons. If you choose not to participate in these remote lessons, you can submit a video of your student playing his assignment, and I will reply with feedback and the following week's assignment.

Student Guidelines for Remote Lessons

1. Space Set Up

• The camera should be set up to give a side view of the student seated at the piano so the teacher can see the students full arm and hand.
• The lesson space should be well lit and free of all other distractions (pets, siblings, etc).

2. Connection Platform

• Be prepared to use Zoom, Skype, or Facetime for lesson connections, based on a mutually agreed upon platform.

3. Materials Needed

• All lesson books and materials should be at the piano, as well as a writing utensil. A phone or computer with an internal camera will be needed, as well as an internet connection.

4. Other Factors

• Be sure the student is ready promptly at the lesson start time. Students should be prepared to focus on the lesson for the entire duration.
• An adult should be present at the start and end of the lesson. It is recommended that children under the age of 8 have an adult present for the entire lesson.

While this is different than our usual routine, I am excited to still progress with your student in learning more about music. Let me know if I can be of any help. I will contact you individually about setting up a lesson time.

Sonata Contest

Pensacola Music Teachers Association
Sonata and Scholarship Contest
March 7, 2020
UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts

Alek A             3:33  Room 137
Hadassah C     5:07 Room 206
Jackson C        4:09  Room 109
Sophia C         4:30   Room 206
Chris D           4:58 Room 106
Rachel H         11:33  Room 137
Reena L           11:41  Room 137
Landon V       12:25 Room 108
Olivia             12:00 Room 206

Be sure to bring your original music with you, not a photocopy. Please let me know how your student does. If you can, send me a picture to post.
Here is a link to the Sonata Contest t-shirt. Those who like Star Wars and Mandlorian will enjoy this. 2020 if the 250 birthday of Beethoven.
http://www.pmta.info/uploads/1/3/0/4/13044669/proof_1.jpg

Catherine Rollin & Federation Festival

Catherine Rollin Composer Recital
January 18th, 2020
Myrtyle Grove Baptist Church
5920 Lillian Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32506

1:00 Masterclass

Paris Johnson

3:15-4:15 Recital

Sebastian Bradley    The Shark

Ephraim Brito           The Kangaroo That Almost Flew

Daniel Ibrahim         My Laughing Chimpanzee

Joshua Ibrahim         Tango Dramatico  

Ezekiel Brito             Spanish Fire

Rebecca Bradley      El Conquistador

Landon Varela      The Nut Gatherers

Olivia Varela          Mona Lisa

For Second Recital - 4:45-5:45

Savannah Ryan          My Duck Loves to Quack

Christian Golino       American Gothic

Evana Lin                Pirate's Tarentella

Emily Wagner         Iberian Nocturne

Reena Lin                Prelude No 2 in C Major

Federation Festival is quickly approaching. Please make sure your student is preparing and memorizing their music well these last few weeks. As always, I will host a Prep Class. (Great way to get an extra lesson if your student was sick.)

Festival Prep Class
When: Sat, Feb 1st
Where: My classroom at Trinitas Christian School
Time:  9AM-11AM
What: Everyone will get a chance to perform one (or two) of their pieces for the group. This is also when you till take your official Theory Test.

* Please sign up on my board or via e-mail so I know who to expect. If you miss this day, you will need to take the Theory Test the day of Festival.

Federation Festival
When: Sat, Feb 8
Where: Northwest Florida State College
100 College Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578
Arts Center Music Wing
Time: Assigned. See Below

Directions from Pensacola: Take I-10 East towards Tallahassee. Take exit 56 (State Road 85 South). Turn RIGHT off of the exit and go 15 miles. You will drive through Crestview, and Hurlbrt Field (Eglin Air Force). Stay LEFT when the road splits. You will see ball fields and the college on your left. Turn left onto College Blvd. Take the SECOND entrance (should be marked with Arts Center). Turn RIGHT to the parking lot. Enter through the main doors, which are to the left of the fountain and statues. There is a museum if you have some free time that you may want to check out.

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your group start time and stay for the whole hour. There are warm up practice rooms on a first come basis. You may or may not see me as I will be accompanying singers and working, but I hope to greet you if I can. Once your group is done, a certificate with a rating will be given right away. Once you have that, you are done. Please remember to bring your music books. You cannot qualify for a score without the original music. I will get official results/judges comments at the end of the day. If your student is up for a Gold Cup Trophy, that will be ready to be presented at the Recital in May.

Alek A             10:00     Bird's Eye & Sonatina, Mvt 2
Sebastian B     2:30      Basketball Star & The Shark
Becca B           2:30      Raindrops On My Roof & Sonatina in C
Ephraim B       1:30      Basketball Star & The Kangaroo That Almost Flew
Ezekiel B         1:30      Spanish Dance & Spanish Fire
Trenton B        1:30       Boogie Blues Riff & Left Alone
Jeremiah B      11:00     Little David, Play On Your Harp and Ombra Mai Fu
Gabbie C         10:00      Prarie Wind & Swirling Brook
Alijah C            1:30      Raindrops on My Roof & Morning
Hadassah C    2:30     Woodland Farewell & Hummingbird
Jackson C       2:30     Winter Memories & King William's March
Sophia C         2:30     Pirate's Tarentella & Silver Medal Sonatina, Mvt 3
Monroe C        1:30     Nice Exotic Blend & Monsters on the Run
Chris D            11:00   Serenade & Sonata in D
Carl D              11:00   Big Easy Blues & Solfeggietto
Clark D            11:00   Sonatine Mvt 1 & Sonatina op 20
Christian G      3:30     American Gothic & Picnic on the Seine
Rachel H         3:30    Romanza & Sonatina in C# Minor
Daniel I            2:30    Ninja Power & My Laughing Chimpanzee
Joshua I          2:30    Tango Dramatico & Spanish Dance
Paris J            3:30     Romanza & Sonatina in A Minor
Evana L          1:30     Pirate's Tarentella & Autumn Mist
Reena L         1:30     Spokana Falls & Sonatina in C#Minor
Skylar N         10:00   She's Like the Swallow & Beneath Weeping Willow Shade
Erica R           1:30     Beatitudes & Ave Maria
                      2:30      Without You & Journey to the Past
Savannah R  3:30      Crazy for Lemons & My Duck Loves to Quack
Drew S          3:30      Bird's Eye & The Bear
Grace T         3:30      Nightingale & Two Marionettes
Landon V      3:30      Winter Memories & Sonatina, Mvt 2
Lawson V     3:30      My Imaginary Friend & Tucker's Secret Life
Olivia V        3:30      Mona Lisa & Sonatina
Emily W       3:30      Beauty in the Rose Garden & Solfeggietto

Catherine Rollin Recital

Catherine Rollin is one of the leading composers in the piano pedagogy world today. She has over 100 pieces of music published by Alfred Publishing, one of the biggest music publishers in America. She is a sought after clinician, speaker, adjudicator, and teacher.

She will be in Pensacola on January 18! Local music teachers will have a session with her in the morning then...she will have a meet and greet student recital for anyone who is playing any of her music. She will have a time for pictures and autographs and also work with each pianist for 5-10 minutes. There will be two recitals in the late afternoon on Saturday, January 18 at Myrtle Grove Baptist church. PMTA is sponsoring this, so there is no cost for your student to participate in this. There is no new music your student has to learn. Your child already has a composition of hers he is working on.

I really would like your child to participate in this day. Please RSVP and let me know if I can reserve a spot for you. If so, please make sure your child comes back in January ready with their Catherine Rollin piece.

Here is a link to learn more about her: https://www.alfred.com/authors/catherine-rollin/