Autumn 2019: Questions & Answers
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
Note from Sam Holland The great psychologist, Abraham Maslow once observed, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” C.S. Lewis noted, “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” Changes are coming in...
Myra Hess and Wartime London, 1939-1945
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
Are the arts a societal luxury or a necessity? How do people respond to the arts during times of suffering and destruction? The destruction of World War II threatened hope and morale, even in brave England. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspired his people to...
Appreciating Our Inheritance of Piano Technique Literature
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
Pianist and pedagogue Joseph Hofmann states: “To transmit one’s matured conception to one’s auditors requires a considerable degree of mechanical skill, and this skill, in its turn, must be under absolute control of the will.”1 After all, how can a pianist be expressive in his...
Examining the Life and Works of Louise Farrenc
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
Female composers have been historically underrepresented in the canon of piano literature. Although celebrated in her time, Louise Farrenc—French composer, virtuoso pianist, editor, and professor at the Paris Conservatory—is generally unheard of today. Her works for solo piano include several collections for beginning through advanced...
Autumn 2019: Book Review
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
In Transformational Piano Teaching: Mentoring Students from All Walks of Life, Derek Kealii Polischuk provides an overview of various student populations we might encounter as piano teachers, and offers snapshots of how to work with and engage these seemingly disparate groups. “The book examines the role of mentor, a role that...
Autumn 2019: Pupil Saver: The Peacock by Olive Dungan
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
Olive Dungan’s intermediate solo, The Peacock (a Poem without Words) was first published in 1953. I have found that students today still delight in this musical depiction of a beautiful majestic bird. Olive writes in the score, “The composer trusts that the pianist will create the magnificent and slow walk...
Autumn 2019: New Music & Materials
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
(S4-5) PIANO PIECES by Otilie Sukov Very little is known about the composer Otilie Suková (1878–1905), yet a great deal is known about her famous father, Antonín Dvorák. Nonetheless, Bärenreiter Urtext has presented pianists with a gem: a collection of four short piano pieces by this relatively unknown composer. The pieces—”Humoresque,”...
First Looks: Music for Young Children® (MYC®), A group piano program for young children
Autumn 2019; Vol. 11, No. 4
MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (MYC) is a piano-focused music curriculum designed for age-based classes of up to six children (ages 3–9). Founded in Canada by Frances Balodis program’s focus on group learning and parental involvement. in 1980, it was most recently revised in 2015, and is now an international program overseen by directors Olivia and David Ridell. MYC...
2019 Collegiate Writing Contest Winner: Helping Students Develop a Mature “Why”
2019 Collegiate Writing Contest Winner: Alissa Dorman This past May, the Piano Magazine held the ninth annual Collegiate Writing Contest. Collegiate students from across the country submitted 1,500-word essays on pedagogical topics of their choosing. The essays were blind reviewed by a panel of pedagogy professors: Dr. Barbara Fast, Tony...
A Life Among Legends: an impresario looks back, part II
September 2016; Vol. 8, No. 5
Many of the biggest musicians of the twentieth century have worked with Jacques Leiser: Richter, Michelangeli, Berman, Arrau, Cziffra, and Callas, to name just a few. As an agent, impresario, and photographer, Leiser helped direct the stunning careers of many household names. Such a life...
Piano Maestro
September 2016; Vol. 8, No. 5
Not too long ago (say, way back in the 1990s), if you wanted to learn to play the piano, you basically had two options: you could find a teacher and take traditional lessons, or you could buy a book and try to teach yourself. With...
Piano Marvel
September 2016; Vol. 8, No. 5
OVERVIEW Price: • Free for level 1 materials. Premium account ($15/month or $99/year) provides full access to all levels. • Some repertoire must be purchased in addition to the subscription. • The teacher and student both need subscriptions. Students are “linked” to teacher accounts upon...
Playground Sessions
September 2016; Vol. 8, No. 5
by Kristin Cahill OVERVIEW: • PRICE AND OPTIONS: -$9.99/month (billed annually); includes $20 in song credits -$17.99 for a single month; includes one free song -$269.99 lifetime membership; includes $40 in song credits *All subscriptions have full access to Playground software, community features (social media,...
September 2016: Mind Matters: Retirement
September 2016; Vol. 8, No. 5
Imagine this: for many years you and your students have created many personal memories and memorable musical moments. You have contributed to your profession and felt emotionally enriched and, sometimes, financially rewarded. You have established a home, found a satisfying personal and family life, and...
Are you a workaholic? Seven ways piano teachers can fight this damaging behavior
September 2016; Vol. 8, No. 5
Authors note: They say it “takes one to know one,” and I humbly submit this as someone who struggles with working too much, simply because I love what I do! I hope these thoughts and tips help you as much as they have helped me....