In this issue
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
Recitals — When can I play?
Barbara Kreader, Editor Richard Chronister loved a good intellectual disagreement. I often think he founded the National Conference on Piano Pedagogy just so he could wander…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
What do college piano majors have to say about their piano study and practice?
Since many of our articles focus on what we, as teachers, think about the needs of the pre-college level student, I thought it would be interesting to…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
Some reflections on the 2005 National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP)
Elvina Pearce, Editor-in-Chief The third biennial National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP) was held August 4-6, 2005 at the Doubletree Chicago/Oak Brook Hotel. Under the sponsorship…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
What steps do you assign for the process of sight-reading?
Craig Sale, Editor When selecting questions to be addressed in Keyboard Companion, I am never sure of the question's success until the answers come in. I…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
Elementary graduation exercises
Scott McBride Smith, Editor I used to tell Richard Chronister, half-jokingly, "I'm your oldest disciple." From my vantage point, it was true. I had first heard…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
How do you teach the rhythm challenges of the Chopin “Prelude in E Minor”?
Bruce Berr, Editor There are certain pieces in the piano repertoire that are studied by almost everyone who plays for more than just a few years.…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
What experiences in your background influenced your decision to compete in the Van Cliburn Competition for Outstanding Amateurs?
Rebecca Johnson, Editor What do a Los Angeles composer of commercial music, the wife of a senator from Newfoundland, Canada, and a grandmother from South Carolina,…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
Ten years later — what are your adult students doing now?
Michelle Conda, Editor Twenty years ago Olive studied piano with me. We parted company after ten years only because she moved to Sedona, Arizona. However, we…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
Concertos, Part II: What are the first Mozart concertos you teach and why? And what other early advanced concertos do you recommend?
Nancy Bachus, Editor Last May I was filled with excitement and tension sitting in the crowded auditorium waiting for my student to enter the stage to…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
How do you use digital video in your teaching?
George Litterst, Editor It's easy. It's useful. It's fun. And, it's affordable. I won't delay you further with my comments on this subject. Below are inspiring…
Keyboard Companion Winter 2005; Vol. 16, No. 4
What is your policy regarding missed lessons, and do you allow special exceptions? — a nationwide survey
Helen Smith Tarchalski, Editor Lively debates often occur when teachers discuss the "missed lessons" topic. Second only to "What should I charge for lessons?", decisions about…