The

Music Note University of Miami-Frost School of Music

Spring 2009

Piano Preparatory Program

Greetings

Inside

The end of the semester is quickly approaching! The year has been full of musical growth, new friendships and personal achievements. I have been very proud of the dedication and hard work given by each student in the program. Just because the end of the semester is near that does not mean that your music lessons need to end. This summer we will be offering a variety of music camps and private lessons to choose from to fit your summer vacation schedules. More information can be found in this newsletter. The final recital in Gusman Concert Hall is always an exciting and memorable event. Don’t forget your cameras! Please read through The Music Note to be informed about upcoming events and helpful information about the program.

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Final Recital Info

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Mana-Zucca Composer Series Recital

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Summer Music Lessons

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Community Service Event

Musically Yours,

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Program’s New Blog

Megan Walsh, DMA

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Registration 2009-2010

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Private Piano Lesson Information

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Practicing/Theory

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64 Toy Piano Event

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Performance Etiquette

Director, Piano Preparatory Program

The Music Note

Spring 2009

“Kun” 64 Pianists at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens By: Natalya Doris Piano Prep Program Student Grade 8

The smell of the ocean, the feeling of the wind on your face, the view of the magnificent garden, and the sound of 64 musicians playing toy pianos made up the scene at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on Sunday, April 26. Who knew that a garden could become this alive? This event by Wendy Mae Chambers, named “Kun,” which musically represents the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching (the ancient Chinese book of divination), featured 32 black and 32 white toy pianos, forming 32 pairs of pianos around the gardens playing six minute long duets. “Several students and teachers from the Piano Preparatory Program took part in this wonderful event” said Program Director Megan Walsh. Performers included Prep Program faculty members: Oona Gonzalez, Hugh Gonglewski, Joan Williams, Laura Keith, Maggie Rolka, Megan Walsh and also included two students: Natalya Doris and Isabella Norcini. Some people walked by and paused for a moment to hear each unique piece. Others took pictures of the pianists with beautiful landscape surrounding them. “The music brought life to the garden and made it much prettier,” said student Isabella Norcini. It was an outstanding way to enjoy being in Miami, where water and land unite and form remarkable scenery.

An Evening of Mana-Zucca’s Music By: Laura Keith Piano Prep Program Faculty Member

On February 28th Students and Faculty members of the Piano Prep Program performed in an all ManaZucca concert in Clarke Hall. Ms. Keith gave a powerpoint presentation of the life and works of ManaZucca which gave the audience a better picture of who she was and how she was a prominent member of Miami’s music community for many years. In attendance where Mana-Zucca’s grandsons: Bradely, James and Michael Cassel and their families, and her nephew John Cassel. Performers included: Angel Perez, Brooke Scott, Paula Hernandez, Tan Abascal, Gabriel Telleria, Janet Stearns, Rosangel Perez, Zachary Cardenas, Kevin Hoffer-Hawlik, Michael Hoffer-Hawlik, Adrienne Cassel, Brandon Cassel, Megan Walsh and Laura Keith. 2

The Music Note

Spring 2009

The Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tour By: Michael Hoffer-Hawlik Piano Prep Program Student Grade 10

Gusman Concert Hall

The program would like to thank the Symphonettes for their involvement with the Piano Prep Program. Symphonettes is a high school women’s organization that volunteers at music events throughout the local area. The group assisted at all of our Studio Classes. We look forward to working with them again next year!

I would also like to thank all of the young teaching assistants who gave of their time and talents this year: Seana Bruff, Marcelo Norcini, Isabella Norcini, Natalya Doris, Jane Allen, Mary Grace Darmody, Katrina Tomas, Alexa Chaname, Michael Hoffer-Hawlik and Matthew Hoffer-Hawlik.

Five years ago my brother Matthew started the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Tour. For the past two years I have taken over as the director and organizer of this event. This is our fifth year of collaborating with the University of Miami’s Piano Preparatory Program in this community service project. On March 15 we visited the Miami Jewish Home for the third time. The Barr, Hawlik, and Gellman families, along with Temple Beth Am and The Sweet Tooth, helped make this event possible. Musicians from the Preparatory Program volunteered and provided a live musical concert for the elderly and, as is our tradition, handed out our delectable chocolate covered strawberries. The highlight of this event was our sharing, interacting, and connecting with the elderly. I am grateful to all of you who participated and hope you will volunteer next year to be apart of this beautiful, rewarding experience. Thank you again! Performers: Juan Andres Gomez, Chiara Jacobus, William Christian, Madeline Feinberg, Carly Feinberg, Alexander Yagoda, Rylie Love, Makenzie Love, Carson Hoffer-Hawlik, Michael Hoffer-Hawlik, Matthew Hoffer-Hawlik, Gabriel Telleria and Justin Telleria.

Performance Etiquette By: Oona Gonzalez Piano Prep Program Faculty Member Everyone knows that performers have an important job to do, but people often forget that audience members have a job too! It may not be as difficult, but it is just as important. The two most important things for good audience members to remember are to be quiet, and be still. If you have very young children that may not be able to make it through the entire performance quietly, it may be best to leave them at home. Also, once you arrive at the concert, please stay for the entire performance! Leaving after your child’s performance is disrespectful to all the other performers who have worked so hard to prepare for this moment. And finally, please turn off your cell phone! Performers have a lot less to remember – because most of their work is already done! One of the most important things you can do is to dress appropriately. For boys, this means pants and a dress shirt, at a minimum, and for girls, a dress or skirt that reaches at least to the knee, or dress pants and a top. By the time your recital day arrives, you have been practicing your pieces for months and you are ready to show off the results of your hard work. Remember, nobody is perfect and everybody makes mistakes, but if you have prepared diligently and give your best effort, you will be rewarded with a performance to be proud of!

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The Music Note

Spring 2009

The Importance of Summer Piano Study By: Joan Williams Piano Prep Program Teaching Assistant

Students and parents both look forward to a summer free of classes and a full of opportunities to explore things outside of the classroom environment. In addition to taking a break from school, students often cease piano instruction during the summer. Upon return to school, teachers are faced with having to review concepts learned previously that students had seemed to grasp easily. Piano teachers must cope with the same review, but it is not only mental review, but tactile and aural as well. The student's learning is thus slowed due to the lack of consistent practice throughout the summer months. Summer piano study is beneficial for both students and parents, who are able to see the results of solid practice at a more predictable rate.

Summer Music Lessons and Camps Private Piano Lessons Private lessons can be arranged throughout the summer at your convenience. This is a great option if you are planning around vacations and need a flexible schedule Group Ensemble Class Fun group ensemble classes will take place throughout the summer. This is a great way to improve sight-reading skills and interact with new friends. Classes will take place 4:30-6:00. This class is arranged to accommodate students who are in an all day sports or academic camp. Summer Camp Two different weeklong sessions will be offered this summer. The day will consist of Group ensemble classes, music theory, music games, outside activities, etc. The camp will run from 9am-3pm. Session I: June 15-19 Session II: July 20-24

Program’s New Blog Thanks to Norito Irei, a new doctoral student in Piano Performance at the University of Miami-Frost School of Music, the Piano Preparatory Program has a blog. I encourage all of the families to submit videos and photos of your children at any of the program’s events. Please email Norito at [email protected] and he will upload your files. The blog will also serve as a way to communicate about upcoming events and share information about past events. I would like to see in the near future articles written from the students about their musical experiences in the program. If you child is interested in writing for the blog or for The Music Note please contact me and I will give you more information. The blog address is: http://umprep.blogspot.com -----------------------------------------

Jazz, Rock, Boogie and Blues Camp This camp will provide an opportunity for students to learn and play music in a variety of popular styles. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels will be offered. If interested, please contact Hugh Gonglewski at 305-772-7459 *There will be more information about each summer camp at the final recital. You can sign-up then if you are interested in attending any of the classes. 4

On April 11th UM piano professor Dr. Paul Posnak conducted a music theory masterclass for the advanced students. Felipe Herrera performed for the event. This highly interactive event was a great success.

The Music Note

Spring 2009

Practicing By: Katrina Tomas Piano Prep Program Student Grade 9 The soft tinkling of the keys paired with the serene silence of the audience fills my ears as I bounce through the speedy progressions of Kuhlau’s Sonatina in C major. My concentration is focused on the beautiful melodies and harmonies that I am creating. The sound resonates through the concert hall and fills my soul with happiness. I finish and promptly rise to bow embracing the rumble of approving claps and cheers. Quickly, I scan the crowd in search for my parents whose faces swell with gleaming pride as I settle my self in a seat next them, awaiting patiently for the next performer to play. The satisfaction of accomplishment swells inside of me creating an inexpressible joy. A joy I feel every time my fingers grace the black and white keys I have grown to love. Not long before, I feared that the burning passion to play was gone. Piano practice was a chore, a tiresome activity, something I only wished to avoid. I would sit down at the ebony bench with a sigh and tried in vain to play a piece I once new by heart. Entering my first year in high school did not help my skills, but minimized greatly my practice time. I found myself growing frustrated at lessons due to the lack of importance I was giving my musical talent. Soon, I stopped practicing, only touching the piano for the 45 minutes that I spent with my teacher. The absence of piano caused stress in my life to increase I was missing the outlet I once had, the break between my homework. I came to realize that life without practicing piano was working for no one I forced myself to make time to practice. For 15 minutes each day I would sit and tinker away at the keys, slowly building up my ability. I found the fire newly lit, and my abilities stronger than ever. I found myself sight-reading pieces, memorizing them quickly, and surprising my teacher with my improvement. To many kids who have tight schedules, demanding schoolwork, and countless activities, practicing is a chore forced upon by their parents. The truth is, that there is always just 15 minutes to spare in everyones day, we just have to make the little effort to open up the time, and use it wisely. Practicing piano does not have to be a whole day affair, nor does it need to take 30 minutes. Playing for 10-15 minutes everyday will give a healthy balance that will prove affective. Spending just a little bit of time every night on piano will allow exponential growth in your abilities to take place, allowing approving cheers and praise to fill you in a happy glow at your next piano recital.

Music Theory is Important! By: Katrina Tomas Piano Prep Program Student Grade 9 Parents and children alike probably ask themselves the same questions every few weeks when Saturday morning roles along. “Is it really worth going to theory?” The answer to this question is yes. Theory class is very important, and has helped me improve tremendously in piano. Just last Friday evening, at the Studio Class, I freaked and forgot my piece half way through the song. Thinking quick, I remembered the key I was in, switched occasionally to the Dominant and improvised the rest of the song. To any who heard, I had made no mistake. I stayed in C Major, switching to G every couple of times to add some variations. Had it not been for my theory classes, I would have stumbled across the song making countless mistakes. Not only in performances does theory come in handy, but also in learning pieces. Though we may not realize, learning the simple principle of inversions can help learning of piano pieces. Instead of memorizing a broken chord pattern, I can look at the chord I am playing whether it be a root position or an inversion. Identifying inversions makes memorizing a song easier. Since my theory classes, I have been able to sight-read piano music very quickly. Theory classes also provide the opportunity to learn the vocabulary that our musical “language” offers to us. It is one thing to be able to play the piano, but another to know exactly what you are playing. Theory lessons, especially the higher level classes, really help in the complete understanding of music. Not only is it very helpful in sticky situations, such as my studio class fumble, but it also helps in the playing and understanding of the piano. It is important to know what key you are playing in, its relative minor, and the history behind the composer. All of these things, though they may seem tedious and confusing at first, ultimately fit together I strongly stress the continuation of theory studies, and for those considering the entrance into a class, I highly recommend it. One hour once a week will enhance you and/or your child’s performance and ability in the musical world.

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Registration 2009-2010 Registration for next year will begin at the final recital on May 2nd. To reserve your space and to request a lesson day or time, please sign-up early. If you have a friend who is interested in joining the program please have them contact me soon. There will be limited spots available next year. Please visit the programs website, www.umpianoprep.org over the summer for updated information regarding new courses and important dates. I will be sending out a mailing in July with the 2009-2010 calendar along with more information regarding classes.

Final Spring Recital

When: May 2nd Time: 9a.m., 11a.m., 1p.m. and 3p.m. Where: Gusman Concert Hall at the Frost School of Music Dress: Formal

Music Theory Carnival

When: May 9th Time: Normal Theory Class Times Where: Volpe Building

University of Miami-Frost School of Music Piano Preparatory Program Address PO Box 248165 Coral Gables, FL 33146-7610

Phone 786-853-4041

Fax 305-284-2290

Email [email protected]

Website www.umpianoprep.org

Blog Site http://umprep.blogspot.com