Tempo Spring 2010 The Official Publication of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association Membership reinstatement 4 ARMTA AGM 2010 5 Festival Winners 2009 6 Silver Medals Awards 7 If I could share one thought 8 Around the Province 8 Understanding musician 10 injuries Music & HIV/AIDS 11 Editor’s picks 16 An interview with 17 Bianca Baciu CONTENTS A message from the President Music is a meaningful language of emotion Conservatory Canada (18) Frederick Harris Music (back cover) Gordon Price Music (4) Note-able Music (7) Music for Young Children (3) Rideau Music (5) RCM Examinations (14,15) ADVERTISERS I was told by a former branch President that no one reads the President’s message so I will make this short and sweet; please skim it. • Tempo on-line: For those who want “paperless”, this will work. If you like the book in your hands, that will continue to be available to you too. • ARMTA website: at www.armta.ca Carolyn Garritano does a great job for us there. We will have advertiser’s links in the near future. Check it out. • Database: There will be a Power Point presentation of it at our AGM in Red Deer this fall. • AGM in Red Deer: We look forward to honoring members who have been part of ARMTA for 25-30-35-40-45 and more years! Have a look at Joan Milton’s notice in this issue. Do plan to attend. Studio Business Guide Some years ago, Jennifer Bosse, Gloria Gillett and Carmen Leier produced, for ARMTA, a wonderful guide. We are going to update it and make it available again. Do you have suggestions? Would you share some of your wisdom anonymously? i.e. -marketing your studio, accounting, setting up the music studio website, how to communicate with parents (supportive and “difficult”). May we print your studio policy? May we print your application/agreement forms? If you wish to contribute, please contact Alicia Romero [email protected] right away. This is a work in progress and we are anxious to see it completed. Recently, I heard that people in Vancouver during the Olympics sang “O Canada” spontaneously in the streets and in their homes as they watched medalists on the podium. In a recent article of the ATA Magazine, Adam Kuzik of Calgary states that “Music is a meaningful language of emotion.” When we teach music, we “teach our children and youth how to live, work and play in the world”. Isn’t it great to be a part of this journey with our students and colleagues? Enjoy spring and sunshine, festivals and flowers, Judith Ammann
Transcript
Tempo
Spring 2010
The Official Publication of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association
Membership reinstatement 4
ARMTA AGM 2010 5
Festival Winners 2009 6
Silver Medals Awards 7
If I could share one thought 8
Around the Province 8
Understanding musician 10injuries
Music & HIV/AIDS 11
Editor’s picks 16
An interview with 17Bianca Baciu
CONTENTSA message from the President
Music is a meaningful language of emotion
Conservatory Canada (18)
Frederick Harris Music (back cover)
Gordon Price Music (4)
Note-able Music (7)
Music for Young Children (3)
Rideau Music (5)
RCM Examinations (14,15)
ADVERTISERS
I was told by a former branch President that no one reads the President’s message so I will make this short and sweet; please skim it.
• Tempo on-line: For those who want “paperless”, this will work. If you like the book in your hands, that will continue to be available to you too.
• ARMTA website: at www.armta.ca Carolyn Garritano does a great job for us there. We will have advertiser’s links in the near future. Check it out.
• Database: There will be a Power Point presentation of it at our AGM in Red Deer this fall.
• AGM in Red Deer: We look forward to honoring members who have been part of ARMTA for 25-30-35-40-45 and more years! Have a look at Joan Milton’s notice in this issue. Do plan to attend.
Studio Business GuideSome years ago, Jennifer Bosse, Gloria Gillett and Carmen Leier produced, for ARMTA, a wonderful guide. We are going to update it and make it available again. Do you have suggestions? Would you share some of your wisdom anonymously? i.e. -marketing your studio, accounting, setting up the music studio website, how to communicate with parents (supportive and “difficult”).
May we print your studio policy? May we print your application/agreement forms?
If you wish to contribute, please contact Alicia Romero [email protected] right away. This is a work in progress and we are anxious to see it completed.
Recently, I heard that people in Vancouver during the Olympics sang “O Canada” spontaneously in the streets and in their homes as they watched medalists on the podium. In a recent article of the ATA Magazine, Adam Kuzik of Calgary states that “Music is a meaningful language of emotion.” When we teach music, we “teach our children and youth how to live, work and play in the world”. Isn’t it great to be a part of this journey with our students and colleagues?
Enjoy spring and sunshine, festivals and flowers,
Judith Ammann
2 Spring 2010
Publication Information
Upcoming editions of Tempo
Fall 2010Submissions deadline November 1st, 2010
Publication: December 2010
Spring 2011Submission deadlineMarch 15th, 2010
Publication: April 2010
Send materials for all editions and advertising inquiries to:
CONSERVATORY CANADA JOINS THE “ROUND-UP IN THE ROCKIES” Victoria Warwick and Derek Stoll lead workshops at MYC 2010 ConferenceBy Nicole Laidler
Conservatory Canada is presenting two workshops at the 2010 Music for Young Children Conference, which takes place at Banff Park Lodge, July 10 – 13.
Conservatory Canada executive director, Victoria Warwick, will lead a mock Grade 1 Classical Piano Examination while Calgary pianist, Derek Stoll, will demonstrate Level 1 of the conservatory’s innovative Contemporary Idioms syllabus.
A Conservatory Canada student will join Warwick for the mock examination workshop.
“She’s doing her actual Grade 1 exam in June and will be playing it again at the conference,” Warwick explains. Audience members will be given marking forms, and results will be compared and discussed at the end of the mock exam.
Warwick says that the workshop will give teachers a better understanding of Conservatory Canada’s marking standard and will highlight the unique features of its examination process.
Grade 1 Conservatory Canada exams are 20-minutes long, which allows students to perform works in their entirety, including a Supplementary Piece of their own choosing. Students may also register for a post-examination mini-lesson with their examiner.
“This is one of Conservatory Canada’s most popular innovations,” says Warwick, who will demonstrate a mini-lesson during her MYC conference workshop. “It’s meant to be relaxed, interesting and fun.”
Derek Stoll’s session on Conservatory Canada’s Contemporary Idioms syllabus should also be relaxed, interesting and fun, with workshop participants taking to the stage to try their hand at beginner level improvisation.
The jazz-based syllabus is a great next-step for students who have completed MYC’s Moonbeams 3, Warwick says, adding that Stoll’s workshop is designed to help classically-trained teachers overcome any fear they might have about venturing into unfamiliar musical territory.
The MYC conference will also feature an informal Monday-morning “Breakfast with Victoria,” where Warwick will answer questions about Conservatory Canada’s syllabus, E-Sharp Club and pedagogical approach.
For more information about Conservatory Canada visit www.conservatorycanada.ca or contact Victoria Warwick at [email protected]
Victoria Warwick
4 Spring 2010
When you become an ARMTA member, you become a member of the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations (CFMTA) – a national professional organization.
You may use the designation RMT (Registered Music Teacher).
There are some expectations: ARMTA
• must be able to assure parents and students that ARMTA members will follow the bylaws and abide by the Code of Ethics of our profession.• has the responsibility to follow up if there are complaints regarding members.
THE MEMBER • must adhere to the Code of Ethics.•must inform students and parents if they let their membership lapse and they may not use the RMT designation.
If you allow membership in this professional organization to lapse without due notice to the administrator, there will be a $100 fee for reinstatement.
There are policies in place which allow the Provincial Board to grant a one year Leave of Absence by special request sent to the administrator. After an approved Leave of Absence, no reinstatement fee is charged.
Registration info and detailed session descriptions available on the AMEF website on June 1, 2010. www.amef.ca
Further details as they are available will also be found in the ‘Tempo’, mailings, e-mail announcements and on the ARMTA web site.www.armta.ca
Plan to Attend!
Accommodation rates for MCA attendees start at $114.99 plus tax. for the Red Deer Lodge and $139 plus tax at the Capri Centre
ARMTA Annual General Meeting&
DinnerMusic Conference Alberta
MCA
6 Spring 2010
Caroline Kim began playing cello at the age of eight in Korea. After immigrating to Canada a year
later she began studying with Beth Root Sandvoss. Since then, she has been involved in many different orchestras and programs at Mount Royal University. Also, for the last several summers, she has attended the
Young Artist’s Seminar at Rocky Ridge Music Center. There, she has been the youngest student to be accepted into the Young Artist Seminar in 2007 and 2008, and she was also the Calgary Concerto Competition winner of 2008 and 2009. During her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, shopping, and dancing. Caroline plans to continue her studies in music for post secondary education and career.
Vera Marchuk Memorial Scholarship312 Cello or Double Bass 16 years and under - Calgary Festival
Festival Winners 2009John Chan has been studying piano since
the age of five. He is currently studying with professor Marilyn Engle of the
University of Calgary. He has won many awards and scholarships from the Calgary Kiwanis Festival, and has also won first place several times at the Canadian Music Competitions. In his spare time, John likes to
travel and compose. His favorite composers include Franck, Faure, Ravel, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff.
702 Piano Solo 16 years and under - Calgary Festival
Amanda Kush is a grade 12 honour roll student from Medicine Hat. Amanda developed her love for singing at the early age of 7, when she sang in both school and church choirs. At the age of 10, Amanda began taking private voice lessons which she has continued with passion. She has competed successfully in the Rotary Music Festival for
7 consecutive years, enjoying both classical voice and musical theatre. In the 2008 Medicine Hat music festival at the age of 15, Amanda won the Intermediate Vocalist Award and was selected to represent Medicine Hat at Provincial Music Festival in Edmonton. Although she did not place in the competition, she received an excellent adjudication and scored high.
In the 2009 Medicine Hat music festival Amanda, at the age of 16, again won the Intermediate vocalist award and was selected to represent Medicine Hat at the Provincial Music Festival both in Classical voice and Musical Theatre. With another year of training and having the prior experience of provincials, Amanda went to Edmonton with more confidence and won first place in the Intermediate classical voice category, and tied for 2nd in the Intermediate Musical Theatre competition. Three weeks after Provincials, Amanda completed her grade 8 vocal exam, obtaining first class honours and the local RMT award for the highest mark in our district for grade 8 voice. In November of the same year, Amanda competed in Medicine Hat’s local concerto competition and fulfilled her dream of winning the vocal component, which gives her the opportunity of singing with a full orchestra at the final instrumentalist competition in May 2010. Amanda has also taken part in many high school musicals including the role of Eponine in Les Miserables, the role of Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, both produced by Medicine Hat High School. The most recent is McCoy High School’s production of Cinderella, where Amanda has the role of Cinderella. Amanda also plays the viola and guitar, and has written a number of country songs.Upon graduating from high school, Amanda intends to spend 2010/2011 auditioning for university vocal programs in both Canada and USA with the goal of obtaining a performing arts degree in voice, as well as continuing with her vocal training, theory, and completing her grade 9 vocal exam.
Amanda would like to take this opportunity to thank her vocal teachers throughout the years without whom she would not have developed such a passion for music; Susan Supeene, Patricia Swan, and Acacia Doctorchik, as well as her accompanist Con Shandro.
924 Vocal Solo -Girls-16 years and under - Medicine Hat Festival
Meagan Houle has been studying music for about 10 years. She loves music and writing. Meagan hopes to pursue a career that will involve music, although, she is not clear yet what the future will look like.
Her current voice teacher is Donna Brunham. For Meagan it was a great honour to win the scholarship and she is hopeful to attend again in the future. She also enjoys camping, snowmobiling, and reading
932 Musical Theatre 16 years and under - North Peace Festival
7Spring 2010
RCM Silver Medals AwardsThe Royal Conservatory of Music Alumni Association, Calgary Chapter, in conjunction with RCM Examinations, presented the 2009 Silver
Medals Awards Ceremony for Alberta at Temple B’nai Tikvah last November. Below is a list of ARMTA Calgary teachers whose students received highest marks for their practical exams.
Piano
Joan Bell – Jared Crebo, Grade 1; Allen Reiser – Emily Jin, Grade 1; Peter Rudzik – Amanda Chen, Grade 3, and Leila Lok, Grade 4; Gloria Chu – Alex Cheung, Grade 6; Allen Reiser – Arielle Manzano, Grade 7; Brian Cross – Candice Lau, Grade 8; Peter Rudzik
– Sarah Derkowski, Grade 9; Natalia Molochnikov - Alison Zhang, Grade 10; Ena Shparburg – Lindsay Inkster, Elementary Pedagogy and Intermediate Pedagogy.
Voice
Rosalyn Martin – Claire Koke, Grade 1.
Strings
Fiona Carnie – Eva Aronian, Grade 10
Congratulations to all of those talented music students and their supportive parents.
Well done, teachers!
Our Ethical Standards
Members should only be listed in subjects for which they have met
registration requirements.
Having an ARCT in piano does not make one a violin or voice teacher.
To do otherwise is abusing the privilege of being an ARMTA member.
8 Spring 2010
If I Could Share one ThoughT...If I could share one thought with a
music student, it would be..Relax! Okay, I know. We have all heard
about vocal technique based on the sound being relaxed, the breath being relaxed, the body being relaxed. We also know that if you relax completely, you are actually dead. Singing is work–hard work–but that work needs to be done efficiently, or the tension gets in the way of pretty much everything. But that is not the kind of relaxation I am talking about here.
Perhaps I should say, “Give yourself a break.” None of us ever got there in a short period of time. Most of us started studying when the voice was not mature, in a physical sense. Many of us learned a bad habit or two along the way that some poor teacher had to try to take care of. But time and again I see students who want it all NOW!! I expect it has something to do with the time we live in, that sense that we should be able to do this right away. So much of the rest of life is immediate: we can instantly see both the
good and the bad in life by flipping on the TV or clicking the mouse. But work on an instrument that is an intrinsic part of your body takes time and careful nurturing. It will not happen for you over night.
I sympathize–no, truly, I do. As an undergraduate I asked my teacher how long this voice building thing would take, and his answer–”oh, about 10 years...”–seemed to me completely ridiculous. Heck, I already knew a lot about singing, didn’t I? Of course I set out to prove my teacher wrong, and I did it, too. It took me closer to 12 years, and largely because I thought I knew better. Looking back on that time now in my late 50s, I realize that even when–FINALLY–the voice would do pretty much what I asked when I asked it, I was far from done. I have continued to learn from that day to this. I have learned from other teachers, I have learned by singing, I have even learned valuable lessons from my students. The voice is a life-long task.
So: relax. Take it one day at a time, and do not expect the earth to move for you every time you open your mouth. Enjoy the journey, because you will never be done. The journey, people, is what it is all about, and it is full of joy if you allow that to happen. Sing for love of singing, learn for the joy learning can give, relax and give thanks for the little bit extra you can do today that you couldn’t do yesterday. My wish for us all, myself included, is to go out singing. Relax, and let that happen.
Reid SpencerTheatre, Speech, Music
Mount Royal University
Around the ProvinceEdmontonEdmonton Branch is into another busy year. A highlight was our partnership with APTA in a master class and workshop by Marvin Blickenstaff over two days. This was a great success on every level.
We are happy to report that the membership database project is within days of its inaugural run. Both Edmonton Branch and Provincial will be using this new system to renew memberships, keep records up to date and perform all manner of exciting tasks at the click of a button. Hopefully all branches will want to participate.
Check out our web site www.armtaedmonton.ab.ca for a complete listing of all branch activities, upcoming events, membership list, executive list and much more. Carolyn Garritano continues to
keep it updated and accessible. Thanks to her efforts and those of Gladys Odegard, our web site sponsorship participation has increased significantly. Take a look and follow the links.
Respectfully submittedSusan Wilson
Marian Boettger
Members at LargeFollowing the Fall ARMTA Board meeting in early September, 2009 I was pleased to have time to attend the full conference of APTA at the end of the month. It was a very enriching educational experience. I was especially pleased that one of my pianostudents and her mother attended the Friday evening concert. The Academy’sassistance in covering mileage costs gave tangible support and encouragement to
a worthy student. Also, I was grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with teachers across the province.
The second highlight of the Fall season was attending the Honens Piano Competitionin Calgary along with the ARMTA meetings. For us country “bumpkins” who live at a distance to many artistic/cultural opportunities, it lifts us into another worldof class and artistic achievement. And what a treat to hear such a broad scope ofamazing talent and appealing repertoire from the international stage. It takes a dayor two to transition back into the real world!
Locally, we have continued to enjoy community events in the arts; i.e. Children’sTheatre in October, the Community Christmas Concert in early December. Justlast weekend the local Wildrose Chamber
9Spring 2010
Choir participated in two performances of the annual fund-raising concerts in Drumheller for the Passion Play production. Three choirs from Rosebud and one from Calgary also contributed to the event. The combined choirs concluded the programs with singing the Hallelujah Chorus. The wonderful acoustics of the United Church building along with qualitysingers and professional directors made it an unforgettable experience.
As representative for Members-at-Large, I was pleased to help a mother and student from a rural area make contact with other possible piano teachers ina new location. The mother seemed pleased to have this “referral” service.
Also, I have prepared a proposal for the Travelling Concert/Workshop Program,with special consideration for the rural areas. The proposal will be discussed at the upcoming Board meetings. We look forward to renewed opportunities in thisimportant area of the organization.
Respectfully submitted,Rhoda Murray
LethbridgeARMTA report for the Lethbridge Branch: March 1st, 2010
The Lethbridge Branch currently has 23 members. At the beginning of October, the branch hosted a Royal Conservatory workshop and later that month, the Branch sponsored a Practise-a-thon to raise money for its awards program. Thirty-five students participated, practising over 150 hours and raising over $1700. Also in October, teachers and students performed at Lethbridge City Hall as part of a City Circles display, featuring ideas developed by community members for long-range city planning. A Canada Music Week Recital was presented in November at which local branch awards totalling approximately $1400 were presented to students with the highest first class honors marks in theory and practical exams. The AMEF Achievement awards for the Lethbridge region were also presented at this time as well as prizes for practise-a-thon participants for the most money raised and the most time practised. Members have started a monthly coffee meeting to
provide an extra opportunity to discuss music teaching issues. Branch member, Doreen Laing made a presentation at the February meeting regarding performance and anxiety. Members and their students are looking ahead to the local Kiwanis and Piano Class Festivals. A workshop with clinician Marilynn Snyder is being planned for the end of April.
Submitted by Christine Rogers, President
CalgaryOur Mentorship Circle meetings, called now Teacher Talk, took place on October 4, 2009 and February 7, 2010. The topics were How do we decide the level of a student and the level of repertoire? and How do we use repertoire to develop technique? The third meeting of the series will take place on May 2 and the topic is How do we accommodate a variety of learning styles in our teaching? What is our personal learning style?
Our General Meeting was held on Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. Due to a good response from the membership in 2008, the Calgary Branch Executive decided to continue to have our fall GM meeting on Fridays with the intention to provide a more suitable day and time for our members to attend.
Priscilla King and Alicia Romero represented ARMTA Calgary Branch at the Provincial Board Meetings and the Annual General Meeting.
Several of our members attended the Alberta Music Conference held in tandem with the Honens Piano Competition. It was a stimulating conference and fabulous opportunity to attend master classes with Honens Laureates.
The passing of Sally Carr, saddened our music community. A tribute to her memory by Dorothea Johanson was published in the Impromptu Newsletter of the Calgary Branch.
The ARMTA Calgary student recitals have been held with great success. Thank you to Rhona-Mae Arca for her diligence and good organization of these recitals.
The next recitals of the series will take place on February 20 and May 15.
Irene Besse sponsored the C3 Gala Concert on Nov. 8, 2009. Winners, past and present, performed a fine concert. This year the competition will take place February 13 and 14 at Steinway Hall.
Contemporary Showcase took place Nov. 25-28, 2009 at St. Andrews United Church with the performance of the winning compositions of the NATS Arts Song competition.
On January 24 the ARMTA Honours Recital took place at the River Park Church. Students of ARMTA members performed and were awarded scholarships and medals in recognition for their high marks during the 2009 examinations.
Respectfully submittedPriscilla King and Alicia Romero
Provincial Representatives, Calgary Branch
10 Spring 2010
Understanding Musician Injuries:The Types, Causes and Prevention of Music-Related Injuries
by Rhona-Mae ArcaMusicians are prone to injury from repeating a motion countless times when practicing. A better understanding of music injuries is vital for musicians’ health.
Common symptoms of a music injury are similar to computer-related and speech-related injuries:
• Numb fingers, arms, wrist, jaw, neck, shoulders and back• Shooting pain up the arms, shoulder and back• Cramping muscles or stiffness• Dull ache experienced in the fingers, arms, back, jaw, throat, wrist, shoulders and back• Hoarseness
If left unchecked, these can become chronic conditions. They can potentially lead to long-term disability or end one’s musical career.
Common Types of Music InjuriesCommon music-related injuries include:
• Bursitis: inflammation of a bursa (fluid-filled sac which lubricates the movements of tendons, muscles and bones at joints)• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: inflamed or irritated hand flexor tendons• Larynx Contact Ulcers: raw sores on the mucous membranes covering the cartilage attached to the vocal chords• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: inflamed or irritated tendons affecting the inner side of the forearm and the pinky side of the hand• Laryngitis: inflammation of the larynx• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the tendons on the side of the wrist beginning at the base of the thumb.• Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendons• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: compression of the thoracic outlet, the nerve pathway and/or blood vessels between the base of the neck and the armpit• Trigger Finger: inflammation of the index finger tendons• Vocal Nodules & Polyps: small, inflammatory or fibrous growth on the vocal cords of people who strain their voices.
How Music Injuries are Caused1. Overuse: Advanced musicians practice between one to ten hours a day.2. Repetitive Strain: Musicians repeat a technical exercise or section of music countless times until it comes together.3. Improper Posture: Some musicians slouch, sit too close or too far from their instrument and remain in the same position for long periods of time.4. Non-Ergonomic Technique: Some musicians hold their body and/or instrument in an uncomfortable position, don’t move
their hand and/or body in the direction that their fingers are moving, push their fingers or vocal chords beyond what they can comfortably do.
How to Prevent Music InjuriesDo Your Research: Find out more about the various types of music-related injuries.
Assess Your Instrument: Is your instrument the right size, shape, weight and height for you? Would an adjustable chair, footstool, strap or cushion make you more comfortable?
Know Your Body: Choose pieces that are reasonable for your body to play. If you have small fingers, playing repertoire that requires you to stretch beyond your finger span is a recipe for disaster. However, if you really want to learn a particular piece (or you need to learn it), make adjustments to make it easier to play. If you are a student, let your teacher know right away whether a piece or technical exercise is causing you pain.
Appraise Your Playing Technique: Is your body relaxed? Are your hands, arms, neck, head and core positioned to allow for fluid and comfortable playing or singing? Are you moving with the music? Are you using excess movements? Is your fingering logical and comfortable? Videotaping yourself is a valuable method to assess your playing technique.
Evaluate Your Non-Musical Activities: Desk and computer work, sports, dancing, carrying heavy objects (or dependents) and hobbies can adversely affect your body.
Do Warm-Up Exercises and Stretches: Musicians are sometimes called “small muscle athletes”. Stretching exercises and gentle warm-ups result in increased range of motion, strength, coordination and flexibility.
Take Breaks: One’s muscles, ears and vocal chords need regular breaks to return to their relaxed state. Not doing so tricks the body into thinking that “tense” is the “relaxed state”, resulting in chronic pain and stress.
Engage in Active Sitting: Most musicians remain in a seated position for extended periods of time. Active seating helps ease chronic back pain, promotes correct posture and maintains general health.
Seek Professional Advice: Speak to a doctor, therapist, Alexander Technique specialist, music instructor, otolaryngologist or ergonomic specialist for further information or treatment.
11Spring 2010
Be Proactive in Maintaining Musician HealthWith an increased understanding of the types, causes and prevention of music injuries, musicians can be more proactive in maintaining their first instrument: the body. Musicians dedicated to maintaining musician health can look forward to many years of pain and injury-free music-making.---Additional References:About.com: “Musicians’ Injuries: Types and How to Avoid It”Musicianshealth.com: “Repetitive Strain Injury Prevention”Nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/vocalabuse.asp: “Disorders of Vocal Abuse and Misuse”Suite101.com: “Identifying Repetitive Strain Injuries” (September 3, 2009)The Art of Practicing, Madeline Bruser (New York: Bell Tower, 1999)
Originally published on www.suite101.com , November 20, 2009. Reprinted with permission
Web directorywww.cfmta.org
www.armta.ca
www.armta-calgary.com
www.armtaedmonton.ab.ca
www.lrmta.com
www.armtareddeer.org
Music & HIV/AIDSOn February 12th, 2010 at the ARMTA Edmonton Branch General Meeting, Laryssa Whittaker, a member of Edmonton Branch, who is currently completing her MA in ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta, shared with us some of the music and people she has encountered in South Africa, the epicentre of the world’s HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Music is being used to educate, raise awareness, promote prevention and advocate for HIV-positive people
12 Spring 2010
A donation to the ARMTA Recognition Fund supports prizes for the participants
in the biennial Alberta Round of the CFMTA National Piano Competition.
The following donations to the ARMTA Recognition Fund (established May
2008) are gratefully acknowledged:
Judith Ammann – in memory of long-time Edmonton ARMTA member Ernstine Rusnell
Paul and Judith Ammann – in memory of Florence Oswald (Ostby) – choir director, musician, mentor
ARMTA Edmonton Branch – in recognition of Gladys Odegard’s service as Edmonton Branch President
Dorothy Buckley – for the best performance of a Canadian composition Linda Kundert-Stoll
Magenta Monday, ARMTA Edmonton Branch – congratulations to Gladys Odegard and Fil Fraser on their 25th wedding anniversary and thanks for your hospitality
Irene McCormick – a way of giving back for privileges received
Beth Olver Bette-Joan Rac and Jim A. Cebuliak – with thanks to ARMTA for the 40 year service recognition in October 2008 Susan Wilson – in memory of Ross Macmillan, husband of Gwen Beamish
One anonymous donation
Visit the ARMTA Provincial website for details
www.armta.ca
Celebrate
Remember
Honour
& Congratulate
your
Colleagues
13Spring 2010
14 Spring 2010
15Spring 2010
16 Spring 2010
The Alberta Registered Music Teachers’
Association ARMTA
congratulates
CFMTA in its 75th anniversary
17Spring 2010
The following is an interview to Dr. Baciu from the Department of Music at the University of Alberta by ARMTA President Judith Ammann.
What were your early music studies like?
I was enrolled in a music school when I was 6. This type of ‘specialized’ school is very common in Romania. My school had a regular curriculum (with the exception of chemistry and physics which were introduced in grade 5, earlier than at some other schools), to which music classes were added: theory, music history, harmony, counterpoint and, of course, the instrument of choice and chamber music. I chose the piano from the beginning and had one-on-one lessons 2-3 times a week from grade 1 until grade 12. I had the same piano teacher throughout those 12 years; she worked hard to help me grow as a musician and I practiced just as hard to meet her expectations.
Who influenced your decision to become a musician?
My father is an opera singer, which meant that we needed to have a piano at home for his rehearsals. I remember being interested in the instrument very early on, as soon as I was tall enough to reach the keys. I had a good ear and a strong interest in music so my parents allowed me to start private piano lessons at age 5. A year later, I was accepted into the Sigismund Toduta Music School in Cluj, where we lived.
Did you always want the piano to be your instrument?
I would have to say no. For the first 5-6 years of my music studies, I gravitated toward singing. I knew almost all of my father’s arias by heart and was naturally drawn to opera. My mother always knew where to find me because I would spend most of my free time belting out tenor arias. My brother and I went to the opera almost every evening, as performances were very frequent during the Communist years. I also spent a lot of time backstage or watching my father’s rehearsals and even ended up singing in children’s operas for a couple of years. The turning point for me came when I was 13 and won a major prize at the National Piano Competition in Romania. From that point on, the number of competitions I participated in gradually increased and so did the time and effort I put into my piano studies. Eventually, it became clear that my path would be that of a concert pianist and not of a coloratura soprano.
Why move to Canada? Why choose Edmonton?
When I finished my Bachelor’s program in performance in 2000, I was offered a scholarship for Master’s studies at the University of Western Ontario in London. I decided to move to Canada and pursue my Master’s in London, and was excited to have Sonja Behrens as my piano teacher. Ms. Behrens had studied with Adele Marcus at Julliard and was approaching the end of a long and
very successful teaching career; I was delighted to have her as my teacher. Coming to Canada, though, I never regarded my stay here as anything but temporary as I expected to move back to Europe once my studies were completed. During the second year of Master’s, though, I started contemplating the idea of pursuing a doctorate in piano; when the University of Alberta offered me the scholarship for doctoral studies with Jacques Despres, I packed my bags and moved to Edmonton. I thought it would just be one more stop on my way back to Europe. Before completing my doctorate, I met my husband and we were married 2 years later. Now we have a son, and I have been teaching at the U of A and Alberta College for a few years…it has become obvious that moving back to Europe is not what my future might hold. I still have to pause sometimes and smile at the unexpected turn that my life has taken.
What do you miss most about your “homeland”?
I miss my family, of course. I have no family here and the holidays are always difficult without them. Aside from that, I miss the smell of my country. I don’t remember paying particular attention to the way things smelled in Romania while I lived there, but as soon as I left, I started missing terribly the smell of our garden, of rain and dust, of the spring flowers and even of vegetables!
What was the most difficult thing you had to adjust to in Canada?
My answer is probably that of any immigrant: the culture. Immigrants experience an undeniable pressure to fit in, to adjust to different values and expectations. I certainly underestimated the difficulty of such a transition.
As an immigrant to this country, if you would be given the opportunity to tell Canadian music teachers three things, what
would they be?
I can’t say that I have 3 things to tell them. But I will say this: On March 5-6, 2010, I was in Banff for the Kuerti-Barth Beethoven workshop. While registration was open to 20 teachers, only 5 signed up. It was such a wonderful and informative weekend and such a surprise that only 5 teachers in Alberta were interested in it! I would certainly urge teachers to take advantage of all opportunities for self-improvement available here. There are so many workshops, lectures, concerts and masterclasses given by highly-esteemed performers and pedagogues. Canadian teachers have access to so much information! The fact that I can hear and learn from sources that are not available in other parts of the world is what I have personally enjoyed the most about living and teaching in Canada.
