The President's Corner:

The Kansas Music Teachers Association just held its 103rd annual state conference at Kansas State University and will offer its 30th edition of their Honors Auditions this fall. KMTA also presents unique workshops on innovative teaching materials and technology or approaches at the KMEA In-Service Workshops each February. Please read on to learn of all that can be discovered for you and for your students from these unique KMTA opportunities.

Sincerely,

Sally Buxton, NCTM
President, KMTA

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The Kansas Music Teachers Association offers its members, as well as Kansas teachers who are not KMTA members, eligibility to enter students in a variety of auditions. See the entry guidelines at ksmta.net/auditions.php.

The pre-college auditions allow piano or string students at any age level (now, Pre- Kindergarten through High School) to participate. Experience can range from a hobbyist-student or duet partners playing non-memorized music to a category that can include pedagogical solos, and beyond, through highly competitive categories; some of which afford chances for advancement to the national level. Even though the event is a competition, the Honors Auditions are specifically designed to be a positive learning experience for all students who enter them. Students for the most part begin at local district levels and become eligible to join the state honors auditions through earning a "I" rating. District Schedules are available on line at ksmta.net/districtsched.php.

Pre-College State Honors Auditions will be November 9, 2013 at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. Eligibility and requirements are listed at ksmta.net/index.php. These auditions include categories for other instruments and voice.

Collegiate Auditions will be November 10, 2013 at the same site. These auditions also include categories for other instruments and voice, as well as chamber groups that may include voice. You can find information at ksmta.net/collegiate.php.

Students gain a great deal by being a part of a group that shares their interest. Listening to other student auditions and being a part of a larger musical community, including parents, teachers, students and other arts supporters makes all of their diligent work worth the effort.

The KMTA annual conference, June 28-29, focused on wellness training or re-training for students and teachers. Sheila Page of the Keyboard Wellness Seminar came to define, discuss, illustrate, and demonstrate many principles of playing that physiological studies now show are counter to many of the principles of arm and hand-use that have been traditionally taught to keyboard and string players, in particular. For example, Ms. Page will show a few simple cautions and change of habits that instantly change and improve piano tone quality and make it possible to play safely and efficiently.

A favorite focus of KMTA conferences has become the "Best Idea" sharing and competition. Prizes have been awarded for ideas ranging from street performances by keyboard players to using rhythm exclusively for the study of musical form. Ideas have included using an iron skillet and a feather to illustrate balance and clever tips for teaching scales and rhythms (like heart-beat dotted rhythms, trigger fingers, and "skeps.")

The insights encountered at KMTA conferences continue to be specific, thorough and thoughtful. They help our teaching to be effective and motivating for our students and gratifying for ourselves!

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For complete information on KMTA's activities, go to www.ksmta.org