N O R T H S H O R E M U S I C T E A C H E R S ’ A S S O C I A T I O N

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President’s Message(I am filling in for Mary Beth Molenaar this month as she prepares for her mother’s funeral this weekend. Let’s all keep Mary Beth and her family in our thoughts at this difficult time.)

I was very fortunate to attend the MTNA National Conference in San Antonio this month. Our North Shore group was quite well-represented, both in attendees and presenters. What a thrill it was to see our very own Bruce Berr leading one of the intermediate master classes! He worked with three talented local (Texas) students, and gave all of us many great teaching ideas while inspiring us to think musically about pieces at any stage of the learning process. Many of you will remember Mary Beth’s pre-meeting presentation from last year, “Girl Scout Tricks.” At the conference she presented this program again as a 20-minute

workshop packed with useful information as well as a terrific powerpoint. And one of our founding NSMTA members, Lynd Corley was honored as an MTNA fellow: congratulations, Lynd!

At the conference, I was reminded again of the very important role that MTNA plays in our professional lives. We are so fortunate to be part of an organization that advocates for music teachers everywhere, that strives to raise the level of professionalism through national conferences, the American Music Teacher magazine and many supportive publications and products. Music teachers are a special group of people: we are passionate about our subject matter, dedicated to improving our art through practice, performance and continued study, and we provide much-needed discipline and beauty in the lives of those we teach. Though many of us work independently, we all benefit from banding together to share our gifts, ideas and aspirations. I hope you will join us for our meeting this month: our pre-meeting will feature Jing Chang playing a suite of pieces by Tan Dun; for the main program, Xiaomin Liang and Jue He will present two-piano works in their “Tribute to the Far East.” I look forward to seeing all of you there!—JM

THE SCORE The Monthly e-Newsletter of the NSMTA Jennifer Merry, Editor April 2016

Jennifer Merry NSMTA Corresponding

Secretary

April 25 Program Liang-He Duo presents “Tribute to the Far East,” Jing Tang plays a suite by Tan DunPages 2-4

AIM news Performance Exams are April 17, April 24 and May 1, 2016 Page 5

June Recital and Luncheon On Monday, June 13, 2016Page 4

Announcements Pictures from MTNA National Conference, Discounts for Lyric Opera, Message from MTNA Pages 6-7

Other News NSMTA Elections and Scholarship deadline Page 5

Reference Quote of the day, Scherzo Finale, Meeting minutes Pages 8-9

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9:30-10:00 AM Pre-meeting: Jing Chang 10:00-11:00 Business meeting & refreshments 11:00-noon Program: Xiaomin Liang and Jue He

At the next meeting, April 25, 2016

Minutes from the previous meeting will no longer be read aloud at each meeting. Please read them beforehand in the Reference Section of each SCORE.

Meetings are at The Music Institute of Chicago, 300 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, IL, 60093

The Liang-He Duo on the April 25th Program:“Tribute to the Far East" - Two Piano works”

Luncheon After the MeetingFrom Betty Benton

Please join us for lunch after our meeting at Avli, 566 Chestnut, Winnetka (in the Laundry Building.) If you plan to join us, please bring cash, including 20% gratuity and approximately $10 to cover tax. So for a $10 lunch item, plan on $13.00.

Recent grand prize winners of the 18th Tokyo International Duo Piano Competition, the Liang-He duo has been acclaimed for its combined artistry and synchronicity. The members of the duo, Xiaomin Liang and Jue He, began playing together when they were students at Northwestern University. They later developed into a professional ensemble while living in Chicago.

The duo has performed in festivals and concert series throughout Asia and North America and has frequently been featured on WFMT, Chicago's classical music radio station. The Liang-He duo successfully toured over 40 cities in China from 2012 to 2014, performing in major cities such as

Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, receiving rave reviews and further accolades. Other accomplishments include winning third prize in the Liszt 200 International Two-Piano Competition, and being named Chicagoland’s first Young Steinway Artists.

The Liang-He Duo is committed to developing a unique repertoire based on exploring the classics of two-piano literature, as well as creating new works through commissions. Their innovative programs combine traditional and less-frequently performed works. Both Xiaomin Liang and Jue He received their Doctorate degrees in piano performance from Northwestern University. Their duo piano coaches include Sylvia Wang and Alan Chow.

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Be sure to submit news and announcements for the

next SCORE by May 5th, 2016!

Biography of Xiaomin Liang

Born in Beijing, China, award-winning pianist Xiao-min Liang is known for her outstanding musicianship, extraordinary sensitivity and virtuosity. Praised by the New York Times for her vivid and exhilarating playing, Ms. Liang has performed in major concert venues such as Merkin

Concert Hall, Avery Fischer Hall and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Chicago Symphony Center, the Grand National Theater and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. As a chamber musician and recitalist, she has appeared in music festivals including the Beijing International music Festival, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Pianofest and the Gilmore Festival. Ms. Liang received top prizes at the China National Piano Competition for three consecutive years, the Five Town

Piano Competition in New York, the Douglaston Young Artist Competition in Long Island, and the Thaviu/Isaak Scholarship Competition and Concerto Competition at Northwestern University. As a winner of the Artist International Competition, Miss Liang made her debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie in 2000.

Ms. Liang began her studies at the Central Conservatory in Beijing where she was a pupil of Hui-su Chen. Since moving to the US, she has studied with Victoria Mushkatkol at Interlochen Arts Academy. She graduated from the Juilliard School, receiving both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees where she was a full scholarship student studying with Jerome Lowenthal. She has also received coachings from Jacob Lateiner, Seymour Lipkin, and Felix Galimir at Juilliard and participated in master classes with Leon Fleisher, Pierre Laurent Aimard, Ari Vardi, Piotr Anderszewski, Richard Goode and Yefim Bronfman. Ms. Liang received her doctoral degree in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, where her teachers included Ursula Oppens and Sylvia Wang. Miss Liang has served on the piano faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago since 2006.

Biography of Jue He

 Jue He, a native of Shanghai, China, has been acclaimed for her combination of vigorous and eloquent performances. The Denver Post praised Ms. He for her “first-rate performance” in collaborating with the Aspen Festival Orchestra. She has performed and given lecture recitals both as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States. She is currently on the faculty at Benedictine University.

Together with cellist Alisa Horn, she released the Rachmaninoff and Miaskovsky Sonatas for Cello and Piano; and the duo’s performance was broadcast on WQXR-FM in New York City. In addition to playing with Ms. Horn, Ms. He regularly collaborates with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and her performances are frequently broadcast on WFMT in Chicago. Her most recent collaboration was with IMG

artist Nina Kotova, touring six cities in China.

Dr. He started her studies at the High School associated with the Shanghai Conservatory, studying with Zijie

Wu and Dan Shao. She graduated from University of Denver, receiving her Bachelor's degree as a full scholarship recipient. Later on, Dr. He received both her Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Arts from Northwestern University, graduating with top honors. Her teachers include Dr. Sylvia Wang and Dr. Elizabeth Buccheri. She has participated in master classes with Richard Goode, Sergei Babayan, Kevin Keener, Rita Sloan, Angela Chang and Tiro Fontenay.

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Pre-meeting Presentation by Jing Chang:“Eight Memories in Watercolor, by Tan Dun”

This suite was written when Tan Dun started to learn western classical and contemporary music. It was his Opus One, depicting his memories of childhood and folk songs in his hometown. Each movement is a image consisting of themes of folk songs and a variety of imitation of Chinese music instruments. These

watercolor images are not about what the subjects really are, but rather reflect an artistic interpretation of these subjects. Eight Memories in Watercolor, by Tan Dun 1.Missing Moon 2.Staccato Beans 3.Herd boy's Song 4.Blue Nun 5.Red Wilderness 6.Ancient Burial 7.Floating Clouds 8.Sunrain

Biography of Jing ChangJing Chang received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Minnesota and was Assistant Professor at the China Conservatory after receiving her Bachelor and Master degrees. Ms. Chang has performed widely as soloist and chamber musician both in the United States and in China. A notable performance was at the Steinway & Sons 150th Anniversary Celebration & Concert in Forbidden City in Beijing in 2003.

Ms. Chang won the 2013 University of Minnesota Concerto Competition, the 16th Annual Masters Concerto

and Aria Competition of the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, the 2013 Bradshaw &Buono International Piano Competition, the 2007 Asian Piano Open Competition in Beijing, and several other major national young artist piano competitions in Asia. She also was a Quarter Finalist of the 2014 Dallas International Piano Competition.

Ms. Chang taught for a number of years at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing before pursuing further studies in the U.S. While attending the University of Minnesota she served as Teaching

Assistant providing both piano class and private piano lessons. She has been invited on numerous occasions to lead masterclasses and to perform solo recitals in China and the U.S.

June Recital and Luncheonfrom Marlene Chatain

Monday, June 13, 2016 is the day of the Annual Recital and Luncheon at St. James Lutheran Church on Waukegan Road in Lake Forest.

Each year the recital offers a wonderful variety of performers and music with an enjoyable social lunch time which we are not always able to share during the teaching year.

There is so much talent and performance skill in NSMTA! Please consider performance possibilities such as duets, trios, chamber music or solos, playing compositions including original works by members or arrangements.

I believe that we are a friendly and encouraging audience, so if you are interested in performing, please call me. Thanks.

Marlene Chatain––847.475.3635

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AIMfrom Jennifer Cohen, AIM chairperson

The AIM Performance Exam schedule is now available on your Student Report. Please login with your account to retrieve it.

Levels 1A, 1B, 1C and 2 Sunday, April 17, 2016 Music Institute of Chicago, Winnetka Campus 300 Green Bay Rd, Winnteka 60093 Levels 3-12 Sunday, April 24, 2016 and Sunday, May 1, 2016 Northwestern University 1818 Hinman Ave, Evanston 60208 Music Institute of Chicago, Lake Forest Campus 40 East Old Mill Rd, Lake Forest 60045

To all judges prior to your judging day:

• Please be sure to read the Notes from the Performance Judges Meeting - 2016 prior to your judging day. This is found on the NSMTA website. On the AIM page, scroll down past the AIM Performance dates.

• Please take time to familiarize yourself with the technical requirements of all the levels that you will be judging.

• If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact one of the coordinators.

Jennifer Cohen, jicohen1@aol.com Lake Forest coordinator Jia-YeeTang, jiayeetang@gmail.com Northwestern coordinator Louise Chan, louise.k.chan@gmail.com Northwestern coordinator

Officer Elections at April Meetingfrom the Nominating Committee

The nominating committee has prepared a slate of new NSMTA officers for the 2016-17 school year, to be voted on at the April meeting. The following members have been nominated: President: Jennifer Merry Vice-President and Program Chair: Eric Sutz Corresponding Secretary: Nancy DeHaven Recording Secretary: (1 year) Jing Chang Member Of The Year: Grace Juang

If you would like to nominate yourself or any other members for the following offices, please contact one of the committee members: Karen Tobias, Lynd Corley or Susan Corkum.

Scholarship Fund Donations and DeadlineFrom Jane McInnis

Calling all spring-house cleaners…….last call this season for donating music for our sale to benefit the scholarship fund. Every little bit helps us help young musicians widen their horizons. Thanks for your donations and your purchases this year. And a reminder: Scholarship applications are due May 1st.

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Pictures from the MTNA Conference in San Antonio, April 2016

NSMTA members from left to right: Bruce Berr, Jennifer Merry, Dawn Johnson, Mary Beth Molenaar, Yeeseon Kwon, Jane McInnis and Pat Heineman-Vernon

Bruce Berr presented an Intermediate Masterclass!

Mary Beth Molenaar gave a session on “Girl Scout Tricks”

Conference Artists, “Time for Three”

Lynd Corley (left) was honored as a Foundation Fellow

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A Note from MTNA Headquarters:Do you have a friend or colleague who should be a member of MTNA? Now is the time to introduce prospective members to six-month membership in MTNA. Any new member can join between January 1 and June 30, 2016, and receive half off national dues (many states and local affiliates offer this discount too!). Everyone likes to get a discount and teachers are no exception, especially if it can be tied to participation in student activities. Be sure to note, this discounted membership expires June 30, 2016.

As new members, your colleagues will be able to participate in your local association events this spring, realize the value of the the local experience and observe how student events help provide indispensable tools for motivation and encouragement.

If you need some talking points or e-mail text, visit our online Membership Recruitment and Retention Handbook for ideas.

Your colleagues can join online by clicking here.

Thank you in advance for your support in growing and strengthening MTNA. Sincerely, Gary L. Ingle Executive Director & CEO

Discounted Tickets to The King and ILyric Opera invites members of the North Shore Music Teachers Association to attend an all-star production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I with a special discount!

Use promo NSMUSIC and receive 20% off any performance.

A glorious spectacle of unforgettable songs, marvelous costumes, and opulent scenery is coming to Lyric this spring with an “elaborate…brightly colored…dazzling” (The New York Times) production of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The King and I. This Tony-winning musical that tells the story of a British schoolteacher who is hired by the King of Siam to tutor his wives and children will capture your heart as they discuss, debate, and ultimately grow in understanding and respect.

A cast of Broadway’s brightest will illuminate the Lyric stage and delight with one familiar song after another, including, “Shall We Dance,” “Something Wonderful,” “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” and more. Don’t miss the limited engagement of this hit Broadway musical!

To purchase tickets, visit lyricopera.org/king, select your Monday – Friday date from the calendar, and enter the above promo code in the upper right corner. Select your seats and proceed to checkout!

For orders of 10 or more, ordering assistance, or to purchase over the phone, contact Joel at 312.827.5927 during normal business hours.

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Quotation of the Month “The wise musicians are those who play

what they can master.”

––attributed to Duke Ellington

Please e-mail your suggestions for a future “Quotation of the Month”to Jennifer Merry

Scherzo Finale

Please e-mail any lighthearted or humorous studio photos for “Scherzo Finale” to Jennifer Merry

Coffee, Tea or Tchaikoffee?

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Vice-President Betty Benton called the meeting to order at: 10:06 a.m.There were 16 members in attendance.

OFFICER REPORTS: Secretary's Report - Nancy DeHaven Nancy DeHaven read the minutes from the February meeting. They were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report - George RadosavljevicBalance as of March 27 is $26,823.31.

First Vice-President and Programs Chair - Betty BentonBetty Benton announced our program for today and for April.

Second Vice-President and Membership Chair - Dawn JohnsonThere were no new members since the last meeting. We had two visitors in attendance today.

Corresponding Secretary - Jennifer MerrySubmissions for The SCORE are due on the 8th of April — a slight extension from the regular date due to the MTNA Convention.

Nominating Committee Thank you again to Karen Tobias, Susan Corkum, and Lynd Corley for serving. They submitted the following slate, which was approved:

President: Jennifer MerryVice-President and Program Chair: Eric SutzCorresponding Secretary: Nancy DeHavenRecording Secretary (1 year): Jing Chang.

The committed submitted Grace Juang for Member of the Year. This nomination was also approved.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: AIM - Jennifer CohenNo news — Jennifer was not at the meeting.

Luncheon - Marlene ChatainThe recital and luncheon will be held at St. James Lutheran Church in Lake Forest.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy DeHavenRecording Secretary