Winter
2006, Vol. 17 #4
A great ride!
The year was 1989, and it was a beautiful Spring day in Wichita, KS, where I was attending an MTNA national convention. On that particular day, I was especially looking forward to a luncheon engagement with Richard Chronister. (Dick's and my friendship dated back to the 50's when we were both piano majors at the University of Tulsa, and we usually always managed to squeeze in some sort of a "mini-reunion" during every event at which we were both present.)
None this issue.
On this day in Wichita, we
went to an Italian restaurant and amidst the consumption of mounds
of spaghetti and meatballs, Richard shared with me his plan to
publish a national magazine designed specifically for piano teachers
who worked primarily with pre-college level students. He wanted
to know what I thought of the idea and of course, I was ecstatic
over the prospects! He also wanted to know if I would be willing
to head up one of the magazine's regular departments and if so,
what topic I would most like to deal with. Without even giving
it a thought I said "Yes!" and I designated "Home
Practice" as my topic of choice.
A year later in the Spring of 1990, the inaugural issue of Keyboard Companion appeared on the scene, and for the next nine years, the magazine continued to prosper under Richard's superb editorship. His untimely death in December of 1999 both stunned and saddened all who knew him. Not only was this a personal loss to many of us, but also an immeasurable loss to the world of piano pedagogy. As reality began to set in, one of the issues of serious concern to many of us was what was to become of Keyboard Companion (KBC).
Ever since the founding of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy in January of 1999, Richard had conceived of the magazine's becoming a part of it. Unfortunately, this did not happen during his lifetime, but in the Spring of 2000, Louise Goss (Chair of the Center) approached me about this possibility, as well as about my willingness to assume the role of the magazine's Editor-in-Chief should this merger occur. I agreed -- in spite of the fact that I had had no previous experience with editorship on such a large scale, and that I didn't even own a computer. (Believe it or not, at that time, I actually did not know what E-mail was!) Be that as it may, shortly after our meeting, Louise approached Richard's wife, Marjore, with a proposal which culminated in the Center's acquisition of KBC in 2000.
Between 2000
and 2003
There was no Summer issue
of the magazine in 2000. But by Autumn of that year, we were
once again alive, and I guess, as "well" as could be
expected under the circumstances. The Autumn issue of 2000 featured
a picture of Richard Chronister on its cover, was 40 pages long,
and had 20 advertisers.
For the first three years of my tenure, our primary goal was to assure our subscribers that the magazine would remain basically the same as it had been under Richard's editorship, continuing on with its original purpose in tact - namely, to provide for its readers, a magazine that is "relevant in the most practical way to the needs of those involved with piano study at the early levels." In the spring of 2003 we sponsored our first Readership Survey, and based on a gratifying number of responses, it appeared that we had indeed been successful in accomplishing our initial goal.
From 2003
to 2006
Prior to 2003, we had
already begun a serious assessment of the status quo of the magazine
from the standpoint of both its content and visual attributes.
As a result, the following changes occurred:
- In order to open the door to more articles devoted to piano study at the more advanced levels, we changed the magazine's cover description from "A Practical Magazine on Early Level Piano Study" to "A Practical Magazine on Piano Teaching."
- We added six new regular features: The NEWS section, LETTERS from our readers, the Associate Editors' BULLETIN BOARD, the KEYBOARD KIDS' COMPANION, the NEW PRODUCTS AND PUBLICATIONS advertiser-submitted blurbs, and "TECH TIPS" (a "Q and A" adjunct to the regular Technology column).
- We did a complete "facelift" of the magazine, both inside and out which featured a new style of layout and formatting of articles, and also included four-color printing. (Scott Lewis, our layout/design man, was of tremendous help with this project.) The first magazine sporting this new look was the Spring issue of 2003.
- Since 2005, a concerted effort has been made to include more photos and graphics within the magazine.
- Since our first issue back in the Spring of 2000, we have increased the size of the magazine from its original 40 pages (in 1990) to 56-64 pages, and we have nearly doubled our number of advertisers.
And now for
some parting thoughts
In August of 2005, I
reluctantly decided to submit my resignation as the magazine's
Editor-in-Chief to become effective with the Spring issue of
2007 (the next issue). This then, is the last Editor's
Page that I shall have the privilege of preparing (as
well as the last HOME PRACTICE column that I'll be submitting).
I think that periodic change can often be very beneficial, and apropos of this, I want to welcome Peter Jutras who has been selected to succeed me as the magazine's new Editor-in-Chief. I am confident that Pete's background and experience, as well as his ideas and imagination will bring a fresh perspective to KBC and I wish him every success as he now assumes his very challenging but greatly rewarding responsibilities.
As I step down, I want to both thank and praise all of the Associate Editors with whom I have had the privilege of working. Without a doubt, these individuals have been largely responsible for the magazine's success, and my gratitude and appreciation for what they have accomplished is boundless.
I also want to thank Bruce Berr for his exceptional work as KBC's Website Designer and Editor. Thanks, too, to Norman Vesprini, Carmela Casipit, and Maggie Zullinger for their dedication and tireless efforts in behalf of the magazine's growth in advertising and circulation.
Many thanks as well to our printer, American Web, and also to all of the advertisers who have supported us (and without whom the magazine could not continue to exist). In addition, I owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to Scott Lewis (layout/design) who has really been my right arm during these past six years. I shall be ever appreciative of his artistry, imagination, expertise, and - patience. What a joy it has been to work with him!
Last but certainly by no means least, I want to thank you, our readers, for your continuing support of KBC and for your ongoing input which has provided us with many useful ideas as well as much good food for thought. We're counting on you for more of the same in the years to come!
A final postscript
As I think back over
the happenings during the past six years of my tenure as Editor-in-Chief,
I am proud of all that Keyboard Companion has accomplished.
When I retire from this position upon the completion of this
Winter 2006 issue, we will have produced 22 issues in which have
appeared articles by more than 200 individuals. (I also want
to thank each of them for their willingness to write for us and
for sharing so many of their wonderful ideas!)
I am also proud of both the present look and content of the magazine, and I believe that were he here, Richard would be extremely pleased with the results of our efforts. Most importantly, I think that we have truly accomplished our goal -- to nurture the life of a magazine that is "relevant in the most practical way to the needs of those involved" with piano study. More I could not ask. My ongoing wish for Keyboard Companion is that it will continue to prosper and enjoy a long and successful life!
From that spaghetti and meatballs lunch with Dick in1989 until now, these past sixteen years of association with Keyboard Companion have been wonderful.
It's truly been a great
ride!!!
About Our Cover Art
Thank you to Ann Schein and Jerry Wong for providing us with the photos that appear both on the cover of this issue as well as within the REPERTOIRE AND PERFORMANCE article in the print magazine.
To see larger images of our current and past cover art, please visit our Art Gallery.
Table of Contents of the Current Print Issue
Winter 2006, Volume 17, Number 4
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The Magic Triangle: |
Who/what motivated you most during your years of teaching? |
Barbara Kreader |
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The Other Teacher: |
What makes practice perfect? |
Elvina Pearce |
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Independence Day: |
When do you add fingering to assist a student in reading? |
Arlene Steffen |
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Let's Get Physical: |
How do different pianos affect your use of technique in performance? |
Scott McBride Smith |
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The Heart of the Matter: |
How do you introduce and reinforce syncopation? |
Carol Klose |
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Issues and Ideas: |
How do your teaching approaches and relationships change as your students grow older? |
Suzanne Guy |
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It's Never Too Late: |
From the other side of the bench - What would you like for your piano teacher to know that would help with your learning? |
Michelle Conda |
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Putting It All Together: |
How did your studies with a world-renowned interpreter of Chopin's music impact your own playing and teaching? |
Ann Schein |
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Tomorrow Today: |
How do you use technology to teach piano concerti? |
Nancy Davis |
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The World Around
Us: |
What do you say when a parent says, "Jason wants to quit - we don't want to push him to continue"? |
Carole Flatau |
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Keyboard
Kids' Companion |
Puzzles, Practice Projects, Meet the Composers, and more! |
Helen Smith Tarchalski |
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