Autumn 1999: Volume 10, Number 3

 The following is from The Editor's Page, by Richard Chronister:

 The photo on the cover of this issue is a picture of The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy.


"GEORGE WASHINGTON DINED HERE. The original wing of what later became the historical colonial mansion you see pictured on this issue's cover was built in 1740 in the village of Kingston on the outskirts of Princeton in what would become the state of New Jersey after the American Revolution. An additional wing was added about 1760 and the larger building became an inn during the Revolution. After crossing the Delaware river and fighting the battles of Trenton and Princeton, Washington set up headquarters in Rocky Hill, not far from Kingston, and took his evening meals at this inn. About 1945, two more wings were added and extensive landscaping and gardens were completed. The two pictures below give you an idea of the final results.

In the fall of 1970, Frances Clark and Louise Goss purchased the property and renovated it for the purpose of making it the new home of The New School for Music Study.

Now, in 1999, this building continues to make history by becoming the headquarters of a new research center called The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Research. The New School continues as a division of the Center, but many new activites are planned to provide world-wide influence in the development of keyboard education. The mission of The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Research is to serve the needs of independent and institutional keyboard educators, including teaching and teacher education from the beginning level through the professional level.

One of the first projects of the Center will be the revival of The National Conference on Piano Pedagogy, now to be called The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. The first Conference meeting under the new plan will take place August 2-5, 2000 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Oak Brook, Illinois, just outside Chicago. The Conference will continue its original mission, maintaining a network and a forum for those involved in the work of keyboard teacher preparation.

If you would like further information about the Frances Clark Center or the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, or to be placed on their mailing lists, please contact the Center. Address: P.O. Box 651, Kingston, NJ 08528-0651 · Phone: 609-921-2901 · Fax: 609-924-2536 · E-mail: LLGoss@msn.com"

 To see a larger image of the cover photo, please visit our Art Gallery.




FEATURED ARTICLE - Rhythm Department

Bruce Berr's article on how PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE plays a vital role in the teaching of skills includes a video segment on the use of touch-first (play-prepare) while doing keyboard shifts. It also explores the specific skills that early-level students need to develop. As a synthesis, the article concludes with a copy of a final exam that is given to first semester Piano Musicianship students.

To read the article from the beginning, click on one of the important words in the image.


These are the other articles that were in the Autumn 1999 issue

Information on obtaining back issues

 

 The Magic Triangle:
Teacher/Student/Parent
Barbara Kreader, Editor

What did you hear during your child's home practice last week?

Nancy Halvey
Janice Vall
Rob Barlow

 

 

 The Other Teacher:
Home Practice
Elvina Pearce, Editor

 How do your students practice contrapuntal music?

Louis Nagel
Gloria Febro Grilk
Elizabeth Gutierrez

 

 

 Independence Day:
Music Reading
Richard Chronister, Editor

What are the differences and similarities in teaching reading in the United States and Russia?

Sophia Gilmson

 

 Let's Get Physical:
Technique
Scott McBride Smith, Editor

 Do all hands fit the keyboard?

Kathleen Kranz
Terry Moran
Tara Wohlberg

 

 

 Partners in Time:
You and Your Piano
Madeleine Crouch, Editor

How do you know which instrument is right for your child?

Madeleine Crouch

 

 

 The Heart of the Matter:
Rhythm
Bruce Berr, Editor

 Teaching skills: What does PATIENCE & PERSISTENCE have to do with it?

Bruce Berr

 

 

 From the Inside Out:
Motivation
Joyce Cameron, Editor

What encourages your students?
Part I

Gwen Brubaker
Yat-Yee Chong

 

 

 It's Never Too Late:
Adult Piano Study
Brenda Dillon, Editor

 What resource materials are available for teachers of adult leisure students? Part II

Graduate students at the
University of Oklahoma

 

 

 Putting It All Together:
Repertoire
Marvin Blickenstaff, Editor

What is your favorite repertoire for the teaching of alberti bass, trills, different articulations between the hands, and balance of melody and accompaniment?

Teachers in North Carolina and Colorado

 

 

 Tomorrow Today:
Technology
Sandra Bowen, Editor

 How do you use technology to teach music appreciation and music history?

Lynda Alexander
Ann Puckett
Eileen Knox