January/February 2009 Volume 1, Number 1

Featured Articles

: Editor's Page

United We.....
Welcome to the first issue of Clavier Companion, a “new” magazine firmly based in the tradition and legacy of two storied and significant publications: Clavier and Keyboard Companion.

: Interview

Lang Lang: A Life So Far
Anyone who believed that Lang Lang’s fame would last only 15 minutes would have had to think twice when they saw the audience at New York’s Town Hall on October 20, 2008. 900 school children, some of whom had never seen a piano before, cheered wildly as three 8-year old scholarship winners performed... It was surely no exaggeration when the New York Times described him as “the hottest artist on the classical music planet.”

: News & Views

Happy 80th Birthday, Leon Fleisher!
Nearly Four Score of Legendary Music-making: Part I
The first living pianist inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and the first American pianist to win the Queen Elizabeth of Belgium International Competition, Fleisher’s life story is as compelling as his musical interpretations.

Exclusive offer for Fleisher recordings!

Sony BMG Masterworks celebrates the 80th birthday of the American pianist Leon Fleisher with the digital release of six albums from the first decade of his extraordinary recording career. Originally released by Columbia Masterworks and its subsidiary label Epic between 1956 and 1963, these recordings have never before been completely available in any digital format. Through a special arrangement, Keyboard Companion readers have exclusive online access to a full track from each of these six albums.

: Collegiate Writing Contest

Lowell Liebermann’s Album for the Young, Op. 43:
A Fresh Approach to Classical Teaching Literature
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sarah Evans, winning author of the 2008 Collegiate Writing Contest, juried by the esteemed Louise Goss, Elvina Truman Pearce, and Marienne Uszler. We also want to congratulate two runner-up essays: The Risk Worth Taking by Kerri Beebe and Everything I Needed to Learn, I Learned in Piano Lessons by Mae Morton.

: Technology

How do you use recording technology in your studio?
How can we make recordings in our own studio that our students can use at home? Teacher/Authors Kathy Maskell and Linda Kennedy share with us the ways in which they use digital pianos with MIDI recording features and a standalone CD recorder to make recordings for use in lessons, home practice, and even recitals. In Tech Tips, discover new digital audio recording devices that provide many conveniences.

: Keyboard Kids' Companion

Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge Why not put your piano studies to work helping one of your favorite charities? Please join us in the Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge. Use these step-by-step instructions to make piano practicing count even more toward making the world a better place!

2009 College Writing Contest Official Rules

Annual Fund

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Also in This Issue...

Richard Chronister Memorial Fund

Honor the founder of this magazine

Dear Subscribers,

Welcome to Clavier Companion! The Frances Clark Center is proud to bring you this new publication dedicated to all who love music and the piano. The mission of Clavier Companion is to increase the quality and longevity of music-making and music education at the keyboard throughout the global community.

We personally apologize for any delays associated with the merger and any confusion or lack of information that may have been evident during the transition. Above all, we want you to know that you are highly valued as a customer, reader, and professional colleague, and that nothing is more important to us than your satisfaction. From this point forward, most of your questions should be answered in the accompanying FAQ, which includes full contact information.

We are excited about the future of Clavier Companion and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with each and every one of our readers.

With appreciation,

Pete Jutras Editor-in Chief	Sam Holland Executive Director
Louise Goss Chair	Marvin Blickenstaff President

All Articles in Print



Editor’s Page:	United we achieve — Pete Jutras

Variations:	The piano magazine lives on — Barbara Kreader

Winds of Change:	— Robert Weirich

Questions & Answers:	"Complete musicianship" and how to include it in every lesson — Louise Goss

Technology:	How do you use recording technology in your studio? — George Litterst with Kathy Maskell and Linda Dale Kennedy

Tech Tips	Options in all-in-one audio recording devices — George Litterst

Jazz & Pop:	The art of the vamp — Christopher Norton

Music Reading	How do you teach fluent reading on ledger lines between the staves? — Craig Sale with Amy Glennon, Levonne Mrozinski, and LeAnn Halvorson

Inside the Profession:	Starting a studio: What, where, and how? — Rebecca Johnson with Monica Allen and Jessica Mellott

Rhythm:	How do you teach polyrhythms? — Bruce Berr with Pete Jutras and Sonnet Johnson

Keyboard Kids’ Companion:	Spotlight on Bach, the Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge, and a crossword puzzle — Helen Smith Tarchalski

Interview:	Lang Lang: A life so far — by Scott McBride Smith

Interview:	An interview with Leon Fleisher Part II — by Helen Smith Tarchalski

Collegiate Writing Contest: Winning Essay for 2008 :	Lowell Liebermann's Album for the Young, Op. 43: A fresh approach to classical teaching literature — by Sara Evans

Poetry Corner

Reviews

Pupil Savers

News & Notes

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