May/June 2009 Volume 1, Number 3

Featured Articles

: Editor's Page by Pete Jutras

Put me in, coach.... I'm ready to play
Recitals and Little League games share some common ground. In each, children gather to “perform” in front of a group of parents, family, friends, and other spectators. Each event involves practice of a set of skills that will be integrated in the game or recital performance. In each setting we expect that our children’s skills will improve with age and practice.

: Breakthroughs: The sweetest moments in teaching. An Interview with William Westney by Pete Jutras

The pianist, author of The Perfect Wrong Note, and originator of the “Un-Master Class” shares ideas on teaching and learning.

: Reflections on a Remarkable Career - An Interview with James Lyke by Ronald Chioldi

When I attended Jim Lyke’s piano pedagogy classes in 1990 at the University of Illinois his reputation as a leader in the field of group piano and pedagogy was well established, but I somehow didn’t quite understand and appreciate the importance of this energetic, restless man.

: A survival manual for college teachers by Erin Bennett

A graduating doctoral student, Erin Bennett, writes this issue’s column. Now that she is “crossing over,” her nagging fear is taking responsibility for someone else’s education. Erin found four wonderful mentors who gladly offered their advice. Not only did she go to teachers who had been in academia for a long time, but she also sought some advice from relatively new teachers.

: Keyboard Kids' Companion by Helen Smith Tarchalski

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!

Students from around the country have already joined our Keyboard Kids for Kindness Practice Challenge, announced in the January/February 2009 Clavier Companion issue of Keyboard Kids’ Companion. To celebrate and welcome our new readers, we are extending the deadline for everyone. Students will now have until November 30th, 2009 to practice piano in support of their favorite charities. We hope that teachers will take advantage of this extension and encourage students to not only practice more, but also to support worthy causes in their communities. Full details about the program, including instructions and entry forms, can be found by clicking here.

2009 College Writing Contest Official Rules

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The cover image, selected by William Westney, originally appeared on the cover of the November 12, 1955 issue of The New Yorker . The image was drawn by Perry Barlow, an American artist who had over 1,400 cartoons published in The New Yorker . His first cartoon appeared in 1926, and he also drew 135 covers for the magazine between the years of 1933 and 1974. Cover and image at left: Perry Barlow/The New Yorker, 1955 © Condé Nast Publications.

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 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:	Put me in, coach.... I’m ready to play ...— Pete Jutras

Variations:	Praise for nothing means nothing—Barbara Kreader

Personal Perspective:	The ultimate anti-aging hobby — Dolores Fredrickson

Questions & Answers:	Preparation, presentation, and generalization— Louise Goss

Interview:	Reflections on a remarkable career: An interview with James Lyke— Ronald Chioldi

Interview:	William Westney on Breakthroughs: The sweetest moments in teaching: The pianist, author, and originator of the “Un-Master Class” shares ideas on teaching and learning.— Pete Jutras

Departments

Jazz & Pop:	In the mood for modes— Tony Caramia

Technique	Building a healthy technique: Ideas from Matthay—Scott McBride Smith with Terry McRoberts

Music Reading:	How do you integrate composition into your teaching of music reading?—Craig Sale with Christopher Goldston and Susan Osborn

Adult Piano Study:	How do you help adults get over stage fright?— Michelle Conda with Julie Knerr and Alex Thio

News & Views:	Teaching in other cultures— Helen Smith Tarchalski with Sarah Lyngra

Inside the Profession:	A survival manual for college teachers— Michelle Conda and Erin Bennett with Paul Barnes, Tomoko Kanamaru, Jane Magrath, Anton Nel, and Eugene Pridonoff

Poetry Corner

Reviews

Pupil Savers

News & Notes

Advertiser Index

Letters to the Editor