Bucks County Association of Piano Teachers Member Lorrie Ksiazek's Halloween Party at Friends Village in Newtown

The party was Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2019 at 3 PM.  

Friends Village is an active retirement center.  

I play at Friends Village for sing-along once a month on Tuesdays. On Mondays, once a month I play for singalong at the sister retirement center, Friends Home on Center Ave. in Newtown Borough. On every other Wednesday I play at Pickering Manor on Lincoln Ave for sing-along and rhythm band.  

I feel that it is important for the students to learn to share their musical gifts, so I take them to nursing homes and retirement centers for piano parties. Parents bring the goodies to share and what is left over the residents have for their coffee hour the next day.

I started this because my father had a severe stroke and was a resident at Pickering Manor. I would go and play for him and then other residents would come and listen, and it all developed from there. It makes me happy and the residents happy and my students happy. What is better than that? Lorrie

Thank you for sharing, Lorrie! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time!

Frances Clark Center Residency Program at The New School for Music Study

Frances Clark Center Residency Program at The New School for Music Study

Through the Frances Clark Center Residency Program, area teachers have the opportunity to attend seminars on special topics given by master pedagogues.

Register now

Facilitating Adult Music Learning  with Dr. Pamela Pike Wednesday, October 30, from 10am-12pm Working with adult learners in the music studio requires specialized skills and knowledge of adult attributes. This workshop will explore adult learning theory, assumptions, philosophy, motivation, psychosocial, and physical characteristics at various stages of the adult lifespan. Together, we will learn how to apply this knowledge, in the private and group studio, to facilitate meaningful music making and skill acquisition at any stage in the adult lifespan.   Pamela D. Pike is the Barineau Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Louisiana State University. Author of over three dozen scholarly articles and Dynamic Group-Piano Teaching: Transforming Group Theory into Teaching Practice (Routledge), Pike is also Editor-in-Chief of the Piano Magazine. She is an award-winning teacher, including the 2019 LSU Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and has presented teaching workshops throughout the world.

Fee: $30 Free for those enrolled in the NSMS pedagogy course. Free for subscribers of the Piano Magazine (join now). Upcoming residencies: Dr. Vanessa Cornett, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 Dr. Christopher Hahn, Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Learn more

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, a not-for-profit educational institution (501c3) located in Kingston, New Jersey, serves pianists and teachers through its three divisions: The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, the Piano Magazine, and The New School for Music Study.

See what's happening on our social sites

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General Meeting and Speaker Dr. Rebecca Pennington October 18, 2019 at Jacobs Music in Doylestown

The Bucks County Association of Piano Teachers held its fall meeting on Friday, October 18, 2019 at 9:30 at Jacobs Music in Doylestown, PA, followed by a presentation by speaker Dr. Rebecca Pennington.

 Carole and Jennifer

 Phyllis and Addie

 Irina and Keith (Jacobs Music)

 Lorrie

Dr. Pennington's Presentation was Teaching Young Children 3 1/2-5 Years Old.

She presented the Top Ten Tenets for Teaching Little Ones:

1. Elephants (and young children) never forget 
2. Little Hands Take Lots of Work
3. Again, Again, Again
4. We like to move it, move it!
5. Less is More
6. Non-verbal Cues are Important
7. The Glass is Half Full
8. Reading - Slow and Steady Wins the Race
9. Rhythm - One they have it, they have it for life
10. At-Home Practice: the key to success

She also handed out a very informative chart on the developmental differences between 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.

Physical Characteristics
Speech
Cognitive
Social

For instance, 3-year-olds gain an average of 4-6 pounds per year, 4-year-olds close to 5, 5-year-olds loner and leaner, gain 4-5 pounds and grow 2-3 inches

Speech - 3-year-olds should be able to say 500-900 words, 4-year-olds 1,000 words, and 5-year-olds should speak very clearly

Cognitive - 3-year-olds can concentrate on taks for 8-9 minutes, 4-year-olds for 10-15 minutes

Social - 3 year-olds start to share and like to play with other childrem 4-year-olds start to show and express a wider range of emotion, and 5-year-olds want to please their friends

Kindergarten is the great equalizer.

For more information, you can contact Dr. Pennington at rmpennington@nsmspiano.org

 Dr. Rebecca Pennington with Co-Presidents Sally and Rebecca

After the presentation, there was a luncheon at Roman Delight.

Bucks County Choral Society Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 4:00PM

This is a not to be missed concert. Just go on the Bucks County Choral Society website and get tickets. We have an amazing orchestra - Symphony in C - that are all Curtis graduates, our chorus and the Bucks County Community College Choir and wonderful soloists performing. This entire work is seldom done because of the expense and the magnitude of the work. It is extremely exciting to be singing this amazing Brahms work.

Sincerely, Carole K. Smith

Bucks County Association of Piano Teachers

Bucks County Choral Society

Johannes Brahms

Ein Deutsches Requiem

Featuring Symphony in C acclaimed Soloists and the Bucks County Community College Choir

Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 4:00PM

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 

Doylestown, PA 

For tickets and info visit:

www.buckschoral.org

or call 1-800-838-3006

Updated 10/17/19 - Westminster Choir College October 2019 Events

Westminster Choir College October 2019 Events:

*****Holidays at Westminster Patron Program
Become a Holidays at Westminster Patron and guarantee your tickets for Westminster's very popular holiday programs! As a Holidays at Westminster patron, you can secure tickets to your favorite holiday performances before they go on sale to the public. And your name will be prominently listed in select concert programs. All proceeds benefit The Westminster Scholarship Fund.

Don't delay - this offer expires Friday, October 11, 2019

Performances include:

Phik Orr and More: Jingle Bell Jazz 
Sunday, December 8 at 3:00PM

An Evening of Readings and Carols
Friday, December 13 at 6:00PM
Saturday, December 14 at 3:00PM and 8:00PM

Love Came Down at Christmas
Sunday, December 15 at 4:00PM


For more Info, visit:

https://www.rider.edu/westminster-patron
 ________________________________________________________________

*****Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Featuring an all female cast
Ivan Fuller, director

Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece takes on a fresh life in this all-female production that brings this tale of revenge, madness, and intrigue right into the audiences' laps.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 7:30PM
 Tickets sold at the door

Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7:30PM
Friday, October 4, 2019 at 7:30PM
Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 2:00PM
Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 7:30PM
Sunday,  October 6, 2019 at 2:00PM

Tickets Online - https://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=1287918&presenter=RIDER&venue=&event=

Yvonne Theater
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ  08648 

Admission: $20 Adults, $15 seniors/non-Rider students
__________________________________________________________________

*****Joseph Flummerfelt Choral Residency
Panel Discussion: The Life of Joseph Flummerfelt

Resident Artists:
Anton Armstrong
Andre Thomas

Panelists:
Joe Miller, Moderator
Anton Armstrong, St. Olaf College
Laura Brooks Rice, Westminster Choir College
Heather Buchanan '98, Montclair State University

Robert L. Annie Playhouse
Westminister Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  

Friday, October 4, 2019 at 7:00PM

For more information and events:

https://www.rider.edu/events/joseph-flummerfelt-choral-residency
_______________________________________________________________ 

*****2019 Kemp Church Music Symposium:
Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice: Nurturing the Pastoral Musician

Celebrating 20 years of offering church musicians a day filled with opportunities for professional and spiritual inspiration and growth, the Kemp Church Music Symposium honors the legacy of John and Helen Kemp. This year's symposium welcomes renowned conductors and leaders in the field of Sacred Music; Dr. Anton Armstrong and Dr. Andre J. Thomas

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Registration: Adults $95
Westminister/Rider alumni $75
Students $25 
Scholarships available

For schedule and to register:

https://www.rider.edu/events/2019-kemp-church-music-symposium 
________________________________________________________________

*****Rinaldi Steinway Westminster Piano Alumni Series: Gonzalo Aguilar

Music by Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff

Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 3:00PM

Bristol Chapel, Westminster Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ   08540

Admission is Free 
__________________________________________________________________

*****Westminister Faculty Recital
Elem Eley and James Goldsworthy

Performing Franz Schubert's iconic song cycle, Winterreise 

Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 7:30PM

Bristol Chapel
Westminister Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  08540

Admission is Free 
___________________________________________________________________

*****People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos
A multi-media event 

Working to create a more equitable society by inviting new audiences to experience out humanistic, literary heritage program.

Thursday, October 10, 2019 at: 5:30PM

Rider University Art Gallery
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ  08648

Admission is Free
___________________________________________________________________

*****Down From the Heavens
Celebrating the Music of R. Nathaniel Dett, Afro-Canadian composer

Conducted by Vinroy D. Brown, Jr.

Faculty Members Rochelle Ellis and Clipper Erickson
Special Guests Zackary D. Ross and Marques L.A. Garrett

Includes works for piano, chorus and voice, as well as poetry.
Highlights Dett's  Enchantment and The Chariot Jubilee

Friday, October 11, 2019 at 7:30PM

Bristol Chapel, Westminster Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  08540

Admission: $20 adults, $15 students/seniors
Box Office: 609-921-2663
__________________________________________________________________

*****Rider Musical Theater: Bright Star

Inspired by a real event and featuring a Grammy-nominated score, Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and '40s.
Nominated for 5 Tony Awards 

Written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickwell

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 7:30PM tickets sold at the door
Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 7:30PM
Friday, October 18, 2019 at 7:30PM
Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 2:00PM

Theater in the Bart Luedeke Center
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ   08648

Tickets:

Admission is $25 Adults, $20 seniors/non-Rider students, $5 Rider students

Preview performance $9 adults/non-Rider students and $5 seniors

Box Office: 609-896-7775

Online:

https://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=1287923&presenter=RIDER&venue=&event=&tck=true 
__________________________________________________________________ 

*****Westminster Conservatory
Music for Violin and Piano

Dezheng Ping, violin
Larissa Korkina, piano 

Johann N. Hummel: Sonata, op. 64 for violin and piano

Edvard Grieg: Sonata No. 3 in C minor, op. 45 for violin and piano

Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 12:15PM

Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church
61 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ 08540

Admission is Free
_____________________________________________________________

 *****Westminster Community Orchestra: Halloween Time!
Features orchestral works meant to set a spooky mood. Complete with decorations and family-friendly atmosphere.

Works by Bach, Khatchaturian, J. Strauss, Jr.
World premiere of the Paul Bunyon Overture by Timothy Morrow 

Performances by Westminister Community Orchestra, The Guitars of Westminster, and Westminster Conservatory Suzuki Violin Students

Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 3:00PM

Robert L. Annis Playhouse
Westminster Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  08540

Tickets: Adults $15, Seniors/Non-Rider Students $10

Box Office: 609-921-2663
Online:
https://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=1287037&presenter=WCCRU&venue=&event=&tck=true
___________________________________________________________________


*****Westminster Piano Pedagogy Workshop


Sessions include: 
Bringing Out the Joy and Drama in Haydn: Color, Contrast, and Choreograpyhy
Inspiring the Young Beginner (Ahes 4 to 6): It Just Takes some TLC!
Adventures in Contemporary Music for the Late Elementary and Intermediate Pianist


Sunday, October 26, 2019 9:00AM-12:00PM


Bristol Chapel
Westminster Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  08540


Registration: $30
Register Online: https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=2571394
__________________________________________________________________

*****Westminster Faculty Recital
Endless Song

Rochelle Ellis, soparano
Akiko Hosaki, piano

Celebrating 25 years with Westminster Choir College, soprano Rochelle Ellis performs Maurice Ravel's Scherazade, songs by Richard Strauss, songs based on the poetry of Langston Hughes and John Carter's Cantata.

Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 3:00PM

Bristol Chapel
Westminster Choir College
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ  08540

Admission is Free

Rebecca Mergen Pennington Friday, October 18, 2019 Bucks County Association of Piano Teachers

The Bucks County Association of Piano Teachers will hold a General Meeting Friday, October 18, 2019 at 9:30AM

Following the meeting, Rebecca Mergen Pennington will present a program on the topic of Teaching Young Children between the ages of 3 1/2 and 5.

Rebecca Mergen Pennington has been a member of the faculty of the New School for Music Study since 2007. She currently serves as Administrative Director. 

Dr. Pennington has been a frequent performer in faculty recitals, contributed to teacher development through blog posts, teaching videos, and work at the NSMS Summer Seminar, and teaches the popular Piano Detectives Club class for kindergarten students. 

She holds a DMA and MM in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas, and a BM in Music Education from Concordia College. Previous teachers include Jack Winerock and Jay Hershberger. Dr. Pennington has presented at NCKP and MTNA conferences.  

She is interested in collaborative music and 20th century music.

Clipper Erickson Down from the Heavens Celebrating the Music of R. Nathaniel Dett

Down from the Heavens
Celebrating the Music of R. Nathaniel Dett

At the end of this week I realize a dream to recreate Nathaniel Dett’s performances on his 137th birthday. I will be joined by the Westminster Jubilee Singers and Rochelle Ellis as we perform and sing some of Dett’s glorious music. Come and join us! Friday, October 11, 2019 at 7:30pm Bristol Chapel at Westminster Choir College 101 Walnut Lane | Princeton, New Jersey ➡ GET YOUR TICKETS

Can't make it? Watch the Facebook livestream!

Russian Romance with the Warminster Symphony Orchestra

On October 26, I recreate Rachmaninoff's gorgeous Second Piano Concerto with the Warminster Symphony. Saturday, October 26 at 8:00pm William Tennent High School 333 Centennial Road | Warminster, Pennsylvania ➡ GET YOUR TICKETS

These are the links for concert information about this Friday and the link to the Facebook livestream if you can't make it. I gave a presentation on Nathaniel Dett for the group a couple of years ago.  It's fantastic music and I'm going to be joined by Rochelle Ellis on Dett's songs and the Westminster Jubilee Singers on some of the choral works.  It will be a wonderful concert.  Hope to see you there! https://www.rider.edu/events/down-heavens Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/events/3166904880016872/ All best, Clipper

Frances Clark Center Residency Program at The New School for Music Study

Frances Clark Center Residency Program at The New School for Music Study

Through the Frances Clark Center Residency Program, area teachers have the opportunity to attend seminars on special topics given by master pedagogues.

Register now

Facilitating Adult Music Learning  with Dr. Pamela Pike Wednesday, October 30, from 10am-12pm Working with adult learners in the music studio requires specialized skills and knowledge of adult attributes. This workshop will explore adult learning theory, assumptions, philosophy, motivation, psychosocial, and physical characteristics at various stages of the adult lifespan. Together, we will learn how to apply this knowledge, in the private and group studio, to facilitate meaningful music making and skill acquisition at any stage in the adult lifespan. Pamela D. Pike is the Barineau Professor of Piano Pedagogy at Louisiana State University. Author of over three dozen scholarly articles and Dynamic Group-Piano Teaching: Transforming Group Theory into Teaching Practice (Routledge), Pike is also Editor-in-Chief of the Piano Magazine. She is an award-winning teacher, including the 2019 LSU Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and has presented teaching workshops throughout the world.

Fee: $30 Free for those enrolled in the NSMS pedagogy course. Free for subscribers of the Piano Magazine (join now). Upcoming residencies: Dr. Vanessa Cornett, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 Dr. Christopher Hahn, Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Learn more

The Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy, a not-for-profit educational institution (501c3) located in Kingston, New Jersey, serves pianists and teachers through its three divisions: The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, the Piano Magazine, and The New School for Music Study.

See what's happening on our social sites

Crescendo Youth Music Competition November 17 and December 8, 2019

Dear friends, teachers and students 

You're Invited - Crescendo Competitions in PA!
We are delighted to announce that Crescendo International Youth Music Competition 2019-is now open for registration.
Students can audition for either competition with one piece on any musical instrument.
More detailed information is available on the website at https://www.crescendocompetition.org/international-competition/main.
For additional inquiries pertaining to Auditions in Pennsylvania, you can text Olga Bondarchuk-Huque at 267-334-2729 or email crescendocompetitionpa@gmail.com.
Crescendo International Youth Music Competitions in Pennsylvania:
Auditions in Pennsylvania for Crescendo International Youth Music Competition (ages 5-21) will be held at the following locations and dates:

1. November 17, 2019 at Jacobs Music, 4030 Skyron Drive, Doylestown, PA;
2. December 08, 2019 at Jacobs Music, 1718 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA.

Winner's recitals (second round) will be held in Carnegie Hall in January - February 2020.
The award system includes monetary rewards for students and teachers. 
Auditions in Pennsylvania for Little Mozarts International Music Competition (ages 3-14) will be held at the following locations and dates:
March 29, 2020 at Jacobs Music in Doylestown
April 5, 2020 at Jacobs Music in West Chester.
Winners’ Recitals will be held in Carnegie Hall in Spring 2020.
All participants must be registered online at https://crescendoregistration.org/login
Participants may apply for auditions as many times as they like. One composition is considered one entry.
For auditions, one selection of Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Modern work must be chosen and performed from memory. Arrangements, simplified editions, popular music and/or non-classical music from method books will not be accepted.

Please note that the audition format doesn't permit the presence of parents, or teachers.
Deadline for auditions applications is 7 days prior to the audition date.
We welcome Crescendo to Pennsylvania and are looking forward to making new friends!
Best,
Olga Bondarchuk-Huque
Director of Crescendo International Competitions in Pennsylvania