Music Literacy Program: Fall 2023 Updates

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Melanie Stroud, WSMTA Music Literacy Program Chair

As I sit writing this article, sipping a pumpkin spice latte, I hope that you all are enjoying the beginning of fall as much as I am! The new year is underway, students are learning and thriving, and I am looking forward to this year’s Music Literacy Program! The biggest changes to the program this year involve our amazing WSMTA website and the dynamic duo of Mary Grant and Kirsten Carlson. If you are your chapter’s MLP chair, everything you could possibly need is right at your fingertips on our website!

Mary Grant has created a Chapter Chair Checklist to make sure you don’t forget any steps. The online Chapter Questionnaire lets us know when your event will be held, when you want your registration open, and what areas of testing you are planning to offer. Once your registration window opens, your teachers go to the “register students” button and take care of that. When your registration closes, you send them back to the website to pay! (Make sure you set a firm deadline for that, so you can get your chapter rebate promptly!) When the payment window closes, you fill out the “Chapter Rebate Request,” and we get things handled on our end to get you your money so you can pay for your event!

When your whole splendid affair has ended, you fill out the “Chapter Participation Profile,” to let me know how everything went. This form goes to me, Samantha Yeung and Kirsten Carlson. I send out gold seals for your students who achieved honors status on their theory exams and Samantha puts the high honors names in the Clarion. My hope is that this whole process has been streamlined in a way that is super user friendly, and makes the life of your Chapter Chair easier. Happy Fall, everyone! 



IMTF: Collaboration – Better Together!

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RoseMarie Tamburri, IMTF Chair

The theme of the 2023 WSMTA Conference, “Collaboration in the Cascades” was in action at the IMTF (Independent Music Teacher Forum) session at the Sun Mountain Lodge.

The topic? Dealing with change – one of many challenges we face as independent music teachers. Whether a change is planned or unexpected, it’s important to be as prepared as possible to navigate the change.

The How-To? The group practiced using “SLOT,” an analytic tool used by businesses of all sizes since the 1960s to maintain success through changing circumstances in the marketplace. First, select a change you want to make; then identify your Strengths to accomplish the change, and the Limitations that might impede the change. Second, look for Opportunities to help you make the change and identify Threats or Obstacles that might prevent you from making the change.

The Goal? Brainstorm ways to turn your Limitations into Strengths and Threats (or Obstacles) into Opportunities.
Members shared their unique situations with each other, whether it be a change of teaching venue, a reduction or increase in their student roster, or even creating a performance space. The room was alive with discussion, brainstorming and true collaboration!

Resources: There are many books on the topic of Change. Here are a few I shared with the group:

  • “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson
  • “Change is Everybody’s Business” by Pat McLagan
  • “How to Survive Change You Didn’t Ask For” by M.J. Ryan

CODA:
As many of you may know, I have stepped down from the position of IMTF Chair. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve the WSMTA community in this role for the past seven years. I have enjoyed meeting so many dedicated teachers from across the State and have learned so much from each of you. The Independent Music Teacher Forum will continue under the leadership of our new IMTF Chair Laura Dean (Seattle Chapter). Her energy, creativity, and dedication to teaching will support all of us on our professional development journey.

Until next time,
RoseMarie