Outstanding Artist Piano Competition (OAPC) 2023 Recap

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Cherie Felts, OAPC Chair

It was so good to meet and greet everyone during the Outstanding Artist Piano Competition in Ellensburg! It was a full three days with 48 in performance beginning Friday morning, November 10, and continuing all day on Saturday and Sunday. There were 29 students entered in Junior Division and 19 in Senior Division, representing 25 teachers.

I would like to thank Michelle Mielke, Chair of the WSMTA Education Board, Colleen Hunter, WSMTA President and Amanda Harris, WSMTA Vice President for their encouragement and work. We all thank Preta Laughlin for her time and energy in making sure everybody working competitions was taken care of for snacks and lunchtimes; to Kirsten Carlsen, WSMTA Administrative Coordinator, for her help with registrations and communication tasks overall; and to Julie Swienty for being the MTNA/WSMTA Competitions Coordinator and for her communication with the support staff at CWU especially. Thank you also to Jani Stoehr, (Program Repertoire Researching and Formatting) for extra research with titles, opus numbers and clarifications needed to make the printed program as accurate as possible and for formatting it as well.  Thank you also to Dr. Jay Mauchley for proof-reading the printed program (repertoire titles) to ensure as much accuracy as possible! I owe a debt of gratitude to Samantha Yeung and Kirsten Carlson for their encouragement and publishing the competition results quickly as we moved through the weekend days.

A huge thank you is extended to our 2023 OAPC Judges: Dr. Jason Kuo, NCTM, Dr. Lark Powers, NCTM, and Mr. Jeffrey Gilliam, NCTM. It was a pleasure to work with them! Our Monitors this year were Patti Robertson, NCTM, and Jani Stoehr, NCTM. I so appreciate their ongoing service and commitment to WSMTA and our students!

Cherie Felts, OAPC Chair

December 2023: Commissioned Composer of the Year Updates

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Louise Nedela, WSMTA Commissioned Composer Chair

Mission Statement: The WSMTA Commissioned Composer of the Year is the Washington State segment of the MTNA Composer Commissioning Program.  MTNA is dedicated to encouraging the creation of new works by American composers, and annually assists its affiliated State Associations with the generation and performance of new music through the national Composer Commissioning program. A newly commissioned work receives its premiere performance at the convention of the State MTA, which is then submitted to a panel of recognized composers for selection of the MTNA Distinguished Composer of the Year.

Sean Osborn, 2023 WSMTA Commissioned Composer

The 2023 Commissioned Piece by Sean Osborn has been forwarded to MTNA for consideration for the Distinguished Composer of the Year.  We wish him success on an excellent composition: Celtic Sonata for Flute and Piano.

Nathan Campbell, 2024 WSMTA Commissioned Composer

Please see the previous CCOY article for information for our 2024 Commissioned Composer: Nathan Campbell, Bellingham, Washington. We look forward to updates in upcoming Clarion issues. Nathan’s composition will be performed at the WSMTA 2024 Conference in June.

The process for selecting the WSMTA Commissioned Composer of the Year has changed. By members’ request, and as one of the preferences indicated in the member survey in 2020, the CCOY committee will appoint a Commissioned Composer for 2025.  That appointment will be announced in the September edition of the Clarion.  If anyone wishes to nominate a composer (especially those who might not see the Clarion), please contact me with your nomination.

Attention past CCOYs! We would like to include your commissioned piece on the WSMTA website via a link. Please contact louisenedela@gmail.com for more information. We look forward to compiling the compositions of past CCOYs!

Collaboration: Aspiration – Inspiration – Frustration – Perspiration

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Jane Melin, Vocal & Instrumental Chair

“Genius is 1 Percent Inspiration and 99 Percent Perspiration” – Thomas Edison (who maybe left out a few ingredients!)

WSMTA aspires to create more connections between students and teachers of different instrument-disciplines.

This has inspired the 2024 Conference Committee to dream up a panel discussion of teachers who have worked with chamber groups, especially groups involving pianists. Topics covered would be how to start such a program, ideas for scheduling, collaboration, and repertoire ideas. 

I have been asked for input on this topic, which leads to feelings of frustration. This is not the first time chamber-collaborations have come up at the state and local levels! In my chapter, we have many vocal/instrumental students, and yet we have not been able to come up with a way to mix them together with piano students in ensembles. Why is this?

Not for a lack of interest! Perspiration is involved in just thinking this through. The roadblocks seem to be:

1) Lack of chamber repertoire written below an advanced level for all participants. Classical chamber repertoire for 3, 4 or 5 musicians that includes piano was not written for student-level players. Modern equal-difficulty student-ensemble repertoire is written for the types of student groups that make up most of the commercial market: youth/school bands, orchestras, choirs, and single-discipline studios. Therefore, any piano parts are blended into a larger ensemble, are at an advanced (teacher) level, or missing completely.

2) Lack of an organizational structure for communications and scheduling. The students who are involved in ensembles are probably in their school or community youth orchestra, band, or choir; or in small chamber groups organized by their private teacher around strings or winds repertoire. Bringing together students outside of these structures and disciplines is very difficult.

3) Lack of student availability. The very students who have developed the skills for playing chamber music at the (required) intermediate and advanced levels are usually involved in many other activities. They are studying demanding solo repertoire; defending their seating position in a competitive band or orchestra; and/or preparing for WMEA Solo and Ensemble. And of course, they are usually hard working students in college-prep classes. Do they have time to dedicate to another type of music-making that might be considered “just for fun” or “on the side”? Most would answer “No.”

All of these obstacles return us to the status quo (resignation).

Is there a way through? I would love to hear from any GENIUS teachers who have experience in this area! Maybe you got there through experimentation, innovation, or negotiation. Do you have a treasured source of student-level repertoire for piano-plus ensembles? Have you composed or arranged any music for this purpose? Please contact me with your successful ideas. At least I can share them with others. Or, perhaps a panel discussion in June 2024 is not so improbable after all!

COLLABORATION. What does it look like to you?

–Jane Melin, NCTM
WSMTA Vocal/Instrumental Chair
jane@melinmusicstudio.com



WSMTA Member Spotlights: December 2023

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Meg Krieg, NCTM

Lynden Chapter

Meg Krieg has been a member of the Lynden Chapter since 2000. She has been a member of MTNA since 1990 and is Nationally Certified. Meg has been active in our chapter as Chapter President, Vice President, and MLP Test Proctor. She currently serves as our Vice President which covers lining up our programs with a committee for the year. She has a full studio and has had competition winners play at several WSMTA conferences. She is a wonderful host and has a chapter meeting once a year where we enjoy amazing food, her vintage home and her gardens.

Meg has been our MAP Chair since our founding member Martha Helder passed away in 2008. There are many details to work on holding this job. Meg has to book a Visiting Artist, secure a location, doing the scheduling for our two day event, and be ready to help members with questions and registration. She is there bright and early at the beginning of the day to welcome the VA and make sure all needs are met and comes again at the end of the day to check and see that it was a successful day. Then there is the paper work to the state and final details. We are so thankful for all your encouragement to our members and time given to LMTA. We thank you for all you do.

Dr. Nicole Kim, NCTM

Lake Washington Chapter

Nicole Kim, longtime member of the Lake Washington Chapter, is an indispensable member of our organization. Over the years she has dedicated her time (and space) to many of our events, including organizing our first competition last year to great success.

She has previously served as our President, then Treasurer, and currently serves as a voice of experience on the board as Vice President, bringing a passion for the well-being of the chapter to each meeting.

Dr. Merilyn Jacobson, NCTM

Mt. Rainier Chapter

Merilyn (Mimi) Jacobson has been a member of WSMTA since 1969 and of the Mt. Rainier chapter since 1978 (of which she was a founding member). Mimi has made invaluable contributions to the chapter acting as president, MAP chair and other officer positions. She has been instrumental in recruiting and retaining a number of valuable members and in making our adjudication experience (now MAP) a successful affair year after year by contributing her input and expertise in the organization, from selecting Visiting Artists who are the best fit for our chapter to hosting the event at her beautiful studio (which has also served as a venue for meetings and student and teacher performances throughout the years).

Mimi’s experience as a performer and born pedagogue, the success of her students, and the roles she has fulfilled for WSMTA throughout the decades have left an indelible mark in our chapter and the entire Puyallup Valley region.

Gina Colver

Moses Lake-Central Basin Chapter

Gina Colver is a member of Moses Lake-Central Basin Chapter since 2021. She is our chapter’s secretary. Besides teaching her piano students, Gina plays once a month at Ephrata’s Senior Center. Gina was a piano accompanist for her husband Roy’s school music concerts. Roy passed away on June 1, 2023 after a six-year battle with cancer.

Gina is also a manager at Willow Drive Nursery, where they do apple breeding. Gina always has an inner joy and a positive outlook in life.

2024 WSMTA State Conference Updates

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I want to share my excitement with you! The 2024 State Conference is already shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss. We are so grateful to hold our 2024 event at the beautiful Gonzaga University Campus in Spokane, Washington.

Get ready for world class performances, workshops, master classes and lectures. Anticipate encouragement, enrichment, and fun! We know how hard YOU work, and want to roll out the red carpet for you. Setting aside this time for yourself can have an impact on your professionalism, inspire your teaching, and renew the joy of music.

We will enjoy recitals held in the beautiful Coughlin Theater inside Gonzaga’s Performing Arts Center. Presentations will be offered in the Recital Hall, Music Hall, and Music Annex. All buildings are within easy walking distance.

Gussy up for a semi formal banquet. You can look forward to live music, and plated dinners served in the beautiful Globe Room. Nothing is scheduled after the banquet, in hopes members will take an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely time over food, drink, music and camaraderie.

At this time we are still in need of these chair positions for our 2024 Conference.

  • Local Chair (promoting the area offerings in Spokane)
  • Hospitality Chair (facilitating opportunities for members to meet)
  • Banquet Chair (decor and organizing musicians)
  • Recital Chair (helping individual recital chairs, organize practice times, secure volunteers to accommodate doors/time clock during recitals)

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like further description of these chair positions and would be willing to serve in this way.

This year several members brought their spouses/significant other to the conference location. Please consider Spokane as a wonderful place to do the same. Spokane offers much in the way of beautiful hikes, bike trails, fishing, and entertainment. The weekend of our conference is the same weekend as Spokane‘s famous hoop fest.

We have reserved a block of rooms at Centennial Inn. We were fortunate to secure a price option comparable to summer season pricing in Spokane.

Please mark your calendars and start making plans for you and your chapter to attend the 2024 State Conference. We’d love to see you all there, as each of you have something to offer by your very presence.

With fondness,

Lois Rhoads
WSMTA 2024 Conference Co-Chair
509-429-5744
rhoads540@hotmail.com

Lois Whitner Student Study Grants

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Do you have a serious student who is committed to music study but is struggling to continue lessons because of financial concerns? Encourage that student to apply for a WSMTA Whitner Student Study Grant! February’s Clarion will contain an article that lists the specific requirements for applicants. Note: all applications will be online and grants will be available to students who are currently in grades 7-11.

Although the past few years have brought a lot of change to our lives both personal and professional, one constant has been music and its power to transform, inspire, comfort, soothe, and excite. With Thanksgiving almost here I am filled with much gratitude: for our profession with its joy of igniting the love of music in young people, for MTNA/WSMTA and our local chapters with the opportunities for growth that these organizations are continuing to provide us, and for you, our amazing colleagues, whose innovative ideas and creative spirits reach out to us as we face the challenges ahead.

I am also grateful for your continuing generosity that has enabled WSMTA to establish our Student Study Grant program. Now is an especially good time to contribute as so many are struggling with financial challenges. You can make a donation here. All grant monies are invested conservatively and the yearly earnings are used to fund grants for students and teachers.

February’s Clarion will list the specific requirements for Whitner Student Study Grant applicants. Questions? Please visit the Student Grants page or contact me at cchungate@comcast.net.

Donate Today!

Connie C Hungate, WSCTM, Co-Chair Student Study Grants