Minutes of MSMTA Meeting

Friday, November 9, 2007

The Grand Salon in the University of Tampa’s historic Plant Hall provided an elegant backdrop for our second fall meeting of 2007. In the absence of President Betty Toombs (for the first hour), as well as Vice President for Student Activities, Jan Khorsandian, Secretary Theo Boylan called the meeting to order at approximately 9:20 am. Members present were Martha Bovee, Theo Boylan, Virginia Grissom, Mary Holmes, Helen Morrison , Gail Ott and later, Betty Toombs. Minutes were approved as published in the November newsletter.

Reports of Officers

Vice President for Student Activities

Jan Khorsandian (no report)

Musicales

ChairmanVirginia Grissom inspired us with a few highlights of the October 14 AroundtheWorld Musicale at Florida College. She then opened up a discussion of several topics that she had mentioned in her newsletter article: 1) Dress code 2) Conduct 3) The number of students per teacher (10 entries and 10 minutes) 4) Photocopies of music (not allowed except 1 sheet in the case of difficult page turns). Regarding dress code, some members lamented the fact that students don’t dress up the way they used to. Dress is more casual overall in our culture and some children don’t even own “Sunday best” clothes, so we don’t want them to feel alienated at a recital. Flipflops and jeans have become so common for young people, it’s difficult to ban them completely, although the rules state that. Regarding behavior, everyone agreed that attendees should not be allowed to go in and out during performances. Before the next musicale, Virginia would like us to decide the following: “Who is responsible to enforce the rules?” Should the event chairman or should individual teachers only? Helen Morrison volunteered to call colleagues before recitals to ask them to remind their students about proper etiquette. The Spring Musicale will be an Honors Recital. Only a teacher’s best students should be invited to perform. Memorization is strongly suggested, but not mandatory.

Adult Soiree

Chairman Mary Holmes reported that the November 4th event was the biggest one so far in this new venture for MSMTA. Nine adult students of Helen, Betty and Nina—from beginners to advanced—played for each other at the home of YoungHee Burchett in Carrollwood. The performers decidedafter a bit of wine and refreshments to loosen them upthat they truly enjoyed the experience and want to be a part of it again. Some even offered to bring food. The opportunity to play in front of their peers instead of a group of young children (who may be more advanced than they are) appealed to them tremendously. They also appreciated finding others “doing this crazy thing.” Mary said that in the future we should use nametags and introduce their teachers. The next Adult Soiree is March 16, 2008 at YoungHee’s house. Reminder: a check for $5 per student must accompany the application in advance!

Student Day

Registration packets will be available from Betty Toombs in January, 2008. Theo Boylan read excerpts from an FSMTA letter about new medals that will be available free for teachers to give winners. These attractive medals, which cost FSMTA $2.00 apiece, are suspended from a ribbon to be placed around the neck. They are similar in style to Olympic medals and will now be available for members to order at no cost for those students who earn honors of 90% in Performance, Written and Aural Theory. At Betty’s request, we also discussed whether or not to schedule a makeup day. The general opinion was “no,” since there are several FSMTA chapters within close driving distance. Students who cannot attend MSMTA Student Day can attend one of the others in the local area.

VP for Publicity

Gail Ott sincerely needs help with press releases to the media. Two grandchildren, private students and a church job leave her only enough time to send letters soliciting prizes for recital winners and to invite sponsors for the handbook. On another publicity note regarding the website, Theo mentioned that Betty has found someone to update it for $10/hour. She will keep us advised.

Treasurer

Martha Bovee stated that the balance in the checking account is $2129.19. A full report follows the minutes.

Membership

Becky Barlar’s report stated that MSMTA now has 39 members.

Theo Boylan announced, per Betty, that we will not publish a newsletter in January before the District Meeting due to the holiday, but she will try to email oneif info from members arrives in time to do that.

Committee Reports

Golding Recital

We plan to include a couple fun digital ensemble pieces, in addition to teacher solos. We might consider inviting someone like Professor Wiedrich from USF to conduct. Theo Boylan said that she could probably get Piano Distributors to provide Clavinovas at no charge if the moving expense can be coveredor donated by professionals like Rex Moving. The customary roundtrip cost for one Clavinova is $340, but we could probably get a bulk rate for much less. Virginia Grissom volunteered to bring her portable keyboards to save money and will check to see if the short keyboards can accommodate all the orchestral parts.

Librarian

Tracie Gillenno report

Certification

Helen Morrisonno report

Unfinished Business

FSMTA Conference Report by Mary Holmes was in the newsletter. Mary brought a copy of the conference program—From Bach to Brubeck in Boca—for us to browse through. Her enthusiasm for the grand event of the year made us all wish we had been able to attend.

New Business

FSMTA ByLawsavailable online at FMTA.org or from Betty Toombs, if necessary. Florida Orchestra Flexpasseswinner of the drawing for two free passes was Martha Bovee.

Announcements

Lunch was available after the MSMTA meeting at the Vaughn Center on campus. Also, a recital of the University of Tampa’s Quartet de Minaret would be held that evening, November 9, at 7:30 in the Grand Salon. We thanked UT for hosting the meeting and adjourned to attend a miniworkshop given by Dr. Grigorios Zamparas, director of the Piano Department at the University of Tampa. (Numerous guests from other FSMTA chapters and the public at large joined us at this point.) Our title was, Love At First Sight and Forever: Insider Tips to Exceptional Notereading and Memorization. Highlights from his talk will be featured in the next newsletter, so don’t miss it!

Respectfully submitted,
Theo Boylan, Secretary