CM Tip.....

Students who are playing pieces with multiple movements should follow these guidelines for CM Evaluations:

Suite - only one movement is required for evaluations; multiple movements may be played if the students is applying for  Theme or Ensemble Recitals

Variations - play the opening movement, a few variations, and the closing movement only

Sonatas and Sonatinas - play one movement only

Preludes and Fugues - play the Prelude or Fugue, not both.

The list of movements for a Theme and Variations is just a suggestion.  Here is a better explanation:

 

Students need not prepare all the variations of a longer work, but should prepare enough variations to demonstrate the student’s abilities and show the varied characters.  (For example, if playing  Mozart's "Twinkle, Twinkle," just use 2 or 3 minutes worth of music....maybe 3-4 variations plus the theme and the closing variation.)  Evaluators will hear only the variations the student has prepared.  If the student has submitted the Variations for a convention recital, the evaluator must hear all prepared variations within the recital time limit.

CM News...

November 15 has come and gone. Thank you teachers for being so prompt in sending your CM envelopes. However, there were several who had missing documents and checks. Registration is not complete, unless the missing items are in CM Chair's hands. Please note that you can get help from this new webpage. Once again, please log onto this webpage as often as possible, not just once a month.

NEW: Local teacher numbers have been assigned. Please click Fliers and Forms and you will see Local Teachers Numbers listed.  Most teachers have the same number as last year, but because we have new teachers and because some teachers are not participating in CM, a few teachers' numbers are changed. Please remember these numbers from now till the end of CM in June, 2012. Thank you for your cooperation.

January 2, 2012 - Database will open for teachers to enter repertoire, enter students for Branch Honors and/or Convention Recitals. These are the level eligibility:

Branch Honors for Pasadena Branch - Levels 4 and above

Convention Festival Recital - Levels 3 and above
Convention Theme Recital - Levels 3 and above
Convention New Materials Recital - Levels 1 and above. Selection must be composed no earlier than 2002. Please refer to Syllabus 2007 for more information.

Here are some answers on frequently asked questions.
Students who are playing pieces with multiple movements should follow these guidelines for CM evaluations:

Suite - only one movement is required for evaluations; multiple movements may be played if student is applying for Theme or Ensemble Recitals.

Variations - Students need not prepare all the variations of a longer work, but should prepare enough variations to demonstrate his/her ability and show the varied characters. (For example, if playing Mozart's "Twinkle, Twinkle", just use 2 or 3 minutes worth of music ---maybe 3-4 variations plus the theme and the closing variation). Evaluators will hear only the variations prepared. If the student has submitted the Variations for a Convention Recital, the evaluator must hear all prepared variations within the recital time limit.

Sonatas and Sonatinas - play one movement only.

Preludes and Fugues - play either the Prelude or the Fugue, not both.

Important for CM Teachers....

Please take note that you are to only register your students from now till Nov. 15. No other information is needed from you at this time.

Please do not enter repertoire for students at this time.  You will do that after January 2, 2012. The computer will block you from doing that.

String Festival....

The guidelines and application for the String Festival is in the Fliers and Forms Section. This festival is a Branch music event and is not to be confused with VOCE, which is a MTAC State event. Students may participate in both events. Teachers, please go online to www.mtac.org to read more about the VOCE program.

The String Festival is chaired by Linda Stone and VOCE is chaired by Angela Whitaker and Bolin Pan. 

Teacher Help Form for Strings and Winds Teachers

The Teacher Help Form for Strings and Winds Teachers  is found in the Flier and Forms section, separately listed from the CM 17-page document. Please use the appropriate form - do not revise the keyboard form to send to Winna Tan.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Attention String and Woodwind Teachers......

It has been pointed out that the Teacher Help Form in the CM Document is only for Keyboard Teachers. We apologize that we didn't make provision for other disciplines.

Please do not revise the keyboard teacher help form. The form for Strings, Winds and Voice will be posted in a couple of days, in time for you to fill it out and send to CM Chair, Winna Tan. They will be listed separately in the Fliers and Forms section.

Apologies for the inconvenience caused. Thank you for your patience.

Register for CM now!

Only ONE more week before CM registration deadline and a few teachers are having questions.

One very common question is "What do we do when the student changes his/her mind about taking CM?". Go into your student's page and unclick the check mark that says Enrolled. The student will not be registered anymore.

Another question is "Recalling a student who did not participate in CM 2011". Most of those students cannot be registered because they don't have a 6-digit password. Therefore, you need to contact Winna Tan who needs to contact our state representative to get a password for the student.

Then there are students who transfer to other teachers. They have to be transferred by the state representative or else the student cannot be registered.

Therefore, you can see that all the above procedures take time and if you leave registration till Nov. 15, you may not be able to complete registration. Reminder: There is NO late registration. The database closes at midnight of Nov. 15 and not even your Branch Chair can help you out.

As of Sunday, Nov. 6, many teachers are not registered yet. REGISTER NOW!

Reasons for Ineligible for Certificate (IC)

Many teachers continue to question why their students received an IC for the evaluations. Here are the reasons why.

The "Ineligible for Certificate" rating shall be used for students who perform a proficient CM Performance Evaluation, but who have violated rules and regulations not related to performance quality.

STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE AN IC RATING ARE PERMITTED TO MOVE TO A HIGHER CM LEVEL AT THEIR NEXT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, BUT MAY NOT PERFORM AT CONVENTION OR BRANCH HONORS RECITALS OR RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE. HOWEVER, THEY MAY STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SENIOR AWARD.

Students shall receive an IC rating for any one of the following:
1. Performing incorrect repertoire categories, Syllabus piece, or not having a required Syllabus piece.
2. Performing technique from an incorrect Syllabus or level.
3. Advanced Level required Etude not from the Etude list.
4. Failing to provide original music scores for the Evaluator, including a second original score if the piece is not memorized.
5. Performing an Not Acceptable Repertoire.

Repertoire....

Teachers, To make sure all repertoire is acceptable for evaluations, carefully check your CM Syllabus and the Teacher Training PowerPoint for your instrument at www.mtac.org.

To view the Teacher Education PowerPoint, login to www.mtac.org, select CM Resources, then CM Documents. You will see a grid with the various CM related materials; select the Teacher Education file in the format of your choice (in the second row).

Piano Teachers: Method Book pieces are NOT acceptable for evaluations unless they are standard literature.

Composers Today...

Ron Anderson is the Chairperson for Composers Today for the Pasadena Branch. Please note:

January 10, 2012: Contact Ron Anderson with number of students you wish to enter into the Evaluations.
January 15, 2012: Send applications, fees, and compositions to Ron Anderson.

You may contact Ron if you have any questions: ronjanderson@gmail.com. Phone 626-355-9240

New for 2012 CM...

FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS: Sight Reading Study Time has been increased to 45 seconds for Levels 8 and above. Sight reading time for Levels Prep through 7 remain at 30 seconds.

Winners for Bach Complete Works...

The Bach Complete Works Auditions were held on Sunday, Oct 2, 2011. The winners from the Pasadena Branch are as follows:

1. Roza Yoder's students: Rachel Chen, 1st place; Jingfu Peng, 3rd place; Gabrielle Sipen, 1st place.
2. Vera Hoalim's student: Andrew Cuyekeng, 2nd place.
3. Bernadene Blaha's student: Asana Onichi, 2nd place.
4. Kevin Fitz-Gerald's students: Sabrina Kozak, 1st place; Justin Yew, 1st place.
5. Akiko Hasunuma's student: Arisa Ogino, 2nd place.
6. Jamie Pedrini's student: Chelsea Pan (flute), 3rd place.
7. Bolin Pan's students:
    Junior flute winners - Emily Zheng, 1st place; Viola Chan, 2nd place
    Senior flute winner - Jamie Kwon, 1st place

CONGRATULATIONS, students and teachers!!!

Bach Festival Online Registration.....

Teachers are reminded that the online registration for Bach Festival is now opened. The deadline for application is Friday March 9, 2012. Please send fees ($30.00/student and 10.00 teacher participation fee) and a copy of the Student List to Anna Chan, Chairperson. Please make check payable to MTAC Pasadena. The Bach Festival (Branch Level) will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Church of Our Saviour, 535 W. Roses Rd, San Gabriel, 91775.