Special Events

Master classes - dates TBA

Junior Festival - April 30, May 1, 2 and 7, 2010

Piano Literature Summer Clinic - dates TBA

Junior Festival

The Junior Festival will be held at Baird Hall on May 1, 2010 and at Denton’s on April 30, May 2 and 7, 2010. The New York Federation of Music Clubs, District 8 is a member of the New York Federation of Music Clubs, which is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, the oldest music organization in the U.S.A and was founded in 1898.

Once a year the NFMC sponsors the Junior Festivals throughout the USA.  Children are asked to perform two pieces by memory. One is chosen from the Junior Festivals Bulletin which places the student in a specific class, and the other piece is by a non-American composer of equal level of difficulty

The pieces are performed by memory in a recital and all performers receive an evaluation and a rating by an adjudicator. The rating is on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is the highest score. The performer then receives that number of points. After the student has participated in the festival for a number of years, and their cumulative point total is above 15 then they receive a gold cup trophy. This happens again after they reach 30, 45, 60 and 75 points.

So, the children benefit from the recital performance, evaluation, certificate, ribbon and trophy. This festival seems to give the children a goal and it serves to inspire them in their studies.

See your teacher for details or contact me.

Piano Literature Summer Clinic
(dates t.b.a.)

The Summer Clinic is designed for piano students of all ages. Students may choose to perform for the guest artists, or may choose to observe these sessions without performing (audit). Performers will usually be intermediate or advanced pianists. Approximately six to eight participating students will be assigned to each session. The goal is for the students to learn more about the vast repertoire contained in the literature for the piano. This literature covers about 400 years and includes music from many different countries and many different styles.

In each session, students will hear a presentation by the guest pianist. Afterward, the students will play for the pianist and receive some critiques.

Those who would like to audit the sessions may do so without performing in the master class portion of the day.

Parents and teachers of the students may attend for free depending on seating availability in the room. Please call me at least one day before attending.

The clinic will take place at the studio of Mr. Steven Bianchi, 6570 Conner Road, East Amherst, New York 14051.

Previous year's guest artists include:

Check back for dates and further details for the 2010 Summer Clinic.