This week, the Piano Explorer announced the winners of the 2009 Composition Contest. Â I’m thrilled to report that my student, Jana Heady won 1st place in the younger division and Nicole Jack won an Honorable Mention in the older division! […]
Composition Winners Read More »
Some students have an intense desire to compose, but just don’t know where to start. Â For these students, it is helpful to have a subject or topic for composing. Â Every year the Piano Explorer has a composition contest and
Getting a Student Started Composing Read More »
The subject of teaching composition to children strikes fear in the heart of many independent music teachers. I think this is often because the IMT feels that they just don’t have the tools needed for such a task. It is
Teaching Composition to Children…some beginning thoughts Read More »
Why should I teach my students to compose? Children are naturally creative. Â It’s one of the things that distinguishes us from other living species. Â The self-esteem and confidence of children thrive when they create something they know is a
Why Teach Composition to Children Read More »
Hal Leonard has just launched the First Choice New Release Club for piano teachers.  I like several aspects of this club: 1.  It features music that the piano teacher is interested in: Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, Composer Showcase Collections, Phillip Keveren
First Choice New Release Club Read More »
Laura Lowe has some great posts about what she learned at the 2009 MTNA convention on her Lowe Piano Studio Blog. Â I wish I had been there, but I love her summaries and have picked up a few new ideas
2009 MTNA Convention Blogging Read More »
 ChangeThis.com has a few great manifestos on creativity and how to generate good ideas.  14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas is a particularly helpful manifesto for the composer.  Some of Mitch Ditkoff’s ideas are more applicable to the musician
14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas Read More »
If you do a lot of arranging, you may be interested to know about the International Music Score Library Music Portal (IMSLP). Â IMSLP contains PDF files of scores that are in the public domain. Many composers of a number of
Public Domain Classical Scores Read More »
The spring Hal Leonard Piano Teacher Catalog is out and offers 40% off up to 4 copies per title! Â This catalog also comes with a CD which will make it easier to select music for specific students and specific needs.
Hal Leonard 40% off Read More »
Hal Leonard has published my first pedagogical piece entitled Twister. Â It is a level 3 (late elementary) Hal Leonard Showcase Solo and can be found on page 15 of the 2009 Spring Catalogue (picture is on page 14). Â Here is
Twister (Late Elementary) Read More »
The Great Fuzzy Event of 2026!
You will not believe what we released at this premier event! Four new Fuzzies solos, a new and FREE incentive program, summer ideas, new resources and so much more! Even the replay is super fun!
