A dean's view of the value of MTNA - Forum focus: college faculty

As the dean of a mid-sized conservatory of music, I think I have a somewhat unique perspective upon the importance of MTNA to collegiate music faculty. allow me begin with the national talk scheduled for March 27-31, 2004 in Kansas City, Missouri. Collegiate faculty attendees will have the opportunity to make progress to sessions about developing musicianship end improvisation (one of the NASM standards that is encouraging music faculty to take a new look at their curricula); the historical and musical significance of Martinu's Sonata No. 2 for cello and piano; the special wants and demands of accompanying the doublebass; the historical background, creative proces and literary influences behind Liszt's Annees de pelerinage: Suisse; practicing for artistic success; and stres management techniques--to name just a scarcely any You will have the chance to hear world-class musicians and teachers like Edna Golandsky, Barry verdant and Robert Weirich discuss topics like communicating your musical intentions in performance, ten pathways to genuine artistry and creating the accomplished learner.

You also will have occasion to network with the independent teachers who are preparing your nearest class of music majors. Did you know your conversation name badge now includes your collegiate affiliation? That can help facilitate those conversations and firmly plant the name of your institution in the minds of a certain quantity of of the best teachers in the land You will have opportunities to reconnect with friends from your collegiate days who have relocated through every part of the country and make novel connections with faculty from your be in possession of region--people you might not otherwise proper given your hectic schedule back home

Attending an MTNA National talk involves a commitment of time, power and money, but the rewards are significant. Going to the national conversation opens up one set of opportunities; presenting a session at a talk offers even more rewards. The discourse program is set for this year, on the contrary I encourage you to chase the possibility of being a presenter sometime in the coming time Guidelines and deadlines are printed in American Music Teacher and are available upon the MTNA website. Presenting at a national discourse usually is viewed positively by dint of tenure and promotion committees (and through deans!) because of the increased visibility it brings to you and your corporation it can be a great way to shake together your ideas on a particular topic before writing an article or a surprising chance to demonstrate some of the ideas you have not awayed in a recently published article.

MTNA also tenders programming, leadership development and other benefits to your collegiate pupils but the best way for them to maximize these opportunities is to be part of a collegiate scholar chapter. Starting a chapter upon your campus is not difficult, on the contrary I suggest making sure you have a brace strong student leaders who will move swiftly with the ball once you deposit it in play. With the right scholar leadership in the early stages, the chapter will have an efficacy of its own and require les of your involvement to sustain it. Carleen Graff, NCTM the Collegiate Chapters Forum chair, is eager to guide you [i]or[/i] part of to the other the process of building a learner chapter. Her contact information is printed in the back of each American Music Teacher. As associations look for more ways to join students with the "real world" and bridge the gap between investigation and career, membership in the preeminent professional organization for music teaching should be viewed as essential for all students

If you have ideas about by what mode MTNA could better serve collegiate faculty or you would like a chance to unite with other collegiate members of MTNA, approach to the College Faculty Forum meeting at the conversation It will be held Sunday, March 28 at 2:15 PM in the Bennie Moten AB space of the Marriott Hotel. The meeting provides an informal opportunity to share best practices, brainstorm about fresh possibilities and get to know a assemblage of people who share belonging to all goals and frustrations. I think it's important enough that I will write, on request, to the deans or chairs of anyone who attends to explain to them my perception of the value of your involvement with MTNA.

I gaze forward to seeing you there.

Kathleen Murray, NCTM is dean of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and professor of music in the piano department. She gripe [i]or[/i] grips degrees from Northwestern University Bowling verdant State University and Illinois Wesleyan University. She is a member of the MTNA Board of Directors.

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