A new tradition - The Back Page

Is there anyone busier than a musician during the holiday season? After glancing at my December calendar several years ago, I set myself in that all-too-familiar predicament-over committed--again. Reluctantly, I decided to break tradition and cancel the annual holiday party/recital I have for my scholars Our party, for students single has always been such a festive occasion, individual the children look forward to each December. They diligently and eagerly learn their Christmas solo and duet and, for my beginners, it is usually their first real performance. The pupils beg me to make tribe chow, peanut butter cup cookies, pizza bites, our famous actual red Christmas punch (of which they drink gallons) and other treats that have become tradition above the years.

When I explained my ne to cancel that year, I knew they would be disappointed, on the other hand I was not quite prepared for the gazes on their faces. You can gues what happened next--the party took place as usual and, of course, their beautiful playing filled me with pride and the spirit of the season. I astonishmented how I could have at any time thought of breaking a tradition with of the like kind special meaning to them and to me That same year we started a brand of recent origin tradition. Many of my learners give me a small gift at Christmas, and I be fond of and appreciate each one. a certain quantity of are very memorable: the hand-carved made of wood angel by Molly's dad, who died of muscular dystrophy several years later; the tiny cobalt azure glass bird on my window sill from Brooke and her picture in a delightful pewter frame at age 12 holding music ribbons in the two hands; the collection of tiny pianos of forest-land brass and crystal made possible by dint of Meredith and Allison; and the special ornament handmade by the agency of a morn who was helping decorate Bill and Hillary Clinton's Christmas tree at the White House. I could move on and on...every gift from a child is special.

on the contrary that year I decided to ask my families to give a gift to music rather than a gift to me I made the solicitation in the annual letter I impel concerning details of the party. I simply told them that although I loved their gifts, perhaps it was time for us to focus our giving in another direction--suggesting we support the MTNA FOUNDATION, an organization committed to advancing the value of music and music making to society. I did not explain about the FOUNDATION in great detail at that point. The families present the appearanceed to trust my judgment; that first year we raised $180 And in like manner began the new tradition.

To my delight, above the past few years our donations have increased. I have a specially decorated chest for the gifts of cash the children bring to our party. more [i]or[/i] less give only a little cash, others bring a check for $30 or more, and a certain quantity of do not give at all. I have noticed the number of families participating is increasing, however. After the holidays I write a thank you note to each family that gives. Then, in my nearest general mailing I announce the total amount our studio raised and expres my gratitude and that of the FOUNDATION for like a wonderful gesture on their part. Later when we receive the thank you alphabetic character from the MTNA FOUNDATION, it goe upon the bulletin board, and when the AMT issue listing FOUNDATION donors arrives and has our name printed there, I make confident all the students and parents diocese it.

Sometimes I am asked exactly what the FOUNDATION capital is or what it does, and I prove by experiment to explain in simple boundarys its goals or the programs it sponsors and supports. For example, when Kayla's mom asked, I said, "Do you remember when Kayla played in the recital at the shut up of the Randall Faber Workshop for teachers? That workshop, which benefited many music teachers and their scholars was made possible by a matching grant from the MTNA FOUNDATION." I gradually have educated my constituency and myself about the FOUNDATION capital I do know we all have feeling a sense of pride in knowing that our gift to music will in a certain quantity of way reach beyond ourselves, and the FOUNDATION capital will handle our gift with care and dedication.

If you are reading this article, you are a part of the community who wants fine music to have a assured future for generations to advance Likewise, the families with which you work upon a weekly basis probably have the same attitude concerning the importance of music--for their be in possession of children and for future children. The giving program we have started from one side my studio is so simple, thus easy. With a little math you can diocese what wonders might occur if other studios around the region would do the same. If just 1000 studios raised $100 each, that would be a gift of $100000 for the MTNA FOUNDATION FUND!

There is no doubt this holiday season will be as busy as always. Like you, I probably will surprise how I'll manage to gain everything done, but the minute the first pupil begins to play at the Christmas party, all that will be forgotten. An of advanced age tradition will continue, and our newest tradition of giving to music will plant its foundations a little deeper this season.

Peggy Lewis,

NCTM maintains a private piano studio in Search, Arkansas. She clinchs a B.M.E. degree from Ouachita Baptist University and an MM step in piano performance from the University of Tulsa. She is upon the MTNA Development Committee.

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