It was a pleasant and exciting afternoon when San Diego South Chapter held the CAPMT Ensemble and Piano Auditions last November 6, Sunday, at the recital hall of SoCal Pianos in San Marcos.

This annual state event held at the district and chapter levels measures the performance of those auditioning against a standard of excellence and not against each other. Students from several teachers and studios performed 2 memorized solos and a duet piece before an appreciative audience and to our District Director and adjudicator, Dr. J. Mitzi Kolar. 3 out of 6 ensemble teams  and 4 of of 13 piano auditions students received top honors garnering the scores of 5, 5+, and 5-. These students will be invited to perform at the CAPMT Southern Festival on February 11, 2017. This will be held at Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, CA. Performers’ ages ranged from 6- 16, with many excited first-timers. Although the atmosphere was especially tension-filled, all students were able to play through and were all smiles in the end!

To commemmorate the event, all participants received medals and a beautiful certificate from CAPMT. Those attending the CAPMT Southern Festival will also receive a free masterclass in early February as well as a stipend from San Diego South Chapter.

Congratulations to all students and kudos to all teachers, friends and family members who came to watch and supported the events, making it a day to remember!

ensemble-piano-auditions-2016-results

What a day! October 30 was a day of celebration for our chapter as we held not just one but two events in one day!

The MTNA Studio Festival this year featured 24 beginner and elementary pianists dressed in their smart recital attires: Halloween garb and costumes, who played such pieces as Cool Groove, Halloween Pranks, Toccata in d minor, Spooks, Trick or Treat Parade, among many others. Students received a rating certificate, a treat bag, and of course, a commemorative trophy. Kudos to all the 7 teachers who sent their students, adjudicator Jennifer Rodriquez, and the program committee for a fun-filled event!

The Young Artists Showcase and Competition featured intermediate and advanced music students in their musical best! The showcase division was a no-stress recital for instrumentalists, and the competition division saw students vie for First Prize in their respective levels and instruments. Ten teachers sent a total of 56 students with their 31 entries in both divisions. Entries included solo repertoire for piano and strings (violin, viola and cello) a dance solo, cello duet, string ensemble, violin ensemble, and orchestra. Adjudicator Fresas Balistreri selected students and winners who will be invited to perform at the Honors Gala and Recital on June 2017, as well as rated and wrote critiques on their performances. Her critique on the orchestra’s rendition of Lu-Yan Guo’s composition Music World was well received:

” Beautiful opening, bringing out the rich tones of all orchestral instruments. The phrasing is well-executed. Excellent ending! Steady tempo and imagery of Music World.”

All performers received trophies, certificates, comment sheets and of course, a treat bag! First prize winners were surprised and evidently pleased to receive a money envelope from the chapter.

Congratulations to all winners, teachers, and students! See you next year!

young-artists-showcase-and-competition-results-2016

N.B. Don’t forget to visit and like our Facebook page for more pictures and videos of the live performances.

Attend our forthcoming workshop on October 20, 2016!

The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program will be  conducting a workshop (Teach the Building Blocks of Music with Celebrate Theory!)  for its new theory syllabus and the San Diego launch of Celebrate Theory!, a graded music theory book series that will help you and your students in furthering musical education and knowledge.

Speaker: Dr. Deborah How

Date and Time: October 20, Thursday, 9:30-12:30

Venue: Bertrand’s Music, Rancho Penasquitos Towne Center, 9906 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, CA, 92129

RSVP : http://www.rcmdp.org/workshops

Door prizes await!

See you there!

San Diego South Chapter will hold its Piano and Ensemble Auditions on November 6, 2016, Sunday, 10:30-5 PM. Venue: SoCal Pianos, 307 E. Carmel Dr. San Marcos, CA 92078

Online registration is now open for Piano Auditions. Please visit the state website link for up-to-date information (www.capmt.org/student-programs/capmt-student-programs/) or contact the events’ chair, Rowena Asuncion or co-chair, Belinda Juang, for more information.

Registration deadline: October 12, 2016

SAVE the date!

Online Registration is now open for the 2016 MTNA Studio Festival and  2016 Young Artists Showcase & Competition. Click here to register.

1. Register now  for the MTNA Studio Festival!

This is a non-competitive event in recital format open to all music students and instrumentalists of all age groups. For 2016, the festival will focus on featuring beginner to elementary level students  to perform in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere. Theme: Fall Harvest, Halloween & Thanksgiving.

Participating students will receive comment sheets from an adjudicator, participation medals, treats and special awards will be given for Best in Costume and Adjudicator’s Pick. Students who are chosen as Adjudicator’s Pick will have a chance to be invited to perform at the 2017 Honors Recital and Gala in June.

Application Deadline: October 15, 2016

Event Date: October 30, 2016, 1 pm.

Venue: Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library, 9005 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA

Repertoire Selection: Pieces related to fall season, thanksgiving, Halloween, any  genre and style, 1-2 selections. Time limit: 2 mins.

Event Chair:Steven A. Barta ( Email: stevenabarta@gmail.com)  Co-chair: Jennifer Rodriguez (jen.rodriguez@att.net)

Application Fee: CAPMT/MTNA Teacher Member – $ 35/student (Solo entries)   $25/student  (Duet/Ensemble entry).

We welcome entries from non-CAPMT/MTNA members. Additional $5 fee applies.

2. Young Artists Showcase – Open to music students and instrumentalists of all age groups,  this event in recital format will showcase performances of intermediate and advanced level repertoire from different style periods and genre. Participants will receive ratings certificate, medals, and adjudicator comment sheets. Register now!

Application Deadline: October 15, 2016

Event  Date: October 30, 2016, 3 pm

Venue: Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library , 9005 Aero Dr., San Diego, CA

Repertoire Selection: Any genre and style, intermediate to advanced level. one or 2 selections, solo or ensemble. Time limit: Intermediate- 3-4 mins. Advanced – 5 mins.

Event Chair: Lu-Yan Guo (Email: luyan.guo@yahoo.com)

Application Fees: CAPMT/MTNA Teacher Member – $35/ student (Solo entries)

$25/student (Duet/Ensemble entries)

$5 additional entry fee assessed for non-CAPMT/MTNA members.

Today’s brunch meeting at Mission Valley Library brought together the original members of the chapter where we planned and finalized our  event schedule for September through November 2016. Strong friendships, camaraderie, and professionalism are forged  when everyone cooperates, helps or offer to volunteer! Hooray for the group!

October 30, 2016 : Early Afternoon Session: MTNA Studio Festival -for beginner and elementary  music students. We will update you on the final venue, but you can now start preparing your students! Theme: Harvest and Thanksgiving. Treats will be given to elementary performers and best costume awards will be given!

Late Afternoon Sessions: Young Artist Showcase – for intermediate and advanced instrumentalists. All instruments and genre accepted.

Students will receive a certificate, medal and adjudicator’s comment sheet. Selected students will have a chance to be invited to play at the Honors Gala and Recital in June 2017.

Time Limits: Elementary: 2 minutes     Intermediate: 3-4 minutes Advanced: 5 mins.

Students may play one or 2 solos or play  duets and ensemble pieces.

November 6, 2016: Piano Auditions and Ensemble Auditions. Venue: SoCal Pianos, San Marcos, CA. Online registration will open in October. Check back our chapter website or the state website (www.capmt.org) for updated registration dates. Repertoire list and guidelines are available online.