AIM (Acheivement In Music) Festival
WHEN? Saturday November 17th, 2001. About a two hour block sometime between 8:00am-5:00pm. Detailed schedule is announced only a few days before. I will phone you with the assigned rooms and times, and also post them on this page of the Web Site.
WHERE? Butler University (Lilly Hall).
Directions to Butler University: South on U.S. 31 (N. Meridian). West (right) on 46th Street (at the Governor's Estate), travel 4 blocks. Look for Butler Campus straight ahead. Look for the large modern performing arts building (Clowes Hall) on the right. Pass Clowes as you drive into campus. Just beyond Clowes on the NE corner is Lilly Hall. Lilly Hall is the music building. Park anywhere, even faculty slots. Enter by way of the stairs/ramp on NW side of building.
MORE INFO:
Studio Class
This Friday (the week before AIM) on Friday November 9th, 2001. This studio class is mandatory. Mark you calendars. Students play all repertoire, keyboard skills, technical study, and will be quizzed on theory. BIG class! All students attend the same session. Again, this Friday from 5:00-6:00pm at my home.
Announcements
Mrs. McIntyre has just been inducted into the International Who's Who of Professional Educators as a leader in her field. She has also accepted a teaching appointment as Associate Adjunct Professor of Piano at the University of Indianapolis.
New Make-up Policy
Mondays 5:00pm-6:00pm is reserved for make-up lessons. So you can phone me and sign up for that slot before you start phoning students to switch times. This has been very convenient and successful. Monday students may need to talk to me about another alternative. You are still always free to switch. I'll publish the new list soon; look for them to go home with students in a week or so.
The Ultimate Field Trip
New York City was incredibly special. In spite of several cancelations, our intimate group were treated to a personal tour by Mr. Pollens, the conservator of the Musical Instruments Gallery within the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We were given the tremendous privelege of playing every historic keyboard in the gallery, including the world's oldest surviving piano built by Crisotofori's workshop (the inventor of the piano) nearly 300 years ago. He also gave us a demonstration of various keyboards and mechanisms in his workshop, an area closed to the general public. What a gift.
Lion King was spectacular. I wept at the indescribable and complete marriage between the music, dance, costuming, lighting, and set design. My son sat on the edge of his chair, frozen for two hours.
We were also given a special tour by Miss Charlotte (a senior tour guide and docent) for Lincoln Center. We saw two of the famed halls on campus, and were given the priveledge of sitting in on a full opera rehearsal in complete costume with orchestra. Wow! (I also stole a moment to run into Juilliard's Book Store.)
If we ever plan another trip to NYC, I HIGHLY suggest you consider it. This was a rare experience.
A Living Memorial
In the wake of September 11th, we felt drawn to visit Ground Zero on the last morning. The crowd was quiet (almost silent) and reverent - a stark contrast to Times Square the night before. The scene - still smoldering after 7 weeks. The police and army on duty were very friendly and kind. The remembrances of floweres, pictures, and notes are ever changing and growing with the constant flow of people visiting the area.
It is difficult to describe what I felt by this. I think I'll leave my expression of feelings to the art of music.