Music Educators Association of New Jersey

This session was devoted to the creative and obsessive motivation behind the two versions of Schumann's Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 14.  Yang  offered a performance of one version while exploring the height of Schumann's manic genius in his choice of pianistic orchestration, metric variation, obsessive drive, and sense of tormented and expressive beauty through cyclical motivic repetition.  To learn more about Ms. Yang visit her website Here.

The Original Composition Festival was held on April 25th, via the zoom platform, with 32 student composers altogether from the ESOCC and the Festival representing 13 teachers.  The program included compositions for piano solo, piano four  hands, and piano with ensemble.   All student composers received a certificate.  The judges of the ESOCC were also able to attend and speak to the students.  Committee member Joan Bujacich acted as host on the upgraded zoom and conducted sound checks prior to the start of the program to optimize the audio experience.  All teachers were also sent audio tips/recital protocol, prior to the Festival to disseminate to their students.  Committee member Lisa Gonzalez took screen shots of the composers.  The program was a huge success and there were many positive comments from teachers, parents and the students themselves. Congratulations to all the student composers!  Stay tuned for next year, you will not want to miss this!

 Original Composition Committee, Kathy Knittel, Chair

Important Dates:
Registration closed: May 1st
Deadline to submit grades: June 21st

We are all in this together and your support and understanding are paramount. Thank you, Joan Bujacich, auditions@mea-nj.org

Master Teacher: Joseph Kalichstein     

 Please Note: As is customary, entrants will be heard by 2 judges

For over 15 years Mr. Forrest has been adding visuals and stage elements to symphony orchestra concerts and for classical artists. The long list includes working with Itzhak Perlman, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Houston Symphony, The Little Orchestra Society and The New Haven Symphony and more. Elliott will talk about his work producing for the stage. To read more about Mr. Forrest's impressive careeer visit his website Here.

There are two periods to register students for theory; October 1-21 and March 1 - 21. You can receive the tests via email or hard copy via snail mail and administer them at your leisure. You can register students online using the interactive registration form listed under Member Documents on your Member Homepage or you can mail in a downloadable registration form which can be be found under the link Forms/Downloads from our MEA Homepage Here.

For more info contact Marcia Maull, MEA Theory Chair:  Theory@mea-nj.org

Beethoven's Piano Sonatas are central to our repertoire - but they were even more central to his. This presentation selectively explored how the Sonatas fit Beethoven's own way of playing; how they fit his shifting musical and career goals; and how these works might be seen as one great musical autobiography.
Read the Highlights from this wonderful meeting Here. 

To learn more about Mr. Wunsch visit his website Here. 

Debussy’s Many Worlds of Sound

Richard Allaway, and his staff, bring us another great issue of The Glissando  with Opus 93, No. 3! If you are not getting your e-letters via email blast, contact Lisa@mea-nj.org.  The Glissando is also posted under: Forms /Downloads.

Concert pianist, writer, lecturer and inspiring teacher Paul Roberts performed the three Petrarch Sonnets from Liszt's Italian book of the Années de pèlerinage, with readings from the poems, and explored how an understanding of the literary context can aid interpretation. Enjoy the Highlights HERE.

Paul Roberts Website

In connection to the MEA Annual Piano Competition 2021, Beatrice Long presented a lecture on the music scenes in Vienna from 1750-1899, and the lives of nine Viennese composers whose works are featured in the 2021 competition’s syllabus:  Haydn, Mozart, Diabelli, Schubert, Beethoven, Czerny, Hummel, Johann Strauss II and Brahms.

This presentation was held via Zoom. Beatrice did a wonderful job with the technology and topic! All the guests fortunate enough to attend were inspired by the joy shared through the music, her live performances and the many interesting stories told. Be sure to read the highlights written by Bertha Mandel Here.

The 2020-2021 Membership Directory can be found on your Member Homepage. Log on and take a look. It is listed under Downloadable Documents. You can view or Download. 

Thank you Lisa Gonzalez, Membership Chair, for putting this together for the membership each year!