2020 Sonatina/Sonata Festival

Each Spring the Richardson Music Teachers Association hosts this festival. This year’s festival was held on February 29, 2020.

Sonatas are musical pieces using a standard pattern for organizing musical melodies and harmonies. Sonatinas are “little” sonatas. Students must prepare and memorize their piece for the festival and will receive a judge’s evaluation and a certificate for their performance.

The evaluation consists of three possible ranks. Points are awarded for each rank. With each increment of 15 points, students are eligible to receive a trophy.

I+ = Superior with Honor

I   = Superior

II  = Excellent

Congratulations to the following students!

Students receiving the rating Superior with Honor:

• Aidan N.
• Binson P.
• Kailee S.
• Katherine C.
• Lauren C.
• Lily V.
• Maxim H.
• Rachel Z.
• Ryan D.
• Sydney H.

Students receiving the rating Superior:

• Daniel R.
• Fletcher K.
• Kody S.
• Nanditha S.
• Pablo R.

2020 William Gillock Audition

The William Gillock Audition which was held on February 8, 2020 is sponsored by the Junior Pianists Guild. Students are evaluated on their performance of three pieces. To be congratulated for all their hard work and artistry are:

First Class Honors with Distinction
Lauren C.
Sydney H.
Aidan N.

First Class Honors
Binson P.

Honors
Faith T.

RMTA 2020 Winter Festival

The RMTA Winter Festival took place on January 25, 2020. Seven of my students prepared for and entered the festival. Out of 7, all 7 came away with 1+ (Superior with Honor) ratings!
What a great achievement for these students.

I+ = Superior with Honor
I = Superior
II = Excellent

Trophy Winners
Ryan Dam - 75 point trophy

Superior with Honor

Alex B

Binson P

Katie Lynn E

Maheera D

Phu P

Ryan D

Sydney

RMTA Fall Festival 2019

Congratulations to these students who performed Saturday, November 23 in the Richardson Music Teachers Association Fall Festival.

Each year, the RMTA hosts a Fall Festival. The repertoire requirements cycle through the 4 periods of music history. Each year, repertoire from one of the four music periods of music history is required. This year, music from the 20th and 21st centuries were featured. Students memorize one piece of music to perform. They receive a rating, certificate, and evaluation. The ratings have a point value, and for every 15 points earned, the RMTA recognizes the student with a trophy.

I+ = Superior with Honor
I = Superior
II = Excellent

Trophy Winners
Maheera D - 15 point trophy
Aidan N - 30 point trophy
Binson P - 30 point trophy
Daniel R - 30 point trophy
Katie N - 30 point trophy
Pablo R - 45 point trophy

Superior with Honor

Aidan N

Alex B

Binson P

Fletcher K

Kailee S

Katherine C

Katie N

Lauren C

Matthew L

Maxim H

Phu P

Ryan D

Superior

Daniel R

Kody S

Lily V

Maheera D

Santiago R

Vishalya S

Excellent
Pablo R

William Gillock Honor Recital Audition

Congratulations to Sydney H., Binson P., and Aidan N.!

These 3 students received a rating of First Class Honors with Distinction, and Sydney and Binson were selected to perform in the final Honor Recital on October 12, 2019.

The William Gillock Honor Recital Audition invites students (grades 1-8) to select and perform one of William Gillock's compositions. Each student must submit the performance as a video. Judges evaluate the videos and determine the awards given. Of those students receiving the First Class Honors with Distinction award, only a select few are chosen to give an actual live performance of the piece at the Honor Recital which is sponsored by the Junior Pianists Guild.

Royal Conservatory

Aidan N. participated in the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program Assessment for Level 1. He was awarded the Center Certificate of Excellence which is given to the student achieving the highest marks of all the students who were assessed in each division at a particular testing center.

So proud of you! Congratulations.

Buying a Used Piano

If you are considering purchasing a used piano instead of a new one, there are a number of factors to consider. Piano Technician Sally Phillips has some good advice. Click HERE.