Clavinova Fun Fest

The 2013 Clavinova Fun Fest, Dallas, TX concluded this past Sunday afternoon with a two hour gala. From eight recitals spread over Friday and Saturday, the audiences voted for those they rated as best performers. These individuals played in the Sunday Winners Recital. 

Of the 16 performers chosen, 3 were from the Allen Long Piano Studio. Congratulations, Caleb, Santiago, and Ron!

A Full Studio

At this point in time, I have a full studio and no openings.

However, if you would like to be added to a "waiting list", just let me know:

• Use the "Contact" tab at the top of this website, or
• phone me at 469-222-3539, or
• email me at allen.musicman@gmail.com.

Clavinova Fun Fest - October 25-27

What is It?	An opportunity for students throughout the Dallas area to perform solos using special features of the Yamaha Clavinova to enhance their performance.
Why is It?	A great time for students of all ages to have fun creating and performing a piano piece, without competition and in a fun environment.
Who Can Participate?	Anyone age 5 and up who would enjoy performing. You do not need to be a piano student to participate – just someone who would enjoy the experience!
Where is It?	Metroplex Piano Warehouse, 9292 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75243
Who Sponsors It?	Yamaha Music Corporation and Metroplex Piano Warehouse.  http://bit.ly/clavinovafunfest
Do I Have to Own a Clavinova to Participate?	No. Your teacher has a Clavinova in his studio and will help prepare you for your performance during regularly scheduled lessons.
What is My Time Commitment on that Weekend?	The weekend is broken into 1-hour performance times. You will be asked to attend the full hour that you are scheduled to perform. All attempts will be made to keep family members in the same hour. There will be a grand celebration on Sunday afternoon for all participants, although attendance is not required.
How Do I Get Involved?	Fill out the attached registration form and mail to Dellana Cook, 468 Lakefield Dr., Murphy, 75094
How Do I Get More Specific Information?	Call Dellana Cook at 214-274-6971 or email her at dellana.cook@gmail.com or Amanda Byars at Amanda@MetroplexPiano.com (214-415-1769).  Also visit http://bit.ly/clavinovafunfest

Enriching, Educational, and Encouraging Activities

With school underway, the piano studio has a number of activities available for the participation of its students:

• Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) Student Affiliate Membership Renewal (September 11)
• Participation in the Clavinova Fun Fest (October 25, 26, and 27)
• Participation in the TMTA Student Affiliate State Theory Exam (October 26)
• Participation in the Dallas Piano Solo Competition (November 16)
• Participation in the Richardson Music Teachers Association (RMTA) Fall Festival (November 23)
• Participation in the TMTA Student Affiliate Music Composition Contest (December 11)

If you are considering piano lessons for the 2013-2014 year, hurry to register. There are only 7 openings left in the studio.  When they are filled, additional requests for lessons will be added to a waiting list.  If you interested, call 469-222-5173 and arrange for an interview/consultation.

A Fanfare and Kettle Drums!

Royal Conservatory Music Development Program

This past December, Ryan D took the practical assessment for the Preparatory B Level and earned First Class Honors for his piano playing.  Congratulations, Ryan!

Richardson Music Teachers Association
Sonatina/Sonata Festival

On February 23, six students from the Allen Long Piano Studio participated with almost 400 students in the RMTA Sonatina/Sonata Festival.

Two students received a rating of Superior with Honor:

• Ryan D
• Victor

Four students received a rating of Superior:

• Ashley
• Jeffrey
• Ethan
• Hari

Additionally, Victor was eligible to play in the Honors Recital.  He played masterfully and received his 30 point Trophy.

Congratulations to all these fine musicians!

The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program has a new name: The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program.  The Royal Conservatory has now become solely responsible for the program, overseeing management and administration of assessments in the U.S.    Past participation and records for students in The Achievement Program will automatically transfer to and be recognized by The Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, and all operational and programmatic elements will remain the same.  For more information, click here.  

Trumpet Fanfare I

The following students earned medals in the Texas Music Teachers Association Student Affiliate Theory Test:

Gold Medalists

• Hari (Level 4 Test)
• Caleb (Level 8 Test)
• William (Level 8 Test)

Silver Medalists

• Ryan D. (Level 4 Test)
• Aythan (Level 1 Test)

Bronze Medalist

• Victor (Level 4 Test)

What is music theory?  Consider what an engineer does.  Music Theory is like music engineering.  Congratulations to these students diligent study to prepare themselves for the Theory Test.
 

Trumpet Fanfare II

Five students participated in the Richardson Music Teachers Fall Festival.  These students prepared a piece of music from the Baroque era of Music History (1600 – 1750).  Music from the Baroque requires extra independence between the hands, and more independence of each finger.

Superior with Honors:

• Ethan
• Victor
• Savannah
• Caleb

Superior:

• Ryan D.

Congratulations to these wonderful pianists!
 

What's a Bösendorfer?

We are privileged to be able to play on a world class piano for our Duet Festival and May Recital!
The Collora Piano Store in the Design District (downtown Dallas) has a recital hall with a Bösendorfer grand piano that we will be able to utilize.


Hallmarks of Bösendorfer grand pianos: 

• they are built by hand in Vienna, the music capital of the world 
• they are built using the highest possible proportion of sound-spruce 
• they have a screwed-on capo d’astro bar in the treble 
• they have single stringing 
• Bösendorfer’s “resonating box principle”, which views the whole instrument as a cohesive sound unit, produces our uniquely rich tone colour and characteristic singing timbre 
• the open wrest-plank ensures excellent tunability and tuning stability due to the optimum fit of the tuning pins in the wrest-plank

It takes over five years to build a Bösendorfer grand piano. A team of piano master builders, concert technicians, and a separate research and development department all collaborate  to keep the Bösendorfer a world class piano.  In my 50+ years as a pianist, I would say that this grand has the most beautiful sound of any that I have played.  I am excited for my students to be able to play and to hear the beautiful music they can make!