Printed on 12/1/08
This is an excerpt from an article in Scientific American about how people acquire expertise.
"The one thing that all expertise theorists agree on is that it takes enormous effort to build these structures [of a field's content] in the mind. Simon coined a psychological law of his own, the 10-year rule, which states that it takes approximately a decade of heavy labor to master any field. Even child prodigies, such as Gauss in mathematics, Mozart in music and Bobby Fischer in chess, must have made an equivalent effort, perhaps by starting earlier and working harder than others.
"According to this view, the proliferation of chess prodigies in recent years merely reflects the advent of computer-based training methods that let children study far more master games and to play far more frequently against master-strength programs than their forerunners could typically manage. ..
"Ericsson argues that what matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study,' which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond one's competence. That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time. ...
"Even the novice engages in effortful study at first, which is why beginners so often improve rapidly in playing golf, say, or in driving a car. But having reached an acceptable performance--for instance, keeping up with one's golf buddies or passing a driver's exam--most people relax. Their performance then becomes automatic and therefore impervious to further improvement. In contrast, experts-in-training keep the lid of their mind's box open all the time, so that they can inspect, criticize and augment its contents and thereby approach the standard set by leaders in their fields.
"Motivation appears to be a more important factor than innate ability in the development of expertise. It is no accident that in music, chess and sports--all domains in which expertise is defined by competitive performance rather than academic credentialing--professionalism has been emerging at ever younger ages, under the ministrations of increasingly dedicated parents and even extended families. Furthermore, success builds on success, because each accomplishment can strengthen a child's motivation. ..
"The preponderance of psychological evidence indicates that experts are made, not born. What is more, the demonstrated ability to turn a child quickly into an expert--in chess, music and a host of other subjects--sets a clear challenge before the schools."
What I see in this article is a confirmation that it is important for piano students to purposefully keep reaching for new goals and expanding their knowledge and abilities. This also explains why children who take lessons progress faster than those who study on their own, since a teacher will consistently encourage the student to try progressively more difficult pieces, add to his or her knowledge base of theory and history, and make improvements in his or her technique and artistry.
< Back to 2007-8 Newsletters
October 2007
October Meeting
Wednesday, October 10, 9:00 a.m.
Discussion on Achievement Day and Piano Festival.
Home of Peggy Tighe; 5472 Lighthouse Point, Loveland, 203-1586.
President's Message
Isn't this season beautiful?! This is why we live in Colorado. I was teaching a student yesterday who is learning the Faber piece about "Falling Leaves." It was fun to get her to understand that she's painting a picture of current nature with her piano piece. The newsletter was great. It was fun to read Bill's bio and Debi's and my different perspectives on the Conference. JoAnn was not able to attend. She has been ill and we need to send her a card and to call her.
Our September meeting was fun and busy. We missed those of you who couldn't be there. The October meeting is important, because we will be adding some activities for Achievement Day and we'll need everyone's support. Bill and Renee are moving along with Piano Festival. We'll hear the latest.
Do ask Debi Strick about the Golden Note Society. It sounds terrific and may be a fun means to inducing our students and their families to hear good music. All the wonderful musical performances and activities in Loveland and the area need more attendees to continue their performances.
Please bring any suggestion you have to keep LAMTA a moving and viable organization. Remember, it is only as strong as each of its members. Also, new people are moving into Loveland everyday, please keep your eyes and ears open for new members.
See you here at my house on October 10. Are you preparing for the Jazz, Rags and Blues, or Women Composers performance in December?
Peggy Tighe, President
Loveland Orchestra
Debbie Rickard
Loveland Orchestra begins a great season of wonderful music on Saturday, October 27, 7:30 p.m. at the Loveland High School auditorium. The program is Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries," Dvorak's "Slavonic Dances." Dukas' "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "Symphony #5" by Tchaikovsky. Season tickets available through this concert only. For more information call Debbie at 669-48l0, the orchestra message phone at 58l-l043, or go to www.lovelandorchestra.org.
Music & Arts Special
Sonia Haxton
Teacher Appreciation Day specials for Wednesday, October 10th:
30%off:
1) All in-stock Alfred's Method Books
2) All in-stock Music Bags
3) All in-stock Play-Along-Books W/CD (instrumental educators)
These items are specially discounted an extra 10% on top of the standard 20% (print) 10% (accessory) Teachers discount you receive everyday.
Now is a great time to pick up that Holiday music and get those kids practicing for upcoming recitals. And don't forget to stop by and take a look at all of the clearance items. There are some great print items to be had!
Upcoming Events
Registrations for Piano Festival are due by October 6, to Renee Clay. Be sure to come to CSU on November 3, to help with this event. As usual, it is also a great opportunity to get ideas for new pieces and hear some excellent music. Encourage your non-participating students to attend and get inspiration for the future.
Our November meeting will be held at the home of Ruth Hale. After a wrap up discussion on Piano Festival, Ruth will give a presentation on Spanish composers.
Plan ahead for our December meeting at the home of Ann Bunyan. The program will feature members performing jazz, rags, blues, or music from a woman composer. Several members of the Fort Collins MTA will be joining us. A potluck luncheon will follow the meeting.
Piano Guild
Ruth Hale
Are you familiar with Piano Guild? It is an excellent organization with a strong classic basis, which I think is very important for young piano students. Last May, Ginny Gingrich gave an excellent talk about it. I hope to have Loveland auditions March 26, 27, and 28, 2008 at the First Christian Church. We should have 40 students. They will send a listener for fewer, but it would be wonderful to have your students as well. It is not a lot of trouble at all. The students only need to have their pieces memorized, with of course their scales, chords and arpeggios, which is just what goes along with the big picture. You need to belong to Guild if you have students entering. I need to hear from you within a week, as I need to send the information about the number of participating students. My name and email are both on the LAMTA membership list. Have a good day and week with your students!
Loveland Choral Society
Sandy Lundberg
My husband and daughter are a part of the Loveland Choral Society's presentation of The Magnificent Seven Plus 1 with performances on Friday, October 12, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 14, 3:00 p.m. Kevin has a speaking part, all dressed up as Chopin! Tickets are available for $14 at the Rialto. This would be a great opportunity for Debi's Golden Note Society. They slip in a little questionable humor with a song about "transporting young gulls across the state line for immoral porpoises," but the rest of the show should be suitable for all ages.
The details: Meet The Magnificent Seven: Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, the biggest and baddest boys of classical music, and hear their amazing tales as the world's most "note-torious" composers. Savor the thrilling sounds of LCS and works from the masters, including music from Haydn's Creation, Mozart and Brahms' Requiems, Beethoven's jubilant The Mount of Olives, music from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and more. Be prepared for a classical gas when our mystery composer ( 1) adds his brand of fun to the musical roundup.
Cool Duster
Need a little help dusting off your sound board? Here is a LINK to a great duster. Or, you can order it for $23 by sending a check to Eva Nelson, 3363 West Bear Canyon Lane, Cedar Hills, UT 84062
Music Extravaganza
There are a couple of weeks left to register for the Music Extravaganza in Denver, sponsored by MTASN. Click on this LINK to download a pdf flier with complete information. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun. If you can't open the attachment, email Hope Haberer at mehope88@comcast.net or call. 303-465-2160.
Listening Opportunities at Colorado State University's Music Department
Renee Clay
Here are the solo piano concerts and masterclasses:
Oct. 5
Piano Masterclass with Olga Kern
Casavant Hall, Music Bld. 8:15 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Oct. 6
Lincoln Center Classical Series: Olga Kern
Griffin Concert Hall, UCA
7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16
Piano Masterclass with Larry Graham
Casavant Hall, 2nd floor Music Bld. 6:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Oct. 27
Piano Masterclass with Yakov Kasman
Griffin Concert Hall, UCA 3:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Oct. 28
Virtuoso Series: Yakov Kasman
Griffin Concert Hall, UCA 3:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the public
Featured Teacher of the Month
Judy Johnson
I don't really know why I started taking piano lessons. I asked my mom and she said I was playing around on my grandmas big old upright piano so she thought it would be a good idea. No one else in the family played and I was the oldest in our family so I guess someone had to get things started. I should say that we certainly did have music in our home. I was convinced that my mother could sing every song that was ever written and we were constantly singing. I especially remember singing in the car wherever we went. I also remember thinking she had really flipped out when she started singing, "Praise the Lord, and Pass the Ammunition." It really is a song.
I was born in California when my Dad was fighting the war in the Pacific. He was from Loveland, so as soon as the war was over, we moved here. I grew up on 4th street in a house that stood where the Willow apartments are now, just a block north of Washington School. Miss E (Edmondson - yes, the namesake for Edmondson School) was my music teacher throughout grade school. Christmas programs were very special, especially when I was finally in 6th grade and could sing the special descant that Miss E would write every year for Silent Night. I still remember the big Music Festivals held in the spring at the high school gym (now Bill Reed Middle School) where all of the elementary schools sang together. It was the highlight of the year.
I started taking piano lessons from Miss Kyle when I was 7 and in the 2nd grade. She was a sweet lady and was probably too nice. She taught me a lot but didn't push me very hard. My sister, Peggy began lessons two years later and rapidly passed me in piano skill. My dad promised that if we practiced really hard he would buy us an organ someday. And he did. I always practiced the piano at 6:30 in the morning. I did not think it was fun then but I have thanked my parents many times for that discipline and I recommend it to all my students. I certainly does eliminate all of the after school conflicts.
I went to 7th grade at Loveland Jr./ Sr. High School. My dad was very uncomfortable sending his little girl to a school that housed grades 7 - 12. He had gone to school there too, so I was excited and proud. All of my children attended there as well after it became Bill Reed. Angela experienced all of the reconstruction and Craig was in the first 6th grade class after the remodel. My 8th grade year was the best. I was in the first class to attend Truscott Jr. High School. (It is now Truscott Elementary) As 8th graders, we got to lead tours of the brand new school. Miss Grewell was my music teacher. In 9th grade I was back at Loveland High School and the highlight of my day was Miss E's class. We would do calisthenics before we sang and she expected us to work hard and sing hard. Everyone loved her and our choir was very good. She would stand at the piano, play and conduct at the same time. If things weren't going well, she would just change the key and keep on playing. Ive never been able to do that, but she really inspired me. I loved the tradition of entering the auditorium at the Christmas concert, wearing our robes, walking down the isle to the stage carrying battery candles and singing, O Come all ye Faithful.
I was in high school when I started piano lessons with Mrs. Glasgow. Her's was the big house on the NE corner of Garfield and Eisenhower. I did well with her and realized that my favorite thing to do was music. Sometime in high school the band director was looking for additional members and asked all of the piano players to join the band. My parents did what they had done before, with dance lessons, etc. They said, sure, but do you want to do that or piano? I always chose piano. My sister and I played a lot of duets and one year we arranged Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (it was too long) and entered the very first Kiwanis Talent Show held in Loveland. We wore Ben Hur Blue dresses, won 1st place and went to the District and then Regional Shows. Our competition was sisters, Gwen and Diana Lapp, who played a piano and organ duet, with whom we traded 1st and 2nd place. Thirty years later, my students (who are also my niece and nephew) Melissa and David Meadows, played the same song at the Loveland Kiwanis Talent Show and also won 1st place. After our win, many of the service clubs in town asked us to perform for them, so we learned a lot more novelty duets that were entertaining and fun to play.
College was a wonderful experience for me. I attended Ricks College in Rexburg Idaho. (Now BYU Idaho) It was a small jr. college and a perfect fit for me. My piano teacher was Dr. Hill, a small, white haired man who taught me volumes. At my second lesson he picked up my music and didn't ask but stated, "This is memorized!" This to a girl who had taken a whole year to memorize Clair de Lune. My organ teacher was Ruth Barrus who was not only a wonderful teacher but an amazing mentor and friend. My first day in choir, the director asked for someone to help Walter, the student accompanist, play parts so I raised my hand. Uh oh! Walter left at the end of the semester so guess who was left to be the accompanist? I was only a Freshman. Oh it was hard! It was a crash course in sight reading and I even learned to read SATB music (you know, where the tenor is in treble clef). A jr. college is really a wonderful thing. These opportunities usually go to upper classmen, but there were none.
At the end of the year, the combined choirs performed Mendelssohn's Elijah with piano and organ accompaniment. I played the organ. At the final rehearsal, the pianist couldn't be there so in addition to my part, I was trying to pick up all of the cues that were in the piano. If that weren't enough, someone had changed all of my pre-set registrations so everything went wrong. Worst of all, the director railed on me and I was devastated. Ruth Barrus put me back together and the show went on. Everything went well. The choir was really on my side and when awards were handed out at the end of the year, I won the outstanding choir award. I received an assistantship to be the choir accompanist the next year under the same director. Oh dear! I learned a lot about forgiveness that summer.
One of the members of the choir was Murell Johnson, from Rupert Idaho. He too was a music major and sang tenor. We started dating and he took me home from school in the spring to meet my family. We became engaged the next Christmas and were married in August. With no money to go to school, we worked for a year and then went to BYU in Provo UT. We lived in an 8 X 27 trailer house. It wasn't big enough to be called a mobile home. Our Senior year we upgraded to an 8 X 48 trailer and took a big plunge. We purchased a beautiful new Knabe console piano that filled our little living room and cost us $20.00 a month for what seemed like forever. It is still in my studio, but now takes 2nd place to my 6' Young Chang Grand. I waited 37 years for that. We both graduated with Bachelor of Music Degrees with a composite major in music and education, and headed out to Eastern Utah to teach school. I taught high school band and choir for 1 year because they were desperate and then joyfully retired to teach private piano. We were there for 9 years while Murell built a wonderful high school music program, I built a successful piano studio and we made some wonderful lifelong friends. One of the highlights was accompanying Murell's high school musical, The Sound of Music on two pianos with one of my students. One summer we were able to chaperone a group of music students in Europe for a month. It was a wonderful experience that we will never forget.
I didn't want to leave Roosevelt, but Murell needed a change, so we moved to Loveland to help my dad in his grocery store. Milligan's Market was located on 1st and Lincoln, just across the ditch from the Wonderful Dragon. We closed after being in business for over 50 years and the building is gone now. Murell intended to go back to school and did take a few classes, but stayed in business for awhile and then went to work for Woodward Governor. I built my Piano Studio which had its ups and downs when our 4 children were born. I was sometimes down to 4 or 5 students, but Murell would never let me quit completely. Among my greatest joys were teaching my own children and my 6 nieces and nephews. Murell and I both loved music and wanted our children to love it too. I guess we found the right formula, because all four are musicians. Angela, a UNC graduate, has a day job in an office, but sings in local community theatre, with the Loveland Opera Theatre and plays flute in the Loveland Concert Band. Craig, a graduate of CSU, is a Computer Engineer at LSI Logic is Ft. Collins and also loves singing in local community theatre and with LOT. I think he would play in the band too if he had a Euphonium. He lives in Wellington with his wife and 2 daughters. I cant wait until they are old enough to have piano lessons with Grandma. Shauna, graduated from UNC, is building her own business as a Technical Director, Stage Manager, scenic carpenter and set and light designer for local community and high school theatre. She builds stage sets in our carport. She also plays french horn, piano, and sings. Neal is a drummer and played on the award winning LHS drum line as well as with Head Talk. Hell be leaving on a church mission soon and will then pursue a career in percussion and sound. We love to go caroling at Christmas because we can sing in 4-part harmony.
People ask me how long I will keep teaching and I tell them I'll do it until it isn't fun anymore. I feel blessed to have had a career that allowed me to stay home with my children and that it is still fun. I very much enjoy attending conferences, workshops and clinics and I enjoy all that LAMTA has to offer, especially your friendship and support. I also enjoy learning new music, especially collaborating with my friend and colleague, Carol Condit. We have done a duet program and presented the music of Fanny Mendelssohn. Watch for a new duet program coming next year.
I love listening to classical music, attending musical theatre productions and accompanying my family when they sing. I read a lot and give extensive service to my church. Life is good.
Wednesday, October 10, 9:00 a.m.
Discussion on Achievement Day and Piano Festival.
Home of Peggy Tighe; 5472 Lighthouse Point, Loveland, 203-1586.
President's Message
Isn't this season beautiful?! This is why we live in Colorado. I was teaching a student yesterday who is learning the Faber piece about "Falling Leaves." It was fun to get her to understand that she's painting a picture of current nature with her piano piece. The newsletter was great. It was fun to read Bill's bio and Debi's and my different perspectives on the Conference. JoAnn was not able to attend. She has been ill and we need to send her a card and to call her.
Our September meeting was fun and busy. We missed those of you who couldn't be there. The October meeting is important, because we will be adding some activities for Achievement Day and we'll need everyone's support. Bill and Renee are moving along with Piano Festival. We'll hear the latest.
Do ask Debi Strick about the Golden Note Society. It sounds terrific and may be a fun means to inducing our students and their families to hear good music. All the wonderful musical performances and activities in Loveland and the area need more attendees to continue their performances.
Please bring any suggestion you have to keep LAMTA a moving and viable organization. Remember, it is only as strong as each of its members. Also, new people are moving into Loveland everyday, please keep your eyes and ears open for new members.
See you here at my house on October 10. Are you preparing for the Jazz, Rags and Blues, or Women Composers performance in December?
Peggy Tighe, President
Loveland Orchestra
Debbie Rickard
Loveland Orchestra begins a great season of wonderful music on Saturday, October 27, 7:30 p.m. at the Loveland High School auditorium. The program is Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries," Dvorak's "Slavonic Dances." Dukas' "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "Symphony #5" by Tchaikovsky. Season tickets available through this concert only. For more information call Debbie at 669-48l0, the orchestra message phone at 58l-l043, or go to www.lovelandorchestra.org.
Music & Arts Special
Sonia Haxton
Teacher Appreciation Day specials for Wednesday, October 10th:
30%off:
1) All in-stock Alfred's Method Books
2) All in-stock Music Bags
3) All in-stock Play-Along-Books W/CD (instrumental educators)
These items are specially discounted an extra 10% on top of the standard 20% (print) 10% (accessory) Teachers discount you receive everyday.
Now is a great time to pick up that Holiday music and get those kids practicing for upcoming recitals. And don't forget to stop by and take a look at all of the clearance items. There are some great print items to be had!
Upcoming Events
Registrations for Piano Festival are due by October 6, to Renee Clay. Be sure to come to CSU on November 3, to help with this event. As usual, it is also a great opportunity to get ideas for new pieces and hear some excellent music. Encourage your non-participating students to attend and get inspiration for the future.
Our November meeting will be held at the home of Ruth Hale. After a wrap up discussion on Piano Festival, Ruth will give a presentation on Spanish composers.
Plan ahead for our December meeting at the home of Ann Bunyan. The program will feature members performing jazz, rags, blues, or music from a woman composer. Several members of the Fort Collins MTA will be joining us. A potluck luncheon will follow the meeting.
Piano Guild
Ruth Hale
Are you familiar with Piano Guild? It is an excellent organization with a strong classic basis, which I think is very important for young piano students. Last May, Ginny Gingrich gave an excellent talk about it. I hope to have Loveland auditions March 26, 27, and 28, 2008 at the First Christian Church. We should have 40 students. They will send a listener for fewer, but it would be wonderful to have your students as well. It is not a lot of trouble at all. The students only need to have their pieces memorized, with of course their scales, chords and arpeggios, which is just what goes along with the big picture. You need to belong to Guild if you have students entering. I need to hear from you within a week, as I need to send the information about the number of participating students. My name and email are both on the LAMTA membership list. Have a good day and week with your students!
Loveland Choral Society
Sandy Lundberg
My husband and daughter are a part of the Loveland Choral Society's presentation of The Magnificent Seven Plus 1 with performances on Friday, October 12, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 13, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 14, 3:00 p.m. Kevin has a speaking part, all dressed up as Chopin! Tickets are available for $14 at the Rialto. This would be a great opportunity for Debi's Golden Note Society. They slip in a little questionable humor with a song about "transporting young gulls across the state line for immoral porpoises," but the rest of the show should be suitable for all ages.
The details: Meet The Magnificent Seven: Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Chopin, Brahms and Tchaikovsky, the biggest and baddest boys of classical music, and hear their amazing tales as the world's most "note-torious" composers. Savor the thrilling sounds of LCS and works from the masters, including music from Haydn's Creation, Mozart and Brahms' Requiems, Beethoven's jubilant The Mount of Olives, music from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and more. Be prepared for a classical gas when our mystery composer ( 1) adds his brand of fun to the musical roundup.
Cool Duster
Need a little help dusting off your sound board? Here is a LINK to a great duster. Or, you can order it for $23 by sending a check to Eva Nelson, 3363 West Bear Canyon Lane, Cedar Hills, UT 84062
Music Extravaganza
There are a couple of weeks left to register for the Music Extravaganza in Denver, sponsored by MTASN. Click on this LINK to download a pdf flier with complete information. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun. If you can't open the attachment, email Hope Haberer at mehope88@comcast.net or call. 303-465-2160.
Listening Opportunities at Colorado State University's Music Department
Renee Clay
Here are the solo piano concerts and masterclasses:
Oct. 5
Piano Masterclass with Olga Kern
Casavant Hall, Music Bld. 8:15 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Oct. 6
Lincoln Center Classical Series: Olga Kern
Griffin Concert Hall, UCA
7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16
Piano Masterclass with Larry Graham
Casavant Hall, 2nd floor Music Bld. 6:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Oct. 27
Piano Masterclass with Yakov Kasman
Griffin Concert Hall, UCA 3:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public
Oct. 28
Virtuoso Series: Yakov Kasman
Griffin Concert Hall, UCA 3:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the public
Featured Teacher of the Month
Judy Johnson
I don't really know why I started taking piano lessons. I asked my mom and she said I was playing around on my grandmas big old upright piano so she thought it would be a good idea. No one else in the family played and I was the oldest in our family so I guess someone had to get things started. I should say that we certainly did have music in our home. I was convinced that my mother could sing every song that was ever written and we were constantly singing. I especially remember singing in the car wherever we went. I also remember thinking she had really flipped out when she started singing, "Praise the Lord, and Pass the Ammunition." It really is a song.
I was born in California when my Dad was fighting the war in the Pacific. He was from Loveland, so as soon as the war was over, we moved here. I grew up on 4th street in a house that stood where the Willow apartments are now, just a block north of Washington School. Miss E (Edmondson - yes, the namesake for Edmondson School) was my music teacher throughout grade school. Christmas programs were very special, especially when I was finally in 6th grade and could sing the special descant that Miss E would write every year for Silent Night. I still remember the big Music Festivals held in the spring at the high school gym (now Bill Reed Middle School) where all of the elementary schools sang together. It was the highlight of the year.
I started taking piano lessons from Miss Kyle when I was 7 and in the 2nd grade. She was a sweet lady and was probably too nice. She taught me a lot but didn't push me very hard. My sister, Peggy began lessons two years later and rapidly passed me in piano skill. My dad promised that if we practiced really hard he would buy us an organ someday. And he did. I always practiced the piano at 6:30 in the morning. I did not think it was fun then but I have thanked my parents many times for that discipline and I recommend it to all my students. I certainly does eliminate all of the after school conflicts.
I went to 7th grade at Loveland Jr./ Sr. High School. My dad was very uncomfortable sending his little girl to a school that housed grades 7 - 12. He had gone to school there too, so I was excited and proud. All of my children attended there as well after it became Bill Reed. Angela experienced all of the reconstruction and Craig was in the first 6th grade class after the remodel. My 8th grade year was the best. I was in the first class to attend Truscott Jr. High School. (It is now Truscott Elementary) As 8th graders, we got to lead tours of the brand new school. Miss Grewell was my music teacher. In 9th grade I was back at Loveland High School and the highlight of my day was Miss E's class. We would do calisthenics before we sang and she expected us to work hard and sing hard. Everyone loved her and our choir was very good. She would stand at the piano, play and conduct at the same time. If things weren't going well, she would just change the key and keep on playing. Ive never been able to do that, but she really inspired me. I loved the tradition of entering the auditorium at the Christmas concert, wearing our robes, walking down the isle to the stage carrying battery candles and singing, O Come all ye Faithful.
I was in high school when I started piano lessons with Mrs. Glasgow. Her's was the big house on the NE corner of Garfield and Eisenhower. I did well with her and realized that my favorite thing to do was music. Sometime in high school the band director was looking for additional members and asked all of the piano players to join the band. My parents did what they had done before, with dance lessons, etc. They said, sure, but do you want to do that or piano? I always chose piano. My sister and I played a lot of duets and one year we arranged Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (it was too long) and entered the very first Kiwanis Talent Show held in Loveland. We wore Ben Hur Blue dresses, won 1st place and went to the District and then Regional Shows. Our competition was sisters, Gwen and Diana Lapp, who played a piano and organ duet, with whom we traded 1st and 2nd place. Thirty years later, my students (who are also my niece and nephew) Melissa and David Meadows, played the same song at the Loveland Kiwanis Talent Show and also won 1st place. After our win, many of the service clubs in town asked us to perform for them, so we learned a lot more novelty duets that were entertaining and fun to play.
College was a wonderful experience for me. I attended Ricks College in Rexburg Idaho. (Now BYU Idaho) It was a small jr. college and a perfect fit for me. My piano teacher was Dr. Hill, a small, white haired man who taught me volumes. At my second lesson he picked up my music and didn't ask but stated, "This is memorized!" This to a girl who had taken a whole year to memorize Clair de Lune. My organ teacher was Ruth Barrus who was not only a wonderful teacher but an amazing mentor and friend. My first day in choir, the director asked for someone to help Walter, the student accompanist, play parts so I raised my hand. Uh oh! Walter left at the end of the semester so guess who was left to be the accompanist? I was only a Freshman. Oh it was hard! It was a crash course in sight reading and I even learned to read SATB music (you know, where the tenor is in treble clef). A jr. college is really a wonderful thing. These opportunities usually go to upper classmen, but there were none.
At the end of the year, the combined choirs performed Mendelssohn's Elijah with piano and organ accompaniment. I played the organ. At the final rehearsal, the pianist couldn't be there so in addition to my part, I was trying to pick up all of the cues that were in the piano. If that weren't enough, someone had changed all of my pre-set registrations so everything went wrong. Worst of all, the director railed on me and I was devastated. Ruth Barrus put me back together and the show went on. Everything went well. The choir was really on my side and when awards were handed out at the end of the year, I won the outstanding choir award. I received an assistantship to be the choir accompanist the next year under the same director. Oh dear! I learned a lot about forgiveness that summer.
One of the members of the choir was Murell Johnson, from Rupert Idaho. He too was a music major and sang tenor. We started dating and he took me home from school in the spring to meet my family. We became engaged the next Christmas and were married in August. With no money to go to school, we worked for a year and then went to BYU in Provo UT. We lived in an 8 X 27 trailer house. It wasn't big enough to be called a mobile home. Our Senior year we upgraded to an 8 X 48 trailer and took a big plunge. We purchased a beautiful new Knabe console piano that filled our little living room and cost us $20.00 a month for what seemed like forever. It is still in my studio, but now takes 2nd place to my 6' Young Chang Grand. I waited 37 years for that. We both graduated with Bachelor of Music Degrees with a composite major in music and education, and headed out to Eastern Utah to teach school. I taught high school band and choir for 1 year because they were desperate and then joyfully retired to teach private piano. We were there for 9 years while Murell built a wonderful high school music program, I built a successful piano studio and we made some wonderful lifelong friends. One of the highlights was accompanying Murell's high school musical, The Sound of Music on two pianos with one of my students. One summer we were able to chaperone a group of music students in Europe for a month. It was a wonderful experience that we will never forget.
I didn't want to leave Roosevelt, but Murell needed a change, so we moved to Loveland to help my dad in his grocery store. Milligan's Market was located on 1st and Lincoln, just across the ditch from the Wonderful Dragon. We closed after being in business for over 50 years and the building is gone now. Murell intended to go back to school and did take a few classes, but stayed in business for awhile and then went to work for Woodward Governor. I built my Piano Studio which had its ups and downs when our 4 children were born. I was sometimes down to 4 or 5 students, but Murell would never let me quit completely. Among my greatest joys were teaching my own children and my 6 nieces and nephews. Murell and I both loved music and wanted our children to love it too. I guess we found the right formula, because all four are musicians. Angela, a UNC graduate, has a day job in an office, but sings in local community theatre, with the Loveland Opera Theatre and plays flute in the Loveland Concert Band. Craig, a graduate of CSU, is a Computer Engineer at LSI Logic is Ft. Collins and also loves singing in local community theatre and with LOT. I think he would play in the band too if he had a Euphonium. He lives in Wellington with his wife and 2 daughters. I cant wait until they are old enough to have piano lessons with Grandma. Shauna, graduated from UNC, is building her own business as a Technical Director, Stage Manager, scenic carpenter and set and light designer for local community and high school theatre. She builds stage sets in our carport. She also plays french horn, piano, and sings. Neal is a drummer and played on the award winning LHS drum line as well as with Head Talk. Hell be leaving on a church mission soon and will then pursue a career in percussion and sound. We love to go caroling at Christmas because we can sing in 4-part harmony.
People ask me how long I will keep teaching and I tell them I'll do it until it isn't fun anymore. I feel blessed to have had a career that allowed me to stay home with my children and that it is still fun. I very much enjoy attending conferences, workshops and clinics and I enjoy all that LAMTA has to offer, especially your friendship and support. I also enjoy learning new music, especially collaborating with my friend and colleague, Carol Condit. We have done a duet program and presented the music of Fanny Mendelssohn. Watch for a new duet program coming next year.
I love listening to classical music, attending musical theatre productions and accompanying my family when they sing. I read a lot and give extensive service to my church. Life is good.
How People Aquire Expertise
Sandy LundbergThis is an excerpt from an article in Scientific American about how people acquire expertise.
"The one thing that all expertise theorists agree on is that it takes enormous effort to build these structures [of a field's content] in the mind. Simon coined a psychological law of his own, the 10-year rule, which states that it takes approximately a decade of heavy labor to master any field. Even child prodigies, such as Gauss in mathematics, Mozart in music and Bobby Fischer in chess, must have made an equivalent effort, perhaps by starting earlier and working harder than others.
"According to this view, the proliferation of chess prodigies in recent years merely reflects the advent of computer-based training methods that let children study far more master games and to play far more frequently against master-strength programs than their forerunners could typically manage. ..
"Ericsson argues that what matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study,' which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond one's competence. That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time. ...
"Even the novice engages in effortful study at first, which is why beginners so often improve rapidly in playing golf, say, or in driving a car. But having reached an acceptable performance--for instance, keeping up with one's golf buddies or passing a driver's exam--most people relax. Their performance then becomes automatic and therefore impervious to further improvement. In contrast, experts-in-training keep the lid of their mind's box open all the time, so that they can inspect, criticize and augment its contents and thereby approach the standard set by leaders in their fields.
"Motivation appears to be a more important factor than innate ability in the development of expertise. It is no accident that in music, chess and sports--all domains in which expertise is defined by competitive performance rather than academic credentialing--professionalism has been emerging at ever younger ages, under the ministrations of increasingly dedicated parents and even extended families. Furthermore, success builds on success, because each accomplishment can strengthen a child's motivation. ..
"The preponderance of psychological evidence indicates that experts are made, not born. What is more, the demonstrated ability to turn a child quickly into an expert--in chess, music and a host of other subjects--sets a clear challenge before the schools."
What I see in this article is a confirmation that it is important for piano students to purposefully keep reaching for new goals and expanding their knowledge and abilities. This also explains why children who take lessons progress faster than those who study on their own, since a teacher will consistently encourage the student to try progressively more difficult pieces, add to his or her knowledge base of theory and history, and make improvements in his or her technique and artistry.
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