Printed on 11/2/08
< Back to 2007-8 Newsletters
February 2008
February Meeting
February 13, 9:00 a.m., First Christian Church
Achievement Day Prep: Come and get your student schedule and go over the final plans for Achievement Day. Call Sonia if you have any questions.
President's Corner
Peggy Tighe
Hi LAMTA Teachers,
Welcome to February. Yes, it is the month of "mock Achievement Day" meeting on February 13, 9:03 at First Christian Church. Then the main event, Achievement Day on February 23. Sonia, with the help of Sandy, has done much preparation and lined up new fun activities to spruce up the event. I'm rushing to get my registrations into Renee by February 1. I'm pleased to say that I've already gotten a gift certificate from Boomers. I think we should have at least one or two more for the raffle prizes. Any suggestions?
CSMTA is asking for nominations for VP for Member Services and VP for Student Activities. Each of the activities has a chairperson, but the VP oversees them. (Student Activities, that is.) Any suggestions or anyone interested, let me know.
The MTNA Conference is taking place in Denver March 29 - April 2, two months from today. I am sorry I have to renege on attending. An important family gathering in Virginia is on the very same weekend. Ruth may go one day and Judy Johnson would like to share a room with someone; so please make arrangements now.
Talk to Bill, our SPA theory chairman if you have questions about CSMTA theory tests. All theory tests must be completed by the last week of March.
Also, be thinking of officers for next year. I will be stepping down. We'll set up a nominating committee in March.
Are we having fun, yet? That's the key, have fun, no matter what!
Peggy Tighe, President
More on Achievement Day
Debi Strick
A note from Debi for the Feb. LAMTA newsletter (2008)
The meeting will be at the First Christian Church in the lunchroom area February 13, at 9:00.
Does anyone own an amplifier to use at Achievement Day? The First Christian Church has another keyboard we can use, but it is connected to their sound system in the sanctuary. I got permission from the choir director to use it, and it can be moved into one of the option rooms, but it needs an amplifier. Since we are using my keyboard for the hospitality room, we really needed one more keyboard.
I was able to get from the Rialto four free tickets to use for the raffle at Achievement Day. These tickets are only for Rialto presentations, not from groups that rent the Rialto. I also called Debbie Rickard, and she is going to try to get 4 complimentary tickets for the Loveland Orchestra to use during the months of March and April. Ann, is it possible to get free tickets for the Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers? Sandy, is it possible to get tickets for the British Invasion from the Loveland Choral Society?
Teacher of the Month
An Autobiography note from Debi Strick
I grew up in Denver. My mother was an elementary teacher and my dad worked for the U.S. Geological Survey. He was a mapmaker. I was lucky to have such great parents! I have a sister who is eleven years older. When I was about two years old, my dad bought an upright piano, it had a great tone, and my sister took piano lessons. I know that is where my interest in piano came, from hearing Elaine play. I actually remember going to her recitals when I was three, and listening to wonderful music! When I was five, Elaine taught me Chopsticks, Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater, and other fun easy little pieces. When I was in 3rd grade at Washington Park Elementary, a piano teacher came to our school and taught group lessons. I just loved it. I then took piano lessons from Mrs. Mildred Mitchell who lived three blocks from my house. I had an hour lesson every week"the cost, $2 an hour. What a deal! She was such a kind person, and I could talk to her about anything. I remember playing in a piano recital for elementary children at the Brown Palace Hotel when I was in 5th grade (I thought that was pretty cool). I remember the name of the piece I played"The Yellow Butterfly. I had lessons from Mrs. Mitchell until I was 17. I also took organ lessons from a music store on Colorado Boulevard. My dad bought a little organ for me. My real love was the piano, but I gave the organ a try. I do remember playing the French horn in band in the 6th grade. (The French horn was almost the same size as me).
After graduating from South High School, I decided to become an elementary teacher (gee, I wonder where I got that idea from?). I attended U.N.C. and graduated in three years. No, I didnt major in music education. I wish I had. Elementary Education never really lead me anywhere except a lot of volunteering at my daughters school, and a little teacher aid job I had in Fort Collins for 6 months. I did a lot of odd jobs including working for a bank, and a microfilm company for two years.
In July of 1972, I turned 21. One week later I graduated from U.N.C., and one week later I married Dan. That was a lot of things to happen in three weeks (whew!). Dan and I dated all through college. We met on a blind date. Im glad I had that date! Dan is from a little town in Eastern Colorado called Kirk. His mom and dad were farmers and Dan has ten older brothers and sisters. Being part of his big family was very interesting. When his brothers and sisters got together, it was a real hoot! Dan worked for Pennzoil for thirty years. We lived in Cheyenne for three months, Colorado Springs for a year and a half, Lakewood for two years, and Loveland for thirty one years. We have three children, Kelly, Kevin, and Lindsay.
About twelve years ago in 1996, I took a pedagogy class from Dr. Erol Haun at U.N.C. on how to teach piano lessons. That was the best class I had ever taken! I applied as a substitute piano teacher for Virginia Roberts at The Music Maker in Loveland. When Virginia moved to Iowa, I ended up with all her students. I also ordered music for the store and other duties including keeping track of instrument rentals. One interesting thing The Music Maker did was have a meeting once a month with all the other teachers who worked there. I learned a lot from all of them, and also from Roger and Sherry Schultz who owned the store. I remember one good tip from Roger Schultz, Always try to make the last five minutes of a lesson fun for the student. Then that student will want to return every week. Another interesting thing the store did every June was to have all students in an ensemble concert at the amphitheater in Lake Loveland Park. That was a lot of work, but it turned out really well.
The Music Maker closed down about six years ago. Since then I taught piano lessons at Music and Arts and at my house. Then Music and Arts closed down and I now teach at my house.
I suppose you could say when it comes to teaching music, I am self educated. I have taken lessons from Erol Haun, Ruth Hale, Mary Ann Ranney, and Christine Schumann. I attended Suzuki Training at Beaver Creek and would like to go for another session. I joined the New Horizons Band a couple years ago and learned from Kay Broughton how to play the drums (on a beginning level). I would recommend New Horizons Band to anyone wanting to learn a new instrument. It is so fun! I would also like to take piano jazz-improvising lessons. That is my next project. And, of course, I am the secretary for LAMTA. One year I was the chair person for Piano Festival, and am the facilities person for Achievement Day. Listening to the other members of LAMTA, listening to the speakers who come to the meetings, going to State Conferences has been so educational and inspirational. And, I am grateful for all of your friendship.
Sincerely,
Debi Strick
P.S. My favorite color is still peach. My favorite composer is still Vince Guaraldi, I love to watch football (Broncos and C.U.), and the Rockies, and I cant wait to go to Hawaii in May to watch my youngest daughter graduate from college. That is all.
attitude!
February 13, 9:00 a.m., First Christian Church
Achievement Day Prep: Come and get your student schedule and go over the final plans for Achievement Day. Call Sonia if you have any questions.
President's Corner
Peggy Tighe
Hi LAMTA Teachers,
Welcome to February. Yes, it is the month of "mock Achievement Day" meeting on February 13, 9:03 at First Christian Church. Then the main event, Achievement Day on February 23. Sonia, with the help of Sandy, has done much preparation and lined up new fun activities to spruce up the event. I'm rushing to get my registrations into Renee by February 1. I'm pleased to say that I've already gotten a gift certificate from Boomers. I think we should have at least one or two more for the raffle prizes. Any suggestions?
CSMTA is asking for nominations for VP for Member Services and VP for Student Activities. Each of the activities has a chairperson, but the VP oversees them. (Student Activities, that is.) Any suggestions or anyone interested, let me know.
The MTNA Conference is taking place in Denver March 29 - April 2, two months from today. I am sorry I have to renege on attending. An important family gathering in Virginia is on the very same weekend. Ruth may go one day and Judy Johnson would like to share a room with someone; so please make arrangements now.
Talk to Bill, our SPA theory chairman if you have questions about CSMTA theory tests. All theory tests must be completed by the last week of March.
Also, be thinking of officers for next year. I will be stepping down. We'll set up a nominating committee in March.
Are we having fun, yet? That's the key, have fun, no matter what!
Peggy Tighe, President
More on Achievement Day
Debi Strick
A note from Debi for the Feb. LAMTA newsletter (2008)
The meeting will be at the First Christian Church in the lunchroom area February 13, at 9:00.
Does anyone own an amplifier to use at Achievement Day? The First Christian Church has another keyboard we can use, but it is connected to their sound system in the sanctuary. I got permission from the choir director to use it, and it can be moved into one of the option rooms, but it needs an amplifier. Since we are using my keyboard for the hospitality room, we really needed one more keyboard.
I was able to get from the Rialto four free tickets to use for the raffle at Achievement Day. These tickets are only for Rialto presentations, not from groups that rent the Rialto. I also called Debbie Rickard, and she is going to try to get 4 complimentary tickets for the Loveland Orchestra to use during the months of March and April. Ann, is it possible to get free tickets for the Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers? Sandy, is it possible to get tickets for the British Invasion from the Loveland Choral Society?
Teacher of the Month
An Autobiography note from Debi Strick
I grew up in Denver. My mother was an elementary teacher and my dad worked for the U.S. Geological Survey. He was a mapmaker. I was lucky to have such great parents! I have a sister who is eleven years older. When I was about two years old, my dad bought an upright piano, it had a great tone, and my sister took piano lessons. I know that is where my interest in piano came, from hearing Elaine play. I actually remember going to her recitals when I was three, and listening to wonderful music! When I was five, Elaine taught me Chopsticks, Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater, and other fun easy little pieces. When I was in 3rd grade at Washington Park Elementary, a piano teacher came to our school and taught group lessons. I just loved it. I then took piano lessons from Mrs. Mildred Mitchell who lived three blocks from my house. I had an hour lesson every week"the cost, $2 an hour. What a deal! She was such a kind person, and I could talk to her about anything. I remember playing in a piano recital for elementary children at the Brown Palace Hotel when I was in 5th grade (I thought that was pretty cool). I remember the name of the piece I played"The Yellow Butterfly. I had lessons from Mrs. Mitchell until I was 17. I also took organ lessons from a music store on Colorado Boulevard. My dad bought a little organ for me. My real love was the piano, but I gave the organ a try. I do remember playing the French horn in band in the 6th grade. (The French horn was almost the same size as me).
After graduating from South High School, I decided to become an elementary teacher (gee, I wonder where I got that idea from?). I attended U.N.C. and graduated in three years. No, I didnt major in music education. I wish I had. Elementary Education never really lead me anywhere except a lot of volunteering at my daughters school, and a little teacher aid job I had in Fort Collins for 6 months. I did a lot of odd jobs including working for a bank, and a microfilm company for two years.
In July of 1972, I turned 21. One week later I graduated from U.N.C., and one week later I married Dan. That was a lot of things to happen in three weeks (whew!). Dan and I dated all through college. We met on a blind date. Im glad I had that date! Dan is from a little town in Eastern Colorado called Kirk. His mom and dad were farmers and Dan has ten older brothers and sisters. Being part of his big family was very interesting. When his brothers and sisters got together, it was a real hoot! Dan worked for Pennzoil for thirty years. We lived in Cheyenne for three months, Colorado Springs for a year and a half, Lakewood for two years, and Loveland for thirty one years. We have three children, Kelly, Kevin, and Lindsay.
About twelve years ago in 1996, I took a pedagogy class from Dr. Erol Haun at U.N.C. on how to teach piano lessons. That was the best class I had ever taken! I applied as a substitute piano teacher for Virginia Roberts at The Music Maker in Loveland. When Virginia moved to Iowa, I ended up with all her students. I also ordered music for the store and other duties including keeping track of instrument rentals. One interesting thing The Music Maker did was have a meeting once a month with all the other teachers who worked there. I learned a lot from all of them, and also from Roger and Sherry Schultz who owned the store. I remember one good tip from Roger Schultz, Always try to make the last five minutes of a lesson fun for the student. Then that student will want to return every week. Another interesting thing the store did every June was to have all students in an ensemble concert at the amphitheater in Lake Loveland Park. That was a lot of work, but it turned out really well.
The Music Maker closed down about six years ago. Since then I taught piano lessons at Music and Arts and at my house. Then Music and Arts closed down and I now teach at my house.
I suppose you could say when it comes to teaching music, I am self educated. I have taken lessons from Erol Haun, Ruth Hale, Mary Ann Ranney, and Christine Schumann. I attended Suzuki Training at Beaver Creek and would like to go for another session. I joined the New Horizons Band a couple years ago and learned from Kay Broughton how to play the drums (on a beginning level). I would recommend New Horizons Band to anyone wanting to learn a new instrument. It is so fun! I would also like to take piano jazz-improvising lessons. That is my next project. And, of course, I am the secretary for LAMTA. One year I was the chair person for Piano Festival, and am the facilities person for Achievement Day. Listening to the other members of LAMTA, listening to the speakers who come to the meetings, going to State Conferences has been so educational and inspirational. And, I am grateful for all of your friendship.
Sincerely,
Debi Strick
P.S. My favorite color is still peach. My favorite composer is still Vince Guaraldi, I love to watch football (Broncos and C.U.), and the Rockies, and I cant wait to go to Hawaii in May to watch my youngest daughter graduate from college. That is all.
attitude!
< Back to 2007-8 Newsletters
