Monthly Programs

“One Who Dares to Teach Must Never Cease to Learn.”

Meetings begin promptly at 9:30am.

 

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Topic:             2017-2018 Season Meet and Greet

Our season starts with opportunities to meet new members, reconnect with old friends, to learn what been planned for this year, and how you  can get in involved. Start the new year prepared with LAPTF news,  resources, and educational opportunities for its members. Don’t forget to invite someone new to our meetings. You are our best promoter.

Location:         Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. West Maple Road (M-5 & Maple Road, just west of Haggerty) Commerce Township, MI 48390

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”: What are you looking for in LAPTF?

 

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Topic:             “The NEW SAT Review”

In preparation for this meeting, members are asked to READ the new 2017 SAT Handbook, and BRING it and your questions to this interactive meeting. Members will rotate to “stations” where topic specifics will be discussed by members prepared to answer your questions. Take home charts of the 1998 vs. 2017 differences in the four categories and all 12 levels will also be provided thanks to Diana Munch.

Location:         Evola Music of Canton (7170 N Haggerty Rd, Canton MI 48187)

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”: What are you doing differently at your recital this year?

 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Speaker:        Hugh Gulledge, Registered PianoTechnician

Topic:             “How to Advise Your Studio Family When Purchasing a Piano”

                        What should you know about piano anatomy? What are the steps that should be taken when checking the action, belly, or lyre? How do you know if the strings still have “life”? If the piano is a good fit for your                     student? What can you do as “teacher/consultant” when asked to assist in the decision-making process to purchase a piano? Come and learn.

Location:         Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. West Maple Road (M-5 & Maple Road, just west of Haggerty) Commerce Township, MI 48390

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”: What is your favorite app for you or your students?


 

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Speaker:        Ed Parmentier

Topic:                         “Baroque Ornamentation: Bach, Couperin, Purcell, and more”

Ornaments are not all the same. Better understand their origins and uses. A harpsichord will be used for illustrative purposes. Learn of their similarities, peculiarities, and suggestions to overcome the problems                   encountered in playing and teaching the music. Specific repertoire to be used will be listed in the upcoming newsletters.

Location:         Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. West Maple Road (M-5 & Maple Road, just west of Haggerty) Commerce Township, MI 48390

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”: What do you do with the music you no longer need or use?

 

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Speaker:        Dr. Barton Polot, Schoolcraft College

Topic:             Tschaikovsky’s, “The Seasons Op. 37a

Including an arrangement for bass by Dr. Polot, this suite will be  performed with guest bassist, Paul Keller. Discussion will include the creative process used to create such arrangements. Teachers will be                inspired to create arrangements for themselves and with their students. A  “bonus piece” will also be performed.

Location:         Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. West Maple Road (M-5 & Maple Road,

just west of Haggerty) Commerce Township, MI 48390

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”: What is one of the most important questions to ask a parent or student during the studio interview?

 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Speaker:        Lois Kaarre, Oakland University

Topic              “The Considerations of Becoming a Collaborative Pianist. Pedagogy                     for the Student Already Collaborating”

                        Lois will discuss aspects and considerations of being a collaborative pianist including pedagogy, temperament, repertoire, challenges, and career opportunities. Do you have students who are collaborative pianists now? Do you know the signs to look for? Join us and learn more. We will also enjoy music performed by Lois and a guest soloist to complete the  program.

Location:         Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. West Maple Road (M-5 & Maple Road, just west of Haggerty) Commerce Township, MI 48390

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”:   Name one thing that next year you will do differently  or try for the first time?

 

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Topic:             “SAT Reflections”

Come to this casual roundtable discussion about the March, 2018 SAT.

Location:         Evola Music of Canton (7170 N Haggerty Rd, Canton MI  48187)

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”:   2017 SAT

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Speaker:        Dr Helen Marlais, Grand Valley State University

Topic:             “Classical Repertoire Selection and Leveling”

This is a session on selecting classical repertoire, and the essential practice strategies that can be used to create successful and artistic performances. In addition,  “Sample Scenarios” that we find in our every day teaching will be addressed.  For example, what would we give a transfer student who says they only like to play fast pieces and doesn’t understand the beauty of slower, lyrical pieces? What repertoire would we give a student who doesn’t have strong technique, or plays with stiff joints?  Or one who doesn’t know what a metronome is?  Thinking about students’ strengths and weaknesses, along with their particular learning style, guides them to success.

*******Location:      Schoolcraft College VistaTech Center, 18600 Haggerty Rd, Livonia MI 48152*******

 

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Topic:             LAPTF Business Meeting

APPE Winners Circle Performers

Location:         Steinway Piano Gallery, 2700 E. West Maple Road (M-5 & Maple Road, just west of Haggerty) Commerce Township, MI 48390

Topic of “Coffee Conversation”:

                        To musically grow this summer, I want to learn __________________?