Report from the 2010 MSU/CAMTA Piano Teachers' Retreat

The 1st Annual Piano Teachers' Retreat was a major success for all involved! Thank you to the planning committee of Gail Lytle Lira (http://gaillytlelira.com/), Beverly Brouwer, and Elaine Yanz for their tireless hard work and planning.

30 teachers from around Michigan were in attendance over the two days of activities which included a presentation on technical fundamentals by Deborah Moriarty, chair of the piano department at MSU:

masterclasses:

private lessons, ample practice time, and a sold-out concert by Professor Moriarty and myself of works for piano duo and duet. Keep an eye on the Piano Pedagogy Blog for news about next summer's Piano Teachers' Retreat, and email me at polischu@msu.edu if you are interested in securing a spot for 2011.

Upcoming Performances and Presentations, 2010/2011

Hello from East Lansing! We've had a beautiful and warm summer here at Michigan State, and are gearing up for an exciting 2010/2011 academic year at the MSU College of Music.

I'll be making the following appearances during the fall, winter, and spring months. If you are near any of these areas, and are interested in attending, I would like to meet you. Please send me an email for further information.

-Recital with Melanie Helton, voice, September 13, 2010, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Chamber Music Recital, (program TBD), October 8, 2010, "Absolute Music" Chamber Music Series, Absolute Gallery, Lansing, Michigan

-"200 Years of Chopin," featuring George Vatchnadze, Panayis Lyras, Alan Nathan, Minsoo Sohn, Deborah Moriarty, and Derek Polischuk, "West Circle Series," October 28, 2010, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Recitals with Jeff McCray, Professor of Bassoon at the University of Nebraska, October 30 and 31, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, and Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids.

-Performing, judging and presenting in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Greenville Tennessee, November 4-7, 2010

-Recital with Justin O'Dell, clarinet, December 5, 2010, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Recital with Melanie Helton, voice, January 21, 2011, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-"Happy Birthday Mozart," "West Circle Series," January 27, 2011, featuring Richard Sherman, Dmitri Berlinsky, Yuri Gandelsman, Suren Bagratuni, Deborah Moriarty and Derek Polischuk, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

-Bartok Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion and Orchestra, February 5, 2011, with Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra, Wharton Center, East Lansing, Michigan

-Chamber Music Recital, (program TBD), February 11, 2011, "Absolute Music" Chamber Music Series, Absolute Gallery, Lansing, Michigan

-Presentation for the Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League, "Creative and Stimulating Lessons for the Adult Beginner," February 28, 2011, Evola Music, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

-Chamber Music Recital, (program TBD), March 18, 2011, "Absolute Music" Chamber Music Series, Absolute Gallery, Lansing, Michigan

-Solo Piano Recital, April 22, 2011, MSU Music Building Auditorium, East Lansing, Michigan

Auditions at MSU for the 2011/2012 academic year begin at the end of January. Please send me an email if you are considering becoming a part of our exciting musical community.

-Derek Polischuk