Upcoming Events

The crocuses are blooming in East Lansing, and it was over 70 degrees today for the first time in quite a while! Happy Spring!

Please see the following upcoming events I'll be participating in across North America that may be of interest to you. If you're able to attend, please send me an email, I'd love to meet you in person!:

-April 14th at 10:30am, Masterclass at the University of Alabama Huntsville (http://www.when.com/huntsville-al/events/show/88753815-piano-master-class-with-dr-derek-polischuk-michigan-state-university)

-April 14th at 7:00pm, Recital at the University of Alabama Huntsville. Works by Ewazen, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt (http://www.when.com/huntsville-al/events/show/88753811-guest-faculty-piano-recital-dr-derek-polischuk-michigan-state-university)

-April 15th at 2:30pm, Piano Pedagogy demonstration at the University of Alabama Huntsville

-April 16th at 11:00am, Masterclass at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

-April 16th at 7:30pm, Recital at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Works by Ewazen, Schubert, Chopin and Liszt (http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_172301.asp)

-May 27th, paper presentation at the Multidisciplinary Research in Music Pedagogy International Conference at the University of Ottawa (http://www.musicpedagogyconference.uottawa.ca/)

-August 4th and 5th, retreat for piano teachers at the Michigan State University College of Music

-August 6th and 7th, paper presentation at the 2010 National Group Piano and Piano Pedagogy Forum at the University of Texas in Austin (http://www.mtna.org/Programs/NationalGroupPianoandPianoPedagogyGP3/tabid/453/Default.aspx)

Cornerstone Schools on CNN

The Cornerstone Schools are being profiled today on CNN. Current Cornerstone keyboard teacher Marina Ionescu, graduate of the Michigan State University College of Music, where she completed graduate work in piano pedagogy, is seen toward the end of the story working with students in her group keyboard lab. Enjoy, and be inspired!

Teaching Pulse Naturally

Daniel Schmit, Master of Music student in Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music, presents ways to reinforce the concept of pulse in a student's playing.

Unique Opportunities in Piano Pedagogy at Michigan State University

The study of piano teaching comes to life at MSU. While concepts for teaching all levels of students are covered in both undergraduate and graduate level courses in piano pedagogy, hands-on experiences are always available. Piano pedagogy students have gained experience by teaching both group classes and private lessons to all levels and ages of students under the supervision of Dr. Derek Polischuk, Director of Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music.

Beginning group piano students shine at their first recital with their teachers Allie Nisbett and Dan Schmidt who are both students in piano pedagogy at Michigan State University. These classes are taught at the beautifully appointed Timberlane Campus of MSU's Community Music School (http://www.msu-cms.org/):

Lansing's Capital Area Music Teachers' Association is fully integrated into the musical life of the University through workshop, festival and competition opportunities including a winners' concert on the stage of MSU's Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Listen to the beautiful cacophony of so many young pianists warming up on 8 beautifully prepared Steinway D's in place for last May's Piano Monster Concert featuring MSU's piano faculty:

Michigan State University's Piano Pedagogy Department strives to make a positive contribution to communities in need across the state of Michigan and to populations undeserved by piano teachers. Each semester, students from the piano pedagogy department at MSU visit The Cornerstone School in urban Detroit to give masterclasses to talented young pianists in a thriving group piano program directed by MSU Piano Pedagogy alum Marina Ionescu. Watch this video of portions of Gina Yi's effective and passionate teaching from the November 2009 visit:

Allie Nisbett demonstrates a great way to practice the legato touch away from the piano:

Dan Schmidt proves that passionate teaching often happens at quick speeds:

Cornerstone students are inspired almost as much as MSU Piano Pedagogy students are:

For more information about Piano Pedagogy at the Michigan State University College of Music, please contact Dr. Derek Polischuk at polischu@msu.edu.

Christmas Greetings from Sandor Magyar

Sandor Magyar performs a beautiful arrangement of "Coventry Carol" as distributed by The FJH Music Company: