March 14, 2001
Practice pays off for piano players
Group offers achievement testing day
By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
Practice, practice, practice-that's what it takes to make a great pianist.
Piano students from across northern Michigan gathered at the First Congregational Church this past Saturday to demonstrate how practicing pays off at the Grand Traverse Music Teacher's Association student achievement testing day.
The day of non-competitive testing starts with each student playing three solo pieces from memory, for a judge, to earn points and receive comments.
Unlike many contests, students also earn points for a series of musicianship tests. The testing includes site reading, or playing a new piece for the first time after having a minute to study the music. Aural awareness testing, involves writing down what is heard, such as identifying a scale as major or minor. Students demonstrate technique by playing scales, arpeggios and chords. A written test covers basic musical terms and note names and the understanding of music theory.
"This is a great motivator to get our students to work on their basic skills," said Dorothy Vogel, president of the Grand Traverse Music Teacher's Association, "Basic skills are so important in becoming a better musician."
Each of the 142 students, ranging from elementary through high school age, could earn a total of 100 points for the complete series of tests. Students in the intermediate and advanced levels of playing, receiving a score of 90 or more, are eligible for the semi-final round of a competitive event held at Central Michigan University in April.
The Grand Traverse Music Teacher's Association has been holding this event annually for more than 20 years. The tests are based on a curriculum developed by the Michigan Music Teachers Association and cities all over the state hold this type of event in their own locales.