Teaching Technique Can and Should Be A Musical Experience

     Technique and musicality should be linked together from the very first piano lesson. Students need to be shown that how they physically approach the piano, affects the sound of the instrument. This workshop examines the essential elements of building a solid technique that leads to greater musicality and stylistic awareness. Attention will be given on how to achieve the correct sound that will result in desired musical purpose. Repertoire, etudes and exercises will be demonstrated from Elementary through Advanced levels. Professor Clarfield will incorporate etudes from her successful three book series, Burgmuller, Czerny, Hanon: Studies Selected for Technique and Musicality, as well as rote exercises, and exercises derived from repertoire. Paricipants are encouraged to bring in examples of any level they would like discussed.

Intermediate Master Classes

TEACHING TECHNIQUE AS A MUSICAL EXPERIENCE USING CREATIVE EXERCISES AND PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES

Mini-Session. It will be on Friday, October 27 from 6:00-7:00 PM.

     Teaching technique is an integral part of all piano study, and should be a part of every lesson for beginning through advanced students. To achieve maximum results we should always be relating technique to music as a part of musical expression and stylistic understanding. This workshop will provide teachers with rote exercises, and etudes from beginning through advanced level that will show how to link technique and musicality. In addition, problem solving strategies will be demonstrated that will show how to dissect technical problems, and practice to solidify the technique and musicality. Participants are encouraged to bring in examples of music that they would like discussed.

     Professor Clarfield will be the moderator for four groups of experienced teachers that will address the technical, musical, and psychological challenges of teaching the Intermediate student of all different ages. The four age groups that will be addressed are: (1)Young/Gifted; (2) Traditional; (3) College Freshman;(4) Adult.
With her extensive experience in working with young and gifted students, Mrs. Clarfield will also be the Group Leader for the that group. She and her colleagues will discuss the challenges of working with young children who often are playing Intermediate or Early Advanced repertoire.

Clinician: Ingrid Jacobson Clarfield

The Calgary Arts Summer School Association (CASSA) was initiated in 1993 by a small group of Calgary music teachers in collaboration with a local piano dealer. CASSA was incorporated in 1996 as a non-profit society. It has grown into a comprehensive summer arts program representing numerous artistic disciplines. Since its inception, over 2,500 students have participated in the diverse and innovative programs offered by CASSA

Mission Statement CASSA seeks to provide an inter-disciplinary performing and visual arts experience for students of all ages to foster desire, discover talent and encourage the development of both, in a non-competitive environment, thereby enhancing students?social skills, confidence, scholastic potential and life experience.

CASSA provides quality education with a high level of professional instruction within a completely unique, inter-disciplinary summer arts school. Whether students are only beginning their artistic education or are advanced in their studies, CASSA has something for everyone.

CASSA programs offer unique opportunities for students to learn and grow, to interact in a social setting, to be introduced to various disciplines of the arts, to enhance their skills, and to come away with a positive and fulfilling experience. Participating instructors have the opportunity to interact with and learn from their immediate peers and gain greater insight into pedagogical theories and practices through working with guest clinicians. Parents and members of the general public are able to experience the culmination of these collaborative efforts through attending recitals and open house events.

Piano Camp Pianists aged ten to adult work on prepared solo repertoire and ensemble pieces with six different instructors, including an internationally renowned guest clinician, during this five-day program. Furthermore, workshops are provided on a variety of topics, such as performance anxiety, piano technique, improvisation, composition, drama, art and writing. Students perform in two recitals to showcase the results of their efforts.

Enrollment
Apply early as enrollment is limited.  Registrations are accepted on a first come first serve basis.

Fee: $325 before May 31, 2006 and $350 after May 31, 2006
Auditors welcome -  $25 per day or $75 for the week

Calgary Arts Summer School Association
Linda Kundert-Stoll, CASSA president & Artistic Director
228 Parkside Way SE
Calgary, AB T2J 3Z4
403-271-0418
fax 403-278-3236
cassa1@telus.net
www.calgaryartssummer.com

High School Piano Camp

Now in its 23rd year, Piano Camp is a unique and exciting musical expereiance for high school students. Led by Professor of Piano, Ingrid Clarfield, the faculty includes Donald Smith, Todd Simmons, Radek Materka, Shannon Hesse, Laura Amoriello and Krsten Watkins. Ms. Clarfield will present lecture/demonstrations, master classes and group discussions. Which will allow participants the opportunity to explore, in a supportive environment. The many facets of playing the piano. Ideas on efficient practice techniques, stylistic interpretation, memorization and dealing with performance anxiety will be presented. By reviewing videotapes of their playing and coaching, pianists will be able to study technique, performance choreography, develop poise and strive for a polished performance.

Program Highlights
• Students will be coached in solo, duet and two-piano pieces in addition to prepared solos form their current repertoire.
• Students receive supervised practice session during the week.
• Ms. Clarfield will provide guidance in the preparation of college auditions, recitals competitions and career opportunities.
• Students attend classes in style and interpretation, technique, music history, theory, jazz and accoumpanying.
• Student will demonstrate what they have learned by performing solo and ensemble piece in a recital on Friday afternoon

Daily Schedule
Monrning: Group classes in technique, memory tips and performance anxiety Master classes in solo repertorie.
Afternoon: Ensemble rehearsals and coaching, group classes in music, performance chorography, preparing for auditions and mater classes( solo repertoire)
Evening: fun group activities that teach theory, jazz, improvisation, composition and accompanying, supervised practice sessions on solo and ensemble repertoire.

Enrollment
Enrollment is open to student entering the 9th grade through those who has just completed their senior year. Due to the popularity of this program, we are offering it in two separate sessions. Each session will be limited to 24 students. Returning student are recommended to enroll in session B. For more details...

Intermediate Master Classes

     We, as piano teachers face many challenges, perhaps one of the greatest being the maintenance of a steady tempo in our students' playing with a strict inner pulse. But what happens when they reach all of that splendid repertoire that demands rhythmic freedom? This workshop will provide teachers with ideas on when and why we use rubato, as well as techniques for how to teach students to play with rhythmic freedom beginning at an early age. Professor Clarfield will perform and provide an extensive list of repertoire form early intermediate to advanced levels that are effective in teaching rubato.

Developing Artistry Through Color, Choreography, and Characterization

     This workshop demonstrates the necessity of incorporating artistic concepts during the early years of musical study. Developing a student’s “performance vocabulary” in the early stages will facilitate the integration of the technical and musical qualities in the more advanced literature. Performance choreography will also be addressed as it relates to musical intention and stylistic considerations. Elements essential to efficient practice and artistic performance of music from all periods will be discussed and demonstrated through examples from beginning, intermediate, and advanced repertoire. Professor Clarfield will also include examples from her publications and some of today’s leading pedagogical composers.

Motivation: Creative Ways to Encourage Productive Practice and Artistic Performance

     This seminar helps teachers develop motivational strategies for dealing with students of all ages and levels. Ms. Clarfield shares her philosophical and pedagogical approaches to successful practice that will be effective as well as fun and inspiring. Factors and challenges that effect productive and enjoyable practice such as student learning styles, parental involvement, as well as variety in practice strategies will be discussed. This seminar will focus on how to introduce repertoire effectively as well as how to help your students make up goal oriented practice assignments. Innovative technical drills and useful memory aids will also be covered.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Creative Practice Strategies but were Afraid to Ask

     One of the most important parts of any lesson is analyzing where and why students are having technical/musical problems. This workshop includes explorations of how to select efficient practice techniques that yield the most effective results. Standard repertoire from all levels will be discussed and demonstrated. Participants are invited to bring in some of their favorite "trouble spots."

The Road to Impressionism: Introduction to Teaching Style and Interpretation In Debussy’s Piano Music

      This 2-part workshop will provide teachers with an extensive list of Impressionistic-style beginning and intermediate teaching literature that will prepare students for the technique, pedaling, sonorities, and imagery needed for Impressionistic piano music. A detailed description of stylistic traits and the major influences on Debussy’s style will be addressed with practical applications to performance. In addition, this workshop will provide suggested sequencing of Debussy’s piano music at all levels.

     We, as piano teachers face many challenges, perhaps one of the greatest being the maintenance of a steady tempo in our students' playing with a strict inner pulse. But what happens when they reach all of that splendid repertoire that demands rhythmic freedom? This workshop will provide teachers with ideas on when and why we use rubato, as well as techniques for how to teach students to play with rhythmic freedom beginning at an early age. Professor Clarfield will perform and provide an extensive list of repertoire form early intermediate to advanced levels that are effective in teaching rubato.

The Road  to Technical and Stylistic Mastery

     This workshop examines the essential elements of building a solid technique that leads to greater musicality and stylistic awareness. Attention will be given on how to achieve the correct sound that will result in desired musical purpose. An overview of the stylistic traits of the musical periods will be presented as they relate to how a student learns and polishes their repertoire for performance. Repertoire and exercises will be demonstrated from Elementary through Advanced levels. Professor Clarfield will incorporate examples from her books, Burgmüller, Czerny and Hanon: Piano Studies Selected for Technique and Musicality, and Keys to Stylistic Mastery (Books 1,2,3 co-authored with Dennis Alexander) published by Alfred Publishing Company.