Vermont Music Teachers' Association Hosts
2023 Quad State Conference in Brattleboro
Music lovers are invited to enjoy featured performances during the upcoming October 21 Quad State Conference, hosted by The Vermont Music Teachers' Association with participation of the Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts Music Teachers' Associations. The day-long event will be held at the Brattleboro Music Center, 72 Blanche Moyse Way, Brattleboro, on Saturday, October 21, with a number of concert performances to which the public is cordially invited, along with presentation sessions of special interest to music teachers.
Full-day participation by non-VMTA members is available by registering for the conference via the VMTA website (https://www.vermontmta.net/calendar). Those interested in attending concerts that occur during the day can simply arrive at the Music Center and pay $25 at the door, per event, for admission to any of the individual concerts.
The first concert features nationally-known pianist and speaker Dr. Artina McCain, who performs a piano recital entitled "Intersections" at 11 AM. At 1:30 PM, new works by commissioned composers Evan Premo of Vermont and Yoko Nakatani of Massachusetts will be performed, along with a presentation on fostering new compositions by diverse students. At 2:45 PM, Vermont pianist Claire Black performs as she presents "From Studio to Stage, the Legacy of Clara Schumann," and a 4 PM concert closes the event, featuring performers from the four participating states in a wide variety of piano works. Public attendees are warmly welcomed to any or all of these concert sessions.
The 2023 Quad State Conference's inspiring speakers and performers are leading the way toward expanding and enriching the traditional teaching and performing repertoire to include and celebrate the music of underrepresented composers.
In addition to her 11 AM piano recital, acclaimed pianist and speaker Dr. Artina McCain opens the conference with a presentation entitled "Who's That? Creating a New Standard Repertoire," discussing pathways toward broadening repertoire for recitals, auditions, and competitions to include works of previously underrepresented composers alongside those of the traditional repertoire, through the paired lenses of performance and teaching.
A Yamaha Artist, Dr. McCain's performances and recordings have been acclaimed across the US and around the world. She has made numerous high-profile appearances as a performer, educator, and speaker, and has been featured on PBS as well as other national and international broadcasts. Her musical credentials include a doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and she serves on the faculty of the University of Memphis. In addition to her advocacy for a new view of repertoire, Dr. McCain is also a champion formusician health and wellness.
Claire Black, whose afternoon session features the work of 19th-century composer Clara Schumann, has recently toured with recitals focusing on this repertoire. Ms. Black was a prizewinner in the 2022 Clara Schumann Competition. Holding degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, she is active as a teacher, solo performer, and collaborative pianist, with numerous accolades for her outstanding work in Vermont and nationally.
The Vermont Music Teachers' Association, like its sister organizations in neighboring states, offers opportunities for professional growth to its member teachers, and, to students of all ages, a wide variety of programs celebrating achievement and furthering learning, while elevating, for the public, the value of music in our culture. The state organizations are part of the Music Teachers' National Association, founded in 1876, whose mission is to advance the value of music study and music making to society and to support the professionalism of music teachers.
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