• January 16: Winter General Meeting with Dr. Frego, read more
• January 18: "Wee Folks" & "Original Composition" Student Recital, read more
• January 24: Spring Theory Test, read more

Other News

• Musical Bridges Around the World brings an exciting new season of concerts, read more

The merry holidays are over, Christmas trees are piling up everywhere, and New Year resolutions start to resonate in our minds. Was 2008 a good year for you? What are your predictions for 2009? Certainly we had great SAMTA activities in the past year and yet more are in store for us.

Since our last meeting in November, a variety of events took place. Numerous students participated in the “Just Boys” recitals under the distinctive leadership of Vida Scott. Then we had a very inspirational IMTF meeting with Linda Camann. She has a fascinating business model and her studio is full of eager and motivated students. She asked, “What would you teach your students if you know that this is their last lesson?” And then commented that “we don’t own our students,” we should not teach them with an attitude of entitlement. The next outstanding event, the Winter Festival, featured more than 200 students from 11 teachers and provided music for shoppers at Rolling Oaks Mall all day long on December 13^th. Kudos to Heather Stagg for such a remarkable job of organizing, preparing, and carrying out this important event. It’s also worth mentioning Brenda Eddie for her special advice after four years of experience in that job. You may as well want to know that for the Publication Contest Sherilyn Coldwell received one entry, and for the Original Composition Contest, Mary K. Archuleta received entries from three teachers. Now, what’s coming in the following two months? 

We’ll have two very important events. First, our Winter General Meeting on January 16^th. Dr. David Frego, Chair of the Department of Music at UTSA, is coming to lead us in a dynamic and engaging Eurhythmics session. Dr. Frego is one of five experts in his field in the USA so this is an event you do not want to miss. Please note the change in location. Second, we’ll co-sponsor the J.K. Hodges Contemporary Piano Competition with UTSA on February 14^th. It will be a celebration of its 25^th anniversary, featuring music from composers of South Texas and special performances from former competition winners.  

Pablo Aguilar
President