The Music Teachers’ Association of NSW is getting enquiries from our members about whether we should be teaching music lessons in person. The MTA strongly advises teachers in the Greater Sydney area not to deliver face-to-face teaching at this time. The government advice is to reconsider what we regard as essential work, and to not leave home or allow visitors unless we absolutely have to.
After enquiries from our members, we contacted Service NSW, and there is no specific advice about music lessons. We have been advised that police have been given the authority to decide whether a breach of the regulations has occurred, and whether fines should be issued. This is includes the circumstance of a neighbour or passer-by phoning the police or Crime Stoppers to report a suspected breach.
We strongly advise all our members in the Greater Sydney area to err on the side of caution in their decision-making at this difficult time. The Delta strain is much more contagious than the virus we dealt with last year, and much more transmissible in households and indoor spaces. It is not clear that there is any safe way to be in a room with another person without risking transmission of the virus, even with masks and regular surface-wiping. Please, let’s all of us do everything we can to stop the spread. Let’s look for ways to reduce movement of ourselves and our students. This is about everyone working together to keep safe: the more of us who stay home, the safer we all are, the safer our loved ones are, and the sooner we get out of this lockdown.
We are thinking of you all, both city and country, in this weary and difficult time. Our thoughts are particularly with those who are directly affected, either by contact with the virus, or by personal health concerns. Your MTA is here to support you: please contact the office if there’s anything we can do to help you. Stay safe everyone. Let’s all hope for better news soon.
Shirley Paton was an extraordinary pianist who achieved recognition early in her career and eventually became a performer for the ABC. As a young student, she won the 1937 Empire Scholarship that enabled her to study for three years at Trinity College London. The Shirley Paton Memorial Scholarship has been created in her memory.
The purpose of the scholarship is to further the career of a promising pianist and provide the means for a series of lessons that will enhance and advance the winner's chances of pursuing a concert career. The suggested minimum level for entry be Licentiate or equivalent.
Please download the entry requirements, prepare your recording and register online by 1st July 2021.
Please see full details of entry on the Scholarship page for Students.
Members will be pleased to know that owing to the limitations of the year, in terms of hosting events, Council has agreed to provide funding to cover all current paid members with 12 months of continued membership throughout 2021. This will be a benefit to members as we settle into 2021 and restore our own individual financial positions.
Q+A is an online discussion program with a panel of piano teaching
experts discussing a range of topics relevant to teachers. Some of the
topics will include:
Online teaching strategies
Software & APP solutions
What government support is available?
Personal experience of teaching during the COVID19 crisis
What happens if...
During the Coronavirus pandemic Piano Teaching Success Q+A will be
live every Thursday. You can join the 100 seat virtual studio audience
or watch live on Facebook. Ask questions and get answers from our panel
of experts.
Episode 1 Panel is: Bernard Depasquale (CEO AMEB), Tim Topham (Top Music Podcast) and Anastasia Beuttner-Moore (WA Piano Teacher & Wellness Expert). Episode 2 Panel: Samantha Coates (Blitz Books author), Brenda Hunting
(Experienced Online Piano & Taubmann Teacher) and Carly McDonald
(Piano Adventure Ambassador & Music school owner). The line up for
future episode panels has some really great teachers across all aspects
of teaching piano.
PTS Q+A will be live every Thursday at 11am Qld, 12pm NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS
(11am when daylight saving finishes), 11:30 SA, 10:30am NT and 9am WA
during the COVID19 crisis.
The Junior Music Festivals were introduced in 1995, with the aim of offering young music students the opportunity to perform in a friendly, relaxed and encouraging environment. They are held in various locations throughout Sydney and Country New South Wales.
They are open to students of both members and non-members of the MTA.
Prizes are awarded in all sections, with participants receiving a Certificate of Participation and a report from the adjudicator. Entrants must be aged under 16 years of age as at 31st July and may enter at only one venue per year per instrument.
Each Festival is divided into sections, according to the grade/ability of the student.
Students may enter for more than one venue.
Novice
Beginners to Preliminary
Elementary
1st and 2nd Grade
Intermediate
3rd and 4th Grade
Late Intermediate
5th and 6th Grade
Advanced*
7th and 8th Grade
The Miriam Hyde Piano Award**
Beginners to 8th Grade
*Advanced section to be held at Newcastle, Northern Beaches, St George/Sutherland and Wollongong venues only.
**The Miriam Hyde Award will be offered at any one of the above venues on the condition that 3 or more competitors have entered. Trophy prizes to be awarded at the adjudicator’s discretion. The competitor must play a piece composed by Miriam Hyde and the time limit will be 5 minutes. This award is open to piano students only.
Any recognised examination board grading system is acceptable.
2019 Dates
The Junior Music Festivals for 2019 will be held at the following locations:
