The Antelope Valley Branch of the Music Teachers Assoc. of California had their regular monthly meeting on September 21, 2020. There were 6 members and 1 guest present.

Sheryl Cannon gave a few opening comments on the continuing need for having virtual meetings due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Sheryl introduced Adam Lavine, our guest for the meeting.

The minutes from the last meeting were read by Sheryl Cannon. There were no corrections to be made.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Mary Zimmerman.

The Membership report was given by Mary Zimmerman. Our member Susan Minor has now completed her Cal Plan examinations. Congratulations Susan!!!

Special guest Adam Lavine is a web developer who is working with many teachers within the MTAC to develop ways to improve our online music studios. He presented to us what he has a package that included ways to have virtual recitals, how to improve our recordings for competitions as well as an online music theory program that is up to date with the MTAC Certificate of Merit program. If you are interested in taking an other look at his presentation or talking with him you can contact him at [email protected]. On Adam’s website he has a tutorial called Secret Zoom Music Training Guide. It is free to all MTAC members. He covers many of the pitfalls of virtual lessons including how to auto adjust the volume on Zoom to help with the sound. Website: https://www.elitemusic.online/

During our time with Adam we discussed using Tonara. A few of our members have been using this to help track students practice time. The students can also post questions and videos to this so that you the teacher can help in between lesson.

State updates were presented by Sheryl Cannon. She reported that the state has now created a new Logo that we will now need to down load for use. Just go onto the the MTAC website, go into the Teacher Portal and click on Tool Kit. There is a lot interesting information there as well as the new logo that we are to use.

Certificate of Merit report was given by Debbie Hanson. She wanted to remind everyone that C.M will be totally online this coming year. All teachers who wish to have students participate in C.M must view the video and then take the following test. This is part of the CM Teacher training requirement, teachers must pass the quiz with a score of 70% by October 20, 2020 to be unblocked and able to enroll students. The state asked to give them 48 hours after you have taken the quiz for your profile to become unblocked after the quiz is passed.

The application period for entering your students is October 1 – 31, 2020.

Branch Music Festival report was given by Debbie Hanson. She reported that our 2020 festival went very well. Every student submitted a video of their piece and it was submitted to our 3 judges. Each judge was able to take their time viewing each student and make notes. Then the judges got together and made their decision on who the winners were in the festival.

The membership discussed the possibilities of the 2021 festival. We are still open to how this will happen but we do know that the them is Contemporary.  Please feel free to have your students explore Impressionism, Folk music, Jazz and Native American. Have fun exploring this with your students!

Branch Recital report was given by Sheryl Cannon. She reported that our website is now prepared to start accepting registration and payments for any upcoming recitals and festivals. If you take a moment on click on the recital information you will see how this works. It will ask all of the same questions that we did before but this time information will be put in by the students parent or adult student. When they complete the form it will take them to the section to pay for the recital. They will receive a very nice receipt for their records and the funds go directly into our checking account.

There will be a “Recital Tips” page added to the website soon. Everyone will need to read this. It will have tips for the parents or student helpers on how to check into the recital, camera angels and sound testing. There will be “Digital Program” set up so everyone know the order. It will look very much like our regular in person recital.

We also discussed the need for a short dress rehearsal before the recital. This will help the students figure out how to set up their equipment for the recital. This will help on our end too. This will not be a complete run through of their piece. Just a short bit to figure out what may need to be improved or adjusted.  Please let your students know that we are all learning from this. Mistakes will happen and that is okay.

Here are the dates:

• • November 21st – all information and payments must be submitted on the website.
• • December 5th – Dress rehearsal 1 – 3PM Zoom info. will be sent out for this.
• • December 12th – Recital 3:00 PM

Next meeting:

November 16, 2020 9:30 AM Zoom link has been sent.