Adult Piano Study
Brenda Dillon, Editor
I have to begin with a confession that I'm not a prolific user of the Internet and I do not routinely surf websites. I also absolutely NEVER enter a chat room. Even the thought of them makes me a bit nervous. All of these confessions may categorize me age-wise, but I do have contemporaries who glide around the Internet as if it's a second home. Having read Growing Up Digital by Don Tapscott, I also know I am increasingly in the minority. My pre-schooler grandson thoroughly enjoys software leading him to build cities and other ambitious projects.
My co-author for this issue is Tom Stampfli, who focused additionally on the teacher with this topic. I decided for my part to begin with the Adult Music Student Forum and their excellent website: www.amsfperform.org. The Forum, located in the Washington, D.C. area, promotes the educational and performance interests of active adult non-professional, non-collegiate instrumental and vocal students, whether they are beginners, persons returning to music after an extended absence, or advanced students, whether study is formal or self-directed. Their website contains performance opportunities, special events, community outreach activities, a list of articles, frequently asked questions, AMSF history, contact information and membership application, and a comprehensive list of links.
Matt Harre, the
founder of an organization which preceded the AMSF, directed me
to some of AMSF's knowledgeable members who offered excellent
suggestions on this topic. Pat Onufrak, who describes herself
as a "professional music student," is an editor living
in Falls Church, Virginia. She has taken piano, flute, violin,
voice, and pennywhistle lessons. This listing includes some of
Pat's suggestions: . . .
from Tom Stampfli's article
How will using the Internet benefit me?
For many music teachers, the Internet is still a new and untried resource. Yet in our culture, the information superhighway has become a means of communication, research or alternative instruction, shopping, and entertainment. As with all relatively new technologies, the first question all users ask is "how will this benefit me?" If teachers believe the benefits will outweigh the liabilities, there is a good chance that they will make some attempt to use this innovative resource.
To the average piano teacher, the liabilities are obvious: time and money. Some teachers worry about the learning curve for mastering any new technology and the cost of the hardware and software necessary to make use of it. So what are the benefits for using the Web as a positive resource for adult students, whether hobby pianists or college keyboard majors? Most adult students find Web applications for music roughly parallel to those already mentioned. Let's begin with the most obvious application: communication. For most users, that means E-mail! . . .
Tom Stampfli is chairman of the music department at Greenville College in Illinois. He is also the current director of the Greenville College Keyboard Ensemble, a 21st century performing group that utilizes state-of-the-art technology to expand performance opportunities for pianists. A piano pedagogy and technology clinician, Tom is an active clinician at national and regional workshops, conferences and music camps. He is also a published author with Alfred Publishing and Warner Bros.
For the other Samplers from this issue
