From our Members…

I am seeking proposals from pianists who are interested in being hired to learn, perform, and make a video recording of one or more of the following piano solo works over the coming year.

– “Sonatine Spirit” • https://youtu.be/Tf-2H4BJh2E
– Suite for Piano, Movement 1 • https://youtu.be/n-NKcs076UI
– Suite for Piano, Movement 3 • https://youtu.be/CntmWYdOA9Y
– “Flow” • https://youtu.be/WZnG-AXTtLM
– “Flight” • https://youtu.be/1uhLIGILUn4 at 6:38

Requirements:
• pianists must either make the video themselves or must find someone to film and record their performance
• use an acoustic grand piano that is in tune and in excellent playing condition
• make a high quality audio recording
• video quality: good, but non-professional is acceptable (e.g., iphone with good lighting may yield acceptable results)
• use visually appealing venue/setting/location/backdrop
• the recording of a live performance (in front of an audience) is possible, as long as the performance is on par with a good studio take, the audio quality remains excellent (not overly distant or marred by noise), and the pianist’s facial expressions are easily visible
• camera angles: fixed camera angle is acceptable (in which case, face and hands must be visible), if multiple angles, then show hands during technical passagework
• the piece does not need to be memorized (you can read from the score in the video)
• before shooting the final video, the pianist must send a preliminary recording (audio) and incorporate feedback from the composer

Timeline:
• deadline for proposals: May 30, 2020
• follow-up for selected proposals will take place during June 2020
• project completion deadline: flexible/by agreement, preferably within 6-11 months of agreement

To submit a proposal, please fill out the form below.

For more information about the composer, visit http://www.franciskayali.com/
Please feel free to forward this page to pianists who may be interested.

Questions, comments, suggestions? E-mail franciskayali@gmail.com

Maine Arts Camp, located on the campus of Thomas College in Waterville, is looking for one or two part-time music teachers for July, 2020. One position involves conducting the chorus and playing the piano accompaniment for a musical theater. The other position involves teaching guitar, ukulele, and rock shop. One person could potentially fill both positions.

Interested teachers should contact Rick Mades at 561-865-4330, https://maineartscamp.com/maineartscamprick@gmail.com

Bowdoin’s Beckwith Artist in Residence George Lopez and MaineMTA President Gulimina Mahamuti will perform a piano duo recital on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 3 pm at Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall of Bowdoin College. They will perform works including Schumann’s Cannonic Studies and the epic Rachmaninoff Suite no. 2. The recital is open to the public; admission free of charge; no tickets or reservations.

Children under the age of 18, and any college student with a current I.D. are invited to attend a performance by classical pianist Fei-Fei at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre in Bangor on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at 2 p.m. for FREE!  This is a great way to expose children to classical music.

Portland Ovations Pre-Concert Lecture with Laura Kargul on Saturday, Jan. 25, 3:00 pm Hannaford Hall, USM Portland Campus. Free and open to the public

This free, public lecture, “Hot Off the Keyboard: Great Composers as Improvisers,” will precede the concert by pianist Gabriela Montero, which starts at 4:00.  Concert tickets are not required to be admitted to the lecture.

Hot Off the Keyboard: Great Composers as Improvisers

In a pre-concert lecture, “Hot off the Keyboard,” pianist Laura Kargul will discuss the renowned improvisational skills of some of the greatest classical composers. Works such as the Bach toccatas, Mozart variations, Chopin nocturnes and Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies often sound as though they were forged in the fire of a solo late-night jam session, perhaps under the influence of wine, or worse. When a pianist performs such works as if they were “transcribed improvisations,” listeners can experience the music as if it is being composed in the moment.  Dr. Kargul will discuss and demonstrate how a pianist can make a work composed long ago sound spontaneous and new, “hot off the keyboard.” 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ovations: https://portlandovations.org/event/pre-performance-lecture-hot-off-the-keyboard/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/409671619965580/

Bridget Convey and Gulimina Mahamuti will be among eight featured pianists performing at the Elliott Schwartz Memorial Practice Rooms Project – a unique and fun musical adventure taking place the day before Schwartz’s birthday on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 7 pm at the Portland Conservatory. The Project will feature premieres of nine pieces for multiple pianos, to be performed in the practice rooms of the Portland Conservatory.  While the performers will be in different rooms, they will play the compositions at the same time and explore new means of ensemble communication. See details in the enclosed poster.

The Resinosa Enemble will be performing a FREE concert at UMA Jewett Hall, on Saturday 10/19 at 7:30pm.
Featuring our 2019-2020 program “American Reflections”.
RESINOSA ENSEMBLEJoelle Morris, mezzo-sopranoEliza Meyer, celloBridget Convey, piano
Featuring three new works composed by Maine composers: Rick Nelson, Nancy Gunn, and Dan Sonenberg. As well as works by: Andre Previn, Lukas Foss, and Bunita Marcus.
https://www.uma.edu/news/concert-by-resinosa-ensemble-to-feature-works-of-uma-faculty-ellen-taylor-and-richard-nelson/