KCMTA August Newsletter

I hope this finds you ready to kick-off a new school year with a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm. Your Executive Board has been hard at work creating great programs for students as well as teachers for 2026-27. We will kick things off on Saturday, August 22nd at 1:30pm at the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Library - 4801 Main Street, KCMO. This will be a chance to meet new members, catch up with others and find out about all of the great happenings!

Please remember to frequently check kcmta.org throughout the year. This is our new website with all of the information you will need to stay active in our wonderful organization.

If you ever have any questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to reach out by email/text. Hope to see you August 22nd at 1:30pm!!!

-Melissa

kcmtapres@gmail.com

Dates have been formally set for the 2026 KCMTA Fall Festival and are shown below. Please stay tuned over the next few months, either through the newsletter or the KCMTA website, for more information about enrollment dates, registration fees, Classical composer list, and more.

KCMTA Fall Festival

Celebrating the Classical Period

Saturday & Sunday, October 17-18, 2026

Mid-America Nazarene University Bell Cultural Events Center

Registration Dates: August 22 - September 12

***Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $22 per student***

KCMTA is once again welcomed to the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art to enjoy an afternoon of music making in their magnificent Atrium on Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Over the last three years we have shared our event at the Kemper Museum with hundreds of musicians and guests. Once again, Mike Vaccaro, KC Piano, has generously donated us the use of a Yamaha Grand. Mark your calendars and begin preparations as time will be limited and demand great. Application will begin September 1, 2026 and Studios accepted on a first-come basis.

Registration for the 2027 Multi-Piano Concert opens August 1! See what veteran teachers say about this fun duet opportunity with multiple grand pianos on stage:

“It builds a sense of belonging within my studio, as students work together on pieces. 90% of the students in my studio who participate want to come back and do it again next year. Because we are playing duets, I always see improvements in students’ understanding and execution of rhythm as well.” Deana Haines

“It's an orchestra or band experience for the ‘lonely’ pianist who mostly has solo events. It teaches listening, adjusting to others, the joy of making music together, fun repertoire, and a social experience. It is non-threatening because other pianos carry parts that might be missed and students relax and enjoy the experience. SO many benefits!” Betty Smith

“The students love playing fun music, and they benefit enormously from having to listen to others while playing, working under a conductor, and follow the tempo someone else has chosen. No memorization and performing in a beautiful, large venue with family and friends present is also a plus. Pretty spectacular!” Mary Baehr

The 2027 Multi-Piano Concert will be held Sunday, January 10, 2027 at MidAmerica Nazarene University Bell Cultural Events Center. Students, teachers, family members and friends are invited to play together as we dance, fiesta, parade and voyage to many continents in our “Around the World in 88 Keys” concert for piano duets!

Enrollment begins August 1 - please plan now to participate in this great opportunity for your students to experience an orchestra of pianos, with multiple grand pianos on stage lead by our wonderful Multi-Piano conductor, Chad Reed. The repertoire list is attached, and can be found at Shining Light Music in Lee’s Summit, and all locations of Meyer Music. More information is available at www.kcmta.org/multi-piano-concert.

Heather Lewis

VP Multi Piano

(913) 485-2739

mom4casey@yahoo.com

ENROLLMENT: Saturday, August 1: Multi-Piano Registration Begins

Saturday, August 22: KCMTA Fall Kickoff | 1:30 pm | KC Public Library Plaza Branch - 4801 Main Street, KCMO

ENROLLMENT: Saturday, August 22: Fall Festival Registration Begins

ENROLLMENT: Tuesday, September 1: Holiday Program at the Kemper Museum Registration Begins

DEADLINE: Saturday, September 12: Fall Festival Registration Closes

DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 30: Multi-Piano Registration Closes

Sat. & Sun, October 17-18: Fall Festival Celebrating the Classical Period | Mid-America Nazarene University Bell Cultural Events Center

Saturday, November 14: Multi-Piano Rehearsal | Kawai Piano Gallery

Saturday, December 12: Holiday Program at the Kemper Museum

The Missouri MTA District III auditions will be held on September 19th at the Kansas City Piano store. Please visit on the MMTA website: https://missourimta.org/mmta-auditions/

If you have any questions, contact District III Audition Chair: Eva Peng: yevapeng@yahoo.com

Calling pianists of all ages! Play for feedback in a low-stress environment at William Jewell College's Keyboard Comments Day on Saturday, September 19th, 2026. No need for teachers to volunteer for the event, just have students register and perform 1-2 pieces of their choice. Memory is not required and there is no age limit. Can't attend in person? There is an online submission option as well. Check out the flyer for more details. Questions? Contact Dr. Jessica Koebbe at koebbej@william.jewell.edu

ATTENTION Piano and Strings Teachers: Mark your calendars! The Kansas Music Teachers Association District One Auditions will be held this Fall on Saturday, October 3rd at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, KS.

About the event: Students from elementary ages through high school play for an one-on-one adjudicated audition and receive written comments and a rating. *Don't forget: Amateur Adults category included! (will only compete at State)* Playing at District on Oct. 3rd is the first step in a competitive audition - students receiving a Superior rating will be able to proceed to the competitive Kansas State auditions on October 31st at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Piano students, Strings students, and Chamber groups (including piano duets) are all encouraged to participate. For more info regarding the requirements, categories, audition plans, etc., please visit https://ksmta.org/student-programs/auditions-pages-auditions/pre-college-auditions/

Enrollment Deadline: September 7, 2026 (Enrollment link will be open on the KMTA website in August)

District Auditions: Saturday, October 3, 2026 at MNU in Olathe

State Auditions: Saturday, October 31, 2026 KMTA Pre-college, Amateur Adults, and MTNA JR and SR Competitions

(MTNA Young Artist and KMTA Collegiate Competitions will be held Sunday, November 1, 2026 )

Location: Murphy Hall on the KU campus in Lawrence

*New increase this year: Entry fee is $35 per student solo entry ($40 per duet entry, and $20 per student in chamber groups). Impending information re: District Auditions will be included in forthcoming KCMTA newsletters.

If you have any questions, please email Linda Chen at lindaychen@aol.com.

We're looking forward to seeing your enrollments this Fall!

--Dr. Linda Chen

KMTA District 1 President

We are pleased to share the 2026–27 dates for our piano festivals at Northwest Missouri State University, and we hope you will consider sending students again this year.

Bach Family Festival

Date: Sunday, October 26, 2026

Guest Artist: Ian Pritchard

Sonatina–Sonata Festival

Date: Sunday, January 31, 2027

Guest Artist: Shun Lin Chou

Both festivals continue to offer students meaningful performance opportunities, masterclasses, and exposure to guest artist teaching and performance. We especially encourage collaborative participation, including piano ensemble, chamber music, and mixed instrumental and vocal projects where appropriate.

More information about each festival, including registration details, repertoire guidelines, and past highlights, can be found on our Piano Festivals page: https://www.nwmissouri.edu/finearts/music/piano-festivals/index.htm

October 30-November 1, 2026

Kirksville, MO

Truman State University is excited to offer the 44th Annual Piano Festival and Piano Fellowship Competition for performers, scholars, and future music educators, taking place in Fall 2026. Piano students aged 14-26 are eligible, and the competition will be divided into age groups. Performance and educational opportunities include playing in masterclass for the Guest Artist, playing in the Winners' Recital (involving being professionally recorded), and having a lesson with Dr. Elizabeth Crecca. The Fall 2026 Guest Artist is Dr. Yi-Yang Chen, Associate Professor of Piano at DePaul University.

Applications will be accepted through October 14, 2026, and should include recordings of two memorized pieces in contrasting styles. The Festival is tuition-free for all participants. For students interested in furthering their music education at the college level, full and partial scholarships to Truman State University will be available. Students interested in the scholarships should apply for admission to Truman State University by October 6, 2026.

Please visit music.truman.edu/piano and click on the Piano Festival link, or email Dr. Elizabeth Crecca at ecrecca.truman.edu for more information.

News to post? Reminders to send? Any and all submissions are welcome for the monthly KCMTA newsletter! If you have a submission in need of posting, please send it to Emma Wohlgemuth - e.m.wohlgemuth@gmail.com - by the 25th of each month. Your submission will then be posted on the 1st of the following month. Emergency news will be sent out as needed.

Website: kcmta.org

Contact Email: e.m.wohlgemuth@gmail.com