KCMTA July Newsletter

July 4th has always marked the mid-point of summer – the time we begin to plan for the next school year (while still trying to find some time to relax and refresh). Your KCMTA Executive Board has already been quite busy developing great teacher workshops and wonderful performance opportunities for students for 2026-27.

This information can be found on our newly revised website: kcmta.org. Information will continue to be updated for events as it becomes available.

Wishing you a safe and healthy July 4th!

-Melissa

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

***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

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

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

Registration is now open for Washburn Summer Keyboard Academy, a summer camp in Topeka, Kansas where students receive intensive instruction on the art of piano performance and take part in recreational activities. Open to young pianists entering grades 6 through college freshman year!

Dates: July 27 – July 31, 2026

Registration Deadline: July 5, 2026

Follow this link to learn more

Washburn Summer Keyboard Academy (WSKA) is hosted on the beautiful campus of Washburn University. Students receive daily private lessons with acclaimed university and artist-level faculty, participate in keyboard workshops, enjoy recreational activities, take literature and music history seminars, explore daily performance classes, have designated practice time, and gain performance experience in our recital halls! There are options to participate as campers and commuters. Our week-long tuition starts at only $330 for commuters and $475 for campers, and that includes meals, tuition fees, and a free WSKA t-shirt! Prospective students should have at least 2 years of private lessons on their main instrument and must be able to read music.

Featured faculty:

Dr. Lucy Tan, Director and Piano

Dr. Kristi Baker-Lampe, Piano

Dr. Kari Johnson Barroso, Piano

Dr. Kelly Huff, Music History and Music Theory

Contact person: Dr. Lucy Tan, WSKA Director; lucy.tan@washburn.edu

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

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Join Friends University Piano Faculty for a special day celebrating 250 years of American piano music! Participation for students and teachers is free and registration will open this summer in June.

Click here for more information on our competitions ($250 prizes for students), lectures, concerts and more!

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

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