Z News – Classic – Page 2 – Don Bryn Official Site

2018 Fall Piano Recital

December 3, 2018 by donbryn

Piano, Service to College, State College of Florida

20 piano students, 85 people, 1 piano, 1 program, 3 piano faculty, and a student-planned reception!

The recital was again a great success. Without any sort of advertising, just from students inviting family and friends, we drew that big a crowd.

Our piano recitals have become an important part of our presence in the community, and require some effort on the part of teachers and myself. I appreciate the extra time and energy it takes for the faculty to organize the program, prepare the students, spread the word, manage the students last-minute preparations and nerves, setup the room, communicate with the community, help organize the reception, be present and supportive for the students, and give up their own time to ensure a successful recital.

MTNA Meeting and Recital Hour Accompaniment Workshop

October 10, 2018 by donbryn

Community, Education

Accompaniment, MTNA, Piano, Service to Community, State College of Florida

This year I again hosted the local MTNA chapter for their monthly meeting and a musical workshop during our Student Recital Hour. I arranged a meeting room and drink service for the group. Myself and one of my student keyboard assistants greeted and directed members as they arrived, and we made sure the group had chairs and were comfortably welcomed into Recital Hour.

I led a workshop on Accompaniment, including a local home-schooled student who was given music in advance to prepare to accompany one of our cello students. While I was leading the workshop, it was completely open to comments by any student, faculty, or visiting MTNA teacher.

First I accompanied a voice student, creating a real-life situation as if it were the first time we were meeting through a first rehearsal. After that we followed with the young pianist accompanying the cello student. This was an excellent opportunity to work with both sides of the accompaniment collaboration, working on communication, breathing, standard tuning practices, eye-contact, and many other subtleties.

I heard many compliments about the usefulness of the workshop and I am very pleased with the outcome. It was extremely beneficial to have a home-schooled student who was able to come during the day to participate.

Piano Grand III Concert

October 6, 2018 by donbryn

Performing

Artist Series of Sarasota, Five Pianos, Piano, Piano Grand

10 Pianists this year! What an excellent opportunity to collaborate with new co-performers.

This year’s Piano Grand was another sell-out hit at the Sarasota Opera House. 10 performers on five pianists added up to a great variety in repertoire and combinations of performers.

This concert also featured the entire piano faculty at SCF – Aza Torshkoeva, Tom Purviance, and myself.

Herald Tribune Review

Observer Review

Artist Series Newsletter

SCF Music Program Scholarship Auditions

April 21, 2018 by donbryn

Education

Service to College, State College of Florida

Another successful year of scholarship auditions. This day is a day of recruitment, providing incoming students a boost to accomplish many of the steps needed to enter the music program all in one go.

The biggest improvement for me this year was requiring the students to take the Theory Placement Test onsite in the tech lab. We had our student lab assistants on staff to help and managed to get almost all the auditioning students to take the test that day. This was a big time/effort save over the summer (when I’m not on contract to be testing students anyway).

2018 Annual Music Service at UUCS

April 15, 2018 by donbryn

Performing

Piano, Unitarian Universalist, UUCS

This is the 2nd Annual Music Service at UUCS of this magnitude. While there have been other music services at UUCS, last year’s was the biggest event, including many musicians who are part of the congregation. I created the idea, organized, and implemented the service, which was very popular, and was not just about music, but tied together by a theme of cohesiveness and inclusivity. This second event was also hugely popular, though I passed off the organizing baton to Robert.

In addition to accompanying the choir and various soloists, I played the Schubert Impromptu in Eb.

MTNA National Conference, Presenting

March 20, 2018 by donbryn

Education

Curriculum Development, MTNA, Piano Marvel, Professional Development, State College of Florida

I was asked to present alongside the developers of Piano Marvel, a curricular technology I instituted for Class Piano I and II. I have been in a lot of contact with the developers, giving feedback and asking for improvements. This led to them asking me to present at the MTNA conference in Orlando. SPD funds were used to attend this 5-day conference where I attended many sessions in addition to presenting.

I was specifically asked to address the use of the SASR, or Standard Assessment of Sight Reading, in classes. I spoke about the use of the Piano Marvel technology and it’s ability to give immediate feedback and assessment to students in a numerical form. This has proven to be very useful to students, providing motivation and a method of assessment. As an instructor, it allows me the freedom to move among the students and assist more personally with student’s individual needs.

I forgot to ask someone to take pictures during the presentation, but these are photos from other presentations during the conference. There were a lot more people at the Piano Marvel presentation!

Fall 2017 Successes

December 18, 2017 by donbryn

Education

Music Theory, Music Theory Placement Test, Piano, State College of Florida, Tutors

The addition of theory scholarships to provide theory tutors has been one of the most successful additions to the department and one I am most proud of. Immediately after theory class, they have been available in the Tech Lab and many students have taken advantage of the service.
The Keyboard library has continued to be catalogued in hopes of the new remodel to the tech lab soon.
The first all-department piano recital was a huge success, making the department much more visible to the community.
I have begun work on the new promotional website for the music department. One of the primary uses of this website is to capture prospective students and give them exciting and readily available information about the program and the procedures for applying.
The Theory Placement test is a necessary part of the process of preparing students to enter a music program and I have begun work on recreating the test in Moodle to host on the music website. I have created almost all of the banks already, including an interval bank that already holds almost 3000 questions in bank!
This semester was a great learning experience for managing Class Piano courses. With students needing to be placed in specific classes and avoiding ensemble course conflicts, it is quite a challenge. However, for next year I now have thought out a better procedure for reserving sections and placing students in the correct course.
Managing the computers and software for the department has also been new to me and required some learning of various software companies procedures for licenses. I have upgraded our Sibelius licenses to a network license so they can all be managed from one computer. I am in the process of updating the Finale licenses and-due to how that company manages network licenses-we will stay with individual licenses for now. I have also installed and learn Apple Remote Desktop for managing updates and issues on the lab computers. It is still difficult because updates are so random and so many students use the computers, but it is a big improvement in methods.

Brunetti Workshop at the Asolo Conservatory 2017

December 16, 2017 by donbryn

Education, Performing

Asolo, Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, Brunetti, David Brunetti, Musical Theater, Piano

The annual Brunetti Workshop at the FSU Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training was one of the best yet.

The program at the Asolo Conservatory is a graduate acting program, however for this workshop each year the students must sing. The workshop itself is an ACTING workshop, but is designed to teach the graduate students how to act honestly while singing.

My job as the singing teacher is to act as vocal coach for the 24 students, helping them prepare songs during September and November so that during the workshop week they can focus on the acting. During the week of the workshop I work alongside David Brunetti, accompanying and helping with any musical needs. The workshop culminates in a performance in the Asolo Black Box theater with the students and myself performing;

The Asolo Conservatory is one of the most well-known acting programs in the country and is a joy and an honor to be part.

First Piano Department Recital

December 6, 2017 by donbryn

Education

Piano, Service to College, State College of Florida

Thanks to Ms. Torshkoeva’s idea, we held the first ever all-piano-department recital.

The recital was casual, with quite a full audience in room 189 of the music building. Because this recital is for the entire department, we had a range of students from beginners to our most advanced, allowing them the opportunity to perform as well as their family and friends to see what they have been studying in the keyboard department at SCF.

The recital was a huge success based on the student’s performances and the audience’s response. Students and faculty also brought party food for a small reception afterwards. This along with the light and casual atmosphere of the recital made for an enjoyable time for all.

SCF Holiday Joy Concert

December 1, 2017 by donbryn

Education

Service to College, State College of Florida

What a fun holiday concert! I am so happy I was able to attend this concert that featured all of the SCF Music ensembles. I took upon myself the task of gathering media for the upcoming promotional website, taking pictures during the performance as well as backstage.

« Next

Z News - Classic

2018 Fall Piano Recital

MTNA Meeting and Recital Hour Accompaniment Workshop

Piano Grand III Concert

Herald Tribune Review

Observer Review

Artist Series Newsletter

SCF Music Program Scholarship Auditions

2018 Annual Music Service at UUCS

MTNA National Conference, Presenting

Fall 2017 Successes

Brunetti Workshop at the Asolo Conservatory 2017

First Piano Department Recital

SCF Holiday Joy Concert

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