Minnesota Music Teachers Association www.mnmusicteachers.com The purpose of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association, which is affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) is to enhance the professional status of its members, to sponsor and participate in programs for the enrichment of music education, and to encourage musical performance and creativity. MMTA fulfills its purpose through programs for students and teachers, publications, and the annual MMTA convention. The publications include a newsletter, a calendar with detailed information on MMTA and its programs, a directory of members, and many brochures. Membership forms can be found on the MMTA web page www.mnmusicteachers.com  The web page also has a listing of teachers by area. You can request inclusion on this list. MMTA 10800 Lyndale Avenue S, Suite 263 Bloomington, MN 55420 (952) 345-0629 For information on MMTA student programs, see the website: www.mnmusicteachers.com Minnesota Tax Credits / Deductions Parents of all students who study with an MMTA teacher are eligible to take tax credits or tax deductions (depending on income) for their music lessons. The State legislature has passed a bill that considers all MMTA teachers as “qualified teachers” whose students are eligible for the tax credits/deductions. Music Teachers National Association: The MTNA website is: www.mtna.org

MMTA Student Programs For more details on each one, see MMTA's website: www.mnmusicteachers.com MMTA Challenge Award--new this year! Students earn points for every MMTA activity they participate in.  Most are worth 100 points, details are explained on the MMTA website.  This program encourages participation, goal setting and is a wonderful way to mark progress through the years.  Points accumulate year by year.  The first award is a large ribbon for 300 points, the final award for 2500 points, is a large trophy the the student's name engraved on it. MMTA ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL                           Saturday, November 6, 2010 First Unitarian Universalist Church 1727 Walden Lane SW, Rochester Registration Deadline:  October 1, 2010 Chairperson:  Carol Prescher This festival is an excellent opportunity for all kinds of music collaboration. Think creatively! Duets, trios, and more are performed and critiqued. Memorization is encouraged but not required. All students receive a certificate and critique if music has been provided for the judge. A family member may perform as a partner of a student currently studying with an MMTA teacher. See the MMTA calendar for rules and registration form. MMTA Preliminary Contest SE MN Saturday, January 22, 2011 RCTC, Rochester, MN Registration Deadline:  December 1, 2010 Location:  Rochester Community and Technical College Details: MMTA Handbook, or www.mnmusicteachers.com Finals Contest Date:  Sat. & Sun. March 12-13, 2011 Registration Deadline Sat. Jan. 29, 2011 Location:  Ferguson Hall, U of MN Honors Concert:  Sat. May 21, 2011 Location:  Northrop Auditorium, U of MN MMTA COMPREHENSIVE PIANO EXAMS Piano Syllabus Exams are offered three times a year. There are eleven levels which include elementary through very advanced. Covered in the exam are keyboard skills, technical studies, repertoire from the various musical periods, oral questions, and sight playing. All who pass a level receive a certificate. Monetary awards are given on the upper levels. Information and applications are found in the MMTA calendar. Exam dates for this are included with the information on MMTA Theory and Sight Playing exams. Costs vary--consult MMTA Handbook or see www.mnmusicteachers.com MMTA THEORY AND SIGHT PLAYING EXAMS Theory and Sight Playing Exams are offered three times a year. The theory program is divided into six levels. The levels progress in the areas of notation and ear training as well as analysis and the understanding of structure and form in music. Each level has oral, written, and keyboard sections. There are no restrictions as to age for the levels. All who pass a level receive a certificate. See the MMTA calendar for rules and application forms. Costs vary--consult MMTA Handbook or see www.mnmusicteachers.com EXAM DATES FOR PIANO EXAMS, THEORY, SIGHT PLAYING & KEYBOARD SKILLS Test Date: November 20, 2010                                Deadline:  October 15, 2010 Test Date:  January 8, 2011                               Deadline: December 3, 2010 Test Date:  April 16, 2011                                           Deadline:  March 11, 201 Location:  Hoffman Madsen Studios, Rochester SYLLABUS & THEORY PROGRAMS FOR VOICE, ORGAN, VIOLIN, FLUTE, GUITAR  MMTA has Syllabus and Theory programs for many other instruments.  Please consult the MMTA Handbook or the website  www.mnmusicteachers.com OTHER MMTA STUDENT CONTEST OPPORTUNITIES: See descriptions and dates on MMTA calendar at www.mnmusicteachers.com MMTA YOUNG ARTIST CONTEST Junior (Piano Only) and Senior Piano, guitar, strings, voice, winds, organ (dates differ for organ) MMTA CONTEST: INSTRUMENTAL & VOICE MMTA MUSIC BRIDGES MMTA STUDENT COMPOSITION CONTEST TEACHERS ORIGINAL DUET COMPOSITION CONTEST