Please refer to the program calendar for an overview of the exciting presenations given thoughout the year by our members and special guests.

STUDENT RECITALS

Regular student recitals are held at the Palo Alto Art Center Auditiorium. The dates and times are listed under Student Recitals. For regulations and applications, please contact Anna Semyanovskaya or Irina Lozinski.

TEACHERS' RECITAL

Our members are welcome to perform at this evening concert in a solo or chamber music group. For date and location, please refer to the program calendar for December. If you wish to perform, contact Angela Coons, Chair.

THERA RABINOWITCH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Cash awards are given for first-, second-, and third- place contestants to honor achievement in music study and community service. All students will receive written evaluations and a certificate of participation. Open to students in Grades 7-12 who either live in Palo Alto and /or study with a member of the Palo Alto Branch of MTAC. The upcoming audition date is TBA. For more information, please contact Mihaela Kolovson.

YOUNG AUDIENCE COMPETITION

A contest designed to encourage our students to attend classical music concerts and performing arts productions. Points may be earned for each concert attended by filling out the Concert Report Sheet, including an evaluation of the performance (minimum 50 words). The students with the three highest numbers of points per year will be awarded cash prizes and free concert tickets during a public ceremony at a musical event each fall. The first-prize winner will also be presented with a beautiful trophy inscribed with his or her name, to keep for one full year.

MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS

An outreach program established in 1995 by the Palo Alto branch of MTAC to provide music programs for elementary school children in our community. These programs provide a variety of musical experiences that enhance children's enjoyment and appreciation of music. Additionally, studies have shown that music instruction raises academic achievement. All costs of the program are funded through individual contributions, grants and benefit recitals, with all contributions going directly to the program.

MUSIC RESEARCH ARTICLE COLLECTION

A project initiated by our 1997-2000 president, Aniko Gombos Schueller, to collect articles on scientific research related to how music studies contribute to the development of the brain, particularly in young children. It is our hope that these articles will provide strong arguments to our legislators for the revival of music education in public schools.

PEDAGOGY GROUP

An interested group of teachers who get together about once a month to discuss all aspects of the teaching profession and exchange ideas on solutions to problems. Check our newsletter, The Tarantella, for date time and place.

PERFORMANCE GROUP

Meets the fourth Tuesday at members' houses for the purpose of trying new compositions, polishing pieces for recital, and preparing for the annual teachers' recital presented by the branch. Members also performed at a retirement home during the 1999-2000 season.

THE TARANTELLA

This award- winning newsletter is published bi-monthly during the teaching year and is mailed to all branch members. Information includes news of state and branch programs, special programs such as master classes and recitals, news from our members' studios (such as awards and accomplishments), updated e-mail/fax/web/directory, classified ads, etc. For procedures and deadlines for submitting material for publications, please refer to The Tarantella section.

LENDING LIBRARY

Various teaching videos are available for our branch members to borrow for a short period. It is a way to further enhance our teaching and share our resources. Contact the branch president for further information.

WEBSITE SERVICE

Beginning of Spring 1998, Palo Alto Branch became one of the few MTAC branchers to have a website for Internet access. Throught the Internet, the public may access information about our organization, our members, calendar of events, and the newsletter of our branch.

BRANCH HONORS RECITAL (BHR)

The BHR recognizes junior and senior high school students (7th through 12th grades) who have demonstrated exceptionally high standards of performance and musicianship on all elements of the CM evaluation. The BHR performers are selected by the CM evaluator at the CM evaluations, according to the criteria established by the MTAC Palo Alto branch.
The purpose of the Branch Honors Recital is to provide special commendation for those students who have persevered and achieved an outstanding level of musical skill and understanding during their challenging adolescent years of personal development and general education.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relations interfaces with newspapers, radio stations various music-related bulletin boards, and individual MTAC members (via e-mail). Every effort should be made to provide event information to the Public Relations Chair six weeks ahead of its scheduled date.