The Piano Workbook will be soon be published in a Conservatory Canada Edition. Check back on the website in the Fall to view sample pages from both the original and Contemporary Idioms syllabi.

The Piano Workbook is now available with a complete listing of the RCME/NCM Examinations requirements in each Level of the series. Not only are the technique, sight and ear requirements presented on one easy to read page, but the Daily Technique Schedule, Monthly Tempo Chart and Fingering Chart are also adapted to suit the practicing needs for this system.

A new Teacher’s Manual is also now available with comprehensive explanations for each section of the Student Workbook and multiple examples for all levels of the dictation and playback exercises.

Check out the Table of Contents and sample pages from the Teacher’s Manual and Level 5 of the Student Edition on the “about page” of the website.

The Piano Workbook series will be featured in a Conference Showcase at the MTAC Conference in Riverside California June 27-30. “Learn the notes, practice the piece, perform the music” will illustrate the benefits of using the Workbook to guide students towards better practicing habits and more convincing musical performances. Come join us at the presentation or stop by the booth to see the latest developments in this exciting pedagogical tool.

The Piano Workbook series will soon be augmented with two new and exciting features.
First, a comprehensive teacher’s manual will be available as of June 2008. This volume will include detailed explanations and multiple samples for each page of the student edition of the Piano Workbook. Teachers will have the parameters for all ten levels of the workbook in one handy reference.
Second, the format of the student edition of the Piano Workbook is being streamlined. The explanations currently included in the book have been shifted to the teacher’s manual, allowing for more examples and staff paper to create customized exercises.
Check back to the website in June 2008 for sample pages or visit the Piano Workbook booth at the MTAC Convention in California June 27-30, 2008.

 The Piano Workbook will be presented to two groups in January 2008: the Abbotsford Branch of the B.C. Registered Music Teachers’ Association on January 11th and the Vancouver Branch of the BCRMTA on January 28th. Both events will highlight various aspects of the Workbook with specific reference to: benefits of organizing piano study for the student, teacher, and parent; tools to structure practice of technique and repertoire; exercises to develop ear and sight skills beyond examination requirements; and a visual guide to introducing the Sonata Allegro form. For more information, please email the author using the “Contact Page” on the website.

The Piano Workbook was first published and presented to the teaching community in March of 2007 and the past six months have proven to be most interesting. The response to the product at the CMFTA MTNA RCM Collaborative Conference in Toronto (March) was very positive, as was the reception at the MTAC Conference in Santa Clara (June). A final trip to a more informal event at the VPSS in Victoria (July) capped off a busy few months.

The Fall promises to be equally stimulating with tentative plans for presentations on the Piano Workbook to interested groups in the Lower Mainland (Southwest B.C.). It is hoped that new, as well as experienced teachers will gain something from these events. If you would like more information, please contact me through this website.

The Piano Workbook is now selling at Prussin Music, Tom Lee Music, and Long & McQuade in Canada, and on-line for American and/or Canadian orders. The books are gaining recognition and being used across Canada and California - in addition to other U.S. States - and they have even been taken back to such exotic locals as Korea, India, and Japan. All the interest in this new product is much appreciated and I look forward to posting more updates on exciting developments in the near future.

The Piano Workbook is now available through all Tom Lee Music and Long & McQuade stores, as well as Prussin Music in Vancouver. Come by to view the workbook or purchase your copies.

The Piano Workbook will soon be available in an edition compatible with the Certificate of Merit* 2007 Syllabus of the Music Teachers’ Association of California. In addition to all the information on practicing, ear and sight training, goal setting etc., each level of this new Workbook - Preparatory Level through Level 9 - will contain the respective CM requirements on one easy to review page. Technique schedules, practicing charts, fingering, and theory references will also compliment the CM information. Both editions of the Piano Workbook will be available for viewing and ordering at the MTNA Conference in Santa Clara, June 29-July 2.

*”Certificate of Merit” or “CM” is a registered trademark. The CM is an evaluation program of the Music Teachers’ Association of California. Reference to “Certificate of Merit” or ”CM” does not imply endorsement by MTAC of this product.

The Sonata Allegro Form poster, presented at the Collaborative Conference in Toronto on Sunday March 25th and Monday March 26th, demonstrates an easy way to introduce the form to students of all ages. Click Sonata Allegro Handout to view or print the file.

The CFMTA, MTNA, RCM Collaborative Conference in Toronto ended on Tuesday, March 27 after five days of intense scheduling. It was a great success with many informative lectures, interesting demonstrations, and vibrant personalities. The trade fair was extensive, the perfect opportunity to introduce the Piano Workbook: A Guided Study in Ten Levels to the teaching community. There was much interest in the book and many encouraging comments, so thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth to have a look and offer their ideas, as well as their patronage.

Congratulations to Rebecca Goode of Niagara Falls Ontario for winning the prize draw held at the Piano Workbook booth on Monday March 26. Your Korg Digital Metronome will be mailed out in a few days and will be ticking away in your studio in no time.

For those of you who purchased a copy or copies of the Piano Workbook, please remember to send in your comments about the publication by May 31st to have your name entered in a draw for a very handy suede music portfolio case. Your comments may be sent by mail using the blue form included with your purchase or by email through the website.