Washburn University Music and Theatre Department to Host 2023 Kansas Music Teacher Association State Conference Sept. 22-23; Features Free Public Recital

     Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University music and theatre department will host the 2023 Kansas Music Teacher Association (KMTA) State Conference Friday, Sept. 22 – Saturday, Sept. 23 on the Washburn campus. Washburn anticipates approximately 100 music teachers and studio teachers from across Kansas, as well as collegiate members from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Washburn. Additionally, there are some out-of-state attendees from neighboring states and as far away as Connecticut. People must have pre-registered to attend the conference.

      “We are excited for the 2023 KMTA Conference. It will be a feast for the senses, showcasing the best in music pedagogy and performance,” said Dr. Lucy Tan, Washburn University department of theatre and music director of keyboard studies/applied piano and faculty advisor for the Washburn Piano and Organ Society, and vice president of the 2023 conference. “Acclaimed music educators, performers and entrepreneurs throughout Kansas and neighboring states will come together to collaborate, as well as experience a variety of performances, presentations, poster sessions, masterclasses, exhibits and networking opportunities.”

      Conference sessions and events run 10:30 a.m. through 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, and 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.

Conference Guest Artist and Free Concert

     KMTA is proud to feature Dr. David Korevaar as the 2023 KMTA conference guest artist. Korevaar is professor of piano at the University of Colorado Boulder where he holds the titles of distinguished professor and Helen and Peter Weil Faculty Fellow. In addition to his conference keynote session Friday afternoon, he will perform a recital of piano works on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, select students will perform for him in a piano masterclass.

       Korevaar will perform his guest artist recital 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 in White Concert Hall. He will be performing both classical standards and works by under-represented and female composers. The idea behind this recital is about expanding the "canon" and bringing new, diverse works to modern audiences.  Korevaar's program will feature Beethoven's "Pathétique" Piano Sonata Op. 13, Beethoven's Piano Sonata op. 90, "Deep River" by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, a set of preludes by living composer James Morris (b. 1998), “The Bills” by living composer Carter Pann (b. 1972, who is also music composition faculty at Colorado University Boulder), and "Troubled Water" by Margaret Bonds. Programs to the concert will be available via QR code displays at either entrance to White Concert Hall in lieu of the traditional concert booklet. Registered conference attendees can find a copy of the program in their conference booklets. This concert is free, and the public is welcome.

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