September 2022 MTNA e-Journal

Demographics of Classically Trained Tenured and Tenure-Track Piano Performance Faculty in the U.S.
By Cole Burger

Using data from university websites and other online sources, this study gathers information about the gender identity, training universities and primary teachers of classically trained tenured and tenure-track piano performance faculty in the U.S. (N=929). The top four schools graduated nearly half of these pianists and the top three instructors taught approximately one-tenth of them. Professors at schools with multiple pianists attended fewer schools than those who are the only one at their institution. They are also more likely to identify as male and to have graduated from their current institution. More than one-third of individuals at schools with multiple pianists attended at least one of the same institutions as a piano colleague. Analysis of these findings aids those seeking to better understand the pedigrees of those already hired. [Read More]

Gender and Ethnic Representation in the Repertoire Performed in Pre-College Competitions and Festivals in the U.S.: A Quantitative Analysis
By Alejandro Cremaschi

This study provides data on the level of gender inclusion and diversity in the repertoire performed in pre-college competitions and festival in seven U.S. states between August 2017 and March 2021. It also compared these levels before and after the watershed moment of the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, which was hypothesized to have influenced the repertoire choices of teachers and students. A dataset of 7,683 repertoire entries shows that music by women composers comprised 11%, while music by diverse composers encompassed 1.4% of all entries. A comparison before and after May 2020 showed modest, but statistically significant increases in the percentages for both groups. While this is a promising trend, there is still a long way to go to achieve more equitable inclusion. The issue of inclusion must be addressed at many levels: publication, competition rules, resources and intentional choices by teachers. [Read More]

Poster Sessions

Conversation Around the Water Cooler: Building Community with Classmates and Colleagues
By Lindsay Bastian, Emilie Griffin, Nora Mello, Maria Mueller and Jessie Welsh, NCTM [View]

Inclusive Piano Pedagogy: Expanding Diversity and Cultural Awareness
By Marcia Bosits [View]

Pedagogical Benefits of the Alternatively Sized Keyboards
By Ceren Su Sahin and Ayunia Indri Saputro [View]

Current Research

Versatility at the Piano: Developing the Undergraduate Collaborative Pianist
By Jenna Braaksma [View]

Pop Goes the Theory: Incorporating Popular Music into the Undergraduate Music Theory Curriculum
By Aaron Krerowicz [View]