One of our favorites, JSQ - which has performed Mendelssohn Octet with Esterhazy Quartet in our series in 2008 - announces the release of their debut album, The Kernis Project: Beethoven, featuring Beethoven Op. 59 No. 3 and Kernis No. 2 "musica instrumentalis". This is the first in a set of recordings on the Sono Luminus label that pair Kernis' magnificent quartets with their influences. Here's what JSQ has said about the project: "We greatly enjoy performing these works and feel fortunate to be able to record them for our first albums. Working with Mr. Kernis on his compositions has been enlightening and we would like to thank Astral Artists and everyone else who made this possible." This December, JSQ will record the second disc with Schubert "Death and the Maiden and Kernis No. 1 "musica celestis". 

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has sent its members a letter earlier this fall, declaring that they have decided to strip instrumental and vocal competitions all together from 2013. They will keep piano and chamber music competitions. Personally, I find their decision appalling and even offensive that MTNA would retain chamber music competition but not continue supporting the instrumental and vocal competitions. As a member of its local association MMAMTA with strong advocacy for ALL music, I implore you to write MTNA Board (list below) a letter of appeal to reconsider and reverse their decision. Currently 25% of MMAMTA members are instrumental/vocal teachers, and the number is growing year after year. More importantly, the experience students gain from the competitions is priceless, and that includes some of my own students who play more than just piano. Please join me in spreading the word.  Let's keep MTNA truly all-inclusive.

Sincerely,
Ayako Tsuruta
MMAMTA Immediate Past President

MTNA Board: 
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Ayako Tsuruta 
Pianist & Artistic Director 
Odyssey Chamber Music Series | www.odysseymissouri.org 
Plowman Chamber Music Competition | www.motheatre.org