Is your dance card full? We are just on the brink of October, with a forecast for snow in the Black Hills and I am already running out of time for any “music just for fun”.

The Black Hills Area Music Teachers Association (BHAMTA) has three recitals planned for October.  On Monday, Oct 19, students will play  at Batchelder’s Plummer Piano and Organ.  On Tuesday, Oct. 20, students will play at Black Hills Piano Gallery.   That’s for the Southern Hills players.  Then, on Thursday, Oct. 22, the Northern Hills recitals will be held at Meier Recital Hall at BHSU, Spearfish.  For more information, please contact Rita Hicks at 722-7429.

Thanks for stopping by.  mlt

Margie Litzen, Anita Paige and mlt at the Connected exhibit...it comes down on Sunday, Oct. 4.

Tony Thomas explains the insides of the piano.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a piano and not be tuned? Or to be just sitting there and not be played?

It must be very lonely!  Find out more on the Anatomy of a Piano this Saturday, Sept 26 at 3 p.m.  Tony Thomas, owner of Black Hills Piano Gallery will discuss the different components of the piano and how to keep them healthy. Most importantly, what it takes to keep your piano very happy. The piano is a very complex instrument and one that most people know very little about.

Piano teachers -  this is a great program for your students.  It saves a lot of time because your students will stop asking about those pedals once they have seen this presentation.

Music lovers -  Steven Swedish will be presenting a concert in October and Jacqueline Schwab in November.  Details coming soon.

Although the temperatures still seem like summer, the fall music calendar is kicking in.  The Black Hills Chamber Society starts their concert season this Sunday, Sept. 13, with a piano duo performance at 7:30 p.m.

Dr. John Walker and his wife, Mary, will be playing at the First Congregational Church, 1200 Clark Street, in Rapid City.   Dr. Walker has been a Professor of Music and Director of Keyboard Studies at South Dakota State University for a number of years.  You may have read about his performance cycle of all 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven.   Mary has just joined the SDSU piano faculty, but maintains her private studio in Brookings as well.

I hope all the Piano Pals members can make it to this concert for a bit of inspiration. 

Speaking of Piano Pals, here’s a photo of my duo partner Anita Paige (far right) at the CONNECTED art exhibit last week.  Anita is showing some of her original jewelry work and her pals came up to take a look and have some fun.

This photo exemplifies what a great time we had.  The “connections” continued throughout the evening as more folks came to see the artwork and were surprised to find that they knew so many other people.   The exhibit continues at the Bay Leaf Cafe in Spearfish throughout the month of September.

Meanwhile, back at the piano studio, I have just completed my first week of teaching for the Autumn Session.  The choice spots are filling in quickly, so if you are looking for piano lessons after school, you’d better call soon.  342-3328.

Hope you are having a great season and getting ready to practice this year.

I welcome your comments and suggestions for future blogs.

Thanks for stopping by. mlt