Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) District VI Auditions for piano, strings, voice.

Date/Time: September 26, 2026, all day

Venue: Dayspring Arts & Education

Students register to play either two or three pieces from memory in front of a judge for a rating of 1 or 2 and comments. Grade K-9 play 2 pieces, grades 10-12 play 3 pieces. Students who receive a 1 rating may register to compete in the MMTA State Honors Auditions for a rating of 1 or 2, comments, and for the possibility of being awarded first, second or honorary mention for their grade!

Chairs: Sharla Anderson and Natalie Huggins.

Fall Intermediate Piano Masterclass with Vera Parkin

Date/Time: October 3, 2026, at 10:00am

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

Participants are chosen by live audition on September 5. Online Registration opens August 8th. The registration deadline is August 22 at 11:59pm. Registration fee for members is $25/student. To register please use this Link

Chair: Laureen Di Bisceglie

October Presentation

Date/Time: October 9, 2026 at 10:00am

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

Presenter: Dr. Jorge Modolell, SLAMTA VP of Membership & Musicologist

Topic: “Not Just for Virtuosos: Why Every Piano Student Should Play Liszt.”

For many teachers, Franz Liszt’s music seems reserved for only the most advanced pianists. While he did compose some of the repertoire’s greatest technical challenges, his vast output also includes many rewarding works suitable for intermediate students and even talented beginners. This presentation will challenge common misconceptions about Liszt and explore why his music deserves a place in the teaching studio. In addition to highlighting lesser-known pedagogical repertoire, this session will examine how Liszt’s deep understanding of the piano can help students develop technical skills, tonal control, and expressive playing.

Chair: Kathleen Foster

MMTA State Honors Audition

Date/Time: November 5-8

Location: UMSL

Students who recieved a 1 rating at the MMTA District VI Auditions on September 26 can register to participate in these auditions with the same pieces for a rating of 1 or 2, comments, and for the possibility of being awarded first, second or honorary mention for their grade!

Registration Fee for members: TBD; Registration Fee for non-members: TBD; Registration Deadline: TBD (determined by MMTA)

Chair: MMTA

November Roundtable Presentation

Date/Time: November 13 at 10:00am.

Venue: Lacefield Music in Chesterfield

Join us for a Roundtable overview of the various competetions and festivals available for piano students, vocal and other instruments. Laureen Di Bisceglie for MMTA (Missouri Teachers Assoc.) & MTNA (Music Teachers National Assoc.) competitions, Kathleen Foster for Gateway Piano Festival and Gateway Music and Arts Festival, Marlana Strasburg for MFMC (Missouri Federation of Music Clubs) & NFMC (National Federation of Mjusic Clubs), Cathy Benton for National Piano Guild, and Song Lyu for Young Artist Competition.

Chair: Kathleen Foster

Monster Piano Concert - Rehearsal, Concert & T-Shirt Design Contest

Date/Time: Rehearsal is at 1pm on Sat, November 14. The Monster Concert is at 1pm & 2:30pm on Sat, November 21.

Venue:  Lacefield Music in Chesterfield

Repertoire List and T-Shirt Design Contest Rules.‍ Students register to play duets, trios and quartets from the designated repertoire list under the baton of a director. There is also a t-shirt design contest. The winning design will be worn by the performers during the concert. No judging here, just pure fun! Registration Fees: $22/student and $22/teacher. Parents can play for free. Online Registration: Oct. 1-17, 2026; T-shirt Design Submission Deadline: Oct. 17.

Chairs: Sharla Anderson, Kayia Baker, Dr. Gloria Pasley

Play-A-Thon

Date/Time: December 5-6.

Venue: The Galleria Mall

Play-A-Thon for all instruments, including strings.

Teachers may sign their students up for a time slot to play on a beautiful Steinway Grand Piano in the Galleria Mall for holiday shoppers.

Please register here. Deadline to enter: Nov 14 at 11:59pm. Registration Fee: $15/student Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is encouraged.

Chair: Nancy Fletcher

Auditions for January 30 Violin MasterClass with Julia Sakharova

Date/Time: January 9 at 10:15am.

Venue: Lacefield Music in Chesterfield

Students register for an audition time to participate in SLAMTA’s first violin masterclass with internationally acclaimed violinist and Concertmaster of Orchestra Iowa, Julia Sakharova. Registration period: Dec. 5-19 Registration fee: $25/student.

Chair: Laureen Di Bisceglie

Violin MasterClass with Julia Sakharova

Date/Time: January 30 at 10:15am.

Venue: Lacefield Music in Chesterfield

Participants are chosen by live audition on January 9th. Online registration opens Dec. 5. The registration deadline is December 19 at 11:59pm. Registration fee for members is $25/student.

Chair: Laureen Di Bisceglie

Salome and Elektra‍ ‍Legendary Women

Date/Time: January 30 at 7:30pm.

Venue: Powell Hall

Yeol Eum Son performs Beethoven’s First Concerto. Indomitable, legendary women make their mark in this concert celebrating operatic scores and captivating storytelling. Anja Bihlmaier conducts this orchestral thriller, featuring music from Strauss’ epic, revengeful opera, Elektra. The twisted tale of Salome is depicted by French composer Mel Bonis, whose music explores the stories of distincitive female figures from literature and mythology. At the center of the program, Yeol Eum Son’s virtuosic gifts shine in Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto. Group ticket pricing and payment deadline is forthcoming.

Chair: Dr. Jorge Modolell

SLAMTA Teachers Recital & Reception - New Event!

Date/Time: January 31 from 2:00pm-5:00pm

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

This event is for all SLAMTA teachers to play for each other and their guests, and then gather socially afterwards in Steinway’s organ room. To register to perform, please email Dr. Jorge Modolell your repertoire selection by January 10th.

Chair: Dr. Jorge Modolell

Auditions for the March 6 Spring Advanced Piano Masterclass with Nina Ferrigno

Date/Time: February 6 at Noon

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

Students register to audition to participate in an advanced piano masterclass with Nina Ferrigno, described as “a magnificent pianist” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and a founding member of the Boston-based Calyx Piano Trio and featured soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Registration period: Jan. 9-23; Registration Fee: $25/student.

Chair: Laureen Di Bisceglie

Presenter: Tom Finger Topic: Rediscovering Scott Joplin

Date/Time: February 19 at 10:00am.

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

Scott Joplin lived in St. Louis and Sedalia, where he played at tge Maple Leaf Club and wrote the Maple Leaf Rag which sold more than a million copies (& he sold to the publisher for $50 plus royalties). Scott Joplin composed much more than just “The Entertainer” and …

Chair: Kathleen Foster

Sonata Festival for Strings and Piano

Date/Time: (to be confirmed)

Venue: Community Music School of Webster University

Students register to perform one piece before a judge for a rating and comments.  Students can also take the Sonatina/Sonata form test and enter into the Sonatina Festival poster contest!  The ratings given are Superior, Excellent, Fair, and Judge’s Choice. Students who receive a Judge’s Choice award receive a $2.00 bill!  Superior winners receive a medal, and Excellent and Fair receive ribbons. Registration period: Jan. 25-Feb. 3 (to be confirmed); Registration Fee: $22/student.

Chairs: Vera Parkin and Natalie Huggins

Spring Advanced Piano Masterclass with Nina Ferrigno

Date/Time: March 6th at 10:00am

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

Online registration opens Jan. 9. The registration deadline is Jan. 23 at 11:59 pm. Registration fee for members is $25/student.

Chair: Laureen Di Bisceglie

March Presentation

Presenter: Dr. Helena Hyesoo Kim, Mizzou.

Topic: “Five Centuries of Women Composers: Works for Late-Intermediate and Early Advanced Pianists”

Date/Time: March 19th at 10:00am

Venue: Steinway Piano Gallery

This session will introduce piano literature for intermediate to early advanced students from the Baroque period through the Contemporary era. Women composers featured in this presentation include Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, Anna Bon, Clara Schumann, Lili Boulanger, Sofia Gubaidulina, Tania León, and Alexina Louie.

Chair: Kathleen Foster