"Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime." Solid wisdom. Here's a variation: Give me some music and I listen for an hour or so. Teach me to make music and I'm an all-around better person for a lifetime. Not quite as catchy, but clearly, the same common sense message. The UTMA and MTNA meetings have concluded for another year, and the teaching strategies, curricula, and awards have all been presented. And once again, I am in awe of you, the teachers, who play such a vital, under-appreciated role in a world that considers music education to be an "elective." Wouldn't it be nice if the next President created a cabinet-level "Department of Music" and appointed you Secretary of Music? You'd be up to it, and the world would be a better place for it too. My father, Gerald R. Daynes, the third President of Daynes Music, used to say, "You can't eat a piano, but you can play one." You are helping our young people understand one of the greatest joys and lifetime vocations this world has to offer: making music. Thank you so much for all you do.

Sincerely,

Skip Daynes
President
Daynes Music Company, Inc.

IN THIS ISSUE

WINNERS & SNAPS FROM THE OCTOBER UMTA/MTNA MEETINGS OCTOBER'S WINNING Q & A RESPONSE: SIGHT READING SKILLS THIS MONTH'S Q & A: KEY FLUENCY THE PIANO DOCTOR: KEEPING YOUR PIANO IN TUNE FOR THE PROS: NEW RAVEL EDITIONS FROM THE WAREHOUSE: PIANO(S) OF THE MONTH FEATURED STEINWAY ARTIST: STEPHEN BEUS CONCERT, NOV. 11 (BTW: DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR XMAS SHEET MUSIC SELECTIONS)