From Rote to Reading, and Beyond
byan interview with Samantha Coates about the conceptualisation of her new Rote Repertoire series. Were you ever taught by rote as a student? Yes,…
Composer Feature
Articles featuring Australian composers and others from around the world
Bernstein at the Piano
byAs his principal instrument, the piano was inextricably a part of Leonard Bernstein’s musical life. There was no piano in his family home until…
Pacific Preludes Collection from Christopher Norton
byChristopher Norton is very well-known for his ground-breaking Microjazz series, which first came out in 1983 and is still delighting both students and teachers…
The magic of William Gillock
byThis year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of William Gillock (1917–1993). Few composers have impacted students and piano teachers across the globe…
Preparing students for adjudication
byIn the last issue of The Piano Teacher, “The Magic of William Gillock, Part One” commemorated the centennial of his birth and celebrated his…
Dinner with Sonny and his music
byUntil recently, composer Sonny Chua was merely a name at the top of a few pieces I had taught to students over the years….
Books by Jeremy Siskind
byThe Magic of Standards Eight Piano Solos The Magic of Standards is a collection of eight new arrangements of beloved songs. Refreshingly original takes…
Umi’s Lullaby – one piece, hundreds of ways
byIn Issue 5 of The Piano Teacher magazine we published Sony Chua’s ‘musical smile’, Umi’s Lullaby. We invited teachers and students from around the…
Australian Composers: Max Cooke, Roderick Macfarlane and Warren Thompson
byMax Cooke After leaving school, and after one year at the Conservatorium, Max spent four years in the RAAF during the war. At war’s…
Composer Profile – Christopher Norton
byNew Zealand Christopher Norton was born in New Zealand in 1953. He began composing at the age of 14, and, by the age of…
Australian Composer SPOTLIGHT: Kerin Bailey
byWhen I was at student at high school, Melinda’s Mini March was THE piece that everyone wanted to play. Even the non-music kids would…