Great Lakes Piano Track

ENSEMBLES:

GENERAL ENSEMBLE INFORMATION: 

• Ensemble rehearsals will be coached by Maranatha’s Piano Faculty and Music Prep Staff.
• Students will be given the password to the music after they register online. After viewing the music, students should send their TOP THREE part choices to janet.tschida@mbu.edu.
  • Example: Ms. Tschida, my top three choices, in order, are (1) All Hail – piano 1 primo, (2) All Hail – piano 2 secondo, (3) Perpetual Commotion – piano 1 secondo.
  • Note: Your top three choices can be from the same piece or multiple pieces.
  • Please be sure your teacher approves your choices.
• Students need to master their assigned part up to tempo before coming to Great Lakes Music Festival.
• Students may perform the piece along with university piano majors and minors (some parts will be doubled).
• Groups able to perfect their pieces will perform in the concert on Saturday.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING WHEN CHOOSING AN ENSEMBLE: 

• If you take private lessons, please ask your teacher for his/her advice.
• Learn all of the parts if at all possible (this will help you perform much better in the ensemble).
• Remember that performing a piece with several different parts is much more difficult than performing a solo (choose cautiously).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING ENSEMBLES:

• Will I be auditioning for the concert performance? No. Everyone will participate in concert piano ensembles. We have two (2) people per part (in some cases, a college student will be playing the part as well).
• How will we all be able to play in the concert? In the concert area (the gym), we have one grand and move in three uprights. We will do one performance of each piece (8-12 performers per piece).
• What if I cannot learn a certain section of my part? Please remember that there will be two (2) people per part. Chances are, the other person WILL be able to play the section you cannot. We would prefer that you either “rest” during measures that are too difficult for you, or just play one hand for the sections you are unable to master by the festival.

2026 PIANO WORKSHOPS

Developing Musical Motifs by David Ledgerwood

Dive into the art of crafting musical motifs and explore ways to weave them seamlessly into your own arrangements and compositions.

Practice like a PRO by Janet Tschida

Discover powerful practice strategies designed to produce impressive results, perfect for busy students juggling packed schedules and endless to-do lists.

Shh… I’m Audiating! by Ruth Brown

In this hands-on workshop on Gordon Rhythms, you’ll explore the rhythmic learning strategies developed by music educator Edwin E. Gordon. This session will deepen your understanding of rhythmic audiation and improve your sightreading and performance skills. Through interactive exercises and group activities, you’ll gain practical tools to internalize rhythm and foster musical growth in yourself and others.

See ensemble tab above