Musical Notes

Van Nguyen Deva Palasingam Caotan Pham Nicholas Venter Dieu Nguyen Audrey Saunders

Jennifer Goodwin Anh Ngo Amanda Phan Reb Bezner Amanda Bezner Tina Phan Alisha Sweeney

Congratulations to these students and also all of you who participated. We had many Superior and Excellent+ ratings.

Representing McKay Piano Studio and Metroplex MTA at the convention were Jennifer Goodwin, Reb Bezner, Amanda Bezner, Alisha Sweeney, Cima Malkhassian, and Adrian Barton

This convention is one we will never forget. The Houston Area suffered major flooding during the convention. The host hotel did not flood but was without power for about 12 hours. Some of our student who were staying at the La Quinta woke to water almost to their knees. Others would wade to the Wyndham from the Marriott. Many of the streets surrounding the hotel were flooded and students were unable to reach the hotel.

With no power at the hotel many activities had to be cancelled or postponed. Some who had arrived decided to return home. At 5:15p.m. the power was restored to the hotel. The two ensemble programs that day had cancelled but those that stayed were able to perform an impromptu mini recital. Metroplex's Texas/American team had three performers left so Mrs. O'Dell was allowed to play with them.

The following students received awards for Ensemble, Original Composition and Publication

The Convention Award Booklet listed all of the Gold Medal Winners in Theory for the state of Texas. Our winners were Kim Ngo, Duc Nguyen, Thien Nguyen, Caotan Pham, Amanda Bezner, Reb Bezner, Dieu Nguyen, Khoa Nguyen, Myhanh Nguyen, Mylinh Nguyen, Audrey Saunders, Tri Nguyen, Van Nguyen, Winn Nguyen, Tina Pham, and Alisha Sweeney

What is a Toby?

The movies have its Oscar, television its Emmy, music its Grammy and the McKay Piano Studio its Toby. The Toby is in memory of Mr. And Mrs. McKay�s dog that believed if anyone was playing the piano he, Toby, belonged at their feet. Toby usually laid his head on the pedals (if you needed to pedal you gently nudge your foot under his head). Young students would often rest their feet on his back. If you played well Toby would lay there contently. If you struggled with your playing and were not doing well, Toby would walk to the door. He would give you a look that seem to say, �You need to practice� and walk out. At that time students received gold stars if they did well with their lesson. Mrs. McKay began joking with the students that if Toby walked out they probably didn�t deserve a gold star.

One day a student could be heard mumbling as she played. Mrs. McKay ask the young student what she was saying since Mrs. McKay was sure it was not counting. The student confessed that she was begging Toby not to walk out. When asked why, the student said, � You always says if Toby walks out I won�t get my gold star and if I don�t get my gold star Mom won�t buy me ice cream on the way home�. This story began one of the many wonderful memories of Toby.

In 1983 two of Mrs. McKay�s students had an outstanding year. Trying to think of some way to reward these students for their hard work the idea for the �Toby� began to grow. That year Tobys were awarded to Misti Bowen and Ardis Tackett. Each year at the Annual Awards Recital the Toby is given to the students who have acquired the most points for their participation and outstanding work in piano.

TOBY WINNERS

1983 Misti Bowen and Ardis Tackett 1984 Ardis Tackett 1985 Ardis Tackett and Mandy Burris 1986 Mandy Burris 1987 Shonda Cline 1988 Heather Bell 1989 Adrian Barton 1990 Adrian Barton and Ashley Barton 1991 Adrian Barton 1992 Adrian Barton and Lily Nguyen 1993 Adrian Barton and Lily Nguyen 1994 Adrian Barton and Lily Nguyen 1995 Amanda Bezner and Lexie Whiteley 1996 Adrian Barton and Melissa Bezner 1997 Adrian Barton 1998 Adrian Barton 1999 Adrian Barton 2000 Amanda Bezner 2001 Amanda Bezner 2002 Amanda Bezner 2003 Alisha Sweeney 2004 Nicholas Venter 2005 Collin Chapin

MCKAY PIANO STUDIO

SILVER MEDALS

Veronica Hernandez