March, 2026, Grapevine
- waltersaul
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
MTAC Fresno County
GRAPEVINE
Educate, Enrich, Enjoy
BE SURE TO SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO
Meeting Place: University Presbyterian Church
1776 E Roberts Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
Calendar
March :
10th
9:00 am Board Meeting
10:00 am Membership Meeting
11:00 am Program: Bookmark Music
Events Dates:
Solo Competition – April 18th @Fresno Pacific University
Chair: Tina Carter
Spring Celebration – May 2nd @Fresno Pacific University
Chair: Peter Klimo
CM dates: Teacher syllabus, information, videos, quizzes on State MTAC website.
Results will be available on March 2nd
President’s Message - March 2026
Certificate of Merit. Done! Phew!
I will continue to encourage you to check out our Fresno County Branch website. Lots of great information there about events, teachers, programs, scholarships: mtacfresno.com. Check it out.
At our February program, Dr. Krikorian did a wonderful Masterclass with four of our teacher’s students. It is always inspiring to hear these talented students play, wonderful to hear encouraging and challenging comments from a Master, and then delightful to watch and listen as the students make subtle adjustments to their performance that add nuances which bring their work to life even more. Thanks to students, teachers and our guest, Dr. Krikorian.
Tina Carter, Dr. Klimo and I made a presentation to Fresno State Piano Majors to let them know about our Student Membership Scholarships. We have also made connections with Fresno State Education Professors, Dr. Emily Mason and Dr. Tony Mowrer and will be arranging visits with their students soon.
Our Adult Music Student Social was a success. Everyone enjoyed the evening and we are planning to make this a quarterly event. So, if you have any adult students and they weren’t able to attend this first Social, there will be others!! Dates not decided . . . as yet.
On that same night, at Fresno Pacific, Robert Poortinga shared his music and knowledge through a salon experience. It was a SOLD-OUT event!!!! Thanks to Karen Madden for her vision and dedication to bring that unique opportunity to our community.
I also want to send out congratulations to John Hord for having his composition accepted onto the Certificate of Merit Repertoire list. His Sierra Nevada Suite is listed in Level 6. So good! John will also be organizing our May program - a Teacher’s Recital. I hope to hear from many of you. Last year was such a treat. What have YOU been wanting to work on? Here is a great opportunity, if you were needing some motivation!
We continue to have a presence at the Youth Orchestra performances. Sevan and I were treated to wonderful music and some lovely chocolate. We met some wonderful students, teachers and parents during our time in the lobby. We are hoping to make connections with private music teachers to grow our membership. Spread the word. A personal invite is always the most powerful.
Our next event is Solo Competition, April 18th. Tina Carter is our chair for this. Check the website forinformation and forms.
The 11:00 program in March will feature Bookmark Music. There will be newly published music and a music boutique. Invite a friend!
Ongoing are our preparations for our 100th year Anniversary celebration. Thanks to Tina Carter for leading the charge here. So many great ideas and lots of opportunities for participation!
March Reflection:
I am often called to gratefulness as I get to know our members better. There is such a richness in what each of you brings to the table. Thank you, for your presence and participation at meetings, programs, events. Thank you, for your involvement in the community as a musician, teacher, and ambassador for the arts. And finally, thanks for your willingness to share your time, expertise and gifts with each other and with our community.
See you soon, Kathy Blumer
Highlights on the Community Calendar for the Warnor’s Theatre Concert with Cactus Harris on March 1st and the Keyboard Concert on March 8.
March Program: A Morning with Bookmark Music
Join us Tuesday when members Arlene and Tina review new piano publications, courtesy of Marcia from Bookmark Music. Marcia will have copies of the music along with other piano books and boutique items for sale afterwards. Invite your friends and colleagues to join us!
Piano Solo Competition
Saturday, April 18, 2026
FPU's Warkentin Culture & Arts Center
Application deadline: MARCH 28th
Find the link to register and Competition information on our website: mtacfresno.com
Or paste the link below to find the registration form:
Questions? Email tcarter.mtac@gmail.com
MTAC Fresno Turns 100!
100th UPDATE
Plans are in the making -- get your ideas to one of our committee members: Karen Hembree, John Hord, Tina Carter.
We'd also love to have you join our committee! There will be lots for everyone to join in!
Tina Carter
(559) 341-0732
Announcements
Keyboard Concert Series
Poster for the Alexander Malofeev concert attached to this email
Community Calendar
Disclaimer: we recommend you go to the specific websites of these organizations for updated and accurate information
March
· March 1 - 3:00 p.m. The Robert Morgan Organ Series at the Warnor’s Theatre. Sounds from the Silver Screen. $20.
· March 8 -7:00 p.m. Alexander Malofeev. Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts.
· March 14 - 3:00 p.m. Fresno Community Concert Band. Music Speaks Louder Than Words. Shaghoian Concert Hall
· March 26 - 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Fresno Philharmonic. Farm to Fiddle.
· March 31 - 3:00 p.m. The Robert Morgan Organ Series at the Warnor’s Theatre. Stars and Stripes and Pipes. $20
April
· April 11, Saturday - 7:30 pm and April 12, Sunday - 3:00 pm Fresno Philharmonic. Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall
· April 18 - Solo Competition - presented by MTAC Fresno. Fresno Pacific. mtacfresno.com
· April 19 - 2:30 pm. Fresno Master Chorale: Handel's ISRAEL IN EGYPT. Shaghoian Concert Hall. Tickets available in January
· April 26 - 3:00 p.m. Sergei Babayan. Philip Lorenz Keyboard Concerts. csufresno.edu/music
· April 26 - 3:00 p.m. Soli Deo Gloria. Shaghoian Concert Hall. sdgchoir.org
May
· May 2 - 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Fresno Community Concert Band. A Trip to the Zoo. Fresno City College. United Sound & Hoover High School Concert Band. 559-440-9429. fresnocommunityband.org
· May 2 - Spring Celebration presented by MTAC Fresno. Fresno Pacific. mtacfresno.com
· May 17 - 3:00 p.m. Moment Musicale Trumpet and Winds. upc@upcfresno.org
· May 24 - 3:00 p.m. Fresno Community Concert Band. Echoes of Courage. Shaghoian Concert Hall. fresnocommunityband.org
If you would like something to be added to the calendar, or just announced at an MTAC Membership Meeting, please email kblumer77@gmail.com.
ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THE INFORMATION with the organization’s website