By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - August 2005
Hello! Welcome to “Rep Talk.” Our President, Wendy Stevens, asked me to write an on-going column concerning repertoire for the newsletter. The world of repertoire has always been a fascinating, challenging and exciting area for me. I am pleased to share my thoughts about repertoire and hope to stimulate ideas for your future use.

By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - November 2005
Welcome back to our discussion on Repertoire.  This column features the subject of Etudes.  I must confess to being a great fan and long-time teacher of etudes.  As we know, these pieces are packed with the foundations of technique and serve as building blocks for playing with more physical ease.  Rarely have I found so much value in so few measures!

By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - February 2006
What better way to begin the new year than by spotlighting another important form used in piano teaching – the Sonatina? This genre is a mainstay for instruction and an exciting achievement goal toward which to work. The assignment of a first Sonatina can be a celebration. It signals an arrival at the doorway to the world of classical music. I enjoy informing a student that he/she has reached a milestone in piano study and is entering a new level of repertoire.

By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - May 2006
We are continuing our look at Sonatinas that began in the last newsletter.  In that article, I suggested ten titles that were useful for early Sonatina study.  The annotated listing continues with more collections and titles that are progressing in difficulty.

...Preparing for Standard Romantic Repertoire
By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - August 2006
Some of the most satisfying and beautiful piano repertoire is found in music from the Romantic period. To bring a student to the level of Chopin Preludes or Nocturnes and Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words is, indeed, a fulfilling accomplishment.

By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - November 2006
In the last newsletter, we focused on elementary and intermediate level repertoire that assists in developing lyric qualities in student performance.  The pieces referenced in the previous article were choices that promote playing with expression, sensitivity and control.  One of my favorite pieces from the intermediate category is the Nocturne by Nancy Faber, FJH Music Company Inc.  I hope the following ideas for teaching this piece will result in a successful and satisfying experience.

By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - February 2007
In this issue, I hope you won’t mind a short departure from our usual repertoire discussion.  With the new year and holiday break so recently behind us, I know you have noticed that many newspapers and magazines have bombarded us with articles on resolutions:  “Organize your life,” “Commit to a new You,” “Ten steps to …….whatever!”

Each of us has huge obligations to ourselves and our families, as well as our students.  It is a constant juggling act to keep our personal and career obligations in balance.

Do we ever have enough time to do everything we want to do?  No one can gain more time, but each of us wants to use it to the best advantage.

By DeeAnn Brown, NCTM - May 2007
Quiz your older piano students as to who their favorite classical piano composer is, and nine times out of ten, Chopin will be named as the favored musician. Chopin is most certainly one of the top “piano celebrities,” but I always tell my students that J. S. Bach is at the top of my favorites list as well. During the forty or so years of teaching, I can remember, with great satisfaction, a few students who named Bach as their favorite composer.