The Music Teachers’ Association of California, the American Guild of Organist and California State University Bakersfield came together under the Doré Dome to present Sandra Soderlund’s workshop and master class titled “How Did They Play? How Did They Teach?” that focused on keyboard instruments.
This event attracted a variety of ages from men and women above 40 to young children under 11.
Upon entering, guests were given a program announcing whom would be playing, a brief history on Soderlund and musical pieces that Soderlund would be playing.
Soderlund is viewed primarily as an organist, but she plays a variety of keyboard instruments.
In the past, she has attended and earned degrees at Stanford University, the University of Southern California and Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas.
She has published a book titled “How Did They Play? How Did They Teach? A History of Keyboard Technique,” and has played the organ at churches in the San Francisco Area.
She currently teaches harpsichord and organ at Mills College in Oakland.
The workshop was divided into two sections. The first half was a workshop that was two hours long.
During this time, Soderlund would use musical terms, historical facts and demonstrations on keyboard instruments to lecture the many teaching philosophies that pianists have developed for the musical education of young children.
After a 30-minute recess, the second portion began, known as the Master Class. This session was dedicated for students to receive feedback from Soderlund, in which they had to audition for.
Rock Feng, Victoria Choi, Micah Nacita, Byron Mui Jr. and Brian Liu were chosen out of the few who auditioned and they each played a different musical piece from different eras.
Donna Calanchini is the president of the Music Teachers’ Association of California as well as a pianist and a teacher.
She had a very positive view on this event and looks forward to future projects similar to this.