Do you have difficulty finding a balance between preparing your students for competitions and festivals and simply having time to learn foundational repertoire and technique? Come to the Spring Conference – Monday, April 6^th, Graves Piano and Organ Company, 9:30 a.m. – to hear Benita Tse Leung! Benita has a home studio as well as a studio at Wright State University where she and her husband, Jackson, teach and have many award winning students. Benita will share with us her secrets to finding that important balance between competition preparation and plain, old lesson time. Don’t miss it!

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Here’s an important announcement about membership and our upcoming new members luncheon:

CEOMTA New Member Luncheon

Our district will hold its annual luncheon for new and prospective members after the May 11th board meeting at Westerville Christian Church, 471 East College Avenue, in Westerville.  If you are a new member this year, you will be receiving an invitation in the mail soon.  I hope you will be able to come join us.   

I would appreciate hearing from our membership about any colleagues they know who are not yet part of our organization – the luncheon is a great way to get introduced to what our district has to offer and to meet other members.   Please forward any names and addresses to Paula O’Green, paulaogreen@columbus.rr.com   (614-836-7753)

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The following is a special concert announcement for members of OMTA:

One of our Central East District members, Michael Davis, passed away on Sunday, March 2. The article below from the Dispatch tells of his musical career and accomplishments.

Publication:The Columbus Dispatch; Date:Mar 4, 2008; Section:Life & Arts; Page:36

MICHAEL DAVIS 1937-2008
Violinist stood out as performer, teacher
By Gary Budzak THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Violinist Michael Davis, concertmaster of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra for all of its 20 seasons, died Sunday at Riverside Methodist Hospital. He was 70.

The cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), said his partner, Nelson Harper.

Davis, who was born in Hull, England, was also a professor emeritus of violin in the Ohio State University School of Music, where he taught for many years.

“We were expecting to attend a performance of his in another couple of months, so that’s heartbreaking,” said Mellasenah Morris, director of the school. “Everyone loved him. He was such a fine gentleman and a wonderful artist, great teacher, great colleague.”

Davis was a former concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Columbus Bach Ensemble and Scottish National Orchestra.

A student of noted violinists Yehudi Menuhin and Max Rostal, Davis recorded 12 albums and performed frequently in central Ohio.

He lived in Upper Arlington.

Other colleagues offered e-mail tributes to Davis.

“Our community has lost a deeply caring artist,” wrote Ruth Triplett Haddock, executive director of the Jefferson Academy of Music at OSU. “Michael Davis has been a personal friend for more than 40 years and a friend to the musical arts and music students throughout a life cut too short by a tragic illness.”

“Michael’s extraordinary musical gifts proved to mean something greater than just performing,” wrote Gary Sheldon, conductor of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra. “He showed that music can teach something about humanity, about connecting people with their families and with their communities. . . . He was ultimately an educator who gave something from his heart to every student, every orchestra and every audience.”

“Michael Davis added greatly to the spirit of the Lancaster Festival,” wrote Lou Ross, executive director. “Michael was a joy to be with and to listen to. He will be sorely missed.”

A tribute concert is scheduled for May 5 at OSU. No funeral is planned.

Condolences can be sent to www.schoedinger.com.