General Information for Peskanov Festival - 2015
Please come and participate in our annual Peskanov Festival. You, your student or child will have an opportunity to take a private lesson with a world-renowned concert pianist, composer and pedagogue. Mr. Peskanov, with his vast knowledge of repertoire, helps each student to understand his or her pieces from the inside out. He understands the language of music, because he is a successful composer of piano repertoire. Peskanov has the uncanny ability to tune into each students personal needs and help them to play like an artist at all levels.
In the private lesson, the student’s teacher can request that Peskanov share some of his incredible skill in technique, as taught in the great Russian conservatories on the Leschetizky school of virtuosity. These lessons will be in my studio, and the cost of each one-hour private lesson is $90.00. Peskanov has written six books on this technique, so students at all levels can learn fundamental skills. He will also help to polish the student’s piece to be played in the Peskanov Festival Concert on January 17, 2015, in Mathes Hall at ETSU in Johnson City, TN. This activity helps each young musician to play his or her piece with a very personal performance. During the concert, the student will be sharing the stage with a consummate, world famous musical artist. As is done in famous music festivals, such as the Aspen Music Festival, the student always plays up to a higher level in this environment.
The second aspect of this festival is learning the art of performing from a real professional who has performed throughout the world. Just this year he has performed in New York, South America and Poland with world-class orchestras. Performing is a separate skill itself. It teaches the student how to focus on the job as an artist and nothing else. The performance begins with the approach to the piano on stage. Sitting and bowing, along with playing beautiful music are all a part of the artist’s performance. One must never place limits on these young musicians – who knows how far their potential will take them. While only a few young students become professional performers, learning the skills required to learn and perform music certainly carry over into other aspects of the student’s life.
The third aspect of the festival is the Piano Olympics. The cost the session is $40.00. Each student has been working hard this year on his or her level’s requirements. Those posters boards are becoming filled with stickers noting their progress. During this event each student plays his or her technical requirements for Mr. Peskanov in a group setting. Mr. Peskanov coaches each student on technique, as well as grading them on their performance. The students in the group encourage each other in a positive and supportive way. This is not a competition, but rather a chance for each student to play their personal best. Each student will receive a certificate signed by Mr. Peskanov recognizing his or her accomplishment.
The festival concert is first and foremost a family event and will be enjoyed by music lovers of all ages. The concert will be an educational experience for all. We, as teachers, acknowledge that none of this could take place without the devotion and support of the family.
A reception follows the concert, and it is a great opportunity for the performers to bask in the joy of their accomplishment. Mr. Peskanov is a great conversationalist, and he enjoys talking with the students, parents and other attendees in this informal setting.
This is a unique event for our area, and it enriches the high level of art appreciation we enjoy here. It is also an opportunity for teachers to invite all of their students to attend the concert. Perhaps seeing all of this fun will entice more participants for next years event.