Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the music lover in your life? Do you have more than one music lover in your life? Give them the gift of music. Call 406-830-0253 for information on buying advance tickets to see Dennis Alexander and Molly Morrison in Plains! The concert will take place at the Plains United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

What a great opportunity for piano students, teachers, and the public to enjoy an afternoon of  music as composer/pianist Dennis Alexander performs. Along with Professor Alexander will be his  former student, Molly Morrison. A successful piano instructor with a studio of her own, Ms. Morrison will bring some of her students and you will be treated to “THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING” as we see and hear the teacher, the student, and the students of the student perform. Tickets will be available at Garden Gift & Floral in Plains and First Security Bank in both Plains and Thompson Falls. But don’t wait – order your tickets now and surprise a loved one with this very special gift. Call 406-830-0253.

Since his affiliation with Alfred Publishing Company in 1986 as a composer and clinician, Dennis Alexander has earned an international reputation as one of North America’s most prolific and popular composers of educational piano music for students at all levels. Professor Alexander retired from his position at the University of Montana in May 1996 where he taught piano and piano pedagogy for 24 years. Upon moving to California, he has taught privately in addition to serving on the faculties of Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Northridge. He currently lives in Albuquerque, NM where he maintains an active composing and touring schedule for Alfred Publishing Company.

 Professor Alexander is a native Kansan, having graduated from the University of Kansas where he was a student of Richard Reber. In 1972, he was invited to join the faculty at the University of Montana and served as piano department chair in addition to his teaching duties in applied piano, class piano and piano pedagogy. In 1987, he made his New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall with violinist Walter Olivares and continues to be active as a soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. He has served as a collaborative artist for numerous internationally recognized soloists, instrumentalists, and chamber groups. A former president of the Montana State Music Teachers Association, he is a popular clinician at state and national music teachers conventions. In 2009, he was invited by MTNA to conduct the intermediate level master class at their national convention in Atlanta.  Professor Alexander recently returned from a tour of South Korea and has toured twice to the far East where he performed recitals and workshops in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia.

 Over the years, numerous organizations and state associations have commissioned him to write compositions. His “Concertante in G Major” was commissioned by the Montana Music Teachers organization for their state convention, and his 2-piano work, “Fanfare Toccata Rondo” was commissioned by Goshen College. Many of his compositions are included in the National Federation of Music Study Clubs Festival required list and his music is being performed by students throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe. One of Mr. Alexander’s most significant contributions to the repertoire is “24 Character Preludes” in all major and minor keys which includes a CD with Dennis Alexander as soloist. He is also a co-author of an exciting and innovative new piano method recently released in June of 2005 entitled “Alfred’s Premier Piano Course”. His latest collections, called “Especially in Jazzy Style” were released in April, 2010 and feature 3 volumes of jazz style piano solos from early intermediate through late intermediate levels.  He was recently commissioned by Music Teachers National Association to compose a piano trio for their 2013 national conference.  The New Mexico School of Music is sponsoring the 3^rd annual “Dennis Alexander Piano Competition” the first weekend of March, 2013.   Mr. Alexander’s personal website (www.dennisalexander.com) has become a favorite with piano teachers and features recordings, videos, teaching tips, and more!

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We are still firming up arrangements for the school workshops to be held in January. Dance programs will focus on curriculum such as Native American Education, Science, “I Love to Read,” Black History, and more!  Some of the participating schools are Plains, Paradise, Trout Creek, Noxon, Dixon, and we are happy to include home schooled children and their parents as well! Check back for updated information as it becomes available.

And coming up in April: Monica Huggett, co-founder of the Montana Baroque Music Festival, will bring her Trio Sonnerie from London to Bozeman on April 19th at 7:30 p.m. at Reynold’s Recital Hall on the campus of Montana State University. You won’t want to miss this! Please bookmark this page and check it often for updates on all the events brought to you by the Sanders County Arts Council.