88x6: an ensemble experience.

What do you get when you combine 30 piano teachers, 30 piano students, and six grand pianos? The result is "88 x 6," a piano ensemble concert presented by the Spokane [Washington] Music Teachers Association (SMTA) on October 28, 2006.

What initially began as a way for teachers to enjoy performing together on multiple pianos became one of the biggest events this association had ever undertaken.

Approximately one year before the concert, repertoire was chosen and six grand pianos were secured for "88 x 6." It became apparent early on that more participants would be required for this concert than SMTA's previous teachers' concerts. Eleven ensembles needed to be filled, but maintaining teaching schedules, family lives and other obligations put a limit on how much each member could contribute. So a plea went out for more teachers to participate, and everyone was encouraged to choose one or two students from their studios to join us. When the final numbers were tallied, 60 teachers and students had signed up and committed to rehearse and perform together in two identical concerts--matinee and an evening performance.

The idea of a teachers' concert was not new to this association. SMTA had, over the past several years, presented two concerts with members performing on two pianos. The first program featured Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto played in a "tag team" format. Saint SaChs' Carnival of the Animals and G minor Piano Concerto were the centerpieces of the second program. Marlene Haney, the original concert organizer, has since moved to Ireland with her husband, but she encouraged teachers to continue this sort of collaboration.

Preparing for "88 x 6" was an amazing experience. A wide variety of repertoire had to be learned and rehearsed. Some works written for two pianos, like Rachmaninoff's Russian Rhapsody, were performed with three individuals on each part. Other pieces, such as Bach's G minor Fugue for organ, began as arrangements for two pianos, eight hands but grew to include six pianos and 24 hands. A rousing rendition of The Stars and Stripes Forever closed the program and incorporated an additional participant who served as both conductor and piccolo player. The eleven ensembles each consisted of four to 12 players and required considerable give and take from individual members. From scheduling rehearsals to agreeing upon musical interpretations, the key factors in making everything come together were flexibility, commitment and maintaining a sense of humor. One of the greatest rewards of this process was seeing teachers and students rehearse and perform side by side. Ideas were exchanged and assistance and encouragement given when needed. The collaboration extended beyond the performers to include local piano dealers who generously offered rehearsal space over a period of several months. Eastern Washington University, the concert site, welcomed our use of their recital hall and pianos. The music department did everything possible on its part to make sure the concerts were a success.

Both concerts played to packed houses and the audience response was overwhelming. After the matinee performance an audience member from the Midwest noted that she had never seen or heard anything like this in her home state. Another individual asked if there were plans to take the show on the road? How gratifying it is to know that this collaborative concert touched so many lives--from the students who will be the beneficiaries of the SMTA Student Scholarship Fund (where all profits were directed) to audience members and performers alike. It was an ensemble experience in every sense of the word!

By Linda Burger, NCTM 

Linda Burger, NCTM is a graduate of Whitworth College, where she earned a B.A. degree in music with an emphasis in piano pedagogy She has served as the president of Spokane MTA and is currently the certification chair for Washington State MTA.