Most of our student workshops are fee-based. A link and QR code are provided for those workshops that require a fee. Don’t want to pay digitally? You may send a check to Phyllis Calderon, payable to Music Teachers of Hyde Park, as follows:
Phyllis Calderon
c/o MTHP
7204 S. Ridgeland Ave
Chicago, IL 60649
Student Recitals
Recitals are an essential part of each student’s musical growth. Student recitals are held at the Blackstone Library on Saturdays, as follows:
Fall: November 8, 2025, 3:00 p.m. (register by Thursday, October 30, 2025)
Winter: January 31, 2026, 3:00 p.m. (register by Thursday, January 22, 2026)
Spring: April 11, 2026, 3:00 p.m. (register by Thursday, April 2, 2026)
Teachers may register two students or a duet (counted as one).
Chair: Mary Jo Armstrong, mary_jo_armstrong@msn.com or 815-298-7015.
Contemporary Workshop – May 2, 2026
Fee: $21 per student. Pay here or use the QR code above to make a payment.
This workshop will be held at the Blackstone Library, Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 2-4 pm. Application is due April 16. Students playing any instrument are welcome to play. Students are encouraged to play a piece from the 20th or 21st century, as this is a contemporary music workshop. Students of all ages and levels are welcome.
The application deadline is April 16, 2026. Click the link above for more information and to submit your application.
Teachers, enroll up to 3 students. Checks should be made payable to Music Teachers of Hyde Park by the teacher (not the parent). Students may use music. A music stand will be provided. Please get in touch with your teacher if you have any questions.
Chamber Music Day Workshop – March 1, 2026
Chamber Music Day is an experience for students to play with others and receive coaching.
Fee: $16. Click here to pay, or use this QR code:
Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, at Montgomery Place, 5550 S. Shore Drive, Chicago, IL. 60637.
Application deadline: January 22, 2026
Contact: Meg Lauterbach for details—Meggylauterbach@yahoo.com.
Here are some suggested materials by Joseph McSpadden that piano students may be working on, which include string parts. We can provide music for these pieces:
Pieces with Violin and Cello Acc. (in Suzuki books)
Ecossaise (Suzuki Bk 2) Hummel
A Short Story (Bk 2) Lichner
The Happy Farmer (Bk 2) Schumann
Minuet I (Bk 2) Bach 5553231
Minuet in F (Bk 2) Mozart 1355
Arietta (Bk 2) Mozart
Beethoven Sonatina in G (Bk 2) 1st mvt 2nd mvt
Arabesque (Bk 5) Burgmuller
Sicilienne (Bk 5) Burgmuller
Melody Schumann (Bk 2)
Wild Horseman Schumann (Bk 3)
Beethoven Sonatina in F Major 1st mvt 2nd mvt (Bk 5)
Pieces with Violin and Cello Acc. NOT in Suzuki books by Joseph McSpadden
Polonaise in G minor, Bach
March in D Major, Bach
Soldier’s March, Schumann
Rustic Dance Haydn
Allegro in F, Haydn
Bagatelle in C Major Diabelli
Ballade in C Minor, Burgmuller
Pieces with Orchestra Acc. by Joseph McSpadden
Clementi Op. 36 No. 1 (Bk 3)
Clementi Op. 36 No. 3 (Bk 3)
Haydn Sonata in C Major 1. 35 5 5 No. 48 Hob XVI/35
Mvt. I only (Bk 5) all mvts in Suzuki Bk 5
Kuhlau Op. 55 No. 1 (Bk 3)
Beethoven Op. 49 No. 2 (Bk 4)
Mozart Sonatina: Divertimento IV K. 439B
Kabalevsky Pieces with Violin and Cello Acc. by Joseph McSpadden
A Little Song Op. 27 No. 1
A Sad Story Op. 27 No. 3
An Old Dance Op. 27 # 4
Toccatina Op. 27 # 7 Scherzo, Op. 27 #10
Sonatina Op. 27 # 11
A Short Story Op. 27 No. 12
Waltz Op. 39 No. 13
The Clown Op. 39 No. 20
Merry Dance Variations Op. 51 No. 2
Pieces composed for Piano with Strings
Chamber Music Sampler (Ed. Haroutunian) Pub. Kjos
Books 1, 2, and 3 include Klengel, Clementi, and Haydn trios
Tunes for my Piano Trio 1 and 2 for violin, cello, and piano
Sheila M. Nelson Pub. Boosey & Hawkes (Pieces and arrangements of folk tunes)
A Tableau of Piano Trios for piano, violin, and cello
Eugenie R. Rocherolle Pub. Kjos
Harpsichord Workshop – March 22, 2026
Fee: $42. Pay here or use the QR code to make a payment.)
The Harpsichord Workshop will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Fulton Hall, located on the fourth floor of Godspeed Hall at the University of Chicago (1610 E. 59th Street, accessible via the entrance inside the quadrangles). The facilitator for the Workshop will be Danutta Berger, a professional harpsichordist. Each student should prepare a piece of moderate length (3-5 minutes) to perform first on piano, then on harpsichord.
Contact: Lewis Fortner for more information. The application deadline is March 1, 2026.
Concerto Day – Sunday, April 26, 2026
The fee is $73. Pay here or use the QR code below to make a payment.
What is Concerto Day?
Concerto Day is an annual gala featuring MTHP student performances accompanied by an orchestra. After initial coaching with one of the conductors before the event, students perform a concerto movement during an open rehearsal. Not only is this an excellent showcase for MTHP student talent, but Concerto Day is also a rare opportunity for our students to learn how to present repertoire as the composer intended, with the rich sounds of an orchestra supporting the solo line.
The event will take place on April 26, 2026, at the Hyde Park Union Church. The orchestra will consist of a string chamber orchestra with woodwinds, two horns, two trumpets, and one timpani. Teachers should refer to the “suggested repertoire” to choose the concerto.
Teachers are allowed to enter two students at a time.
Here is a list of recommended concertos for this year. Members of the instrument-teaching staff who are not listed may choose suitable pieces. In any case, if there is a concerto you would like your student to perform, please consult with the committee.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact: Dan Golden (danielgolden@hotmail.com), Martine Benmann (martinebenmann@gmail.com), or a member of the committee.
Final application due 4/1/2026
Committee:
Martine Bennman (312) 316-1712, martinebenmann@gmail.com
Phyllis Calderon 773-972-8793 pcalderon@atouchofclassicalplus.com
Alison Gaines alisonjgaines@gmail.com
Jesus Garcia jesusgarciapianista@live.com
Daniel Golden 773-517-8471, danielgolden@hotmail.com co-chair
Meg Lauterbach 773-895-6083 meggylauterbach@yahoo.com
Elaine Smith 773- 330-6759, ebspiano@gmail.com
Anokyewaa Oppong Wadie: anokyewaa@hydeparksuzuki.org
Performathon Recital
The annual Recital Performathon is a great way to end the year with a student recital! This year, it is taking place at the Blackstone Library. Raising money is optional this year. Teachers who join will have a designated time slot to present to their students. Time slots can be tailored to your needs, but are typically around an hour long.
Date: TBA