PTNA has been trying to respond to as many requests and opinions from piano teachers and students in order to renovate our projects and schemes.

 Among them, one of the biggest renovations was in A2 grade, the lowest age group of PTNA Piano Competition, where the final round was replaced to be the memorial concert. In response to the opinion against the necessity of the judgement for little children, after several years of discussions, this special concert was started from 2010 in place of the final round.

On August 21st, the 65 finalists of A2 grade gathered at Hamarikyu Asahi Hall. Beatifully dressed, they played music with lots of affection and emotion on the prestigious concert stage. At the end of each section I & II, 'the collaboration stage' was arranged for further musical learning and excitements. Tomoyo Umemura, 2010 Grand Prize winner who had participated in PTNA Piano Competition from 8 years old, played several pieces on stage and shared the dream of music making. Then two percussionists Gen'ichiro Furukawa and Mayuka Tomita appeared from the back of the hall and led children enjoy the body percussion along with "Entertainer" by Scott Joplin. Children had a homework of body percussion before this concert (->see homework video "Entertainer"), so that the collaborative work went smoothly....and they did!
Here are some sketches drawn by children after the concert.

There are some agendas that are currently being discussed. PTNA always welcome requests and opinions, in pursuit of more effective and efficient proposals for piano teachers and students.