Arthur Kane, Celebrating 50 Years at TMS!

We sat down with Arthur to hear his reflections and proudest moments at TMS. We are so proud and honored of his commitment and service to us at TMS!

How long have you been at The Music Settlement and what does TMS mean to you?

Arthur: I began at TMS August 1, 1973. I was appointed Piano Department Head in August of 1990, 32 years! I have also been Piano Camp Director since 2001, when I founded it. Time flies by when you are having fun! TMS has an excellent reputation as a community school of music and I am proud it is for the education of all ages and talent levels and that we continue to work with a diversity of races and ethnic backgrounds.

What are you most proud of accomplishing at TMS?

Arthur: I am proud of several things over the past 50 years. I am proud of founding and directing the TMS Summer Piano Camps, working with a vast array of talent, age and ethnic groups, performing well over 100 recitals and concerts at TMS, around the US, Germany, England and France even including some of my own compositions.

What are some of your favorite memories at TMS?

Arthur: I have so many great memories from my time at TMS. To name just a few things over these many years, performing Piano Concertos with Robert Cronquist conductor, and a string ensemble he formed from the TMS Faculty, were great memories. I also enjoyed performing piano duets with the TMS Faculty, as well as my 1976 Bicentennial Recitals, my 10th, 20th and 40th Anniversary Recitals, and the Piano Dedication Recital. Having my students win scholarships and perform many recitals, and having done many memorable lessons with students who thought they could not do something and training them how to accomplish, has been extremely rewarding.

You have been such an asset to our team and we are extraordinary lucky to have you here for 50 years now! What are you looking forward to the most?

Arthur: I am looking forward to doing more composing and working on a book about piano teaching. I am also excited about being Piano Department Head Emeritus and continuing teaching piano, organ and harpsichord students at TMS.

How long have you been playing piano, and what are your favorite compositions to play and teach?

Arthur: My Grandmother was a piano teacher and began my lessons when I was 3 years old. At age 12, I began lessons with a private teacher and at age 16, began piano and theory lessons at CIM. I was accepted as a Conservatory student and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in 1970. I then studied Piano with Beatrice Erdely, Elizabeth Pastor and Eunice Podis, harpsichord with Fernando Valenti, organ and then composition with Donald Erb. I then went to Ohio University where I earned two Master of Music Degrees, one in piano with George Katz and one in Music History with Richard Wetzel. I then took the job with TMS.

My favorite compositions to play and teach are the works of J.S. Bach and Frederic Chopin, especially his waltzes and Mazurkas and other dance form pieces.