A pianist from the Mannes College of Music in New York City will be performing at Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center for the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, Friday.

Thomas Sauer, a pianist from the New York City area will be taking the stage Friday at 8:15 p.m. with his brother Gregory Sauer, a cellist and teacher at OU, as well as a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. The two are performing for the members of the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association and the general public for the O.M.T.A. annual state convention. Every year, music teachers from around the state gather at a university for three days of sessions and seminars designed to help better their teaching skills. This year’s conference is hosted by the Norman Area Music Teachers Association, and is to be held on the OU campus. Over these three days, teachers learn information stemming from how to structure their classes to new teaching methods, and even how to improve their own musical skills.

Sylvia Ryan, a local piano teacher and member of O.M.T.A., said that the sessions give herself and many others a chance to learn a great deal of information.

“The different workshops are really helpful,” Ryan said. “The instructors are individuals who are experts in their particular area, and they offer hints and a variety of techniques to help me grow as a teacher and help keep me from getting burned out.”

When the group’s three days of hard work and learning begin to draw to a close every year, they have a convention guest artist who performs, giving teachers, as well as anyone who is willing to listen a chance to take a break and enjoy works by time honored artists such as Beethoven, Prokofiev, and Carolyn Bremer (formerly of OU).

Amanda Stringer, a local piano teacher, member of O.M.T.A., and teacher of music at OU, explained how lucky the group of teachers are to have two artists at this year’s concert.

“I am in charge of O.M.T.A.’s publicity, and the funny part is that the two scheduled to perform are my family members,” Stringer said. “Greg and Tom are both very talented artists, and I’m sure that the concert will be amazing. We are also very lucky to have Tom fly in all the way from New York just to participate in our convention.”

“Overall I just really want to stress the fact that the concert is free and open to the public, so we really want people to come out and see what we have to offer,” Stringer added.

Together, the two brothers prepare to give teachers and audience members alike a concert which they are sure to remember. “I have seen Greg perform in concert in the past, and he was amazing,” Ryan said. “I can’t wait to see what Greg and Tom are going to do when they perform together.”