The Matthay Festival is designed to offer participants direct and
concentrated access to the Matthay teaching principles as they apply at
all levels, including that of the performing artist. Daytime sessions
include lectures, demonstrations, performances, and master classes, and
a full recital is heard each day.
The year 2006 marks the forty-ninth annual gathering. Previous Matthay
Festivals have taken place at many locations throughout North America,
including the Philips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, the University of Maryland, the
University of Central Florida, the Royal Conservatory of Music in
Toronto, San Jose State University, Williams College, Pennsylvania
State University, the University of South Carolina, Wittenberg
University, the University of Kansas, Columbus State University, and the University of
Richmond.
Union University
is located on a 290-acre campus on the north side of Jackson, Tennessee.
Jackson, with an area population of 100,000, is located 80 miles east of Memphis and 120 miles west
of Nashville. Union is a private, four-year, coeducational liberal arts-based university offering bachelor's,
master's and doctoral degrees. Founded in 1823, Union is the oldest institution affiliated with the
Southern Baptist Convention.
One hour of either undergraduate or graduate credit can be earned at the festival through Union University. Students earning credit will need to pay both the festival registration fee and the appropriate Union University tuition fee. To receive credit students must write a paper connected to festival events in addition to attending the festival. For more information contact: Dr. Terry McRoberts at Union University, 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, TN 38305, (731) 661-5232, tmcrober@uu.edu. Graduate students must show proof of holding a bachelor’s degree.
Accommodations are available at the Doubletree Hotel,
the official hotel for this year’s Festival. It is located at 1770 Highway 45 Bypass in Jackson. Gracious rooms
with one king bed or two double beds are available at the rate of $59 per night plus tax. Call 800-222-TREE for
reservations. To get the special rate identify yourself as being with the Union University – American Matthay
Association for Piano group. To insure getting the group rate, book your room by May 31, 2006.
The Festival banquet is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2006, at 6:30 p.m., and will be served by Premier Catering at
the Country Inn and Suites at 1935 Emporium Drive. The scheduled buffet menu includes roasted chicken mahogany,
herb crusted pork loin, vegetable pasta alfredo, sweet potato soufflé, corn pudding, fresh vegetable sautee, spinach Maria!,
tossed green salad, homemade lemon tarts, peach cobbler, pecan pie, bread, and beverages. The fee for the banquet is
$33, including tax and gratuity.
Jackson's McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport is served by American Airlines. Connections to most major cities are available through Saint Louis, and the planes are comfortable and safe. The flight from Saint Louis takes a little over an hour, but since there is no bathroom on board, travelers are advised to plan accordingly. Car rental is available at the airport. Due to the lodging location of this year’s festival, participants will need to have access to a car.
From Memphis: Take Interstate 40 towards Jackson. Take Exit 80A (Highway 45 Bypass South). Just beyond the second stop light will be the Doubletree Hotel on the left.
From Nashville: Take Interstate 40 towards Jackson. Take Exit 80A (Highway 45 South). Just beyond the second stop light will be the Doubletree Hotel on the left.
From the North on Highway 45 Bypass: Enter town on the Highway 45 Bypass. After crossing Interstate 40, just beyond the second stop light will be the Doubletree Hotel on the left.
From the South on Highway 45: In downtown Jackson follow the signs for the Highway 45 Bypass. After the stoplight at North Parkway the Doubletree Hotel will be on your right.
From Memphis: Take Interstate 40 towards Jackson. Take Exit 80B (Highway 45 Bypass North). Immediately take the Vann Drive Exit. At the blinking light turn right onto Stonebridge Boulevard. At the stop light turn right onto Vann Drive. Just beyond Ruby Tuesday turn right onto Pleasant Plains Extended. At the four-way stop go straight. Enter the west entrance to Union University. You will see Jennings Hall. Park in the lot on the north side of the building.
From Nashville: Take Interstate 40 towards Jackson. Take Exit 82B (Highway 45). At the stoplight at the end of the ramp go straight onto Vann Drive. Just beyond Ruby Tuesday turn right onto Pleasant Plains Extended. At the four-way stop go straight. Enter the west entrance to Union University. You will see Jennings Hall. Park in the lot on the north side of the building.
From the North on Highway 45 Bypass: Turn right onto Union University Drive. There will be an Arby’s Restaurant on the right. At the stop sign at the end of the street, turn left. After you pass the Guard House, you will see Jennings Hall on the Right. Park in the lot on the north side of the building.
From the South on Highway 45: In downtown Jackson follow the signs for the Highway 45 Bypass. Just beyond Interstate 40 take the Vann Drive Exit. At the stoplight at the end of the ramp turn right onto Vann Drive. Just beyond Ruby Tuesday turn right onto Pleasant Plains Extended. At the four-way stop go straight. Enter the west entrance to Union University. You will see Jennings Hall. Park in the lot on the north side of the building.
Festival Program
Festival Registration
Back to Matthay Home Page