I. Organization of Lessons
Schedule and Lessons
There are three terms per year, ten weeks each, for which one pays in advance, payable upon receipt of the piano statement. Charges for music, tax, exams and contests will be added to the bill. Tuition payments will be during the months of September , December, and March. A yearly registration fee of $50 per student will be charged to defray costs of postage, copying, purchase of the interactive disks, and borrowing books and CDs from the studio library.
Absences
Student-missed lessons will be made up at the teacher’s discretion. If you foresee a conflict with your lesson time, look ahead and refer to the lesson schedule to contact another student to exchange lessons. In case of illness, please stay home and recover. Please be courteous enough to call me as soon as possible and I will do my best to help you catch up when you recover. Please note that there are no refunds or credits for missed lessons, which includes those missed for your vacations. Consider this part of your vacation expenses. Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up or credited. Group lessons will replace the private lesson on the designated weeks. There are no make-ups for missed group lessons.
Lesson Guidelines
Lesson length varies by level of playing: 45 - 60 minutes.
Studio Rules:
Studio Etiquette:
There are three terms per year, ten weeks each, for which one pays in advance, payable upon receipt of the piano statement. Charges for music, tax, exams and contests will be added to the bill. Tuition payments will be during the months of September , December, and March. A yearly registration fee of $50 per student will be charged to defray costs of postage, copying, purchase of the interactive disks, and borrowing books and CDs from the studio library.
Absences
Student-missed lessons will be made up at the teacher’s discretion. If you foresee a conflict with your lesson time, look ahead and refer to the lesson schedule to contact another student to exchange lessons. In case of illness, please stay home and recover. Please be courteous enough to call me as soon as possible and I will do my best to help you catch up when you recover. Please note that there are no refunds or credits for missed lessons, which includes those missed for your vacations. Consider this part of your vacation expenses. Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up or credited. Group lessons will replace the private lesson on the designated weeks. There are no make-ups for missed group lessons.
Lesson Guidelines
Lesson length varies by level of playing: 45 - 60 minutes.
Studio Rules:
- Practice is a must. Although goal oriented practice is always more productive that "setting a timer", 45 minutes daily per elementary age student, 60 or more minutes daily per middle school and high school student is a guideline.
- Practice every day (...that you eat, :~) is essential to improvement. A set schedule that includes practice at the same time every day, perhaps after dinner or before school, is best. Some weeks there will be more to practice, other weeks will be less.
- When you come to lessons, you have entered “NO EXCUSE” land. Do not apologize for less than adequate practice during the week. That being said, if you didn't understand, feel free to ask for help. We will work together on the things that did get better.
- Be sure to come in time for the keyboard warm-up time and bring all of your books and music, including your assignment notebook. (15 minutes is usually a good amount of time to warm up)
- Keep track of your practice minutes in your notebook. As the student advances in proficiency and maturity, practice time increases accordingly.
- For guidance during practice, students should refer to their assignment notebooks for their current lesson assignment.
- In addition to practicing, LISTENING, both to recordings of other artists AND YOURSELF, is utterly NECESSARY for every student.
Studio Etiquette:
- Please do not park in the driveway--there is plenty of available street parking
- Remove your shoes at the door, leaving them upstairs.
- Coats can be hung on the hooks in the stairway.
- Please refrain from bringing any food or liquids (other than water) into the studio.
- If you need to use the restroom (especially siblings), please come back to the studio immediately afterwards.
- Be sure to come in time for the keyboard warm-up time and bring all of your books, including your assignment notebook.
II. Performance Opportunities
ALL STUDENTS participate in three studio recitals each year (A, below). Other performance opportunities (B - F Below) are strongly encouraged!
A. Three studio recitals per year, which are held at the new Schmitt Music store
(7800 Picture Dr, which is in the NW quadrant of 494 & 100)
1. Theme recital in December
2. Original Composition/Composer & Contest recital in March
3. Popular Solos and Duets Recital in May/June
B. MMTA Ensemble (Duet) Festival
C. MMTF Recitals - are performance opportunities for which students will receive critiques and are sponsored by the Minneapolis Music Teachers' Forum at various locations
D. West Suburban Ribbon Festival - another valuable performance opportunity for contest preparation in January.
E. MMTA Contest & Honors Concert motivates students to 'reach for the stars' and do their BEST.
A. Three studio recitals per year, which are held at the new Schmitt Music store
(7800 Picture Dr, which is in the NW quadrant of 494 & 100)
1. Theme recital in December
2. Original Composition/Composer & Contest recital in March
3. Popular Solos and Duets Recital in May/June
B. MMTA Ensemble (Duet) Festival
C. MMTF Recitals - are performance opportunities for which students will receive critiques and are sponsored by the Minneapolis Music Teachers' Forum at various locations
D. West Suburban Ribbon Festival - another valuable performance opportunity for contest preparation in January.
E. MMTA Contest & Honors Concert motivates students to 'reach for the stars' and do their BEST.
III. MMTA Events
Link to MMTA Programs (outside site)
MMTA Piano and Theory Exams are an important part of the studio program, and students prepare a level each year.
A. Duet/Ensemble Festival in November
B. Piano Contest (optional)
C. Piano Syllabus Exams (Levels 1 - 10) - details here
D. Theory Exams: demonstrate an understanding of what the student is playing as well as develop sight reading, transposition and ear training.
E. Original Composition Contest: deadline of 3/1 follows our composition unit which culminates in a recital premiering the new pieces!
MMTA Piano and Theory Exams are an important part of the studio program, and students prepare a level each year.
A. Duet/Ensemble Festival in November
B. Piano Contest (optional)
C. Piano Syllabus Exams (Levels 1 - 10) - details here
D. Theory Exams: demonstrate an understanding of what the student is playing as well as develop sight reading, transposition and ear training.
E. Original Composition Contest: deadline of 3/1 follows our composition unit which culminates in a recital premiering the new pieces!