Parent's Guide to
Practicing
PianoWorks
Music Studio Policies
Parent's Guide to Practicing
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Daily practicing is
always the most difficult part of piano lessons, as we’re sure many of
you parents have already discovered! There’s always more fun things
the student would rather be doing…that’s human nature. We teachers
can attest from our own piano study that daily practicing can be a
struggle. Even non-pianists can attest to the difficulty of
establishing discipline every time you promise yourself to start a new
daily workout program.
Daily practice is
of course vital to learning an instrument. Unlike cramming for a
final exam, the skills developed one day are reinforced at the next
session. However…daily practice requires discipline which can be very
hard to acquire. At PianoWorks, we want to help establish a
partnership among the teacher, student, and parent to help the
students develop that discipline.
Because daily
practicing can become such a negative issue, we try to offer positive
solutions. That’s why we offer the Practice Challenge. If you’re not
familiar with the Practice Challenge, then speak with your teacher.
Your teacher is working with all students from Kindergarten through 7th
grade at each lesson tabulating points for prizes. We are very proud
of this program, which is an innovative system of external
motivation…essentially bribery for practicing. Younger students are
simply unlikely to eagerly run to the piano every day for their
practice session. We hope that the prize levels will help students
push themselves farther, even if it’s only for the chance of getting
that Main Event party.
BUT…with all that
being said….it is normal and healthy for students to resist practicing
from time to time. EVERY student will experience ups and downs. We
ask that parents keep in mind that this is to be expected. The teacher
is not the “Practice Police.” Our goal is to keep lessons as positive
as possible and work within what the child was able to accomplish that
week. Your teacher will speak with you if they feel the student is
not progressing and there is cause for concern.
Here are some
other helpful tips for students 10 or younger:
1) Please do not
expect the student to always be self-motivated to practice. Your
child will need your help and guidance to do so.
2) Set up a
routine for your child. Perhaps right after school and snack, or
right after dinner. Try to tie practice time to a family event rather
than a time and stick to it.
3) Be involved and
encouraging! Try to spend some time listening to your child’s
practice and checking that they are completing assignments. Positive
reinforcement works so much better than negative. Praise when the
student practices but try to avoid being negative when they don’t.
Children like to do things that please their parents so being positive
and encouraging help them feel better about doing it.
4) Please speak to
your teacher about appropriate practice daily practice time. A
beginner will usually do fine with 10-15 minutes 4-5 times per week.
Here are some
other helpful tips for students older than 10:
1) These students
are usually starting to have very full schedules. Please be realistic
about practice time.
2) After looking
at your family’s schedule, then set up a routine. If Mondays at 5 pm
are good times to practice, then stick with it. Even older students
may need help.
3) Some families
find that turning off television and minimizing other distractions can
help students make the most of their practice time.
4) Try to help the
students think about their goals. If they really want to do well at
the next contest, then daily practice according to the teacher
directions will help them reach that goal. We as adults easily make
that connection between choice and consequence but students are still
developing that skill.
Studying the piano
is what we hope is a long-term relationship for your child and the
instrument. As in any relationship, there are stages of growth and we
as teachers are committed to helping the students work through the
difficult periods. We are working at each lesson to develop our
students to their highest potential. Effective teamwork among
student, family, and teacher increases the students’ chances for
success!
PianoWorks Music Studio
Policies and Procedures –
Updated April 2009
OPEN DOOR POLICY:
Parents are welcome to listen to a child’s lesson anytime.
It is suggested that parents try to attend at least one of
their child’s lessons each semester.
PRACTICING:
Daily practicing is a top priority of
this studio. Each student will be given
a daily minimum practice time based on their age, length of lesson, and
number of years of study.
Students are expected to try to practice seven days per week during the
school year and must mark the practice minutes on their calendar.
During the summer months, students are expected to make a good
faith effort to practice whenever possible.
Students must pay the Studio Fees for practice contests, CDs,
recitals, etc., required for their age group each semester.
Students may not use their own tapes/CDs, and there will be no
substitutions unless the director gives permission.
SEMESTER CALENDARS:
All students are provided with monthly calendars to record daily
practice time. These
calendars also include important information regarding holidays with no
lessons, the beginning and ending of the Practice Contests, recital
days, and the ending date of lessons.
Parents should stay aware of these important dates by checking
these calendars in addition to reviewing any information received from
the studio.
MISSED LESSONS:
Teachers are not obligated to give individual make-up lessons if the
lesson is canceled by the student/parent for any reason.
This lesson may be forfeited.
Lessons canceled by the teacher will be rescheduled.
Students who miss more than 25% of lessons in one semester may be
asked to discontinue lessons due to lack of commitment to piano study.
BOOKS:
Students are expected to have all current music books at each lesson.
If the student does not have all books, the teacher may decide
that it is unproductive to continue with the lesson.
In this case, the lesson is forfeited, and no make-up lesson will
be provided.
Books, recital
music, and other books such as for contest or technical study are issued
at the teacher’s discretion.
Although it may occasionally be possible for students to share some
books, we do not allow students in the same family to share method
books. New sets of method
books must be purchased for each individual student.
SCHEDULING:
Lessons will begin and end promptly as
scheduled. If the student is
not ready to begin on time, the lesson will still end at the scheduled
time. If a traveling teacher
arrives at the house and the student is not there, the teacher will wait
ten minutes. During the
school year, lesson times are considered fixed and requests for
scheduling changes after the school year has begun may not be able to be
honored.
INCLEMENT WEATHER:
Each individual teacher will make
their own schedule and determine if lessons are to be canceled in the
event of bad weather.
Teachers should be contacted directly by students/parents regarding any
rescheduling.
SUMMER LESSONS:
Students are required to continue lessons in the summer. Different
lesson plans are offered to accommodate changing summer schedules.
We strongly believe that piano is a year-round discipline, and we
are willing to work with you on scheduling around vacation time and
other summer activities.
EQUIPMENT/ENVIRONMENT:
An
acoustic piano or suitable digital piano is required for all students.
Digital pianos are full size “furniture” style pianos (i.e. keyboard is
integrated within full unit and is not detachable) with 88 weighted keys
and a working pedal. Touch
sensitive portable electronic keyboards are not permitted. If you have
any questions about the difference, please contact the studio and we
will be happy to provide examples. Pianos should be maintained, tuned,
and in working order at all times.
Parents should provide a practice environment free of
distractions such as siblings, pets, and television.
Traveling teachers must be given a quiet lesson environment. Full
lighting should be available for the piano and the room where the lesson
takes place.
SAFETY:
If a traveling teacher will be
arriving at your house at dusk or later, the porch area must be lighted
for safety.
OBSERVATIONS:
PianoWorks trains teachers as
part of our program.
Students may be observed at any time.
We will try to give you adequate notification but this may not
always be possible. Be aware
that students are chosen for observation based on lesson experience and
level of books.
MAILINGS:
You will be receiving a
number of mailings from PianoWorks throughout the year.
You are responsible for
reading all information and responding as necessary.
The teachers are under no obligation to check to see if you have
read and understood. These
mailings come directly from the studio and any questions should be
directed to the studio director or assistant director.
These mailings include but are not limited to: tuition reminders
and information regarding recitals, contests, parties, registration and
policy changes. We use the
address provided to us on your registration form and unless we receive
mailings returned from the US Post Office, we assume all families have
received all current and necessary information.
PAYMENTS:
All checks should be made payable to
PianoWorks Music Studio.
Tuition payments are due on the 1st of each month unless
otherwise noted. Payment
address is: 2200 Heather Ridge Dr, Flower Mound, TX 75028.
Payments are considered late on the 10th and must
include a $5.00 late fee for each week that the payment is late.
Payments that are delinquent more than one month may result in
discontinuation of lessons.
There will be a $20.00 fee charged for returned checks.
If a student’s tuition checks are returned three times, all
remaining payments must be in the form of a Money Order.
Traveling teachers cannot accept payments; payments should be
made directly to the studio.
PianoWorks is not obligated to give refunds for tuition paid in advance
if lessons are discontinued for any reason.
Timely payments are greatly appreciated.
PARTICIPATION:
All students who have
completed three months of study are required to participate in recitals
twice per year and a 5-minute Technique Exam scheduled during the Spring
semester. These events are
not optional. Students who
miss one of these events may be asked to discontinue lessons due to lack
of commitment to the PianoWorks curriculum.
Students will be invited to participate in other activities
during the year outside of lessons, which are optional, such as
educational workshops, attending concerts, playing at retirement
centers, etc.
I have read and understand the above
policies. I understand that
violation of these policies could result in my child’s removal as a
student of PianoWorks Music Studio.
Parent
Signature:______________________________________
Date:_______________
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