Well, I haven’t figured how to add this widget to my blog (if anyone that has wordpress knows how let me know!) so I thought I would just share it as a post for now. I have a few favorite books, DVD’s, etc… that you can find at Amazon that have served as resources in my group lessons and camps well. Thought I would share. Click on the link below…
For those of you who are doing the Magic of Music program this year in your studio, I hope it is going well. I am currently preparing for our ‘Making Magical Music over the Holidays’ Christmas camp coming soon. One of the things that we are going to actively work on at the beginning of camp is having students making their pieces 5 Star pieces. I made a gameboard to help them stay focused with each element when they are at home practicing.
I thought whether or not you are implementing Magic of Music in your studio this year, this could be beneficial to everyone. You can download the complimentary game board and directions below.
Magic of Music board game directions
ENJOY!
Every year the subject comes up to what to give students for Christmas.
Here are some ideas for Christmas gifts. I like to keep my budget around $1-2 per student. More times than not I’ve been really lucky in finding gifts at the Dollar Tree. If possible I like to give gifts that go along with the Christmas Camp theme that I am teaching that year.
Christmas or Music themed ornaments (I gave Nutcracker ornaments the years I did the Nutcracker Christmas Camp)
Music CD (This worked well when I did another camp focusing on different Composers)
Have students record their own CD (I actually do this as a summer project with students) and give them their final product.
Sheet Music
Photo Frames with a picture of them at the piano. I have a friend who is super crafty and has made some piano frames that work nice. You can see them and a lot more ideas on her blog:
The Sewer, The Caker, The Copy Cat Maker
You can also decoupage sheet music to picture frames. Easy and looks great!
Music composition book (great especially if your focus is composition for that year!)
Music themed Cookie Cutters- I bought mine at: Foose Cookie Cutters I wrapped them in cellaphane and filled them with M&M’s.
This year my theme is Magic of Music. So when I found these at the Dollar Tree a few weeks ago I was thrilled!
Tell me… what have you given to students for Christmas?
Since I do not hold regular lessons in December and hold Christmas Camp instead I like to hold a little practice contest during that month to encourage self motivated practicing. My prize for the top practicer is usually an iTunes gift card. I have done goodie bags filled of musical themed goodies, including Staple’s Easy Button as well.
In addition I come up with a secret number of minutes that I feel that all students are capable of doing that month. I don’t tell them what the secret number is until after it is over, but all students who reach the minimum that I expect, they get a special treat for doing so. (Usually a candy bar)
You can download my holiday practice sheet where they keep track of their minutes.
