Studio Policies: Part 5 of 5

The last section on my policy is miscellanous things that you may come across or that may be helpful for families to know in advance…

MISC…

• Email or text is the best and preferred way to reach me. If you need to cancel a lesson at the last minute, please text.

I check my email several times a day. I let the voicemail take calls during lessons.

 

• Any borrowed music from the music library that is not returned or is returned damaged will be charged to the

student at its replacement cost.

 

• Be certain your piano is tuned and in good condition. It is very discouraging to play on an out-of-tune instrument.

Putting off tuning is not cost effective; a piano, which is very out of tune, will most likely require several tunings

over a period of weeks or months to bring it back to pitch. I can recommend tuners/technicians. If your child is

starting on a keyboard it must be touch sensitive, have a pedal, and have at least 61 keys or more. Please be aware

that this will only get them through the first year, maybe two. An electronic keyboard severely limits the technical

and musical skills a student can practice on at home. After that you will want/need to invest in either a full size- 88

key acoustic piano or a good digital piano with weighted keys to get the full benefit of piano lessons.

 

• I expect students to have washed their hands thoroughly at home or when they get here. Long fingernails preclude

the development of good piano technique, so please be sure they are trimmed short.–no longer than the end of the

finger! This is necessary preparation for every lesson. If they are too long, we may use the lesson time to study

theory. (A basketball player wouldn’t play in high heels!)

 

• Foxx Piano Studio and Jennifer Foxx are released from any liabilities, accidents or injuries that may incur from the

enrolled student with the participation of piano lessons, group classes, piano parties or piano events.

 

• During student and group gatherings and performances the teacher reserves the right to use video recording or to

take photographs of students for use in the studio scrapbook, advertising materials, lesson demonstration and studio

owned websites. Photos taken by the teacher OR that are shared with the teacher by other parents or students of

gatherings or performances become the property of the studio and can be used at the discretion of the teacher in

regards to the studio. The studio follows online safety rules in this matter.

 

MY RESPONSIBILITY-

• My responsibility to the student is to provide an atmosphere for learning and a well-balanced musical education. Professional standards will be

maintained and definite goals will be established for each student. It is my goal to give your child the best possible music education. I belong to

professional organizations, attend workshops and educational programs, subscribe to professional publications, and engage in other activities on a

continuing basis in order to provide opportunities for professional growth and enhance my own teaching skills.

 

 

Disclaimer: Not all of the wordings in my policy are original. Over the years I have come across great ideas in teachers policies that were willing to share so I have adapted them into my policy as well. If you see something that is your original idea, thank you! And feel free to credit yourself  the comments. 

Studio Policies: Part 4 of 5

Today’s post focuses on what I expect from my families in regards to practicing. In my studio, I much rather students focus on practice goals versus accomplishing a certain amount of time. Here is what I expect…

PRACTICING-

• Students are required to complete their assignments each week. Daily practice is vital to musical progress. If you

treat piano lessons like an academic subject, students will progress and grow and enjoy it more in the long run.

Students are encouraged to keep a practice record, and to work toward musical goals rather than simply counting

minutes. The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also work! The recommended amount of practice

time will be discussed with the student, and should be practiced at least 5 days a week. However, in my studio I

stress quality practicing more than quantity practicing. To help with this, I also give some fun ideas that help with

quality practicing through “ practice games.” Encourage your child to use the practice games. Your child will

receive a practice record, which is to be maintained by the student and signed by the parent each week. Remember

“You get out of it what you put into it.” Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones but their value is

substantially compromised.

 

Important note: Sometime during the course of taking piano lessons, your child may say something like, “I don’t want to practice,” or “I’m too

tired to go to piano lessons,” or “I don’t want to go- I want to play with my friends,” “I want to quit,” etc… Just be aware that your child’s

interest will probably not be consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music

instruction. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comments, but then go on with your normal routine just as you would if you heard

the comment, “I don’t want to brush my teeth,” “I don’t want to stop playing with my toys,” or “I don’t want to go to bed.”

 

 

Disclaimer: Not all of the wordings in my policy are original. Over the years I have come across great ideas in teachers policies that were willing to share so I have adapted them into my policy as well. If you see something that is your original idea, thank you! And feel free to credit yourself  the comments. 

Studio Policies: Part 3 of 5

Today I wanted to focus on Attendance, when a child wants to quit and if there is a need for dismissal. First attendance… Makeups is always a subject that comes up within music teachers discussions. To do or not to do, that is the question. The way I look at make ups is it’s working overtime for free. However if I have a situation (occasionally this happens) where I have a student who needs to miss and then another one cancels that same week I will let the first cancelled student know and offer them to come at that time. I’m not obligated to do this however. Sometimes I would prefer to see if I could bump my schedule up so I can finish teaching earlier. With that said, I do have some things in my policy that helps my “no makeup” policy. I do offer an exchange list that occasionally will get used and I do give group lesson (regardless if they miss or not) because I think group experiences are important in the studio. There is a favorite article that I have enjoyed over the years that you may or may not have come across. If you haven’t, I would highly recommend reading it: Make-up Lessons From An Economist’s Point of View

Under the discontinuing section of my policy you will notice the last line asking for a parent/teacher conference if appropriate. Now I don’t do this with every student who quits. Sometimes I agree with the decision. However there are times where I will see a very promising student quit and it’s just heartbreaking. In those cases I feel like before we call it quits I need to meet with them personally to see if this is just a set back that can be resolved or if it’s really the right decision.

In regards to dismissal and termination, I know I got this from another teacher (if it’s yours please claim it in the comments). I’ve never had to use it, but I felt that in the event I felt it was necessary it is covered.

Here is my policy on lessons…

 

ATTENDANCE-

• A student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. Your tuition reserves you a

weekly time slot and benefits within the studio. There will not be any make-up lessons when cancelled by the

student; however keep in mind there are up to 3 bonus lessons scheduled throughout the year. You may refer to the

student roster exchange list to swap lesson times with someone in case of illness, vacation etc…  Please inform me

of any changes. Should 2 people arrive at once, I will teach the one whose lesson is normally at that time. Please

inform me if you do not wish to have your name included on the exchange list. If you cannot attend please call or I

will worry. If I must miss a lesson I will call and reschedule with you or in rare occasions use the bonus lesson.

 

DISCONTINUING LESSONS-

• Every student stops taking lessons at some point. Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of discussion

between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason,

the studio requires a  one-month written and paid notice before the semester ends. The student must finish the

remainder of the semester paid in full or forego any unused lessons, as there is no refund given. (ie: Fall Semester:

one month notice by Dec. 1st; Spring Semester: one month notice by May 1st) If appropriate, a parent/student

teacher conference may be scheduled before the last lesson to establish if this might be a temporary setback that can

be resolved.

 

DISMISSAL & TERMINATION- Should any of the following situations occur after parental notification has been

made along with time provided to correct the situation, dismissal will result:

- Failure to make payments promptly. – Failure to maintain practice standards.

- Persistent unexcused absences or tardiness. – Failure to honor studio policies.

- Repeated neglect on the student’s part to take responsibility for bringing materials, following assignment & practice directions.

- Inappropriate or disrespectful behavior, theft, and/or misbehavior in my home.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Not all of the wordings in my policy are original. Over the years I have come across great ideas in teachers policies that were willing to share so I have adapted them into my policy as well. If you see something that is your original idea, thank you! And feel free to credit yourself  the comments. 

Studio Policies: Part 2 of 5

Today I wanted to focus on Tuition. One of the best things I have done with my tuition schedule is figure out for the year everything I want to include and then divide it into equal monthly payments no matter how many lessons may be that month etc… Last year I decided I wanted to simplify things on the business end and figured out the average of what I spend in core music for my students, raised tuition to account for that and included the music in my tuition. I can’t tell you how much this has simplified things. No longer do I have to keep track of balances etc… I just order what I need and take it out from my “music” savings that I set aside for this purpose.

Another change that I decided to do last year that I am loving is asking for a minimum of a semester commitment. I used to get parents that would have their child quit the last month of a semester when they have been working hard on preparing for the recital etc… and because of this, the poor child would lose out and all their hard work. It would drive me nuts. So this way they finish up the semester fully and the students aren’t getting the raw end of the deal at all. I’ve also noticed after implementing this policy that the overall commitment in the studio has really stepped up.

Here is what my policy says on tuition…

TUITION-

• Tuition is based on a 10-month period (Aug-May) and divided into monthly payment installments that can be paid

with different payment options listed on the registration form. The studio runs much like a private school; Tuition

remains the same each month and is based on enrollment, not attendance reserving your child’s exclusive lesson

time throughout the piano year, whether he/she attends lessons or not. (I can’t teach another student when a student

misses a lesson without replacing the student altogether.) TUITION INCLUDES ALL CORE MUSIC needed each

semester.

 

• A commitment for a minimum of 1 semester (5 months) is required with a one-month written and paid notice

before the semester ends should you decide to discontinue lessons. (Fall Semester: Aug-Dec; Spring Semester: Jan-

May) Tuition does not change regardless of the actual number of lessons per month. (See yearly calendar for

details) This policy covers both semesters for the school year. If you begin in the fall semester, re-registration in

the spring is not necessary. It will be assumed that both Fall and Spring semesters will be taken unless I receive

your one month notice before semester end. Re-registration for the following year is done every spring and due by

May 1st.

 

• Tuition is due by the 1st of each month. Please make the tuition check payable to “Foxx Piano Studio”. If you are

late with your payment, there is a 3-day grace period to turn in tuition without penalty. If you are more than 3 days

late, please add a $15.00 late penalty on your check. If you are late with tuition payments more than twice, you will

be asked to pay full semester tuition payments. There is a $25.00 fee for bounced checks. Payment must be paid in

cash before the next lesson.

 

• A Non-Refundable $100.00 Studio Fee per student is required for each academic year or whenever you begin piano

lessons. The Studio Fee enables the studio to provide students with loaner music, incentives and rewards, and

awards for the spring recital, defray substantial costs for the recital location, theory games, lab materials and upkeep,

music library materials, miscellaneous handouts, and use of accompaniment CD’s and disks during lesson time. This

also includes a monthly subscription to MusicLearningCommunity.com, a mandatory online theory program that

students will have weekly at home assignments in during the time you are enrolled in the studio.

 

 

Disclaimer: Not all of the wordings in my policy are original. Over the years I have come across great ideas in teachers policies that were willing to share so I have adapted them into my policy as well. If you see something that is your original idea, thank you! And feel free to credit yourself  the comments. 

Studio Policies: Part 1 of 5

This week my re-registration forms are due. The nice thing is all of them have been turned in! So I already know who is continuing next year (everyone- yay!) and I already have the summer schedule out and ready to go. My summer and re-registration forms are due by May 1st. Though because many of my parents are anxious to receive the summer schedule I may change the deadline a little earlier next year. I require participation in summer camp (or workshops depending what I do that year) in order for their spot to be held for Fall.

Because this is the time of year that everyone is doing re-registration and revamping studio policies, I thought I would share what I have in my studio policy that works well. Rarely do I have an issue that comes up. I broke up this subject into 5 categories:

1) Lessons

2) Tuition

3) Attendance (including discontinuing/dismissal)

4) Practicing

5) Misc.

Today’s post focuses on Lessons…

LESSONS-

• I offer a couple options for piano lessons: Private Lessons, Early Childhood and/or Special Need Lessons. These

are both held once a week following the yearly calendar. The yearly calendar is published on the studio website: http://www.foxxpianostudio.com/calendar.pdf

 

• Group lessons are held 3 times a year and will be served as free bonus lessons. The bonus group lessons may serve

as “make-ups” for those unavoidable occasions when a student or, rarely, the teacher must miss a lesson. Students

with perfect attendance may consider these as bonus lessons.

 

• Piano lab will be a variety of technique, theory, rhythm and ear training skills, music appreciation as well as

composition. Students are expected to respect all studio property and to use equipment carefully. If a student does

not respect the property in the lab, their use of the lab will be discontinued and you will be charge replacement cost

of intentionally broken items. Normal wear is expected.

 

• Please be on time for your lesson and when picking up your child. If your lesson is from 4:00pm-4:45pm and you

come at 4:10, the lesson will still end at 4:45pm. This insures that none of my lessons will run behind. Please do

not arrive more than 5 min. before your lesson time or pick your child up more than 5 min. late.

 

• Students are expected to continue lessons in the summer months and participate in Piano Camp Workshops.

Students, who do not continue lessons in the summer or participate in Piano Workshops, will be added to the bottom

of the studio waiting list. However, if you wish to hold your spot, you may continue to pay the monthly piano fee

during that time. Piano Workshops are held in December and during the summer. There are no regular lessons when

workshops are held during those two months. December’s workshop is considered when tuition for the year is

totaled and divided. It is the same tuition fee schedule you normally have during the year.

 

 

Disclaimer: Not all of the wordings in my policy are original. Over the years I have come across great ideas in teachers policies that were willing to share so I have adapted them into my policy as well. If you see something that is your original idea, thank you! And feel free to credit yourself  the comments. 

 

 

iPiano Tutor iPad App in the Works

If you are familiar with MakingMusic.net then you may have heard about the exciting app that is in the works. Andy Fling of MakingMusic.Net is in the process of developing an app called iPiano Tutor for the iPad. This app actually reminds me a little of PianoMarvel if you are familiar with their program and was something I was hoping there would be an app for.

Andy started the journey in developing this app in October 2012, with initial plans and designs. After securing the interest of app development company Jiffy Software (developers of Cut the Rope) they turned the focus to fundraising through Indiegogo. If all goes as hoped they will begin developing iPiano Tutor in April 2013. The anticipated date for it to be ready is this summer!

I would recommend visiting Indiegogo to read details about this app and view the video to see what it will entail. I personally am excited for it and plan to donate.

Before blogging about this app, I had a few questions for Andy. I thought I would share what I learned.

I first asked if we should look at this app as a method book tool or more of a supplementary tool.

“I guess you could regard the app as being an interactive method book. Eventually, all of the piano sheet music from MakingMusicFun.net will be available for in-app purchase. The advantage that iPiano Tutor will provide is that kids will now have tools to practice more effectively. They will be able to select two measure phrases for example, hear how they sound, and then practice them effectively. One of the most exciting things is that this musical phrase touch selection feature will get kids thinking in terms of phrases, and practicing part-to-whole instead of beginning to end.”

I then asked if there will be a way to email scores to teachers when students play this at home?

“Yes, you will always be able to get a printable version of the sheet music at MakingMusicFun.net. Teachers may also download the app, and have the sheet music on their iPad as well.”

My next question was regarding the feedback/scoring system. I asked if it will simply give a score or will it highlight the mistakes made (notes, rhythm, etc…)?

“By accessing the “Listen” feature student will receive immediate feedback as to weather they played the note/chord correctly. Each time the student plays a note/chord correctly the cursor will acknowledge their success, and then advance to the next note/chord. Highlighting the incorrect note sounds like a great idea, and something we could look into incorporating in the function of the app. Thanks for the idea!”

He went on to explain a little about the funding opportunity…

“The one thing I would love to make sure teachers and student don’t miss is the money saving opportunity they can have if they they join our development team.

At the $25 Level iPiano Tutor app owners will be entitled to all sheet current music titles at the time the app is published to the Apple App Store, and all future sheet music titles when app it updated. If they wait until iPiano Tutor is available to the public they will be able to download the app for free, though will be given only five sheet music titles to test drive the app, and then will need to purchase the rest through in-app purchase. If they join our development team all sheet music titles on each update will be sent directly to their “My Music Library”, providing significant savings.”

Thank you Andy for answering my questions. If you have any other questions for Andy, feel free to contact him on MakingMusicFun.Net, Facebook or on his Indiegogo page.

Musical Treasure Hunt (free download available)

One of the activities we did towards the end of Christmas camp on the last day was a musical treasure hunt.

My intention for this hunt was to have them find the gifts I made them in the end. That is how it worked out for Monday’s group. But then Tuesdays group came and it took a different turn. A turn that I wish I would have thought about before. But because it worked so well, I did it for the other groups following. The last clue leads to the answer “piano”. The original plan was for them to find the pirate bear gift behind my drum under the piano. But on Tuesday, right after they figured out the last clue was piano, they all started getting out their Christmas music they were going to play for each other thinking that was the “treasure”. Now why didn’t I think of that?! It was too good so I went along with it and did it for Wednesdays and Thursdays group as well and then gave them their gifts afterwards before they left to go home.

For the musical treasure hunt, I had flashcards and items hidden (not too hard) around the room. They had to answer the clue first and then go find the flashcard or item.

Lately I have found myself making more and more power points for my group activities and lessons. So I made a powerpoint for my musical treasure hunt and wanted to share it with anyone who would like to use it. Of course you can still enjoy the clues with your students even if you don’t use it via PowerPoint. Enjoy!

Musical Treasure Hunt (this link will take you to a separate page. Click on the link and it should automatically download.)

Having fun with iMovie

I recently downloaded the iMovie app. Even though I have iMovie on my Mac, I wanted to try it out as an app and I have to say that I think I like it even better as an app. I find it super easy to use. After seeing one of the themes available that went perfectly with our studio theme we were working on this year I thought it would be fun to create a studio movie trailer of what students will be doing this year. So I took video and pictures from some group lessons and regular lessons and put something together. I plan on putting it on my studio website as well.

Enjoy!

Class Piano- Regan Starr

I was going to wait on sharing this post until a Tech Tuesday next week but I have been having so much fun sight-reading this last week that I didn’t want to hold back another day!

Last week I read a blog post from Dana with Kids & Keys. She interviewed Regan Starr from ClassPiano.com. Regan is a recent graduate from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Each week he composes new piano pieces and adds them to his blog. All the pieces you see are original pieces that he wrote himself. Not only do you get a copy of his composition for free, but he includes written advice and practice tips as well video tutorials!

One thing that I enjoy on his blog as well is the feature to rate the song with a thumbs up or thumbs down rating. One of the first things I did when exploring this website was visiting the “most popular” section and the left sidebar and listening to his most popular pieces.

Regan is a talented composer and I have really enjoyed sight-reading his pieces. Most of his pieces would be considered to be in the early-intermediate to intermediate level. However there are some pieces that have trickier rhythm making a piece more late-intermediate to advanced. Regardless, Regan has provided all the tools to make a student feel successful in learning his pieces.

Today I will see my intermediate students for group lessons and you can bet that I will be letting them know about ClassPiano.com.

Thank you Regan for sharing your compositions with us!

Tech Tuesday: MLC- An online theory playground

When it comes to online subscription services I always hesitate to sign up only because there is a monthly fee attached to it. I prefer to pay a lump sum and get it over with. So usually with any subscription based service I hesitate for years, meanwhile still checking out the service trying to decide if it’s really worth it. Like MusicTeachersHelper.com, this was also the case for MusicLearningCommunity.com. (I will be referring it to MLC from this point on…)

Finally after years of trying out the free games I decided to dive in and really try it out. The first year I used MLC with my students both at the lesson during lab time and had them available to do the games at home as well. This went okay, but I really wanted my students to get the full benefit from this resource. So the next year I decided to assign games as an actual theory assignment. Like most teachers, I was using theory books but a lot of times students wouldn’t get the pages done. They would “forget” the book at home, or simply wouldn’t care. So I figured MLC would be their theory assignment. I would assign a game that would correlate with the unit they were in at their lesson. The first year doing this I noticed students were really good about playing their theory games at home at the beginning of the year, but as the year progressed, like their book assignments, things started to slide.

Now I didn’t want to give up on MLC, I felt it was a great resource for students so like anything that doesn’t go quite the way you want it to, I reflected on what I can do to help make this more successful in my studio. So the following year I decided I was going to be more diligent with the parents. If I found a MLC assignment wasn’t getting done, I would email the parents and follow up with them. Reminding them that this is to their child’s benefit and part of their piano assignment. 99% (nobody’s perfect) of the time, this made a difference. This is where MLC became the most successful in my studio. In addition I have held occasional contests over breaks that involved playing the MLC games, and I always make sure MLC is part of our yearly incentive program.

Now if you haven’t heard of MLC, you are missing out. Christine Hermanson and her husband have pretty much thought of everything that would help teachers and their students review, grow, develop and enjoy the theory process.

Top 5 reasons I subscribe to MLC…

1) The GAMES (of course!)- More than 450 games and counting! Games cover concepts such as: Keyboard Elements, Aural and Visual Pitch, Aural and Visual Rhythm, Intervals, Scales and Key Signatures, Music Terms and Symbols, Tonal Memory and Playback, Chords and Harmony Aural and Visual from the primer level up to level 5.  Now there are games that are MIDI compatible!

2) Progress Report- I love that I can check the scores of my students game any time I want to see how they are doing. If they are not reaching the target score on a particular game, then I know that concept is one that needs to be reviewed more at the lesson.

3) Printable Assignment Score Sheets- Another fantastic feature is assignment score sheets that students can print out. Christine went the extra mile and has customized assignment sheets for the following method books: Alfred Premier, Artistry at the Piano, Celebrate Piano, Faber Piano Adventures, Hal Leonard, Music for Young Children, The Music Tree and Carnegie- Royal Conservatory. Eventually there will be sheets for: Succeeding at the Piano, Piano Town, Alfred’s Basic, Bastien Piano Basics and Pianimals. I’m anxiously awaiting for one for Pianimals to come out. If the method book you use isn’t on this list, there are generic leveled score sheets you can download. In addition there are assignment sheets that correlate with the following programs: California MTAC “Certificate of Merit”, Florida State MTA “Student Day” and the Illinois MTA “Achievement in Music” (AIM)

4) Teachers Guide and Games at a Glance- I love the teachers guide and Games at a Glance and refer to these often especially when I have a student that is in a different method that one that is listed above.

5) Personable- Christine is always happy and willing to help where needed. There have been a few times where I had a need for a specific game concept and emailed Christine with my wants/needs. She has always been gracious and willing to take those ideas and turn them into a reality! The best part of #5 is meeting Chris in person at the MTNA Conferences!

(Here is us at the NYC MTNA conference last March…really wish I could fix my hair in the picture. ha! ha!)

Those are my top 5 reasons, but there is much more to discover. Teacher Membership is $19.95 per month for up to 50 students. I personally set aside a certain amount in my studio registration fee that covers a subscription for each student. If you had 20 students, that’s only a $1.00 a month per student. Most families are more than willing to pay for this service if you don’t add it to a studio fee.

Start out with the free games and/or a 2 week trial and give it a try!