When Do We Start?
Lessons begin the first week of school, beginning on Monday, August 18th, 2004.
Lesson Schedule?
The updated Lesson Schedule is on the web, in case you need to switch lessons with another due to a conflict.
Monthly Tuition Due When?
In a nutshell, simply write a monthly tuition check on or before the second week of every month. A detailed Remittance Schedule is also available, which included additional information. Older students who drive themselves can be asked to help keep the same schedule, since they will bring a check with them to lesson. Parents who observe once a month sometimes find this the best week to observe.
When are Studio Classes?
Studio Classes are announced for first semester. Just a reminder, these are an integral componant to your piano study (this is where we have fun and practice performing!). Please mark the upcoming classes on your calendar.
Have I Given You My Current E-Mail Address?
What's New? on this web site will be updated as needed, and sent to you as a convenient link via e-mail. Please give me your e-mail address, if you have not yet done so.
So, What About Those Make-Up Lessons?
The Make-Up Lesson Policy remains the same: switch with someone else. Is anyone opposed to having their e-mail address as a clickable link on the web, embedded under their name on the schedule? Let me know. If anyone is uncomfortable about it, I'll not do it. An example would be: Lola M.. Last names would still be omitted. This would help you in contacting someone to switch. You will still receive everyone's phone number on a printed page. Look for these to come home with the student in early September, or before.
When is Spring Recital?
Spring Recital is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2004. Regretfully, Meridian Music has just announced a 33.3% increase in the rental of their hall, and are charging a separate fee for the rehearsal time. This could conceivably increase our student recital participation fee to possibly $50 per student. Instead, I will cover 20% of the cost myself, and charge $40 per student. This includes: Mungar Recital Hall rental, two tuned pianos, rehearsal time, live audio recording (one copyable CD-ROM per family), recital program printing, and my time. I apologize for this change from last year, however, we can see the benefits and exactly how vital this experience is to the development of the students' musicianship. For full details regarding the recital go to: SPRING RECITAL.
WELCOME BACK LAUREN!
One of our former students, Lauren B. has returned from living two years in Singapore. We are so excited to have you back, Lauren. Lauren asked to return to our studio, and played a wonderful audition. She has been working hard for two years. Lauren progressed from completing Level 5 of Faber and Faber, just before moving, to performing Chopin Waltz in B Minor at her returning audition, two years later. Way to go, Lauren!
NEW SOFTWARE
Three new programs have been added to our music games software collection:
Smack-A-Note is fun, colorful set of music games designed to help you learn staff note reading, solfege, and piano key names. Different skill levels and parameters may be set to offer progressive learning development.
PIANOMOUSE.COM: Music Theory FUNdamentals includes lessons and games to review the musical alphabet basics, rhythmic values, sharps/flats/naturals, half-steps/whole/steps, and Five Finger Patterns. A winner of the Parents Choice Award, and Four Star rating by Children's Software Review in Jan/Feb 2001.
PIANOMOUSE.COM: Pianomouse Meets the Great Composers. Great Composers Volume 1 includes Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. Games include: Meet the Composer, Puzzle Challenge, Composer Creations, The Traveling Composer, Composer Concentration, 3D Mouse Maze, and Glossary. Children's Software Revue rates it a high 4 1/2 stars, and awards it the distinction of the Top 100 Software Titles for Schools.