What's New? February 2009
Piano Studio of Lola McIntyre
A lot is new!!! Please read this entire What's New? February 2009 post. It's loaded with valuable information!
Piano Studio of Lola McIntyre Web Site Celebrates 10 Years!
Piano Studio of Lola McIntyre Web Site has been in continual use since it was first uploaded in 1999. It is one of the earliest piano studio web sites, globally. The name for the web site was chosen to be a stronger hook for early search engines, which pre-date Google. In fact, the URL Pianostudio was chosen for the same reason. (Read more...)
Recital Information
Read all the information. Mark your calendars!
In a nutshell, there are 3 changes: Rehearsal is at Meridian Music during March Studio Class, the Recital Time has been moved to a little earlier in the day, and the program will be recorded onto CD - everyone gets a copy in time for Mother's Day & Father's Day! Woo-hoo!
There is a recital fee for each student, payable in March, added to the remit. (See Read moree...About Recital link below.) If you would rather split up the amount between February and March, that would be fine. Some choose to do that each year - not a problem.
(Read more..About Recital.) (Read more...About March Studio Class)
Studio Classes
Each instructional (skill) objective has purpose within the lesson, the Studio Class, and our overall curriculum. Studio Classes are vital.
February's Studio Class was very productive. Everyone learned and practiced stage deportment (how to bow), and listened to each other play solos & duets. The next Studio Class is in March, and it is NOT at my house. Instead, it is at Meridian Music, second floor, concert hall. We will use this Studio Class as a rehearsal for our recital. (More info...). We're seeing good progress toward recital goals! Keep up the great work, everyone!
New Students
Welcome to all of you!!! I'm thrilled with your progress - each of you! Keep working. Keep your eyes fixed on May when we have a Studio Class of ensembles, duets, and games. Recital is coming, too - you'll do just fine.
Studio Standards: Skills, Curriculum, Methods
- Studio Standards - For the first time in nearly 20 years, we have doubled our studio size in just a few months. Normally, when a new student enters our studio, they quietly soak in the the studio standard as they gingerly step into the flowing stream. However, to grow so quickly has posed a challenge for me to maintain the standard, while shaping realistic expectations. I was stunned by the fine playing of our new students at their first Studio Class! WOW!!! We're in for an exciting spring! Next year will be REALLY WONDERFUL!
- Curriculum
- All policies and instruction has purpose. Teaching during the lesson is driving by a series of instructional objectives swimming in my brain. For an important article about Piano Pedagogy and what objectives are met and when, read more in the article: Piano Methods. When I'm teaching (and auditioning) students, these are some of the skills (instructional objectives) I have in mind.
- Running On Time
- For the first time in decades, I no longer have full hour lessons with every student. I have been most willing to work with our economic challenges; our own household is directly affected by them, too. So, some lessons 60 minutes, some are 45 minutes and some are only 30 minutes. Privately, I came to realize it will be impossible for a student to reach the objectives for our studio curriculum in half the time. So, I needed to readjust my own expectations for all of us, in line with the time at hand. Therefore, I need your help to run on time, If a student walks in 6 minutes late, and takes 2 minutes to wash hands and another minute and a half to get their books out, we are looking at a 20 minute lesson. The result? 66% of instructional objectives are not introduced, and practice is less effective in the upcoming week, then the foundation to the skill suffers. Arrive 4 or 5 minutes early, wash hands, and open every book to their pages. Each week is better than the week before. But, I just thought it would help to lay out the big picture. Thanks so much for your cooperation.
- Philosophy & Pedagogy: Arts Enrichment
- What helps them grow as musicians?
- In-school music programs! Say, "YES"!
- Experiencing the arts as an audience
member by professional artists at least 4 times a year
- Plays, Indiana Museum of Art, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Dance Kaleidescope, American Pianists Association , Ballet Theatre of Indianapolis
- College Music & Dance Concerts Performed by college students (free)
- What helps them grow as musicians?
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- Bob Birchfield, a great colleague of mine from the University of Indianapolis has created an AMAZING podcast called, Around Indy. There is also a web site. The podcast is downloadable, DAILY, via iTunes. I love this little podcast. It gives you a very concise and quick news spot about what is going on around Indianapolis TODAY. Daily podcasts. (AroundIndy.com is a very popular and valuable site!)