Benefits of Attending Suzuki Group Class

Group classes provide the ideal environment for review.

• Reviewing songs that have already been learned becomes more fun when playing them with other children.
• Children may feel less fearful of making a mistake, so they can gain confidence in their playing as they review with their peers.
• Students work together to recall all the skills they learned in a review piece, and keep those skills fresh, so we have a solid foundation to build on.
• We can implement skills and techniques learned in more recent skills to review songs, which helps students to have a more complete grasp of these newer techniques, and it makes the review songs feel more exciting.

Group class builds ensemble skills.

• Students must watch and listen to the teacher, and each other, to stay together. 
• They learn to play without pausing.  I tell my students that the beats are constantly flowing, so to make a piece sound smooth and exciting, we need to come to a point where we can play without pausing to think about what comes next. 
• Students take on a different role as an ensemble member vs. playing as a soloist.  They’re now a member of team working together to create one single beautiful musical expression.
• As a member of a team, students learn to respect and collaborate with one another.  These are important life skills for life in general, not just for musicians.

Group class is a great place for refining musical skills, and exploring new styles of music.

• Playing in a group can really help a student refine their rhythm and intonation as they work to play as one.
•  It’s a great place to talk about the history of the pieces we work on in group class, including learning more about musical time periods and composers.
•  I like to teach my advanced students music theory and aural skills as a group.  These skills are very helpful with sight reading and improvisation.
• Together, we can play different styles of music, such as jazz or fiddle. These skills expand a student’s repertoire, understanding of music, and helps them to explore new performance possibilities.

Group classes are fun and motivating

• We use fun, interactive activities to build all the skills that we’ve talked about.
•  All musicians will end up playing in an ensemble in their musical career, and many find it to be more satisfying than playing as a soloist.
• Sometimes practice can feel a little mundane, and we need a little spark to help us remember why we’re learning music.  Group class can provide that spark.

Studio Changes

Most of my students and families are now aware of changes coming to my studio beginning in September.  I wanted to take a minute to explain why I want to make these changes.

I mentioned in the letter that I have sent home with students I saw this week that I am making changes to "maintain the quality of my studio."  Many music teachers use the word studio to refer not only to the place lessons are held, but also, and more accurately, to the teacher's business.  It encompasses all the materials, resources, policies, preparation time, people involved, training, and services offered.

The biggest coming change to my studio is the increase in lesson rates.  I made this decision because  I want to have competitive rates, attract dedicated students, and help motivate my current students.  When I teach dedicated students with good support systems, I am able to use my creativity to help students reach their highest potential.  It is fulfilling to watch my students grow and succeed, and it helps me to become a better teacher as I implement new ideas to motivate and teach.  I also want to be able to seek out new learning experiences to excite and inspire my students, and the coming changes will help me to be seek out those opportunities. 

On the other hand, I do not want to lose any of my current dedicated students or prevent someone from receiving lessons in the future, so I will be offering six need based scholarships to individual students and families.  Students who are awarded a scholarship will receive up to a $10 off per month per student, up to $30 per month.  Students under scholarship will be required to practice four days each week and earn at least 10 points through practice each month.  Students who do not meet the practice requirements will lose their scholarship.  They will be able to reapply three months after it is lost.  Under extenuating circumstances such as illness, lengthy vacation, or family emergency, I will be lenient about practice.  Applications will be available within the next two weeks, along with the 2014-2015 policy letter. 

There are three additional small changes coming in September. 

• I will be offering referral bonuses to my students.  If you refer someone to my studio, I will give you a credit equal to the new student's rate after they have been taking lessons for 3 months.  
• I am excited to officially offer viola lessons.  I have wanted to be able to teach it for a long time, and now that I have an instrument I can teach using firsthand experience and not just theoretical knowledge.  
• Lastly, I will be teaching at Whittlesticks on Tuesday only, and and at my apartment on other weekdays.  If you'd like to have lessons at Whittlesticks, let me know so I can work you into my Tuesday schedule in the fall.

  
Thank you for your continued support.  It is because of you that I am able to continue to do something that is so important and that I love to do.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

HW

I hope you all had wonderful holidays!  I am excited to be back to our regular schedule and for all the exciting things coming up!

Our next event is another recital.  It will be on Saturday, February 8.  The time and place are scheduled tentatively for 2 PM at Gateway Preparatory Academy, like it has been in the past.  Students should dress nicely for their performance.  Refreshments will be provided, as usual.

On February 15, the Orchestra of Southern Utah is having their annual Children's Jubilee at 2 PM.  Children under the age of 6 are not normally admitted to OSU concerts, but this one is special.  There will be a short concert for the children to listen to, as well as science, art, and other exhibits to enjoy after the concert ends.  It's always a lot of fun!

Saturday, March 1 is Music Festival.  Students have already registered for this event and are preparing their 2 pieces.  Students who are playing at festival may perform one of their pieces at the Feb. recital to gain some experience in playing for an audience.  I will post more details about festival in the coming weeks.  Now is the time to start scheduling practice with you accompanist, so please give him/her a call if necessary.

Keep up the good practicing!

HW

Summertime Update

School is just about over, which comes as a bittersweet thing for me as I will not be teaching orchestra again in the fall.  Part of the reason I have decided to teach private lessons only is so I can concentrate my efforts on providing each of my students with the highest quality lesson experience that I can.  There is so much information available about teaching private lessons more effectively (not to mention making it more fun :)  ), and teaching orchestra gave me no time to study that information.  I look forward to learning new teaching techniques and incorporating them into each student's lessons.

Each spring I like to evaluate the efficiency of my violin studio and see what things are going well and what things, if any, need to be changed.  The biggest change I will be making beginning in September will be in how I charge for lessons.  The cost of a month of lessons will be $50.  If a student cannot attend lessons during their regularly scheduled time, we will try to find a time to make up the missed lesson.  Make-up lessons will be held primarily on Saturdays and school holidays.  If you know you won't be available for a lesson a week ahead of time, it is often possible for me to find someone to trade lesson times.

I have scheduled many of my students for summer lesson times.  I will be teaching from 11-1 on Tuesdays and 2-5:30 on Thursdays.  If none of those times fit into your schedule, we will work together to find a time that will work better.

Thanks for being such wonderful, dedicated students and supportive parents.  I look forward to teaching lessons every day because of you!

Have a wonderful summer, and happy practicing!

HW

Festival Time is Near

Congratulations to everyone for a really great recital!  It was definitely the biggest turnout I've ever had.  I hope you enjoyed performing the pieces you've worked so hard to learn, and that you learned what you can do to improve your next performance. 

For some of you, your next performance is on March 2.  I have the festival schedule, so I can tell you what time your performance is scheduled for, and in what room at CVHS.  With only a few weeks left to prepare, now is the time to be sure your pieces are polished and memorized.  Also, be sure to schedule a time to practice with your accompanist.  It's good to do this a little in advance in case you need a few rehearsals before festival.  It makes things very difficult on your accompanist if you procrastinate the day of your rehearsal.

On festival day, you will need to be prepared with a few things. This letter explains everything you'll need. You'll need one rating record form and three judging forms.  It's good to paperclip them together to hand to the judges and tabulator.

Aside from that, I would encourage everyone to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled performance time to unpack your instrument, warm up, make sure all your music and entry forms are ready to go, and deal with any unexpected problems.  And, of course, relax.  Your performance will go much much better if you feel calm.

Keep up the good work!

HW

It's recital time again

The recital will be held at 5:00 PM at Gateway Preparatory Academy on Thoroughbred Way in Enoch. Refreshments will be served after the recital. Performers should wear Sunday best or business casual dress. Please try to perform without the music even if you feel a little shaky on your memorization. It will help with preparing for festival.

See you Saturday!

Recital Saturday

Dear students and parents,

The much anticipated recital will held this Saturday, October 27 at 5 PM. The time has been changed in order to accommodate more students. It will be held at Gateway Preparatory Academy, 201 E Thoroughbred Way in Enoch. To get there, head north on Minersville Highway (if you come from the freeway, take the cedar city north main exit and turn west off the ramp). You will go straight through the intersection near the bowling alley. Thoroughbred is on the left. There will be a left turn arrow in the merge. Continue on that road and you will see the school on the right.

Students should wear Sunday dress. There will be refreshments after. If I haven't asked you specifically to bring something, I could still use more treats and napkins.

Thanks for all your hard work an patience. See you Saturday!