Thank You!

If you spent a little time with the Town Hall Estates Residents after your child's performance you know how much they love to hear them play. But most of all they enjoy the hugs, because they love children!

I think I could hear one of them singing each time a student played "The First Noel" , did you hear it too?

Thank you for having them practice, and bringing them to the nursing home. I was very impressed with their willingness to sign up to play and most of all their excitement!

I was very pleased with each student's composure when nerves took hold of their fingers or a wrong note got in the way. This happens even to professional pianists and they handled it exactly the way professionals do. Keep on playing as if nothing has happened. Please share this with them especially if there were any broken hearts or tears.

Have you tuned your piano this year?

If your child is practicing on an acoustic piano, you must make sure that your piano is tuned. Especially those students that are required to use a "practice CD".

Do you service your car regularly?

Do you clean your house regularly?

Has your child complained about the weird sound your piano makes?

Your piano needs to be tuned at least once a year...

Call your favorite piano tuner soon or pick up a business card at my studio.

Where Does My Tuition Go?

Congratulations on choosing to participate in music lessons! Music has been found to enrich the
lives of all who participate in its creation or in its enjoyment. When you choose to take music lessons, you are choosing to learn a skill that will benefit you and bring you joy your entire life! No price can be put on such a beautiful art as music. Yet, obtaining the skill will certainly require assistance from a professional—your music teacher. Your teacher has chosen to make music her business and their occupation. As with any business, costs are calculated to both ensure that the highest quality product is given and that the business makes enough profit to continue providing their services.

What does my yearly tuition cover?
All independent music teachers (IMTs) differ in methods of operation. However, the tuition of
nearly all teachers covers the following:

• Time spent with the student.
Lessons, performance classes, group lessons.
• Time spent in preparation for the student.
Trips to the music store, lesson planning, bookkeeping, development of curriculum, etc. It has been cited by professional music journals that for every hour enrolled in piano lessons, you are investing in at least 2 hours of the teachers time!
• Your teacher’s training and experience
• Recital costs and preparations
Programs, refreshments, facility rental.
• Professional organization memberships
Memberships are maintained by the teacher to enhance their teaching skills and provide the student with opportunities for festivals, competitions, and performance events.
Professional journals
Publications to assist the teacher in keeping current on new teaching materials and trends.

Studio expenses
Copying, computer software, incentive programs, instruments, tunings, repairs,
newsletters.
• Music books and CDs, materials purchased by the teacher to keep costs low for students.
• Property taxes, self-employment taxes, insurance, business licenses, retirement
The IMT has no corporation to assist in providing health and life insurance by matching funds. Tuition helps cover the increased living costs of your self-employed teacher.
• Continuing education
Lessons and classes that keep the teacher current on methods and techniques
• Certification costs
IMTs pay to be re-certified every five years provided they have met all the continuing education and studio requirements. This keeps the teacher accountable to a professional organization.
• Book and music club memberships
This enables many discounts to be passed to the students.

This information is used by permission from http://www.wendyspianostudio.com/.”

Music Conservatory - Costa Rica

This is the building for music students at the SDA university in Costa Rica, UNADECA, the only SDA university in Central America.

I was shocked! This used to be the home of one of my friends! (The house I grew up in is also now a classroom). Now it is the music department - no renovations. Ok, ok, maybe some new paint here and there. Ironically, it is located in front of my parents home in Costa Rica. Just like my home and my studio in Keene...

What is most shocking is that this music department owns 2 out-of-tune upright pianos that have probably been there since my youth, a couch, a few chairs. The building includes 2 more empty rooms and a restroom. This is very sad. This is the school (not the building) where I learned to play the piano, sing and love music. Why is music not a priority in our schools, Costa Rica or Keene?

I hear the old folks complain about the lack of people to play for church. Are they paying for someone to teach the new kids? I hear them complain about the quality of music and how everyone is now singing with a track. Who is teaching them otherwise?

Ok, so for alumni weekend I rehearsed with a group of ladies and it was good to remember the music we sang 20+ years ago (yikes!). But why have we all gone away and "improved" ourselves while leaving nothing for those who come after us? My first thought is to move back to Costa Rica and help pick up the pieces. There is so much to do. I wonder, will I forget about this when I return to my own studio in August in the hustle and bustle of my own teaching?

Marimba Ponies

OK. Forgive me if you have already seen this! I have been accused of not watching enough T.V., so I was pretty excited to find this video on You-tube while searching for something else. I am especially amazed at the tiny fellow at the marimba. Enjoy!

Piano Camp Week 2

Summer Piano Camp - Week 1

This was one of the best weeks ever for Piano Camp! Thank you parents and children. Enjoy the slide show... (48 pictures).