Date: Sun., May 31st
Time: 6:00pm
Location:
Reece Prairie Baptist Church—9705 CR 1016, Burleson, TX
Directions have been sent home in your child’s folder
Students must be in “Sunday dress” - no blue jeans
Students should arrive 30 minutes early
A cookie reception will follow… please bring at least one dozen cookies.
Recital will be semi-professionally recorded. Copies of the DVD can be ordered for $15 each.

Spring Recital—May 31st

May 2009

Bonus Music Points:
You will earn double music points for attending any portion of the Van Cliburn Competition that is taking place in Fort Worth now through June 7th. Bring a program to your lesson as proof of attendance.
The Van Cliburn competition can also be viewed via webcast at www.cliburn.tv

Inside this issue:

Metamorphosis in
Piano Study
2
New Piano Classes for Fall ‘
3
Semester Billing
4

Studio Notes

Summer Lessons

I believe it is in the best interest of the student to continue lessons through the summer. Taking a break does not just stop progress. It actually causes the student to regress. I do understand, however that certain situations may make it necessary to take the summer off. If your child must take the summer off, please let me know ASAP. There will be a $30 fee required to hold your child’s spot for lessons in the fall.
Your child should have received a form in their folder about the summer lesson schedule. Please fill it out and return it right away. The summer schedule will begin June 8.
The studio will be closed the last two weeks of August. The fall schedule will begin on Monday, August 31st.

When a young student first begins to take lessons, the songs are short and the practice expectations are usually very clear. His assignment sheet will usually include specific steps that should be followed for each assigned exercise. These steps will include things like clapping the rhythm, naming the notes out loud while playing, etc. Repetition of these steps is expected, and all steps should be followed at each practice session. In the early months of lessons, practice time primarily serves the purpose of reinforcing concepts, developing strength and coordination, training the student to use proper fingering and technique, and establishing effective, consistent practice habits. It’s actually very much like learning a new sport…you have to learn the skills and practice them daily before you can be successful in a game.
Eventually, a student knows enough concepts, and is solid enough in her skills and techniques that she is ready to “play the game,” so to speak. Or, as may young students put it, they’re ready to move on to “real music.” At this point, you will begin to see a significant change in her assignments and practice requirements. Not only will she be practicing new things, such as scales, arpeggios, Hanon exercises, and more challenging music, but the instructions will look different. Instead of a list of specific practice steps, their assignment may say something like “learn page one,” or “memorize measures 16-32,” or “work on increasing tempo.” Specific instructions are often written directly in the music
This is also the point when the “perfect practice” requirement should be considered a minimum. The goal is no longer to go through practice steps until the timer goes off. The goal also is not to practice until he gets it right one time. The goal now is to practice until he never gets it wrong. In order to accomplish this, students will sometimes have to spend 15 minutes on one three-measure section. This can be annoying to listen to. But if parents can refrain from expressing that and, instead, praise the student for his diligence, they will be helping him develop the self-discipline that is required to be successful.
(story continued on pg. 4)

Page #

Metamorphosis in
Piano Study — Rebecca Brown

““By now, I shouldn’t have to remind her to practice. If it’s important to her, shouldn’t she just want to practice?”

May 2009

Studio Notes

Summer Jam is a one-month introductory piano class designed to help students be more prepared for beginner band. Students will learn basic musical concepts,
such as note-reading and rhythms. Knowing these concepts before entering band will help you be more successful at your chosen instrument.
Any student who has completed 5th grade, and is enrolled in beginner band for Fall ‘09, and has never had piano lessons is eligible for this class
Session 1: June 8th - July 3rd @ 9:00-11:00am (Mon. thru Fri.)
(or) 6:30-8:30pm (Mon. thru Fri.)
Session 2: July 6th - July 31st @ 9:00-11:00am (Mon. thru Fri.)
Tuition: $250

High Schoolers can now take beginning piano lessons in a group setting at Mrs. Brown’s Piano Studio. This class will start with the basics and progress through concepts such as chords, scales, transposition, etc.
Next Level 1 class begins August 31st-Mondays@7:30pm
Tuition: $65/month Books: $25/year

Page #

Music For Little Mozarts

Summer Jam Piano Class

High School Group Lessons

Music For Little Mozarts is a music class for 4-6 year old students. The primary instrument is piano, but students will also enjoy singing, dancing, playing rhythm instruments, and learning about composers. A wide variety of activities are used to help them learn basic music concepts and apply them to the piano. Students must be 4 or 5 years old to enroll in a level one class.
Next Level 1 class begins August 31st.-Mondays @ 10:00am
Tuition: $65/month (Books/Supplies fee additional)

For more detailed information about piano classes, please visit my website.

Mrs. Brown's Piano Studio
2501 Glenn Ranch Dr.
Burleson, TX 76028

Unfortunately, this is also the point at which lessons may not seem as “fun” anymore. There will seem to be more correction and criticism than praise. A student will find that she rarely passes a song in one week. This is very normal, and does not necessarily mean that she is not doing well. It means the songs are longer and harder. It also means, though, that the parents may actually have to do more to remind/encourage/motivate the student to practice every day. This will seem backwards. Some may think, “By now, I shouldn’t have to remind her to practice. If it’s important to her, shouldn’t she just want to practice?” The fact is, it’s not important enough to her…yet. She has not yet had the opportunity to experience the immense satisfaction that comes from giving a performance that was truly amazing. Sometimes, the parents, themselves, have to decide that it’s important enough to encourage their child to keep going. After all, none of us would allow our children to neglect their math homework just because it’s difficult.
I have enjoyed seeing a few students get to the point this year where they are beginning to experience this “metamorphosis” in their lessons. I know that it can be a hard transition for the student, the parents….and the teacher. If yours is one of these students, I encourage you to avoid letting them give up. Find what motivates them, and use it to get them to practice. If you are the student who is at this point, don’t get discouraged. This is a sign of progress, and of wonderful things to come. Soon, you will begin amazing results from your hard work and dedication.

Metamorphosis In Piano Study (cont’d)

Phone: 817-297-7756
Email: mrsrebeccabrown@yahoo.com

Tired of Paying Tuition Monthly?
Beginning this fall, you have two options for paying tuition. You may continue to pay at the first lesson of each month, or you may opt to pay once at the beginning of each semester. If you choose to pay by the semester, you will receive a 5% savings on your tuition. The totals for semester billing for the ‘09-’10 year are:
Weekly lesson length Fall (16 wks) Spring (20 wks) Summer (10 wks)
60 min. $356 $475 $238
45 min. $285 $380 $180
30 min. $207 $309 $155

Remember to check the website regularly for new updates!
www.mrsbrownspianostudio.weebly.com