Things are so busy here now that there is rarely a time to blog. However, I just want to take a moment to congradulate the growing contingent of adult musicians. These students are dedicated. They work, take care of their family, and practice faithfully. It’s never too late to learn that instrument you’ve always wanted to play.
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Mark the Date
Fall lessons will begin on Sept. 9, 2014. There are still a few time slot available for students of all ages. Contact Brunner Studios soon to reserve your time.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Perfect Octave. I keep telling my students to pick songs they know to help recognize intervals.
A Different Kind of Music
Music comes in all different forms. How about a babbling brook?
Fall Music Lessons
Brunner Studios is beginning to receive calls about fall lessons. We will start scheduling new students Aug. 15 and lessons will begin September 9. If you would like to get your name on the list for lessons please see the contact page.
Middle School Mania
Congratulations on finishing elementary school! Middle school is awful. There is a ton of homework and expectations are extremely high. You are never going to have any free time and everyone is mean.
Let me just say I am SICK of hear this. I am TIRED of adults being emotional bullies. There is nothing wrong with preparing students that life is going to change. Yes, middle school has it challenges. However, given how much elementary school has changed since the current teachers were in school; it’s probably not the big step it used to be. The kids are dealing with high stakes testing in 3rd grade! Really do you think that changing classes is going to rock their world? I seriously doubt it. The kids have been told you will fail if you can’t read War and Peace by Christmas of 5th grade. Seriously people times have changed. It’s time to change how we introduce the transition to middle school.
Students should not be so terrified of middle school that they feel the need to drop extracurricular activities that they enjoy. You want a child to stop music lessons because you scared them to death with tales of middle school woe? Young musicians begin dropping out of lessons in May, June, and July, because school might be more difficult. They don’t wait to see if it really will be. Parents, I encourage you to make your child stick with lessons until at least Christmas break. A music teacher who is understanding will flex some in the requirements if necessary. We want students to continue learning music.
The same principal applies to high school only the transition doesn’t seem to be quite to extreme. Please do you students a favor and lay off the scare tactics.
Piano Outreach
Brunner Studios is looking to expand into new outlying areas. There are many towns within a 30 minute drive that get overlooked by the major search engines. If you live in Locust, Midland, Matthews, Pineville, Concord, Harrisburg, or any small town close by consider Brunner Studios for your music lesson needs. A highly qualified piano teacher can be hard to find in a small town.
If a church or community center would be interested in hosting an afternoon of lessons per week, feel free to contact us. Travel time for working adults is valuable and if the community could come together to offer high quality musical education if would benefit everyone.
Summer Piano Lessons
Brunner Studios is now scheduling summer piano lessons for new students. Pick 6- 30 minute lesson slots in June and July and try out learning to play the piano. There are no contracts. The fee is $175 for 6 lessons and 2 books. Lesson times do not have to be scheduled for the same time each week. This summer! Flexibility is key. Vacations and camps come and go. Students will be asked to practice an amount based on their age and ability. There is no one size fits all model. Lessons are tailored to each student. Students will need a basic keyboard to practice on at home.
The Charlotte area is bustling with summer camps and enrichment opportunities. Why not try out musical enrichment? Lessons are open to all ages. Young or old music can be learned and enjoyed by all.
Off With the Germs
We have moved on from battling the winter colds and flu. It’s now doing a very wet and cold impersonation of spring here in Charlotte. 75 one day and 36 the next. The temperature swing are causing havoc. So it’s off to allergies and spring colds. How do we keep everyone well? Pianos are germ factories.
If you’ve had a fever in the past 24 hours, stay home. I really don’t want your germs. The same goes for a stomach virus.
If your head is dripping snot come prepared with tissues. The studio usually has some but not always.
If you wipe your nose on your hand, it’s off to the bathroom to de-germ yourself.
If you use a tissue, have a shot of hand sanitizer.
If a student is showing symptoms of a cold, the piano will be disinfected after the lesson. Otherwise, it will be disinfected every few students.
When in doubt, email and ask if you think the student should come to lessons.
And Up We Go
It seems like there is a outbreak of new bookitis in the studio right now. Almost all of my piano students are finishing up levels and moving on to more difficult music. Many are headed into that dreaded intermediate area. It’s a tough step up from late elementary and I see some battles in the future. Other are moving into late intermediate and beginning to play serious repertoire. The beginners are cranking through those lesson books.
Maybe it’s because there is spring in the air here in Charlotte. It could be that spring break is around the corner and the end of the school year is in sight. Whatever it is, I’m thankful we aren’t stalling out here as we move towards the end of the school year.
As you begin to plan your summer keep in mind that summer is a great time for more flexible lessons. It’s also a wonderful time to begin learning to play in the piano. Teachers and students are more relax and time is a little more available. So if you are looking to begin lessons, contact Brunner Studios to schedule a trial lesson.