Information for families in World Class

For families in the Music Makers Around the World class:
We added the additional 3 weeks.  This puts our last class on May 6, which will be the Germany Celebration.  So, I will add the additional 3 weeks to your bill with the exception of the two families who have conflicts.  The accounting is completed, so you can find an updated statement in your file this week.

Fall Schedule Input forms are due by8:00 AM, this FRIDAY the 25th.  I will be creating the schedule on Friday, so it will be posted on the website and at the studio by NEXT week.  Keep in mind, if you register byMay 31, you pay only $10/child or $20/family for the Registration Fee (it goes up after that) and it also holds your child's spot in class.

Which class for next year?  One great thing about the Musikgarten curriculum is that it is very rich and very flexible.  This is one of many reasons that Musikgarten meets every child's developmental needs, musically, socially, intellectually, and otherwise.  This also gives you options in repeating curriculum when there are developmental reasons why a child may be better served by not moving ahead too quickly. Some considerations:

          Physical Development:   In order to be able to learn the keyboard songs quickly, the child needs to have a large enough hand and the motor skills needed to actually play the keys.  If you decide that your child needs to move on to keyboard regardless of physical development, you might consider having them use a keyboard as those keys are smaller and easier to press down, at least until more strength and size have been gained.

          Musical Development:  In order to feel successful in Keyboard Class, students really need to be able to do the following:  sing in tune, keep a steady beat, echo rhythm and tonal patterns accurately, and have an extensive pattern and song repertoire.  If they have been in Musikgarten class for at least a year, they very likely are ready musically for Keyboard Class.

          Social Development:  I don't worry too much about this because it usually develops fine in the Musikgarten environment, just by attending class regularly.  Do keep in mind what your child's strengths and weaknesses are.  Realize that your child will never feel successful at or enjoy playing an instrument without CONSISTENT DAILY PRACTICE.  Your child will need to practice a MINIMUM of 5 days a week for about 10-15 minutes each in the first year.  Ask yourself if your child is ready to do this and if you are ready to see that it happens.  

          Parent Involvement:  The statistic of learning to play the piano without adult supervision and intervention is too low to calculate, so please realize how important YOU are in making it all happen, and happen in a positive way.  It can be done without too much difficulty if you are willing to try the things I will present to you.  Know you will have the support you will need if you will be open to suggestions and ask when you need help.  You will likely find that you will learn a lot, too, and it will be worth it to see how much fun and ease you child is having with music as s/he builds music into his/her life and the life of your family!  

So, does your child repeat WORLD or move onto KEYBOARD YEAR 1?  If you are still unsure, PLEASE give me a call.  I would be happy to share my observations and make a recommendation, or even be open to exploring the options after a 3-month break filled with summer development!  I often schedule time to meet with WORLD students at the end of the summer to help determine what they are ready for.  PLEASE let me know how I can best help you decide.

Looking forward to our continuation of Germany!  Thanks again for the opportunity of teaching your child!!