CMG News
February 5, 2015
website: www.musikgarten.org/croneymusicgarden phone: 435-452-2697 blog: croneymusicgarden.blogspot.com
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Important Announcements, ALL STUDENTS…
Dropping Children Off: Please accompany your child into the music studio to ensure their safety and help them remember to wash their hands and remove their shoes. Once your child has established those habits, you may be able to drop them off from the parking area -- but please confirm that class is in session and make sure that your child has entered the house safely before leaving!
Family Files: Did you know each family has a file in the front waiting area? Please check it each week for important information.
Blog and Facebook: Be sure you have “liked” Croney Music Garden on Facebook so you will see our frequent posts about instrument practice and music in the home. Check out the blog periodically, too, to enjoy pictures, information, announcements, and other helpful info: croneymusicgarden.blogspot.com
Prizes for Keyboard Classes and Private Students who are participating: Many of you have children who are participating in the Prize Box incentive. Your child receives Music Money for various things and that money can be used to cash in periodically for prizes. I ask that you make contributions to the Prize Box that somewhat reflects what your child gets out of it. If it is your first time contributing and your child has not cashed in before, spend only a couple of dollars and then see how it turns out. You can make contributions to the prize box anytime, or, if you would rather contribute with cash, that is also OK. I do not expect you to buy all of your child’s prizes; I spend regular money on the prize box, too. But if your child is receiving prizes regularly, I just ask you to help out where you are able. Prizes may include the following: snacks, treats, juices, dollar toys, prizes similar to what you would find at orientaltrading.com or in the prize section of Walmart near the birthday party supplies. Prizes may also include other items you and your child deem motivating and appropriate. I attach the value of $100 Music Money to most prizes, with “big” prizes (usually stuff that costs $1-3) being $200 and “small” prizes being $50 (pencils, erasers, single items that come in packs of 10 in the prize section at Walmart, such as plastic rings). Hopefully this helps!!!
Teacher Cancellations: When I cancel class or lessons, we plan to go a week longer into May to “make it up.” This is why I only teach 28 weeks of classes and 26 weeks of private lessons, so we have a little breathing room when I need to attend my own children’s events, or I become sick, or need to cancel. This is how I am able to juggle being Mom and Teacher.
Important Announcements, PRIVATE PIANO STUDENTS....
Recital Prep: With the exception of younger students who will receive their piece at a later time, all students are now currently working on recital pieces. They need to be memorized ONE MONTH PRIOR to group,which means March 13 is your deadline. I have helped most students make a plan for the number of measures they need to learn/memorize/polish each week. If we haven’t done that in your lesson, it isn’t hard to do the math. Make a plan! If you leave your preparation until the last, you will have to neglect technique and sight reading practice in order to be ready for the recital, and this will NOT make you a good sight reader. Learn to set your goals and chip away at them gradually. It will bless your life!!
Group Performances and Recitals: Dates have been set and are on the calendar. PLEASE put them on yours!!
Important Annoucements, MUSIKGARTEN CLASSES...
Class Start Times: We understand that sometimes it is difficult to make it to class on time! But we have also had a few students arriving too early or very late for their scheduled class. Please check the time for your class, just to be sure. We ask that your child arrives no more than 5 minutes before the scheduled class time. If you need to come earlier, please call to make arrangements.
Toddlers: Tuesdays, 9:45-10:20am Keyboard 1: Tuesdays 3:15-4:30, Parent Time 4:15
Cycles: Tuesdays 10:30-11:15am Wednesdays 3:30-4:45, Parent Time 4:30
Wednesdays 9:00-9:45am Keyboard 2: Wednesdays 2:15-3:30, Parent Time 3:15
Home: Tuesdays 1:30-2:30pm, Parent Time 2:15 Keyboard 3: Mondays 3:00-4:15, Parent Time 3:00
Wednesdays 10:00-11:00am, Parent Time 10:45 Mondays 3:45-5:00, Parent Time 4:45
World: Mondays 5:05-6:05pm, Parent Time 5:50
Parent Time: One of the most important parts of our class is parent time! Please make every effort to be on time and stay the full time.. If you do not come in on time, your child feels insecure and cannot fully participate. If you will need to be late, please let me know and I will make a special effort to comfort your child.
A word about child behavior during Parent Time. FYI, most kids act differently during Parent Time than they do during the regular class time. If you are concerned about your child’s behavior during Parent Time, talk to me about it. But for the most part, just try to enjoy your time with your child and stay positive. Be sure to compliment your child when they exhibit behavior that you feel is appropriate.
Also, if you must bring younger siblings to Parent Time, PLEASE make sure that they are not interrupting the learning that needs to occur during that very short and important time. If they become noisy or distracting, please take them out. You are always welcome to call, text, or email me if you miss or don’t understand something in Parent Time, if you feel there isn’t time for clarification in class. Thank you!!
Birthdays for Children in Music Classes: If you would like, we can celebrate your child’s birthday in music class. This consists of a short spotlight, singing of a birthday song, your child sharing a small treat (if desired), and receiving a small gift from the teacher. I will contact you a week or so ahead of time to let you know we will be celebrating at our next class. Summer birthdays or birthdays we missed this fall (due to a change in staff assignments) will celebrate on an “unbirthday” day to be arranged with the teacher.
Student / Class-specific Info...
ALL CLASSES: Be sure you are playing that CD often! This is the easiest and most important thing you will do to affect your child’s ability to hear music well, discriminate sounds, and develop the aural skills that will be needed to play an instrument. Comfort with the songs on the CD facilitates participation in class a great deal, with both Toddlers AND Keyboard students. Playing the CD is a big deal!
Toddlers: We just started a new unit, DANCE WITH ME which we will continue until classes end in May. It is fun to watch Toddler progress. They are ALL progressing and they are ALL in different developmental stages. Remember that when you attend class with them!
Cycles: . We are a few weeks into our 2nd semester curriculum, SUN CATCHERS. We will be wrapping up the winter theme soon, and will be moving into spring-themed activities. Can’t wait! How are your bird feeders coming along?
Home: We are enjoying CATTAIL MARSH now. Be sure to make a visit to the Bird Refuge this spring; your child will recognize several critters!! This week in class we will enjoy hearing from Tara Stander and Hollie Christensen, who will be demonstrating the flute!!
World: We just began AFRICAN-AMERICAN culture! Such a fun unit! Be sure you are practicing the notation games at home. Soon to come: I am making a CD with notation game practice on it for your child to use with their homework.
Keyboard: We have just started our new book. Have you developed the habit of daily practice? If not, PLEASE do not delay any longer. I challenge you to practice for 5 minutes a day EVERY day for the next 7 days! You can do it!!! Be SURE you are listening to your LISTENING CD and playing the NOTATION GAMES with the CD. Those two things will help to make sure your ear is working properly!
Worthwhile CONCERTS and EVENTS....The 5 Browns will be at BEHS on February 14! Wow, PROFESSIONAL level concert for a LOT less money and in OUR neck of the woods! 5 Browns are sure to entertain anyone 7 yrs and older.
USU Wasserman Festival CONCERT SERIES, coming up on February 20. Flyer in studio.
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