Fall Newsletter

Bradshaw Piano Studio Newsletter

Fall 2014

Welcome back and welcome new students! I am so excited to start another year of piano with 

many returning students as well as several new students! Now that lessons are underway, I 

would like to remind you of a few things and also let you know about the upcoming Halloween 

Recital.

I have scheduled the Halloween Recital for Wednesday, October 29th at 7PM at the 

Clearfield Library. The recital hall is in the basement of the library and there is a back 

entrance that should be open for the recital. To get to the back entrance, you can park on the 

West side of the library, close to the park. It is a very fun recital space and I am looking forward 

to having another recital there! If your student(s) will not be able to attend, please let me know 

as soon as you can, or at least two weeks before the recital date. The Halloween Recital is a 

fun, low-key recital where students are encouraged to dress up in costumes and play a fun 

Halloween song for their families. It is not imperative that students attend, but it is a lot of fun if 

they are able to! Please remind your student that while dressing up for the recital is 

encouraged, wearing items like masks and gloves may interfere with playing the piano, and 

therefore may not be the best idea!

We will have a group lesson prior to the recital on Friday, October 24th at 3PM at my house. 

Students can also dress up for that, if they would like! Even if your student(s) cannot make the 

recital, it would be a good idea for them to come to the group lesson if possible. We will perform 

songs, play some fun games, and have some fun Halloween music activities. Please let me 

know if your student(s) will be able to attend at least a week prior to the group lesson.

Now, onto a few reminders. I just wanted to remind you of a few things when dropping off and 

picking up your student(s). Please be prompt, especially when picking up your student(s). I 

have a tight schedule and it is difficult when students are left waiting after their lessons are done 

for parents to come. I understand that sometimes things happen and I would appreciate if you 

could call or text if you know you will be running late as soon as you are possibly able to. Even 

if you are late to drop off your student(s), the lesson time ends at the time it is scheduled. If you 

are 10 minutes late dropping off your student(s), we cannot go 10 minutes over their scheduled 

lesson time. So far this hasn’t been a problem at all, but I just wanted to remind you all in case 

it ever comes up. You are free to park in the driveway or in the street when dropping off or 

picking up, but please watch for neighborhood children as they like to play outside (often right in 

front of our house!) when the weather is nice. If your student(s) walk to lessons, please make 

sure they arrive on time and they will be sent home on time when the lesson is over if they walk 

home as well.

As some of you remember, I also changed my policies on pricing and make-up lessons. 

Remember to pay by the 10th of the month to get the discounted tuition. If you have questions 

about how much tuition is per month for your student(s), please contact me. Also, make up 

lessons for the month will now be on my make-up lesson day if there is no extra lesson for the month. This month, I will have make up lessons on September 26th (Friday). Those in need of 

a lesson that day should schedule it through me at least one week in advance.

I will keep a copy of this newsletter on my blog as well as other important information. Please 

check the blog regularly as I will update often with studio announcements. I also have the 

rules and requirements for monthly practice records on my blog.

Speaking of practice records, I am sending them home every month now. They are optional, but 

I would like to encourage students and parents to use them. It is very beneficial for students to 

track practice time if they wish to progress in piano. Parents are also encouraged to practice with their student(s) regularly to ensure their practice is quality. Even parents who know little 

about music or piano can help just by encouraging and sitting with their student(s) sometimes to 

keep them motivated to practice. Other rules and requirements of the optional practice records 

are listed on my blog.

Finally, as a reminder, there will be no lessons the week of September 15-19 as I will be out of 

town.

Thank-you all for a wonderful first week of lessons! As always, if you have any questions or 

concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

S Bradshaw

www.bradshawpianostudio.blogspot.com