January 2015 Newsletter

Welcome to a new year!  January is almost over, so 2015 is in full swing now!

With the new year, we are starting preparations for the Spring Recital.  I have asked students to start thinking about a song they would like to play for the recital.  We will pick another song together so that all students will have two recital songs.  The recital theme is “Music From Around the World.”  I am hoping that students will be able to find songs that have to do with the theme, but it may be difficult to find a song that works.  Some ideas for songs include songs from movies or book adaptations of movies from different areas of the world, folk songs of other countries (possibly that family members or friends have lived in/visited), and music by artists from different places in the world.  If students still can’t think of anything that works, just help them think of any song they would like to play and we will make it work!  I am hoping to have all songs finalized and distributed by mid-February.

I have planned the Spring Recital for Saturday April 18th at 2PM at the Clearfield Library.  Please mark that date on your calendars!  We will also have a group lesson on April 10th from 3-4PM at my house.  If your student cannot attend the recital or the group lesson, please let me know ASAP, preferably by March 18th, so that I may plan accordingly.  I am giving lots of advanced notice for this one so that we can hopefully avoid a few last minute problems.

Now for a few reminders.  PLEASE do not send students to lessons if they are sick.  I would be happy to schedule a make-up lesson or discount the following month’s tuition if needed rather than have a student come when they are sick.  My family, my other students, and I can get sick when one ill student comes to piano.  I don’t require 24 hours notice with illnesses, but would like as much notice as you can give.  Also, please make every effort to be prompt when dropping off and especially picking up your students.  If you arrive early to drop them off, please wait until the time the lesson starts to send them in as I am usually with another student or getting things ready right up until the lesson time.  It’s difficult to have students coming early and staying late when other students are there.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns with any of the recital information or dates.  I will send out more notifications soon regarding upcoming school breaks and changes that may result from those breaks.  In the mean time, keep your students practicing!  Here’s to a great Spring Recital!