- Guild update
- Piano portfolios
- Next master class
- Progress report signature slips/Optional parent meetings
Guild Update
I have received dues for all Guild participants (thank you!) and mailed in our joint fee and registration. The next step will be to hear back from headquarters about our assigned date for the auditions. I will let you know as soon as I hear!
Piano Portfolios
I hope you’ve been enjoying your break this week! I have really enjoyed the opportunity to slow down and get into “creative” mode again. As I thought about the studio, I remembered a great suggestion I’ve heard from several people (including another piano teacher and a soldier) and have wanted to incorporate here: achievement portfolios. It would be awesome for each student to create a portfolio in which his or her progress, achievements and honors can be logged attractively and professionally for future reference and encouragement.
Physically, this would be a 1 ½ or 2 inch 3-ring binder with dividers. Sections in the book will include method books (certificates of completion), theory, technique, master class attendance, record of repertoire (not in method books), listening curriculum, projects and Guild/awards/recitals (for which certificates of participation will be awarded). Photos could also be included if available. Because of the variety of purposes such a book could serve for each individual, I would like it if each student chose and purchased his or her own binder and dividers. However, I will provide all of the inserts and help each student build the portfolio little by little as each achievement or progress point is passed.
An immediate use of the portfolio that I am currently planning for is that of displaying each student’s book at the spring recital for audience members to peruse during the reception. A recital is a great opportunity to show off not only the student’s current performance level, but also all that the individual has accomplished throughout the years. If you are on board with this plan, could you provide your child’s binder and dividers at the next master class they attend? I would like to take some time to build our portfolios at each master class beginning February 28th.
Next Master Class
The next master class will be on February 28th from 10am to 12 noon. I am enthused about several students who are prepared to perform on this master class! We’ll also take some time to begin our piano portfolios and we may revisit a game from master class past.
Progress Reports
Finally, I want to mention that progress reports have gone out and if you have not done so yet, I would like to receive the signed slip from each student so I can be sure that all reports have gotten into parents’ hands J Also, if you haven’t been in yet, I wanted to reiterate that I welcome parents to sit in for all or part of a lesson at this point either to observe or to bring up any questions or concerns you may have!
I feel totally blessed by the highly dedicated group of families in the studio this year—thank you, moms, dads and grandparents for setting such unwavering examples of commitment for your piano player! What an awesome legacy you are creating for your kids to follow!
Hello, families of Katherine’s School of Music! This is your February 2015 Newsletter. In this issue: