Summer Lessons

Summer is always an interesting time for private music instructors.  With families going on vacations, schedules changing for softball practice and games, or students just taking the summer off to travel or hang out, we often find ourselves with extra time on our hands.  But one of the things I love best about the summer are the number of students who take lessons just in the summer.  Now some may be quick to question why a person would only want to take lessons in the summer, so here are a few reasons why summer lessons are awesome.

1) This is a great time to try new things.  During the school year, adding one more extra-curricular activity might just be enough to throw you overboard.  But in the summer, where the stresses of school are out of the question, students can really try something whole-heartedly without feeling added pressure.

2) Summer is a great time to focus.  I can't tell you the number of times my students will tell me, during the school year, that they couldn't find time to practice during the week.  Between homework, tests, play practice, and volleyball games, there just isn't time.  But when summer-time comes, those other things fall away and you can focus completely on your lessons and practicing.

3) You can take lessons from a different teacher every summer.  This isn't to say that I'm for jumping around from teacher to teacher (you can't expect to make progress if you're constantly in transition) but studying with different teachers can give you a different perspective.  It's also a great way to try out a new teacher. 

4) More performing opportunities open up during the summer.  Community theatres may have a Summer stock session.  Week long workshops, summer music festivals, talent shows......they are everywhere and are happening every weekend. Make the most of these opportunities by complimenting them with lessons throughout the summer.

5) It doesn't have to just be for the summer.  When fall rolls around, and you're wondering how you can live without seeing your voice teacher every week, just remember: it doesn't have to end!  Most voice teachers will have had seniors graduate and afternoon and evening lesson spots will open up.

So, if you haven't thought about summer lessons before, or you're sitting around just waiting to cross off some of the things on your bucket list, call a local teacher and spend your summer SINGING!

A War On Humanities: When Will We Get To Stop Fighting To Save The Arts

You may have noticed an absence in new posts from me (yes, this is the first new one in over a month). And the truth is that I have tried to sit down and write this post several times in the last month, but I keep coming back sounding like a crazed lunatic.  Not that I'm sure this post may sound any different....

It should be no surprise to you that I'm quite liberal in thinking when it comes to the arts.  The idea that the government would/could cut a huge amount of funding to the arts across the country literally makes me ill.  The proposed federal funding cuts hundreds of millions of dollars to the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute for Museums and Library Services.  What you don't see listed however, is the matching state funds and other matching monies that will be lost if these cuts take place.  If you haven't already seen this video, please watch as actor Kevin Spacey makes an eloquent plea to keep our arts budgets in tact.

This isn't just about keeping arts education in our schools, which is a battle all on its own.  This is about keeping the arts and humanities LITERALLY alive in our country.  One reality tv star (yes, I do think once you star in a reality show you lose the ability to be called a politician) said that things like PBS, NPR, and other arts and humanities programs are "frivolous" and "should be on the chopping block."  Frivolous....is passion frivolous?  Is culture frivolous?  Is history frivolous? Is education frivolous? I don't think so.  The current administration feels that with cooperation between these programs and with new broader education programs, these Endowments can be run more effectively.  It's not a bad thought until you consider that the funds that are being cut directly impact the education in said programs.  Remember how the arts programs are being cut in schools?

So the question lies: When will we get to stop fighting to save the arts?  The answer: never.  Trust me, I wish it wasn't so.  To those who think we ignorant hippies just want to fight for one cause after another....no....we...don't.  We would LOVE to have just one single day where the arts weren't being harassed and threatened in some way.  A day when I don't wonder if my son will get to watch Sesame Street in the morning because funding for PBS is being taken away.  A day when I don't go to the theatre, wondering if this is going to be the last play I see or orchestra concert I attend because funding has been cut.  Or, better yet, a day when I don't fear that the arts will be taken out of our schools completely.  This is not a new fight.  For decades we have found a way to keep the arts and humanities alive, and with any luck we will continue to prevail.  But this does not come without effort, drive, and stamina.

So please, do your part.  No matter how small.  Instead of taking your wife to the movies and spending $40 on tickets and popcorn (because you CANNOT see a movie without popcorn), spend $30 and take her to see a performance at your local theatre.  Spend $10 and take your child to a high school band concert.  Spend $5 and go to a children's museum.  Spend nothing and go to the library.

It's snowing....again

This time of year is hard for a lot of people.  What, with the grey skies, snow in the forecast, and no sign of spring (not to mention the yearly reminder that people in the real world don't get spring break), it's hard to put on a happy face.  Then today, I was looking over my past blog posts and came across this one.  It's called, "I Love My Job."  In it, I wrote about a really great day I was having and I made a list of just some of the reasons I love my job.  Here is the list:

1. I cherish my students.

2. I make a positive impact on people's lives.

3. I make a living singing songs and playing the piano.

4. Teaching music is not, and has never been, WORK.

5. At least once a day, one of my student's has an "A HA" moment.

6. I help to promote music education.

7. I see dreams come true for my students.

8. I hear progress every day.

So, why am I posting this to you again?  Because it made me smile AND it's still true.  I love my job....for all the reasons listed above and more.  And yes, it's a gloomy day and I do sorta wish I was in my pjs, under a blanket, watching old Bing Crosby movies.  BUT even better than that, I get to spend my day teaching my favorite thing-vocal music.  So take a second, yes right now, to think about all the reasons you love what you're doing.  (and if not one of them makes you smile...well....go eat a package of Oreos and take a nap)

What Role Should Parents Play In Their Child's Lessons

There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about parental involvement in children's education.  Some states are even considering grading the parents in an effort to raise parental involvement.  This got me thinking a lot about how parents are, or aren't, involved in a child's private music lessons.  Yesteday I posted a question to my Facebook friends and Twitter followers asking their thoughts on the subject.  Comments ranged from parents not having any input at all to the parents should be in each lesson (for a certain age group) and a few things in between. 

Each student in my studio has their own circumstances and needs.  With my teenaged students, there are times when I never actually meet the parents (I only know their names by looking at the check).  Other parents I meet at the very first lesson and never see again, some come in at the end of the lesson to hear what is expected for next week, and some sit in on every lesson.  So what is the right approach for parents?

The first thing to do is to ask the instructor what they want from the parents in terms of where the parents should be during the child's lesson.  Some instructors have very strict rules about not allowing parents in the lessons, while other instructors insist on having the parent sit in on the lessons.  My own studio policy is to let the parent and child choose whether or not the parent should stay for the lesson.  Then, if I find that I need the parent to stay in (or out) of the lesson I will ask.  Because each child is different, I find it best to leave it up to the parents.  Some kids do better with their parents in the lesson and some do better when the parent is away.  One important note, whether it's in my studio or another teacher's studio, is that the parent should try to let the child speak for themselves and to not give excuses for the child's practice or ability.  It is also important that the parent not cause a disturbance to the child or instructor, but should feel free to ask questions in effort to help the child in their home practice.

Communication is key between the parent, child, and instructor. Parents need to be aware of what is happening in the lesson and what is expected of their child in between lessons. This is true regardless of the age of the child.  As a parent, I feel that if a parent is paying for the lessons, then the parent should be made aware of what's taking place during the lesson.  I've heard over and over about teachers (and students) wasting time in the lesson talking about things that do not relate to the lesson. Or that the teacher spends more time practicing their own instrument than teaching the child to play his.  As a teacher, it's super important that the parent understand the expectations of practice and to step in when the child is not practicing or not making progress.  I have experienced several parents who sit in on every lesson and never bother to ask the child of they are practicing.  I have even told the parent and the child that they need to practice more than 2 minutes a day and STILL nothing happens.  So, even if you don't sit in on your child's lessons, you should absolutely check in with the instructor (even just once a month) to see how your child is doing and what you can do to help.

The last thing I want to mention in regards to what role the parent should play in their child's lessons is that taking a little time and effort to educate yourselves on what your child is learning will only enhance your child's education and experience.  As musicians, my husband and I are dreading the day our son comes home and wants to play....gasp....a sport.  We know nothing about how to play sports (although I am awesome at watching them on tv).  But, when the time comes, we will learn how so that we can help our little one become the best he can be.  The same should go for parents of musicians.  No, maybe you don't read music and couldn't tell the difference between Cee-Lo and Coltrane, but find a way to learn something.  The simplest way is by just asking your child's instructor for help.  The internet also has tons of resourses available to help you reinforce what your child is learning in their lessons.

The most important thing is that the parents be involved in what the children are learning.  And if you're concerned, as a parent, that you are not being involved enough, please speak with your child's instructor.  We all have the same goal for your child: to have a fun and meaningful music education.

Encouraging Musical Children

As a parent, your first and foremost job is to provide the very best you can for your kids.  You make sure they get the best nutrition, go to the best schools, and have the best birthday parties.  Parents make sure to buy toys with educational purposes and watch children's television shows that will allow the child to become bilingual.  With so much focus towards child obesity, parents are also working hard to encourage physical activity and more outside play.  But how do we encourage our musical children?

Kids of all ages (yes, even you Mom and Dad) should be exposed to lots of different kinds of music.  The best and easiest way to do this is by going to the library and bringing home CDs.  There are tons of great children's CDs (my favorite is Snacktime! by Barenaked Ladies) in many different styles of music.  And don't shy away from encouraging your child to listen to the music that you like best.  Bring home some jazz or even disco!

Another great way to encourage musical children is to get them involved in a music class.  Many communities offer extra-curricular music classes for school aged kids.  Here in Cedar Rapids, we have a great organization called the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy.  For younger kids, many music schools and preschools offer kindermusik programs.

Finally, my favorite way to encourage your child to be musical is to play and sing with your child.  Maybe you play the piano or saxophone, or maybe you're really good at banging pot lids or pounding a paint bucket with a wooden spoon.  Either way, nothing gets kids more excited about music than having their parents involved.  Worried about running out of ideas of songs to sing?  Check out this site.  It has lyrics and sound files for TONS of great kids songs (I use this website myself for my son!).  Or, make up your own music.  Nothing inspires creativity in your child like seeing you be creative!