Prizes for Practicing!

Students are counting their songs as well as the number of Disney stickers they've earned on their Practice Passes during September! For each sticker earned, students drop their name into a treasure chest for a drawing next week. All are hoping to be one of the lucky winners! Prizes are the completed Disney puzzles students have been assembling along with other Disney pictures, games and more! Students earn a puzzle piece at the conclusion of each lesson for in-class listening, good piano manners, concentration, practicing, cooperation, working hard etc. If your child brings home a puzzle, you'll know a lot went into it! (I've never seen kids so excited about puzzles!)

Sharing Time is part of each class now through the end of September. I've pulled out my Halloween files and boxes of tricks to spook-up some fun times in classes during October. Look to the right for your second Tuition due date and October calendar details.

Thanks for taking a few minutes to stay current on piano happenings for fall! I'm lovin' your kids and their music!
~Mrs. Adams

A little practice incentive....

Students who have returned to piano with 5 days of practice or more, are being rewarded with a lollipop. Have you seen your child's Disney Practice Pass? Each day students practice, they should circle another number. The goal is to have five circles by the end of the week. I've also given a little speech that it's always best to record practice honestly. Thanks to moms who are monitoring Disney Passes so I have a clear picture of what's happening at home. Feel free to write "ill" or "out of town" etc. on days that practice is impossible. CONGRATULATIONS to students who practiced all 7 days! What devotion!

CONGRATULATIONS to students playing one and two-octave scales with 2 hands! I'm applauding you! This isn't easy to do and I know how much practice it takes! WAY TO GO!

Good things are happening! I love it!

PIANO TUNER

After several requests for my piano tuner, thought I'd post this information for all of you.
Charlotte Alden's Piano Service - 847.623.4543. I've used Charlotte for years. Her family is in their 4th generation of tuning, repairing, restoring. As far as I'm concerned, the Aldens are the best around. Pianos generally need tuning when the seasons change from hot to cold, at least once a year. If your piano hasn't been tuned in a while or it's been moved, it may require two tunings to hold the pitch.

TAKE NOTE....advice on practicing!

It is music to my ears to hear a student tell me how they are sucessfully fitting piano practice into their schedules. Hayley Adams, a Junior at DHS, shared what's working for her this year.

"I go to the piano and practice inbetween studying. It keeps me fresher when I return to my homework."

YES IT DOES! A little homework, a little music. I love it! Thanks for being a great example Hayley!

I would also encourage students to alternate challenging music with an easy or review piece. Brains get tired when focused too long on something that's hard. Remember parents, mistakes come from the brain not the fingers. Does this tell you anything about leaving practicing until bedtime? Bouncing back and forth between hard and easy or homework and piano keeps the brain refreshed and thinking in new and creative ways! Let's face it, practicing is work. Help your child explore options so they can return to piano feeling the sweet success of mastering their assignment!

If high school students can fit practicing into their crazy busy lives, is there really an excuse for anyone younger to not practice? It's all about priorities and time management. I understand at times it can be quite a balancing act. Start the year by helping your child establish a routine. Be observant to what time works best. Try different plans. Tune-in to make sure all music is getting practiced. The discipline you're teaching will help them be responsible students whether at piano or school. What you're doing is setting them up for life! You are so important!

Do you have a practice tip that's working for your child? Please email it to me. We can all learn from each other!

It's Piano Time!!!!

We're into the first week of piano and all is going well here! I hope it is on your end too! This year is my 29th year of teaching in the Deerfield-Lincolnshire area! WOW! Time flies!

Over the next few weeks, students should be getting back into a practice routine. I've kept first week assignments small to help students transition back with school and homework already! I'll be checking Disney Practice Passes each lesson. Don't forget them!

I'm happy to answer your questions and do whatever I can to make piano a happy and fulfilling experience for each student.

Let the magic begin!

Mrs. Adams

The summer is flying by!!!!!

I've enjoyed seeing students and working on Disney tunes this summer! This timeless music, no matter what level, has challenged students to learn additional notes, play in new hand positions and become master of new rhythms and styles. If your child has completed his/her scheduled lessons for the summer, just keep playing the songs we've worked on every chance you have until I see you back the end of August.

I'm going to be emailing fall information and attaching your child's Tuition and Fee Statement the first week of August. This will be the first year in my teaching career this hasn't gone out by regular mail. Rather than put dollars into stamps, I'll channel it toward shipping costs for your fall music.

The last day I'll be teaching for summer is Aug. 11th. My schedule between now and then is pretty booked but I'll try to accommodate additional lesson requests. I'll continue to schedule lessons by email. It's worked fantastic and saved me oodles of time! Thank you!

Well, enjoy your summer days and get in some practicing! If you have a keyboard, it's fun for students to occasionally practice outdoors. If you don't, kids can still take books out for a Practice Picnic, writing in notes and counting. If kids are hot, tired and lazy, put on any CD from your music bks and just have them listen. All reinforcement is helpful!

ENJOY!
Mrs. Adams

CONGRATULATIONS TO JR. HIGH GRADS!
This fall, Ashley Babcock, Chris Ryan and Lianna Nixon are off to DHS, Courtney Jones heads to Stevenson and Andrew Braunlich to Lake Forest High School! I predict GREAT success for each student as I know a little something about the kind of students they are! They are prepared and ready to move on!


SUMMER PIANO COMING UP!
It's June and we're coming close to the end of Spring Session on June 19th. Summer Session begins June 22. If you haven't scheduled your summer lessons, better check-in with me.


LOOKING TOWARD FALL -
At this point, all student placements (except several high school age students -you know who you are) have been emailed along with the 2009-2010 Piano Calendar. Please note that piano begins the end of Aug. so plan accordingly.

Hope everyone is gearing up for a terrific summer!