Hello Fellow Teachers and Musicians!
How's it going? If your schedule is anything like mine you're beginning to get in the "rhythm" of teaching lessons and classes. At this point it is helpful to "shake up" your teaching routine a little so that it doesn't get into a "rut". "Ruts" are great, they keep you on track and keep you focused - it's just helpful to add spice to your teaching so that you don't get bored, too!
I've started bringing a digital recorder to lessons. When a student does a great job on a piece I'll record it. My goal is to give the parents a CD of their students progress throughout the year. It benefits me, too. I want them to have at least six good pieces on the CD and that takes work and motivation.
I have already given each of my grade school students their Christmas pieces. I am planning to have a Christmas Party Recital at my house. We'll have refreshments, pictures, and take turns playing our pieces. I plan on having duets, classic Christmas pieces, Classical pieces, and a LOT of fun. This will be out of the ordinary and I'm planning on having a music-themed tree in the living room for the event. We'll make memories and have a sweet time.
These past few years we have decided to make the hymnal our ultimate goal and objective. No lesson will go past without working on a hymn. The focus this month is "invitation" songs. How many times have you been called to play an invitation without notice? I want my students to be ready at any time, so we're getting invitations, offertories, and preludes ready.
I just got a new book that will be helpful for fun pieces, wedding preludes, and motivation for your students - Lyric Moments Volume Three by Catherine Rollins (Alfred Publishing). You'll enjoy playing from this, too!
