Music Teacher Cafe
News and Ideas for Music Educators
The next edition of MTC Live will be held
Wednesday, April 7th
2:00pm EDT
Click on "MTC Live" to register.
Elsewhere . . .
Can people really be tone deaf?
At the recent Promise of Music Symposium at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the question above was posed to Dr. Daniel Levitin, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at McGill University (and best-selling author of the book "This is Your Brain on Music"). Dr. Levitin's response was i…
Online Music Theory Classes
Ashby Musical Enterprises is pleased to announce the beginning of 3 new online courses for those wishing to prepare for music theory examinations with RCM Examinations (Canada) and the National Music Certificate Program (USA). These classes are held once weekly and have a target exam date of Ma…
Scholarship Funds Available for Future Organists
Each spring the Hamilton Centre RCCO makes available two scholarships of $400 to musicians of limited organ background, who are interested in studying the organ in formal lessons. The Robert Evenden Memorial Fund Scholarship and the College Development Fund (CDF) Scholarship are intended to assist …
Special Note: This is the public version of Music Teacher Cafe. If you are a music educator, please visit Music Teacher Cafe: A Gathering Place for Music Educators. There you can participate in discussions with colleagues from around the world.
May I get you a latte?
Posted July 22, 2008
Welcome to Music Teacher Cafe. This is a place for music educators of all types (private lesson teachers, classroom teachers, ensemble conductors and university professors) to interact and share ideas. An RSS feed is available for you to monitor new posts. Please spread the word.
Content ideas are best generated through readers, so please respond to this post with ideas for future blog posts and discussion. Preliminary ideas include favourite classroom procedures, private studio policies, methods and curriculum, literature, and performance technique.
Find a favourite corner and prepare to join the discussion. What would you like to see on the menu?
Comments
This is a good idea.
I am curious as to the policies of local music teachers...
Do you allow your students to pay per lesson or must they pay by the month?
What is your policy regarding lesson cancellations?
What is considered sufficient notice?
Which methods of payment do you allow?
Thank you.
Excellent ideas. Look for a future post on studio policies. Thanks!
I have my students pay using a levelled fee structure - they provide a series of post dated monthly cheques at the first lesson to cover Sept through June. I do not as a rule do any make up lessons, unless it is a special circumstance (extended illness for example). Methods of payment are cheques preferably but I will also take cash if offered!
I also have my students prepay with post dated cheques dated for the 1st of each month. The first lesson in Sept. they bring their registration form, (which outlines the policies also) and 10 cheques. I do not have time to deal with cash, as usually people do not have the correct amount and need change. I do not want to have to think about payment at a lesson, it's a distraction. Teachers at my studio are not expected to give make-up lessons. The spot is reserved for the student, and we cannot add a new student in while they are on holidays for 2 weeks. I make this very clear to the parent before the child starts lessons. Fortunately, my parents are great to deal with, and pay me for lessons even if away on extended vacation, sometimes one to two full months. Of course, it is up to the teacher's discretion to give a make-up lesson if they wish, but they are not required to do so. If the teacher misses, the lesson fee will be refunded or a make-up lesson will be given.
Hi everyone!
I just had a chance to browse the site. Great idea!
I would like to see information on how to get started teaching private music lessons. I have a few students right now but I would like to eventually teach private voice and piano full time while pursuing performing opportunities. Are there important issues to keep in mind when building this type of business?
There are TONS of issues - pedagogically, marketing, accounting, studio policies, etc. Have a look at The Piano Home Page (http://www.marthabeth.com/piano.html) and other similar websites for ideas on how to set up studio policies, scheduling, goals, etc. Good luck and happy trails!
Displaying all 6 comments
Recent Comments