POLICIES

From the Studio of Carolyn Hailey

Please read and become familiar with the following Studio Policy:
Programs: Our programs consist of a variety of musical experiences, ranging from the Preparatory level on up into more advanced works. (Music Teachers Association Syllabus covers Levels Prep. thru 10). Music is introduced from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Early and Late 20th Century literature and the Impressionist Period. Because the Classics are written by composers who have set the groundwork for all music, it paves the way for the study of all styles. This makes exposure to Jazz, Ragtime, Blues, Ballad, Boogie, Pops, New Age, and any other Contemporary style feasible additions which we all enjoy playing. The goal of this studio is to make the student a lifelong, happy independent learner and lover of all music.

Fees and materials: Every student is scheduled for one private lesson per week (See enclosed fee schedule). Your monthly rate includes: (1) Planning the weekly lesson and (2) Preparation of the student for the annual "Certificate of Merit" exams. Theory is taught at all levels, plus AP theory is available in the High School years. (3) Preparation of student for the annual "National Piano Guild Auditions". (4) Preparation of the student for any of the other competitive and non-competitive performance opportunity, eg: Monthly MTAC workshops (both young thru High School students and, if interested, Adult students), Annual Bach Competition, Annual Concerto Piano Competition, Theme Festival, Ensemble Competition, Baroque Festival, etc.

There is an annual "Lending Library" fee of $10.00 per student, which is billed every September. Over the years I have collected a vast amount of music, which I have checked out to my students as additional supplemental sight-reading material. It is not a substitute for course material. This fee helps me to continue to build on this collection, which is for all to enjoy.

Monthly tuition is handled via a statement given at the first lesson of the month, payable at that time. It will include tuition and materials, plus any registration fees for up-and-coming events. The statement will include monthly workshop dates, with locations and times, and any other information necessary for the student that month.

Cancellations and Make-up Lessons: There are no adjustments in fees for missed lessons. Please consider your child’s, or your own, piano lessons a commitment. You should try to schedule his/her medical, dental and other appointments at a different time. I will schedule a makeup lesson if it is missed because of illness, family emergency or missed due to my own personal circumstance. 

Computer Lab: Students will have access to various music software designed to enhance and complement their theory, ear training, and sight reading skills.

Performance Opportunities: Besides monthly workshops and recitals, there are many other available opportunities for performances. These are extremely worthwhile goals for your child to work towards. These programs might not be for every student, please keep in mind that they can become motivating and positive experiences. They need to be encouraged to share a well-learned piece with others, and learn to enjoy this activity naturally. It is adults who are often the ones to introduce the idea of nervousness. We need to be careful in our choice of words regarding performance in front of our children.

A. Certificate of Merit: This program is a graded evaluative program which begins at the Preparatory Level, on up to Level 10. It is sequential in design and provides a well-rounded music background in performance repertoire, technique, theory, ear training, sight-reading and (optional) improvisation. It follows the Music Teachers’ Association syllabus. Advanced AP theory is also provided within this program, enabling a student to take music entrance exams for college.

B. Bach Festival Competition: This is a competition held in the Spring, consisting of music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach was a composer from the Baroque period and is often considered the "father of Music." Performances are evaluated by State adjudicators at the Branch level, with the possibility of moving on to Regional and then State level. There are fees for participating in most of these programs, usually ranging from $10 to $35.

C. Baroque Festival: This program is designed to encourage students to play music from many different composers from the Baroque period of time in music history. Students may play music not only of J. S. Bach, but such other Baroque composers as Handel, Purcell and Scarlatti, and other composers from the Baroque Era. A special program is performed by a Professional Baroque group of Artists before each student recital (they run from 8:00am to 4:00pm at Chapman College in January). Certificates and Awards are given to the students. Entrance fee is $30 per student.

D. The National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions: This is an annual performance audition whereby the student prepares a program of pieces classified by level, size and type. A 2-3 piece program along with required technique is considered a "Local" program. A 4-6 piece program would constitute a "District" program, and 7-9 pieces equal a "State" program. A program of 10-14 pieces becomes the "National" program and, finally, a 15-20 piece program would be the "International" level program. There are many categories to enter into, such as: Hobbyist, Jazz , Composition, Social Music, Advanced Bach, Sonatina, Sonata, and the Ensemble category. Certificates, pins, plaques, ribbons, special medals and scholarship money is awarded. All students receive a written evaluation in the form of a report card. The more serious student may also work for the Regular High School Diploma, the High School Diploma in Social Music, the Collegiate Diploma and the Artist Diploma. Again the emphasis is on performance in all of these programs. There is no written theory exam as in the Certificate Merit program.

E. Theme Festival: This is a special Orange Branch event scheduled for November of each year. It is a performance-based on a theme which changes each year. It rotates between Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Impressionistic, and Contemporary periods. The students seem to enjoy it very much, giving them a goal to work towards early in the fall.

F. Annual Concerto Contest: This is an all-day competition whereby students can prepare music that is designed to be played with a full orchestra. Finalists perform in an evening program and one final winner is chosen. This program is in June.

G. Junior and Senior Recitals: These recitals, along with a special Awards night and dinner, are held for our graduating seniors. There are those students who have participated in, and passed, the Certificate of Merit Program for at least four consecutive years in High School. We honor these students with their Senior Medallions and also present them with a check for $100 each.

This concludes the basic orientation into the programs available through this studio. It is my hope that any questions you may have had have been answered. Please remember that most student success will correlate very high with parental support and approval. This does not mean that the parent must be a highly-trained musician. It simply means that he must provide encouragement, and a consistent quiet time for practice without interruptions. Also, this gives us the opportunity to teach about commitment to setting a regular EVERYDAY practice time, and to make it as important as the time put in on math and chemistry.

Please feel free to share any problems that your child might be having. We all have a bad day now and then and it would help me considerably to know of any problems BEFORE planning his/her lessons. Please notify me of these issues by phone or by email, before, not during the student’s scheduled lesson time. These things need to be discussed privately, NOT in FRONT of the student. Learning together can be fun and music can offer a new avenue of communication and bonding between family members. I am looking forward to getting acquainted and I invite any further questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Hailey