MANCHESTER PIANO TUTOR - NEWSLETTER - XMAS 2011

  

 www.manchesterpianotutor.co.uk diane@manchesterpianotutor.co.uk

Tel: 0161 445 0159 

http://bookblogforbookworms.blogspot.com

NOTE: Please read or you may not be aware of new developments at Manchester Piano Tutor.

Christmas holidays

This year, because of all the viruses and bugs flying around in the bizarre climate we are experiencing and as I'm fairly exhausted from the one I caught recently, the studio will be closed from Monday, 19 December 2011, opening again on Tuesday, 3 January 2012. Several people have asked if they can come for their lesson the week of 19 December and weekday sessions will be available on demand (these may not fall on your usual lesson day/time though).

2012 fees

Fees here have been frozen for two years and were due to increase in January 2012. However, because of the recession, I am holding them until later in the year and will review the situation again in a few months..

I regret that I am no longer in a position to offer discounts.

Reception Room

I'm going to reprint this note from the Winter Newsletter about the waiting room, as some students still stand outside in the wind and the rain and others sit in the waiting room without ringing the bell to let me know they are here.

'As you now know, you can wait in the reception area when you come in. Ring first, just to let me know you've arrived and have a seat, read the wall notices and/or the brochures at the side, relax, have a nap… Mobile phones are acceptable here, as long as you turn them off before coming into the studio, where their use is banned. I will come and get you at the time for your lesson, sometimes a bit before if I'm free.'

If the door is closed, it doesn't mean that you can't come in. If the weather is bad, the door is likely to be closed. Open it and come in. I will come and get you at the time of your lesson. You only need to ring the bell once, so that I know you're here, especially if you're late.

Mobile phones in studio…

An adult sitting in while their child has a lesson is welcome, because it enables them to follow what the child is being taught and to help them with their home practise. Even if they aren't musical themselves, parents can still show an interest in what their child is being taught. The reason I ask for mobiles and other electronic gadgets to be turned off (other than an electronic reader) is because they can be disruptive and because I think it's not appropriate for people to use them while I am teaching, in the same way that it is not appropriate for children or teachers to use them in the classroom during lessons. I'm aware that some people are still using them and I would ask them please to respect my request or to use the reception area if they feel it is important to use them at the time of the lesson. Thirty minutes is not too long to ask anyone to put their gadgets away.

…and lesson recordings

Adults who wish to record their child's lesson for practise purposes should discuss this with me first, not just as a matter of courtesy but also because of the stringent laws relating to infringement of rights and privacy involved in taping a lesson without permission, in addition to copyright laws involving music recorded without legal permissions.

Overseas students

 

 

Usually around Christmas and the summer holidays, people from other countries who visit relatives in Manchester bring their children here for piano lessons. They come from various parts of the world, usually where piano lessons are not readily available. My latest student was a 10-year-old Pakistani girl who I taught to play the piano in five hours over two weeks. She reached a standard that takes most students six months or more to achieve and I hope to welcome her back in the summer holidays, as she was a pleasure to work with.

Examinations

ABRSM exams are taking place at this very moment and I wish the current candidates all the luck in the world.

The 2012 exams will take place on:

• 27 Feb-31 Mar (reg by 20 Jan);
• 11 Jun-14 Jul (reg by 4 May); and
• 5 Nov-8 Dec (reg by 28 Sept).

Those of you ready to take the Spring exams will need to register in January, so start polishing those pieces!

Happy Christmas to you all and looking forward to seeing you again next year!

All the best,

Diane