PIANO RECITALS, FESTIVALS AND EXAMINATIONS

Our students perform in three studio recitals every year. In addition, there are opportunities to perform in RMT Sunday recitals on the North Shore and in Vancouver. All students are encouraged to participate in several of the music festivals held in and around Vancouver, entering either non-competitive or competitive classes. Practical exams can help motivate and provide tangible goals for students. It is not mandatory to take examinations every year, nor is it necessary to take an exam at every grade level.

STUDENT PERFORMERS GROUP CLASSES

Performance classes are intended for ambitious students at all levels who want to improve their performance and listening skills. Space is available for six students at each level – Elementary, Junior and Intermediate/Senior. Interested students can try out one group, before being placed on a waiting list for the next available space. Regular attendance and commitment to preparing performance pieces for the monthly groups are the two requirements for Student Performer Group members.

PIANO PRACTISING

Practising is the heart and soul of learning piano. Daily practice is a must. In every lesson, practice assignments are designed specifically for the needs of each student. Almost all students need parental help at home to ensure they are following precise practice assignments for the week. Practice means working on small areas or sections of the music, with many repetitions and drills, as well as work on sight-reading skills, technical exercises and ear training.

Parents sometimes say they want their children to practice independently. Years of experience have taught me that the children who do not get help at home in the beginning rarely learn to practice independently. The students who practice well on their own are almost always those who received guidance and help from parents for the first two or three years of learning piano.

In order to ensure student progress and success, PARENTS MUST COMMIT TO SUPERVISING ALL STUDENT PRACTICES, ALWAYS REFERRING TO THE WEEKLY PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT POSTED ONLINE, with daily MINIMUM goals as follows:

Complete beginners – 30-45 minutes
Elementary students – 45-60 minutes
Intermediate students – 60-90 minutes
Senior students – 90 minutes to 120 minutes at higher grades

Practising should be a daily routine, six or seven days a week, but a MINIMUM of 5 days a week is essential for progress. Students should expect to practice more often, for longer practice sessions, before exams, recitals or festivals.

WEBSITE AND PRACTICE NOTES

he studio uses an interactive online service for all administrative tasks, such as lesson scheduling, cancellations, event notices, messages, student account information and more. All practice assignment notes are posted online on the student’s home page. Students log in using their own ID and passwords.