STUDIO POLICY
Piano Studio of Linda Petrocchi
2022 - 2023
Welcome to the Piano Studio of Linda Petrocchi! I am looking forward to creating music with students over the age of 13.
PHILOSOPHY
To create music at the piano with my piano students.
MUSICAL BUILDING BLOCKS
Learning to play the piano is a creative process. We use strategies to explore the building blocks of music, including reading music, playing from memory, improvising, composing, studying theory and music history, and playing ear training games. Students are also challenged to play music at a variety of levels of difficulty from easy sight-reading music and short pieces that are fun to play, to more challenging pieces that are longer or require more time to master.
SCHEDULE, TUITION AND FEES
Piano lessons are individual (one to one) musical instruction at the keyboard. Lessons include piano performance, technique, improvisation, composition, and theory. A regular day and time is assigned for each student at the beginning of the school year in September. The length of the lesson is determined by age and level of study. A 30-minute lesson is appropriate for young children and beginners. Advancing students will progress to a longer 45-minute lesson.
Lesson Tuition can be paid by the month or by the semester with a higher rate for monthly payments. At the beginning of each school year, a registration fee is added to the invoice to cover some of the costs of materials (sheet music, photocopies, teaching aids) that are given to each student during the year. Extra performance opportunities such as festivals and competitions will be added to your tuition as opportunities arise.
Payments are made at the beginning of the invoice cycle, no later than the 2nd lesson on the invoice. A late fee of $10 is automatically assessed by the accounting software if a payment is made after the 2nd lesson schedule lesson on an invoice.
MISSED LESSONS
In person lessons - If you or your child is experiencing any symptoms of disease - sneezing, coughing, runny nose, fever - do not attend your lesson. You may cancel your lesson at any time due to illness or suspected illness. If a lesson is missed due to illness or genuine emergency you have 3 options (1) online lesson - all you need is a smartphone, tablet or laptop (2) reschedule or (3) apply credit to a future invoice if rescheduling is impossible.
Online and In Person Lessons - Same day cancellations may be rescheduled when there is an illness or emergency situation.
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Lessons should be rescheduled as soon as possible or during the “make up lesson week” which is during last week of each semester (in February and June).
What if the teacher cancels the lesson? If possible, the lesson will be rescheduled within 2 weeks or during the make-up week at the end of the semester. If not, a credit for the value of that lesson will be applied to the student's account.
If the missed lesson does not meet the above qualifications, then full tuition will be charged and not refunded.
COMMUNICATION
If you need to send me a short message in a rush, then a text message is the fastest way to reach me. An email or a phone call are best for discussions of any length. You can usually reach me during the day between 10 and 2. Feel free to write me at any time about what is happening with your child or to ask questions. I love hearing from you although you may not hear back from me for 24 to 48 hours, especially if you message me on Sunday or Monday.
STUDENT COMMITMENT
All students are required to have a regular practice schedule. Beginning students may need only 5 or 10 minutes a day at the piano while more accomplished pianists will want to spend around 30 minutes practicing daily. A student who practices 6 days a week makes steady progress. There are multiple opportunities to play piano with other students and to perform. Participation is strongly encouraged but not required. All students are required to study theory and to take an annual theory exam through the Music Educators Association of New Jersey.
MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, EXTRAS
All musicians need to have an instrument and to have access to it for daily practice. The minimum requirement is a touch sensitive, weighted key digital keyboard with 88 keys. Anything less is frustrating for the young musician and you need to replace the keyboard within a year.
Annual theory exams and assignment books are provided as part of the tuition. The annual materials fee covers some of the costs of teaching materials, some supplemental sheet music and books. Students will be asked to pay for Lesson and Theory Books as well as some supplemental sheet music (usually around $25 – 50 per year). These items can be purchased by the parent or provided by the teacher and billed to the parent.
PERFORMANCE WITH A PURPOSE
I encourage students to participate in events that allow them to perform and demonstrate their musical skills. I do not prepare students to participate in highly competitive events.
40 PIECE CHALLENGE
Back by Popular Demand! What I introduced as an anniversary celebration activity was so popular its back for a 3rd year. The 40 Piece Challenge is open to all students and challenges them to learn many pieces during the year (from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021). Prizes – 40 pieces – Trophy, 30 pieces - Gold Medal, 20 Pieces – Silver Medal, 10 pieces – Blue Ribbon.
FALL RECITAL – ONLINE FOR FALL 2021
There is an annual piano studio recital held in the fall (October or November.) This recital is an opportunity for active students to perform in a formal setting for family and friends. While performing at the recital is not required it is strongly encouraged and all students should plan to attend this musical event.
AUDITIONS AND FESTIVALS (EXTERNAL EVALUATIONS)
I sponsor students in 3 performance audition events -- The Music Educators Association of New Jersey Auditions (held in late spring), the National Federal of Music Clubs Festival (held in the winter), and the Music Teacher’s National Association eFestival (year round). These reputable organizations are each over 100 years old. The auditions are held at area college campuses (or sometimes online) and allow students the opportunity to play for a judge. Participants receive a written critique and certificate commemorating their accomplishment. Musicians who participate in multiple years are eligible for prizes, ribbons and trophies depending on the specific event.
COACHING FOR TALENT SHOWS AND OTHER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
I will help students to prepare for other performance events or auditions and guide them to do their best in both written work or playing the piano. Students participating in other events will need to have their parents or guardians complete all paperwork and registration requirements.
THANK YOU FOR READING THIS POLICY AND
FOR MAKING A COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATION
AGREEMENT
I have read the 2022-2023 Piano Policy and I agree to abide by all the terms and conditions in
that document.
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Parent or Guardian (date) Student (date)
