Elk Grove School of Music

4 ways to purchase music books

2010-06-28T13:03:00.001-07:00

I have heard that the following are great places to purchase music books online:

http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/
http://www.pianolane.com/
http://www.jwpepper.com/

I mostly purchase my music at Kline's Music in Sacramento - 916-456-8742 or I order directly from the publisher.

Take your children on a field trip to Klines music! Let them browse through music on their level. They also have a room to play through the pieces.

Please tell us about your best experience in purchasing music!

Summer Fun - More ideas!

2010-06-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun! - Part 2

Did you choose a "Summer Fun" from yesterday's post? What "Summer Fun" might you be interested in? If you are a current student we can get started next week at your lesson. You choose and the "Summer Fun" can begin!

Play "fun" music: All musicians can use the summer to learn and play the music they really enjoy. They can explore ethnic music, popular music, jazz music or whatever music they deem to be "fun".

Listen to music live: Music students can also get musical inspiration by attending live performances during the summer.

Improvise: Music students can start using a familiar song or rhythm as a guideline, such as the "golden chord progressions" (.e.g, I-vi-IV-V or I-V-vi-IV).They can incorporate technical exercises, such as scales, chords, arpeggios, and transform them into songs.

Compose: Music students can explore their own creativity through music composition. Music can be written down by hand onto manuscript paper or by using music notation software.

Play at social gatherings: After a year of hard work, music students can show off what they learned at social events, such as family reunions, a block party, their grandparents' nursing home or a community celebration. Are you having a party on July 4th? Many students are currently working on a patriotic song that would be great to play for this holiday.

2010-06-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun!!-More to Come!

Which one will you choose? Take a look at tomorrows posting before you decide. You may be able to do more than one!

Learn the music of your country. Many of us learn the traditional repertoire without regard to what is being created in our own countries. Take the time to explore the musical output of where you came from!

Perfect your technique: Without the pressure of upcoming concerts, summer is a fine time to go that extra mile in perfecting those scales. Let’s fill in the scale chart this summer! You can do it!

Learn to sight read: Sight-read a wide variety of music: Sight reading and sight playing are skills that take time to develop. Learning how to read on the spot is a great skill. In small doses, take the time to learn how to sight read every single day over the course of several weeks. I recommend Frederick Harris Music's Four Star Sight Reading and Ear Tests by Boris Berlin and Andrew Markow .

Pick out songs by ear: Music students can develop their musical ear by picking out the notes to their favorite songs. Intermediate and advanced students can try to pick out harmonies and accompaniment patterns to complement the melody. Music students who want to practice chording can do an internet search on "[insert title] + chords]."

Summer Fun-Music to Explore

2010-06-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

Looking for ways to encourage more practice through the summer?

Great books to explore!

Alfred Publishing
Famous & Fun Series- solo or duet
They have solo books and duet books.
If you are level 3 in Mayron Cole then choose level 2.
There are many great fun, popular pieces in these selections.

Hal Leonard
Popular Piano Solos or More Popular Piano Solos.
If you are Mayron Cole level 3 then choose level 3.
Great pieces

Alfred's Basic Piano Library
Solo Book- Top Hits
Another fun series
If you are level 3, then choose level 2

Mcpiano.com
Mayron Cole Method
There are some solo books and sheet music available for most levels
This is a great place to start. Choose the level you are currently in.

MORE SUMMER IDEAS TO FOLLOW

Piano Recital November 2009

2009-12-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

Did we have a great time or what? The students worked hard and played well! Then.. we all celebrated with cupcakes and lemonade! Now, we have a wonderful surprise this week from a student's mom who is a professional photographer. You won't want to miss this opportunity to purchase your copy of the beautiful slide-show she put together with music for only $5.00. It is a wonderful keepsake! Unbelievable pictures of all the students who participated! Not only do we have a slide-show to purchase, but she has done a beautiful job editing pictures that can be viewed and purchased at www.pictage.com event #769929

THANK YOU DE'BORAH LEVIAS OF FLASH FOTO!!!!

SUMMER CAMP- Blast Off With Piano!!

2009-12-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Blast Off With Piano!!

Summer Camp

Beginners Ages 5 - 13

Not sure your child is ready for lessons?

Join our 3-day, summer camp introductory course!

Lessons the fun way!
• 3 Great introductory lessons!• Take lessons with your friends!• Fun theory games!• Small groups arranged according to age and ability.• Mini piano performance for parents.

Limited Availability; Not offered every summer

(916) 714-5570

info@elkgroveschoolofmusic.com

http://www.elkgroveschoolofmusic.com/

STUDIO CALENDAR 2009-2010

2009-12-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

Calendar of Events 2009 - 2010

August 26th
Wednesday Students No Lesson this week. Wednesday students come August 20th for special historical make-up lesson

August 31-Sept. 4
No lessons this week

September 7th
Monday Students No Lesson (Labor Day) -Monday students come September 10th for a make-up at your regular time slot.

October 1st
Annual $20. per student fee due for copies, studio misc. and lab supplies

November 7th
Piano Recital at 11:00 (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) 8697 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, Next door to Denny's Restaurant.

November 11th
Wednesday Students No Lesson this week. Wednesday students come, November 19th for a make-up at your regular time slot

November
We will have lessons the week of Thanksgiving

Dec. 21st-Jan. 2nd
Holiday Break

February 15th
President's Day- Monday students come, February 18th for a make-up at your regular time slot.

March 1st-5th
Studio Spring Break

May 12th
Wednesday students no lesson this week. Wednesday students come May 20th for a make-up at your regular time slot.

May 31st
Memorial Day holiday- Monday students come June 3rd for a make-up at your regular time slot.

June
Care home performance opportunity (date TBD) Monday students come, June 3rd for a make-up at your regular time slot.

July 12th-July 30
Summer Break

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

2009-12-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

Tomilee Deatherage, the director of Elk Grove School of Music, has been teaching music for more than 16 years. She enjoys utilizing a variety of instructional methods in both private and group settings.

Tomilee designed a unique studio in 1999, which incorporates technology to further enhance her student’s theory and ear training. Her style of piano instruction includes not only teaching by note but the use of a personally developed method by which she works with students on playing songs by ear.

Tomilee continues to regularly attend conventions, workshops, concerts, and training seminars to keep her school current with technology and materials.

She is a member and certified instructor through the Music Teachers' Association of California. Tomilee has participated in choirs as both soloist and choir director. She has been a licensed Kindermusik educator working with children as young as 6 months of age. She is an accompanist for soloist, choir and vocal groups while also performing for weddings and various ceremonies. She currently serves as the Director of Mmusic at Rock Tabernacle Church in Rancho Cordova, CA.

Tomilee has worked with children and adults in both private and public school settings. She has a passion for music and seeing her students succeed. She also enjoys sharing music and quality time with her husband, J.R., and two children, Starla and Spencer.

COURTESY INFORMATION / STUDIO POLICY

2009-12-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Studio Policy

When arrangements are made for lessons, it is understood that the policies below are agreed upon by both the school and the parents (and/or students over 21).

Tuition / Materials
No refunds will be given for any missed or canceled lessons. Tuition is a flat fee per month. We will not be able to teach a student if he/she forgets to bring their music to class. Searching for extra copies of "forgotten" music takes time away from the other class members.

Books and materials are not included in the lesson fee. The annual cost is approximately $35.00 per student. You will be given advance notice of any needed materials to be purchased. A one-time enrollment fee of $25.00 will due at your first lesson. There will be an annual $20.00 charge per year for copies, miscellaneous materials, and lab supplies.

Payment Arrangements
The monthly tuition is due in on the first scheduled lesson date of the month. If the first lesson is missed the payment is still due. There will be a late fee of $5.charged if complete payment (including payment for fees and books due) is not received by the tenth of the month). There will not be any refunds given for any missed or canceled lessons.

There will be a $20.00 charge on a check returned for any reason. Upon the return of two (2) separate checks, all future payments must be made in cash. Any student whose payment is more than 30 days in arrears is considered terminated unless special arrangements have been made with the teacher.

Missed Lessons / Canceled Lesson / Vacations

Missed Lessons
No refunds or make-up lessons will be given for any missed lessons or leaves of absence. Group piano students should come to the studio and pick up the music assigned that day if a student must miss a class.

Tuition payments reserve your lesson time, but the teacher can not give that time to anyone else when you are absent. If a student must miss a lesson the student may possibly switch with another student (the arrangements being mutually agreeable). Unless the teacher is able to switch you with another student, that time goes unused. Please remember, the sooner the teacher is notified, the better chance there is of trading.

The Elk Grove School of Music accepts or declines new students based on the time she has available for teaching. Parents or students, should not expect the teacher to rearrange her schedule or forego income because of the student’s inability to attend a lesson at the agreed time. Therefore, a make-up will not be given and full tuition will be required on a monthly basis to retain your time slot.

Please remember your commitment to music lessons when you sign up for other activities such as sports, dance, karate, scouts etc. Though we try to be flexible, it is not our responsibility to adjust our schedule to accommodate every other activity.

If you wish to take a leave of absence full tuition will still be required each month to retain your time slot.

Canceled Lesson
If the teacher must cancel lessons for any reason, a make-up lesson will be arranged if the studio schedule permits, otherwise the monthly tuition will be pro-rated.

Vacations / Holidays
As in most private schools, tuition is on a yearly basis. Our annual tuition of $1140. divided by 12 months keeps the tuition the same each month. Your tuition includes 45 lessons each year unless notified by the teacher of any changes. The school will dismiss lessons the other 6-7 weeks out of the year for studio vacation time. The vacation weeks have already been subtracted from the yearly tuition so you are not paying for vacations.

When there are 5 weeks of lessons in a month we do not charge more and when there are 2-3 lessons per month, due to vacation weeks, we do not charge less. The yearly tuition is divided evenly among the 12 months to make tuition arrangements easier. Most holidays fall on Mondays. In such case, Monday students will come on Thursday of that week unless otherwise stated.

Discontinued Lessons / Dismissal / Tardiness

Students who decide to discontinue lessons must give a 30 day notice. This gives the school advance notice to fill the vacancy with a prospective student.

The teacher retains the right to dismiss any student who is uncooperative during the lesson time or who refuses to practice as requested on a regular basis. Students may be dismissed due to the refusal of parents / student to follow studio policy.

Students arriving late for lessons will receive the balance of their time, as any other arrangement works a great hardship on all pupils who follow. Pupils should arrive five (5) minutes before their scheduled lesson times.

Recitals / Activities

All students are required to participate in the annual studio recital. (further levels encouraged.) Other M.T.A.C. activities and performances are by the student's and/or parent's choice with the teacher's consent. If you are interested in these additional opportunities please contact me for further details.

If you have any questions or concerns, We will be happy to discuss them with you. We look forward to celebrating with you in the future musical success of the student.

Failure by the school to enforce one or more terms of the poilicy does not waive the right of the school to enforce any other terms of the policy.

INDIVIDUAL AND PARTNER INSTRUCTION

2009-12-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

A fun, well-balanced musical program

offering students a wide varietyof styles and opportunities

Individual Instruction: ages 8 - adult
Partner Instruction: (2 students) ages 5 - adult

Note Reading ...
A unique note - reading method.
Music Fundamentals - rhythm, melody, harmony, form and analysis.
Technique - scales, chords and other technical exercises.
Performance Interpretations - learning to interpret music of different time periods.
Many styles available - classical, jazz, popular, gospel and more.

Playing by Ear...
Pick out your favorite songs from start to finish without reading notes.
A four-level method, ear training and more.
Use both hands, continually building fuller sounds through chord analysis and voicing. Improvisation and composition.

Studio Recitals and more!

Individual / Partner Piano Instruction: 50 Minutes Weekly

Piano Instruction: 25 Minutes

Also Includes 25 minutes of one of the following each week:
Computer Lab: Ear training and theory reinforcement through the use of software.
Sight Reading Lab: Sight reading at electronic keyboard with midi Orchestrations. (Private)
Theory Games: Reviewing theory concepts with board games. (Partner)

Monthly Tuition:

Studio Time = 50 minutes weekly
Tuition$95.00 per month
Materials not included. One time enrollment fee of $25.00 per student or $35.00 per family.

SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION

2009-12-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Did you ever get bored at your private piano lesson?

Learn to play piano the fun way with games and friends!

Group Instruction: ages 5 - Adult

• Group classes are small.

• Each student has the use of an electronic keyboard or piano.

• Keyboards can play "silently" or "aloud" for group ensemble playing.

• Piano classes are 50-minutes each week.

• Students are grouped according to age and ability.

• Rhythm instruments are used for rhythmic activities.

• Games are used to reinforce theory.

Benefits of Group Piano Instruction:

Piano classes prove that children enjoy learning in a fun, relaxed piano class atmosphere. They progress more rapidly, friendships develop, and the joy of sharing music is experienced. Below is a list of the benefits and joy of learning in group instruction.

Positive peer pressure:

Having a student model a piece of music is always far superior to an adult piano teacher. If the friend is playing then they are confident they can play as well. Built in ensemble playing - In a group situation you have ready-made ensembles without having to schedule special times for this experience.

Repetition is easier:

More time with the teacher in a group setting. This allows for more time for repetition. Clapping rhythm over and over alone is boring. Try it with some friends. It then becomes a game!

Counting out loud is socially accectable:

When students count out loud together, it becomes socially acceptable. Counting out loud in a private lesson is uncomfortable and embarrassing. This is an important habit for rhythmic skills.

Ability to observe the teaching process:

Students must become their own teacher when they go home. In a group lesson, a student learns this process by observing other students. They leave with a dual educational experience. They are a performer and a teacher.

Perspectives on any challenges of learning piano:

The development of self-esteem is essential. When a student takes a private lesson, they have no perspective on any challenges they may encounter while learning to play the piano. In a group situation, they can hear other students playing. Instead of thinking that something is wrong with them, they realize that most challenges can be overcomed by simply practicing more.

Playing "musical" becomes the norm:

In a group situation where the entire group listens, the student has peer pressure to use all dynamics and expressions. If they don't a student most likely will bring it to their attention.

Group Piano InstructionTuition -

$95.00 per monthMaterials not included.

Add the one-time enrollment feeof $25.00 per student or $35.00 per family.

Length of Lesson - 50 minutes

New classes of 4 students may begin at the first of any month if space is available.

For more information: (916) 714-5570 or visit our website at http://www.elkgroveschoolofmusic.com/

info@elkgroveschoolofmusic.com