2019 Beginning Piano

Open House

Students need:
Method book (provided by school through class fee)
Pencil

Class fee to participate in Mrs. Nelson’s piano class is $15. The fee is required to cover the method book
for each student and extra expenses such as purchasing supplemental music, replacing
headphones and repairs of the instruments as needed. Fees are due no later than Friday,
Aug. 30th. Method books cannot be purchased until all students’ fees are paid.

Weekly worksheets are a part of each week’s grade. Each week’s assignment will have a writing prompt,
music theory, vocabulary, new assigned pieces to learn plus review pieces. Students are required
to play at least one piece on that sheet individually for the teacher every week. Working ahead in
the book is permissible if assignments up to the new piece are completed. Parents will be
contacted if the student does not keep up in class!

Piano Log is sent home every 9 week grading period for parents to review, sign and return to class. It
keeps track of the music the student has played individually for the teacher. Through the log,
parents can see their student’s progress in class. Expect 6-8 pieces on the log with teacher initials.
The piano log counts for 25 points and can drop a student’s overall grade one level. Please look
for it and ask your student for their log as the end of each 9 week grading period approaches.

Practice recitals are held every other Friday. Students are required to play for each other in class.
Concert behaviors as both a performer and an audience member will be taught and expected
during the practice recital.

Semester recitals will be held in December during the school day, and in May at an evening performance.
Parents are welcomed to attend! This is a more formal affair with the dress code of black from the
waist down, white from the waist up. Students are encouraged to plan ahead with a piece of
music they would be proud to show off!

Practicing at home is always strongly encouraged. Students will be able to learn more quickly and take
the pieces to a higher performance level if they can practice outside of class. An inexpensive
electric keyboard can come with fun sound effect buttons which also encourage more time playing
and experimenting (improvising) on the keyboard. Check local music stores for new and used
instruments.

Parent notifications will be through the McKinley School Info app

Contact me at: mwilkinson1@ebrschools.org