HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD SUCCEED IN MUSIC EDUCATION?

Learning to play a musical instrument takes patience, time and effort. The progress can be slow which can lead to your child’s frustration and the loss of interest. You have to remember that learning to play a musical instrument competes with other extra curricular activities, computers, video games, television, sports, and time with friends. Your child can not succeed alone. They need the teacher’s and the parent’s support, encouragement, and participation. You will find the rewards well worth your investment of time and finances. Get involved and enjoy this time with your child. You will be glad you did! Rejoice in their decision to bring music into their life by participating in a school music program.

Review the literature brought home from school or from the Music Center to determine what is required to get started. Generally, the Music Center has a current list of recommended instruments, accessories, and method books from each school in the area.

Attend parent meetings with you child and ask the music educator questions.

Allow the Music Center to explain our rent-to-own program. Reserve, purchase, or rent a musical instrument that is in proper playing condition from the Music Center. The Music Center’s instruments are cleaned, repaired if needed, and tested for proper playing condition prior to rental.

Be certain your child has any required method books and accessories prior to the first day of music class, if possible. Reserving your instrument, accessories, and method books in advance will assure you that the student has everything needed prior to the first day.

Should you wish to give your child a HEAD START prior to beginning the music program at school, the Music Center offers instrument lessons at affordable prices all year long.

Establish and provide a place for practicing at home. Don’t cast them out to the garage!

Encourage and support their practice. That unpleasant sound will eventually turn into beautiful music with practice.

Develop a relationship with the music educator. Ask for their suggestions of ways you can help your child succeed.

Get involved in booster and fundraising projects. It is quality time devoted to a great cause.

Be generous with your recognition of your child’s progress. Learning to play is not easy!

Don’t rule out learning to play yourself. Making music is an exceptionally rewarding experience.

Record your child’s home practices on CD. Listen with them and applaud their improvements.

Boost their interest by purchasing current popular sheet music at the Music Center.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, miss their first public performance. THIS IS THEIR BIG DAY!

Offer rewards for the difficult hurdles. Research step-up (upgrade-intermediate line) instruments at the Music Center when the time is right. All the principal equity you have accumulated on the rent to own agreement is transferable to the next purchase.

If your child is stressed and struggling, don’t give up. Seek the advice of the music director and offer your help. Private one-on-one lessons with an instructor at the Music Center may be helpful. Don’t push from one side. Unite the entire family behind the effort.

Keep the instrument in proper playing condition. With the Music Center’s rent to own program or maintenance program in place, there normally will not be an additional expense for repairs to the instrument when needed.

Be aware of school budget hearings. Music and fine arts programs are usually the first cut when the budget is tightened.

CONSIDER MAKING A QUALITY DECISION FOR YOUR CHILD

A quality decision means the difference between success and failure for your child. The purpose of this letter is to bring attention to an issue we are now facing.

Unfortunately there are some poorly manufactured instruments being sold by retailers who do not specialize in musical instruments. While the price tag on these instruments are irresistible to parents at times, keeping them in proper playing conditon (if possible) is a very costly challenge for the parent. Some of these instruments will not play in tune or they have a poor sound which usually results in a discouraged student. Many students will drop out of the music program as a result and may think they are not capable of playing when the instrument does not perform properly.

Many low quality instruments are manufactured from pot metal, commonly used to making plumbing fixtures, pots, and cheap jewelry. These metals are easily bent and do not respond well to repair adjustments. Additionally, many times parts are unavailable for needed repairs, thus the end result: You have wasted your money and wasted your child's chance to succeed in learning to play a musical instrument.

The Music Center urges you to give your child the opportunity to suceed with a quality instrument that is warranted by the manufacturer and by the Music Center. We stand behind the brands and models offered by our business. It is our desire that your child's musical experience be positive and rewarding.