The Real Reasons Why Your Child Hates Music Lessons

The Real Reasons Why Your Child Hates Music Lessons

Most parents have high hopes for their kids as far as musical talents go, as they should. But these dreams can come crashing down as soon as your child expresses disinterest in their music lessons. There are several reasons why your child might not be a fan of classes right now, but the good news is you can help encourage them through their process.

As parents, you want what’s best for your child, so read on to find out why music lessons might feel like ‘torture’ to your kid and how you can show them the value of music!

 

1. They don’t like to practice.

Practicing can feel like a chore, especially when parents don’t encourage music time outside of practice. Help your child learn discipline by incorporating both practice time and playtime into their daily routines. Practicing is probably the #1 reason children hate music, but every great musician has to practice.

 

2. They don’t like their instrument.

Just because you envisioned your kid playing the violin doesn’t mean that’s their instrument of choice. Your kid might be wanting to skip on their weekly lessons simply because they aren’t excited about the instrument they play. So instead, encourage your children to play the instrument that they’re most interested in.

 

3. They feel pressured.

At the end of the day, music should be fun! Creating a positive environment around music and recognizing your child’s accomplishments will help calm their inner-critic. Feeling pressure to meet high expectations or play a particular instrument can turn any kid off their music lessons.

 

4. They don’t like their teacher.

Not every teacher is the right fit, and that’s okay. If the connection between your child and their teacher isn’t there, you both have every right to find a teacher that can meet their needs. Before immediately signing up for lessons, you and your child can plan a visit to the music school to meet prospective teachers!

 

5. They think that they aren’t musically talented.

Kids can be pretty hard on themselves, especially when they aren’t picking up a new skill quickly. But the reality is, not everyone is a musical prodigy, and most of us all start at step one. Music is a craft, and if students put their minds to it, they can find success in it. But they’ll have to push past the hurdles, just as every great musician has done.

 

Conclusion

The next time your kid says, “I hate music!” find out what they’re really saying. More often than not, they don’t actually want to stop music lessons, and likely you can help them sort out what’s truly going on. Music lessons have an incredibly positive impact on children’s lives, so don’t be quick to let your child quit their studies.

If you’re thinking about enrolling your child in music lessons, Spark School of Music is ready to work with your budding musician! Learn more about our music lessons here.

How to Find a Good Music Teacher

music teacher teaching a kid how to play piano
music teacher teaching a kid how to play piano

How to Find a Good Music Teacher

Finding the right music teacher is like finding the right friend. You want to find an instructor for yourself or your child that can provide a learning environment that is encouraging, safe, and trustworthy. Music lessons are a worthwhile investment so ensure that you find the right one by doing your research!

Here’s a step by step guide to finding a music teacher and setting up your first lesson:

Where do I find a music teacher?

First things first, you need to know where to search for your potential teacher. The search for the best music teacher out there can feel overwhelming, but rest assured, there are many easy ways to find them. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Search for “music school” online

With just a quick Google search, you can pull up plenty of information about music teachers in your area. Be sure to read the reviews to see what past and current students have to say about the instruction.

2. Ask your friends and family

This is probably one of the best ways to find a great music teacher because you can ask people you trust! Someone in your circle is likely taking lessons, so asking your coworkers, friends, or people at church for suggestions will undoubtedly land you with a name or two.

 

What qualities should I look for in a music teacher?

So what makes a good music teacher ‘good’? Sometimes you have the option to meet with an instructor and even attend a trial lesson before committing to weekly classes, so you need to know what to look for in a teacher. Be on the lookout for the following traits in an instructor:

  • A good teacher can make the student feel confident mastering a complex skill.
  • A good teacher challenges students to accomplish goals they thought they couldn’t.
  • A good teacher listens to students’ desires and creates a personalized lesson plan.
  • A good teacher can be honest without belittling students.

 

After I’ve picked out a teacher I like, what happens next?

Once you’ve identified what you’re looking for in a teacher, all you’ve got to do is pick up the phone and call them! Then, make sure you ask them all your questions about what supplies you need for music lessons, how much it costs, cancellation policies, and more.

After you’ve covered all the basics, it should be time for you to look forward to the very first lesson!

 

Conclusion

Finding the right music teacher doesn’t have to be a feat, especially when you know what you’re looking for and have done your research. 

Still on the search for private music instructors? Spark School of Music provides personalized music lessons for adults and children ages pre-school and up!

So if you’re searching for private music lessons in Maple Grove, MN, or Blaine, MN, Spark School of Music has an incredible lineup of teachers who are passionate about nurturing musicians. 

Learn more about our private lessons and how you can schedule a trial lesson here.

The Best Ways To Motivate Your Child To Practice Piano (Without The Temper Tantrums)

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child with a red shirt practicing piano lessons

The Best Ways To Motivate Your Child To Practice Piano (Without The Tantrums)

We’ve all been there. Getting your kid to sit down and practice piano for an uninterrupted time can feel like pulling teeth out. It’s a slow and painful (seemingly impossible) process. Motivating your child to practice piano for their piano lessons can be challenging, but try to be empathic, and if you can, recall what it was like to sit down and be still for a full half-hour as a kid. Probably can’t, right? 

Parents, you want your kids to take the time to master the piano, so you have to encourage them to put in the work to do it. Here are 5 ways to help you motivate your child to practice the piano! 

Get creative with piano practice times. 

Playing the piano or any instrument for that matter takes intense focus and concentration. If you notice that your child struggles to concentrate during certain times of the day, take that as a cue to play around with practice times. Some parents have reported that getting their children to practice piano before school is an easy feat compared to practicing after-school when they’re tired. Try it out for yourself and see if it helps! 

Set a routine. 

So, you want your child to practice the piano like clockwork? Make it into a daily routine and teach your kids the importance of discipline and structure. If you really want to increase your chances of motivating them enough to practice regularly, let your child be in control and in charge of making their own schedule. 

Remember to make time for play. 

Practicing is necessary, but so is having fun too! Encourage your child to play the piano throughout the week just for fun. Maybe they can learn to play their favorite song or get creative and make a song of their own! Either way, don’t forget to give your child the space to be an artist. 

Create incentives with music games. 

The easiest way to trick, I mean, motivate your kid into practicing piano is by making a game out of it. Decide on a reward together that they’ll receive if they play the piano for x amount of time or master a scale or song. You can come up with your own game that works best to motivate your kid!

Be their biggest cheerleader.

Offering words and acts of encouragement to your kid is a tried-and-true method for motivating your child to practice the piano. The piano isn’t an easy instrument to master, and it’s important to highlight all the milestones along the way so that they feel motivated to keep going! Celebrate your child’s accomplishments no matter how big or small they may be. 

Options may seem slim when you feel like you’ve tried everything to encourage your child to practice, but if there’s a will, there’s always a way! Try out these tips for yourself and see if that makes practice time go a bit smoother. 

7 Tips to Encourage Your Child’s Musical Success

Parent and child playing piano, ukulele, and guitar
Parent and child playing piano, ukulele, and guitar

7 Tips to Encourage Your Child's Musical Success

So, you’ve just enrolled your child in music lessons. Congratulations! It’s an exciting time for both you and your child, and I’m sure you’re eager to set your child up for success. Learning to play a new instrument isn’t easy, and your child will need your encouragement and guidance to keep at it. 

If you’re wondering what steps you can take to set your child up for success early on, read on to learn 7 tips to help you encourage your child’s musical success starting today!

1. Consider reframing the idea of “practicing.” 

Let’s be honest. The word “practice” just feels void of fun for kids. Try to keep things light and relaxed, and consider practicing time as “playing time” instead. It feels a lot less restrictive. 

2. Be involved in the process.

Encourage your child’s musical success by showing them that you’re interested and want to be a part of their musical journey. Sit in with them during their lessons or playing time at home, and ask them questions about their music. 

3. Praise your child every step of the way.

Being your child’s biggest cheerleader goes a long way. It doesn’t matter the size of the accomplishment. Just celebrate your child’s success! There will be highs and lows throughout their experience learning music, so be sure to praise them during the highlights. 

4. Establish a routine.

It’ll be challenging to get your child into the habit of practicing for music lessons and playing regularly if they don’t have a routine. Incorporate times for music in their daily schedules so that they’ll establish discipline and good habits early on. 

5. Refrain from making negative remarks about music sounds.

Listen. Your child is a beginner and of course, listening to them play is not the same as going to a concert at Target Center. So, be careful about making negative comments because this could really discourage your child from trying to be better. Refrain from negative comments altogether, and make this rule clear to other family members, too. 

6. Introduce them to a role model.

One of the best ways to get your child excited about music and becoming a better musician is by introducing them to a positive role model. Perhaps ask a musician in your community or church to mentor your child, or you can simply prioritize taking your kid to amateur and professionals music performances. Show them that it’s possible to be a talented performer. It just takes a bit of work! 

7. Encourage others to praise your child.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, right? Your child will love to hear praises from other family members and loved ones when they accomplish a milestone, so encourage your village to say a kind word or two when you know your child could use some extra loving. 

Get excited about your child’s new musical journey because it is a special time, and before you know it, your child won’t be playing beginner’s music anymore. Encourage your child’s musical success today with these tips!

How To Choose Your Child’s First Guitar

guitar teacher showing child how to play guitar chords
guitar teacher showing child how to play guitar chords

How To Choose Your Child's First Guitar

If you aren’t a musician yourself, you’re probably aren’t well-versed in the world of guitars enough to know how to pick the right one. That’s okay because we’re here to help you! Your budding musician is likely ready to rock and roll, so let’s get right to it. 

Whether you need help choosing the right size, or you don’t have anything idea where to start, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right guitar for your child.

Step 1: Decide on the type of guitar. 

There are three types of guitars: acoustic, electric, and classical. Depending on what kind of music your kid likes, they will likely gravitate towards a specific guitar. Here’s a breakdown of the three different types of guitars: 

Electric Guitar

  • Smaller than an acoustic and classical guitar 
  • Great for musicians who like country, rock, or pop music 
  • Can be heavy
  • Has steel strings that can be hard on young fingers 
  • Needs an amp

Acoustic Guitar

  • Similar in shape to a classical guitar 
  • Bright and loud sound 
  • Has steel strings that can be hard on young fingers 
  • Good for contemporary music 

Classical Guitar

  • Has nylon strings that are softer for young fingers 
  • Warm and full sound
  • Tend to come in a default shape and size
  • Suitable for classical and Latin styles of music 

Step 2: Find the right size.

The last thing you want to do is do all this research just to buy a guitar that’s either too big or too small for your child. The size of the guitar matters, and if your child is having a difficult time playing their instrument, that might be a sign that the guitar isn’t a good fit. 

Electric Guitar 

  • Recommended size for ages 5-8 is 1/2 size 
  • Recommended size for ages 8-12 is 3/4 size
  • Recommended size for ages 12+ is a full size 

Acoustic Guitar 

  • Recommended size for ages 5-12 is 3/4 size 
  • Recommended size for ages 12-15 is a small body 
  • Recommended size for ages 15+ is a full size 

Classical Guitar 

  • Recommended size for ages 2-5 is 1/4 size
  • Recommended size for ages 5-8 is 1/2 size
  • Recommended size for ages 8-12 is 3/4 size
  • Recommended size for ages 12+ is a full size 

Step 3: Purchase the guitar and enroll them in lessons.

Woohoo! Now that you’ve gotten a complete breakdown of the different types of guitar, you and your child can go out and choose the best fit. Afterward, don’t waste another minute and go ahead and enroll your child in music school. Or even better, enroll them in music school before the process to receive extra help choosing the right guitar.

Your child’s guitar teacher at Spark School of Music is the ideal person to consult when you’re buying your child’s first guitar or even when you think it might be time to size up. Your child’s musical success starts with choosing the best guitar suited just for them! 

5 Positive, Confidence-Building Affirmations For Young Musicians​

happy child playing guitar
happy child playing guitar

5 Positive, Confidence-Building Affirmations For Young Musicians

Learning a new instrument isn’t always an easy rodeo. Sometimes your little musician might be feeling discouraged after their music lessons and in need of a serious pick-me-up. I’m sure you’ve tried different methods to soothe your kid when they’re frustrated by their instrument. But have you tried using positive mantras? 

Teaching your child some confidence-building affirmations is an excellent way to learn how to encourage themselves with positive self-talk. What are these affirmations, you say? Affirmations are phrases that we speak or think to ourselves, whether positive or negative. Children and adults can use positive mantras to motivate themselves, encourage positive life changes, and boost confidence. 

So, when your child feels intimidated or defeated by their instrument, pick a few feel-good, encouraging phrases for them to repeat. Here’s a lineup of 5 positive affirmations you can teach your young musician: 

 “I can learn how to do this.” 

When your child starts to feel frustrated or defeated by a challenging note, or passage they’re trying to master, this is an excellent affirmation to speak over themselves. Yes, nailing a new technique or song may be challenging, but they absolutely can learn how to do it. This affirmation is a testament to that truth! 

“I can learn from my mistake.” 

No professional musician got to where they are today without making mistakes. If your kid feels discouraged by mistakes, this positive affirmation will remind them that shortcomings are not only okay but they’re welcomed. Mistakes aren’t the end of the world, and they only present an opportunity to grow and become a better musician. 

“I can ask for help when I need it.” 

It’s not abnormal for some children to be shy when it comes to asking for help. Have your child repeat this mantra if they could use the extra boost of confidence! When they feel overwhelmed, your kid will remember that they can always ask their teachers or you for help when they need it. 

“I am doing the best that I can.” 

This positive affirmation for kids will be one they can hold onto for the rest of their life. Who couldn’t use a reminder that they’re doing the best they can? Your kid might want to compare themselves to other musicians, but the truth is, everyone has their own path, and it’s important to acknowledge their current accomplishments. 

“I am growing as a musician.” 

Not many people are born musical prodigies, so it takes time to hone a craft! Even professional musicians never stop learning. If your child needs a little boost to keep going, this affirmation will inspire them to keep looking forward to the journey! 

The best part about affirmations is that they are 100% customizable. Words are compelling and possess the unique ability to uplift people, so use them to your advantage. There’s nothing better than seeing your kid react to a stressful situation in a positive manner, and affirmations allow them to center themselves. Try these mantras out with your child, and watch their self-confidence flourish! 

Music Lesson Practice Tips

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PRACTICE TIPS: MAKING YOUR PRACTICE TIME MORE PRODUCTIVE

• Practice a little every day. This is more beneficial than one or two really long practice sessions every week.

• Find a quiet place to practice so you don’t have any distractions. Practice slow, and gradually speed it up.

• Set aside a specific time each day to practice. It will become part of your daily routine and make practice consistent.

• Learn each phrase at a time. Practice SLOWLY until you have it, and then move to the next phrase.

• Playing from the beginning to end, but consistently making mistakes is not productive. You’re simply practicing mistakes. Break it up into sections that are harder for you, then try to piece it all together.

Record yourself. This is a great way to listen back and see if you made mistakes that you didn’t realize. LISTEN CAREFULLY!

• Practice the hard parts. It’s fun to play the parts you like, but you’ll only get better if you practice the things that are hard.

• Always refer to your teacher’s notes and comments to be certain you are practicing the correct material.

• Play for your family and friends. It might make you nervous, but make it fun and you will become a better musician.

• Remember to stand or sit in the correct position. You don’t want to hurt yourself! Before you leave, make certain you understand everything your teacher assigned to you.

• LISTEN. Listen to your favorite music and pay attention to what your instrument is playing.

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5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Music Lessons

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5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Music Lessons

These guidelines will help the music student have a successful, rewarding experience learning an instrument. Below are practical tips that we have discovered from years of teaching.

1. How Young Is Too Young? Starting at the Right Age

Adults can start any instrument at any time. Their success is based on how willing the are to commit to practicing. We teach many beginner students in their 60’s and 70’s.  For children, starting at the right age is a key element to their success in lessons. Some people say, “the sooner the better” but, this attitude can actually backfire. If a child is placed in lessons too soon they may feel overwhelmed and frustrated and want to stop taking lessons. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off music just because they had one unpleasant experience which could have been prevented. Sometimes, if the child waits a year to start lessons their progress can be much faster. Children who are older than the suggested earliest starting age usually do very well. The following are guidelines we have found to be successful in determining when to begin lessons.

Piano/Keyboard

We typically start private piano lessons at age five. At this age, they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease.

Guitar – Acoustic, Electric, Ukulele and Bass

Eight years old is the earliest we recommend for guitar lessons. Playing guitar requires a fair amount of pressure from the fingertips to press the strings. Children under eight generally have small hands and may find playing uncomfortable. Bass guitar students generally start at 10. Ukulele students are generally five years or older.  Ukulele is a great way to begin for a young student who wants to learn guitar. 

Voice Lessons

Private vocal lessons are generally most beneficial for children 10 years and older.  Due to the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques, development of the vocal chords and lung capacity), the younger body is generally not yet ready for the rigors of vocal technique. 

Drums

The average age of our youngest drum student is eight. This varies greatly depending on the size of the child, as they need to be able to reach both the pedals and the cymbals. 

Violin and Viola

We accept violin and viola students from the age of five and up. Some teachers will start children as young as three, but experience has shown us the most productive learning occurs when the beginner is five or older.

2. Take Lessons in a Professional Teaching Environment

Learning music is not just a matter of having a qualified teacher, but also having an environment that is focused on music education. In a professional music school environment a student is not distracted by TV, pets, ringing phones, siblings or anything else. With only half to one hour of lesson time per week, a professional school environment can produce better results, since the only focus at that time is learning music. Students in a school environment are also motivated by hearing peers who are at different levels and by being exposed to a variety of musical instruments. In a music school, the lessons are not just a hobby or sideline for the teacher, but a responsibility they take very seriously. They are dedicated to helping your child have the best music learning experience possible.

3. Make Practicing Easier

As with anything, improving in music takes practice. One of the main problems with music lessons is the drudgery of practicing and the fight between parents and students to practice every day. Here are some ways to make practicing easier:

Time

Set the same time every day to practice so it becomes part of a routine or habit. This works particularly well for children. Generally, the earlier in the day the practicing can occur, the less reminding is required by parents to get the child to practice.

Repetition

We use this method quite often when setting practice schedules for beginners. For a young child, 20 or 30 minutes seems like an eternity. Instead of setting a time frame for practicing, we use repetition. For example, “practice this piece four times every day and this scale five times a day.” The child then does not pay attention to the amount of time they are practicing their instrument, but knows if they are on repetition number three, they are almost finished.

Rewards

This works very well for both children and adult students. Some adults reward themselves with a cappuccino after a successful week of practicing. Parents can encourage children to practice by granting them occasional rewards for successful practicing. In our school, we reward young children for a successful week of practicing with stars and stickers on their work. Praise tends to be the most coveted award – there just is no substitute for a pat on the back for a job well done. Sometimes, we all have a week with little practicing, in that case there is always next week.

4. Use Recognized Teaching Materials

There are some excellent materials developed by professional music educators that are made for students in a variety of situations. For example in piano, there are books for very young beginner and books for adult students who have never played before. There are books that can start you at a level with which you are comfortable. These materials have been researched and are continually upgraded and improved to make learning easier. These materials ensure that no important part of learning an instrument can inadvertently be left out. If you ever have to move to a different part of the country, qualified teachers and institutions will recognize the materials and be able to smoothly continue from where the previous teacher left off.

5. Most Importantly … HAVE FUN!

Music should be something that the learner enjoys for a lifetime. So, try not to put unrealistic expectations on yourself or your children to learn too quickly. Everyone learns at a different pace and the key is to be able to enjoy the journey.

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Music Lesson Frequently Asked Questions

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Music Frequently Asked Questions (And Answers)

Q. Do I need a piano at home to take piano lessons?

A. While it is ideal if you do have a piano at home, you can start lessons with our piano teachers by using an electric keyboard to practice on at home. Most of our students rent or buy small electric keyboards to practice on at home. We recommend a keyboard that has regular sized keys and a touch sensitive response. A touch sensitive keyboard means if you press a key harder it will play louder and if you press a key softer it will play quieter.

Q. Do I need a full drum set to take drum lessons?

A. No. You do not need a full drum set to start drum lessons. Students can start lessons by using a practice pad. This is a small dinner plate sized pad that costs $20-$30 that is used for practicing basic drum rhythms.  As a drum student gets more advanced, our teachers can recommend options to help the student continue to grow.

Q. How long does it take to learn an instrument?

A. There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn an instrument. With regular practice, a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable.

Q. I don’t have any musical background or ability; can I still help my child practice?

A. Yes. Even if you don’t have a musical background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to help your child practice. By simply monitoring they are doing exercises a certain number of times per day, the student will progress. Many parents occasionally sit in on their child’s music lesson to get an idea of the proper way a song should sound or how the student should be positioning their hands.

Q. When is the best time to start?

A. The short answer is NOW!  The best time to learn an instrument is as young as possible.  You can see our guide on ages we recommend starting instruments HERE.

Q. What is the best instrument to start on?

A. If your child doesn’t have a preference of what instrument to learn, recommend they start on the piano because,

  • Notes are visually laid out from highest to lowest.  This makes it easy to understand
  • It requires the least amount of coordination and finger strength.  Other instruments such as the drums and guitar require a significant amount of coordination and strength such as holding down the strings or using different limbs to play a drum beat.
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Music Lesson Parent Handbook

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Private Music Lessons

The majority of music students at the Spark School of Music choose to take private lessons. They enjoy working at their own pace, according to their own learning style, and on material that is best suited to them. Their teacher will develop a lesson plan specific to them. We have an open door policy and parents are welcome to chat with the teacher at any time they wish. We find that students usually learn best without the distraction of a parent in the room, but if desired you can sit in on your child’s lesson. We find the most successful approach is to take a few minutes at the end of the lesson to speak with the teacher and see how the student is doing. Students start out with a 30-minute private lesson once a week and can progress to a 45 minute or 1 hour lesson. Every conceivable style of music is taught at our school.

Practicing

In order to progress and learn their instrument, it is essential that your child regularly practice. This does not have to be a negative experience for them and their teachers can let you know what they expect in terms of practicing each week and give helpful hints on making practicing easier. You can also look at our practicing tips page.

Attendance

Regular attendance at lessons really supports your child’s success. If your child is ill, please call the school before their scheduled lesson time, and we can schedule them in a group make up class.

Substitutes and Makeup Lessons

In the event that, for any reason, a teacher cannot teach a lesson, we will provide a substitute teacher. If we are unable to secure a substitute to teach the lesson, we will reschedule the missed lesson at a future date. If we have to cancel a lesson due to acts beyond our control, such as a power failure or a snow day, the lesson will be made up at a future date.

Bring a Friend Week

Twice a year all music students can bring a friend to their music lesson. As much as possible the teachers will have the friend participate in the lesson. An invitation is sent home for your child to give to their friend. Each student who brings a friend is entered into a draw for a prize.

Treasure Chest

We want to reward each of our students for doing a good job in their lesson. Several times a year the teachers will reward the student with the opportunity to pick a prize out of the treasure chest. This is earned for attendance, attitude and practice.

Spring Break

Please note that our spring break may not coincide with the public school system’s spring break. Please consult our music calendar for the dates we are closed.

Student Appreciation Day

Each year in June we hold a Student Appreciation Day party. This is a fun way to end the year and to thank our students for all their hard work throughout the year. We provide live music, hot dogs, pop, ice cream and more. Everything at the party is completely free as a thank you to our students. At Student Appreciation Day we award a trophy to every student who has been taking music lessons for five years and a very large specialized trophy to each music student who has been taking lessons with us for 10 years. Please plan on joining us, and the whole family is welcome.

MUSIC RECITALS

Each year music students are given the opportunity to participate in a music recital. These recitals are optional and the student can decide, along with their teacher, if they wish to participate. The recitals are free of charge, although we do ask that you bring a non-perishable food donation for the food bank. Recitals typically happen in November and in May.

Recitals are held at a local church and maps to the location of the recitals will be available on our website sparkmusicanddance.com. Each recital session is approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours long.

We try to keep our recitals as stress free as possible so that the students gain performing experience in a supportive environment. Students do not have to memorize their pieces and we encourage them to select a short piece. Vocal students will use a microphone and our staff will adjust the mic for them. The order in which the students are performing is listed in a recital program.

Recital Etiquette

It is just as important for students performing at the end of the recital to have an audience as it is for students at the beginning. We ask that you plan to stay for the entire duration of the recital. Please refrain from talking in the audience while the recital is happening. Should you need to use the restroom, please only exit between performances and return between performances. Cell phones should be turned off. Video recording and taking of photos is highly encouraged.

Year-End Recital Participation Medal

At the recital in May, every student will receive a recital participation medal.

Accompanist for Music Recitals

Voice students, violin students, or any other students requiring an accompanist will need to sign up for a rehearsal time at the school. We have a professional accompanist who will rehearse with your student at the Spark School of Music, and then attend the performance to accompany them. Students need to provide a copy of their music to the front desk at the time they sign up for accompaniment. This needs to be done before the rehearsal so the accompanist has time to go over the music. Any changes to the music need to be clearly marked. There is a fee for the accompanist, as they have to come to rehearsal, learn the music and come to the recital. 100% of the accompaniment fee goes directly to the accompanist. The fee is low, as we provide a large number of students for her/him to accompany. We will make you aware of rehearsal times several weeks before the recital.

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