ComposeCreate.com

Is There Such a Thing as a Low-cost or Money-making Recital?

Wendy — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:20 +0000

Jennifer Foxx over at Foxx Piano Studio Resources shared about an incredible idea for any teacher’s recital program. This idea could literally eliminate all your recital costs and potentially make money for your studio! What is the idea? Well Jennifer shared that she was looking for a way to fund the auction that she was having for her students who had earned composer bucks during the [...]

A Policy Tip from Day Care – $5 a Day!

Wendy — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:03:36 +0000

In the last Dollars and Sense post, I mentioned the long list of things I learned from my child’s Kids Day Out provider. If you are interested in how others handle things like snow days and such things, then you’ll definitely be interested in reading: And You Thought MY Makeup Policy was Severe! I mentioned that looking at how other professions handle business issues professionally can assist [...]

Pre-packaged Summer Camps

Wendy — Thu, 09 May 2013 01:10:21 +0000

Over the last few weeks, I have had a number of teachers ask me if there are summer camp plans and materials available for sale. I know that there are a number out there, but I can’t always remember where they are. So if you have a pre-packaged summer camp for sale, here’s your chance to tell us about it! In the comments below, please [...]

And You Thought MY Makeup Policy Was Severe!

Wendy — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:25:25 +0000

I think it’s always helpful for us teachers to look into other professions to see how they handle things like missed payments, missed appointments, and such things. I’m in a great place to do that these days with school aged and younger children. So I thought I’d share an interesting interaction I had with one of my children’s Kids Day Out program. We had a slew [...]

Does This Limerick Describe You?

Wendy — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:06:18 +0000

My son recently studied limericks in school. I love the sounds of everything from music notes to words and have been known to annoyingly say a word over and over just because I like it’s sound…never mind its meaning! So for a time, I became obsessed with composing limericks in my head about everyday life. Here’s one that I hope describes no one, but fear that [...]

Summer 2013 Teaching Workshops and Conferences

Wendy — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:23:56 +0000

There are some fantastic workshops and conferences available for teachers this summer! I’ll actually be speaking two times at NCKP so I hope you can make it there. Here is information on that conference as well as others. Please let me know if you know of a conference or workshop and I’ll add it to this list. National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy Dates: July 25-27 [...]

The 4 Elements of a Great Critique

Wendy — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:11 +0000

by Marcia Vahl, NCTM Judging opportunities may take us into judging state piano exams, contests, Piano Guild, Federation Junior Festivals, or composition contests. No matter what the event, writing a great critique starts with considering who will read it. Consider Your Audience A great critique starts with considering who will be reading and trying to benefit from the critique. What does the student’s teacher want [...]

Overcome Your Fear of Improvising This Summer!

Wendy — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:00:27 +0000

I’m always excited when there is an organized effort to help students and teachers foster the creativity that is already in them and us. Here at the beginning of the 21st century, I am seeing a shift in our profession in the area of reading music and improvising. Have you noticed how many of the methods have started incorporating more improvisation exercises in their books? [...]

Christmas Carol Contest for Composers

Wendy — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:28:00 +0000

I received this information about the sixteenth Christmas Carol contest and was thrilled that this years’ instrumentation is SATB plus piano! The deadline to enter the contest is August 2. This year marks the sixteenth year of the Welcome Christmas Carol Contest, as VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum provide composers with the opportunity to compose a modern-day carol. This year’s contest requires writing a carol for SATB [...]

Do You Know Where You Are Going? Business Plans

Wendy — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:55 +0000

Ever since I began presenting the “Best Stress-free Business Practices” workshop, I’ve had teachers asking me all kinds of advice on best business practices. But although I love giving practical advice for makeup lessons, tuition structures, overscheduled students, flex time, etc., I realize that it’s very important for teachers to know what they are thinking (false narratives as discussed in the workshop), where they are [...]