Teachers Darlene Stammer

Cindy Edwards

Studio Phone 734-856-4460

Studio Location 3274 W. Samaria Rd.

Temperance, MI 48182

Updated August 2009

Contents

Section About Your Teacher ………………………………………………………………………………………………………1

Note from the teachers

Teacher qualifications

Communications ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………2

Learning Piano ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

How long does it takes?

Statements, Tuition, Books ……………………………………………………………………………………………4

Monthly statements

Tuition

Late Tuition

Books

Absences, Make-up Lessons, Cancellations ……………………………………………………………………5

Absences – excused and unexcused

Make-up lessons

Teacher cancellations

Exchanges, Tardiness, Vacations, Holidays, Bad Weather ………………………………………………6

Tardiness

Stopping lessons

School vacations

Holidays

Bad weather

Extracurricular Activities ……………………………………………………………………………………………...7

Studio Recitals

Outside performance opportunities

Recital etiquette

Computer

Master Classes

Contests and awards

Contests and Awards …………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Assignments, Practice Time ……………………………………………………………………………………………9

Reviewing assignments

Practice time

Parents’ guidance and encouragement

Creating the Proper Environment ………………………………………..………………………………………10

Metronome

Piano tuning

Explorer Magazine

Proper Studio Etiquette ……………………………………………………………………………………………….11

Parents in the studio

No children visitors

Parents and students

Bathroom

Fingernails

School pictures

Students Goals …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12

Summer Lessons ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Cost of summer lessons

Who should take summer lessons

Section 1

About Your Teacher

Note from the teachers: We teach because we love music and sharing that love of music with

the students. However, we work for the same reason you work. We do not consider teaching a

hobby or something to do just to fill our time. We consider our teaching a business, hence the

Piano Studio Student Manual.

Teacher Qualifications:

Darlene Stammer: Darlene Stammer has taught private piano lessons for over forty years,

including two years of preschool music. She started to study music at the age of five and

continued to take private lessons well into her adult years. Mrs. Stammer has attended

seminars and workshops at schools throughout the area including Bowling Green State

University (including a class in 1986 that emphasized teaching students ages four to nine),

University of Toledo, Ohio State University, and the University of Michigan. Featured speakers

have included piano pedagogy experts Dennis Alexander, Virginia Marks, Jane and Lisa Bastien,

Gayle Kowalchyk, Bradley Sowash, Cristos Tsitaros, the Arganbrights, Maurice Hinson, and Tom

Gerou.

She is an active member of the Toledo Piano Teachers Association, which, since 2004, has

included being a member of the board as the historian. As a member of the TPTA, Mrs.

Stammer’s students have participated in master classes with guest artists from around the

world.

Mrs. Stammer has also been an active member of the Toledo Symphony League’s Educational

Program and served as the chairman of the Young Artist Competition for five years. Through

the Ohio Music Teachers Association she chaired the Ohio Music Festival at the University of

Toledo for several years. In 1998 she was chosen to be 1 of 25 teachers nationwide to attend

the Roland Corporation’s Annual Technology Retreat.

Many of Mrs. Stammer’s students have continued their music endeavors by majoring in some

area of music in college. Many of those who don’t major in music continue music through

extracurricular music activities in college and their communities.

Cindy Edwards: Cindy Edwards has taught private piano lessons for over thirty years. She

began to study music at age five. For ten years she studied with Elizabeth Gould-Hochman,

international composer and pianist. Mrs. Edwards attended Bob Jones University in Greenville,

South Carolina, where she studied piano pedagogy and business administration. She has

attended seminars and workshops throughout the area including the University of Toledo,

Bowling Green State University, and Bob Jones University. Featured piano pedagogy experts

have included Jane and Lisa Bastien, Gayle Kowalchyk, Bradley Sowash, Cristos Tsitsaros, the

Arganbrights, Maurice Hinson, and Tom Gerou.

Mrs. Edwards has taught and played professionally on military posts in Germany and California.

In 1999 she was chosen to be 1 of 40 teachers nationwide to attend the Roland Corporation’s

Annual Technology Retreat in Los Angeles, CA, which featured Walter and Carol Noona. As part

of the Toledo Piano Teachers Association, Mrs. Edwards’ students have participated in master

classes with Lambis Vassiliadis and Mary Touse-Beck.

In July 2006 she became the Assistant to the Music Director at Emmanuel Christian School in

Toledo, Ohio. Part of her responsibilities includes teaching general music to middle school and

maintaining the technology in the music department. In February 2009 Mrs. Edwards became a

state board member of the Ohio chapter of the Technology Institute of Music Educators.

Section 2

Communications The student manual was developed over the years by questions that were asked and problems

that arose because students and parents did not understand our studio policies. We know of

no other studio who spends as much time, money, and effort in trying to have good

communications and understanding with the students and parents. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

TO READ THE POLICY BOOK AND CHECK YOUR MONTHLY STATEMENT.

1) Each student receives a student manual with a policy book enclosed. The cost for the

student manual is $5. It is the student’s responsibility to bring the manual to each and

every lesson.

2) In the beginning of each school year, every student will have placed in their manual:

a. Yearly calendar with lessons, recitals, studio vacations, etc.

b. A new grade card, memorization tracking sheet, and performance tracking sheet

c. Any changes to the policy book (this will vary from year to year)

3) On the 20th of each month, the statement will be mailed to the parents. Tuition is due

when statement is received. Tuition is late if not received by the first of the month.

4) The teachers will write dates and information in the student’s manual and tell the

students of important dates. Therefore, it is important for parents to check the

student’s manual after their lesson each week.

There are several ways that show that parents have not read the policy book and newsletters:

1) By questions asked that are covered in the policy book

2) By student showing up for lessons during scheduled studio holiday

breaks

3) By student not showing up for scheduled lessons

4) By unnecessary phone calls concerning information that is in the

policy book

This is very discouraging to us as teachers.

Please read the student manual and newsletters carefully!

Thank you!

Section 3

Learning Piano

How long does it take?

To learn all the basic facts about playing the piano, it should only take five years. At this time

the student should be able to read music very well and may sight read at least level three

music. To become an excellent pianist, it takes about ten years. To have a career as a pianist,

such as a church musician or a music teacher, you must start early. To decide in high school

that you want to have a career in music is too late, or at least very difficult to start at that time.

If a student starts between ages 4-6 or has achieved level 5, they can participate in

competitions, of which some have monetary awards. Some of these competitions are available

in junior high, with even more available in high school. Also, some advanced students that are

in high school may begin to teach beginning piano students. Accompanying for other musicians

is also a possibility. Piano is the basis for all other instruments and will definitively be a benefit

to students who plan to participate in school band or orchestra. Piano is the basis for all other

instruments.

Section 4

Statements, Tuition, Books

Monthly Statements

Monthly statements will be mailed to all parents on the 20th of each month. These statements

include not only your monthly amount due, but any information students and parents may

need. If a statement is not received, it is till the parent’s responsibility to pay the tuition at the

first of the month.

Tuition

Tuition is divided into nine equal monthly payments, based on the

yearly calendar of lessons scheduled from September through May.

The tuition is NOT based per lesson. There are NO refunds for any

reason. The payment per month is the same no matter if there are five

lessons or two lessons.

Late Tuition

Tuition is paid in advance. Tuition is due when statement is received. Tuition is late if not

received by the first of the month. If tuition is not paid by the first lesson of the month, NO

LESSON WILL BE GIVEN. Students whose tuition is continually late will be dropped. If you are

having financial problems, please tell your teacher so arrangements can be made to pay your

account. Otherwise, it is assumed that you simply forgot, which is not acceptable.

Books

Books are bought by the teacher for the student. All books will be billed on the monthly

statement. The teachers suggest that parents take their students to local music stores to select

other music they would like to play. The store we recommend is Craig’s Keyboards, 2902 W.

Sylvania Ave., Toledo, Ohio, 419-472-0202. The store is on Sylvania between Secor and

Douglas.

Music levels:

Five Finger – appropriate for students at the primer level and level 1

Big Note – appropriate for students at level 1 or 2

Easy or Easy Piano – appropriate for students at level 3 or 4

Piano Solo, Original, or P/V/G – appropriate for students at level 5 and up

Section 5

Absences, Make-up Lessons, Cancellations

Absences

If you cannot attend your lesson at the scheduled time, be sure to call the teacher!!! If it is an

excused absence, you must call before your lesson to receive a make-up lesson. Please review

below what qualifies as an excused and unexcused absence.

Excused Absences Unexcused absences (lessons come 1st

!)

Fever Shopping or parties

Contagious illnesses – i.e. flu Vacations not on the lesson schedule

Chicken pox, measles, mumps, etc. Company

Bad colds with fever and cough Car broken down/no transportation

Red or pink eye Work schedule changes (see student

exchanges)

Death in immediate family (parent,

grandparent, sibling)

School or Birthday Activities

Broken bones – FIRST WEEK ONLY; if the

student is able to go to school, he can come to

lessons. Even with a broken finger students

can do extra work on notes and theory. There

is also music for just one hand.

Colds (when it is only a runny nose)

Make-up Lessons

Excused absences may be made up at the teacher’s convenience or during studio-scheduled

vacation times (i.e. Spring break). Any remaining make-up lessons will be made up during June.

If a scheduled make-up lesson is missed, for any reason, that make-up is forfeited. No make-up

lessons will be rescheduled. Make-up lessons are for excused absences and teacher

cancellations ONLY. No more than four make-up lessons will be given for excused absences.

For teacher and bad weather cancellations, there is no limit.

Teacher Cancellations

If a teacher is sick or cannot teach for a personal reason, we will to either find a qualified

substitute or cancel the lesson and schedule a make-up.

Section 6

Exchanges, Tardiness, Vacations, Holidays, Bad Weather

Tardiness

If you are late, you will receive only the time left in your lesson. It is not fair to make other

students wait because you are late.

Stopping Lessons

During the school year, if you stop lessons in the middle of the month, you owe for the entire

month. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS! You are not charged per lesson, but by the lessons

scheduled on the yearly calendar, September through May.

School Vacations

Since we have students in several different school districts and they all have different

schedules, we cannot follow their vacation schedules. This especially affects spring break.

Holidays

See the yearly calendar for studio-scheduled holiday breaks.

Bad Weather

Lessons will not be canceled for bad weather. Often when school is cancelled for bad weather,

the roads are fine by noon. If a storm starts late in the afternoon and you think it is too bad to

travel, you may call to cancel the lesson and a make-up will be scheduled. IF YOU DO NOT

CALL, THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP.

Section 7

Extracurricular Activities

Studio Recitals

Fees that are charged for recitals are to cover expenses incurred for these events. Studio

recitals are MANDATORY and NOT OPTIONAL. Currently the studio holds two recitals each

year:

Winter Recital – usually scheduled in January. All

students and all levels play at this recital. This is a

great opportunity for students at the earlier levels

to hear what can be accomplished at later levels.

End of Year Recital and Awards – scheduled in

May. Students are scheduled by level. Students in

level 1 and up have their performances evaluated

by qualified piano pedagogy judges. End of year

awards for memorization, performance,

attendance, etc. are also given at this recital.

Outside Performance Opportunities

Opportunities at school, church, and in the community (such as senior centers – they LOVE

hearing the students play) abound. Some other opportunities available to students:

Solo and ensemble festivals – These are available through your school and are usually

held sometime between January and March. It is not a competition with other students,

but a wonderful opportunity for a student to be evaluated solely on his/her

performance with positive feedback from the adjudicators. This festival is for junior high

and high school students. Even though your piano teacher will help you prepare, you

must register through the music director at your school.

University of Toledo Master Classes – These are held throughout the year with guest

artists from around the world. This is rare opportunity for students to receive feedback

from experts that they would never meet otherwise.

Toledo Symphony’s Young Artist Competition – The three winners of this concerto

competition have the privilege of performing with the Toledo Symphony. This is for late

intermediate and advanced students.

Other opportunities – as we receive information throughout the year, there can be other

opportunities for students, such as Bach Festival, Sonata Festival, etc.

Recital Dress Code

Stage presence is important to your performance! Please follow the guidelines below for any

recital. If in doubt, ask your teacher!

Girls: full dress or skirt – the longer the better-be sure to wear a slip; bare legs are not

attractive at the piano; hair back and out of face; no dangling jewelry, watches, or rings; no

colored nail polish; low or flat shoes work best with pedal; no tennis shoes, boots, or flip flops

(shoes need to have a back strap-otherwise it can affect the student’s ability to use the pedal

and the shoe makes noise when the student walks to the piano); no jean or denim material; no

shorts, pants, cullotes, or leggins.

Boys: Dress pants, shirt, and ties (jacket is optional); no jewelry, watches, or rings; NO blue

jeans, dress jeans, or tennis shoes. Hair should be neat and out of the face.

Computer

Computer/theory extended lesson: This is a free, extended lesson in

theory. The student is expected to work on the computer on their own for

thirty minutes either before or after their piano lesson. The extended

lesson is designed for self-teaching. By providing this 30 minute extended

lesson, this allows the teacher and student to devote the complete 30

minutes of the lesson to playing music at the piano, instead of drilling with theory.

Studio Master Classes

A studio master class is a class that concentrates on one or more subjects that students need

extra work on or cannot be completed during the regular lesson. Subjects that can be covered

at a master class are theory, composition, history, duet/ensemble playing, ear training, etc.

Section 8

Yearly Contests and Awards

Grade Point Average Award

Each student has a grade card in their manual. At every lesson the student will receive a grade

for their performance that day. At the end of the year, the student with the highest grade point

average in each level (minimum 3.0) will receive the top award. All students who maintain a

3.0 throughout the year will receive a certificate.

Performance Award

Performance is an important part of learning to play piano. The Performance Award is for

performances outside of the studio’s regularly scheduled events (i.e. studio recitals or studio

master classes). Examples of outside performances are playing for family members (such as

grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.), school, church, talent shows, scouts, senior centers, etc.

Basically, any time that the student plays for someone that does not live in their house, it can

count as a performance. For instance, if friends come over, play piano for them first. Play for

the babysitter. This all counts! Limit one performance for a particular individual per day (i.e.

playing for the babysitter when she arrives and playing for her when she leaves only counts as

one performance that day). An adult needs to write a note that you performed and the date.

Bring the note to your next lesson and your teacher will record it in

your manual. Students are not to fill out their own performance

report!

Each student that performs at least 3 outside performances

throughout the year will receive a certificate. The student in each level

that performs the most will receive the top award.

Memorization Award

The memorization award is for memorization of music beyond the student’s yearly recital

pieces. Memorization is recorded by the teacher in the manual by the number of measures in

the piece. Students who memorize 100 measures or more will receive a certificate. The top

award will be given to the student in each level who memorizes the most measures throughout

the year.

Section 8-continues

Attendance Award

Any student who attends all lessons throughout the school year (excluding teacher

cancellations) will receive an award.

“300 Club”

Anyone who reaches 300 correct on the Note Speed Reading

computer drill will receive a special award at the end of the

year and become a member of the “300 Club”.

Piano Hall of Fame

There are three ways that a student can become a member of the Piano Hall of Fame:

Reach level 6

Plan to major in some type of music degree in college

Take piano lessons for 10 years

Section 9

Assignments and Practice Time

Weekly Assignments

It helps if the parent supervises the students practice. Basically, the younger the student, the

more supervision they will need. Take an interest – have your child play for friends and family

(there are more ideas for performance under “performance award” in section 8). Ask at school

for opportunities to perform. The students that use their music stays with it.

Practice Time

Primer level: Students age 4-7 need a parent’s guidance during

practice time daily. Daily practice time ranges

from 15-30 minutes, depending on age and

assignment.

Level one: Parents should check if a student is following his/her teacher’s

instructions, written on the student’s assignment pad. There should be a

check after each assignment completed each day. There should be 5-7

checks after each piece assigned. Practice time is 30-45 minutes each

day.

Level two: Same as level one, except practice time is 45 minutes-1 hour per day.

Level three: Same as level one, except practice time is minimum 1 hour per day.

Level four and up: Same as level one, except practice time is minimum 1 1/2 hours per day.

In reference to levels one and up, be creative with practice time. It can be divided up

throughout the day into 15+ minute segments. For instance, 15 minutes after breakfast,

practice in one book, 15 minutes after school practice another book, and then do the same

after dinner and before bed.

PARENT GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT ARE ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESSFUL PIANO PROGRESS.

Section 10

Creating the Proper Environment

Metronome

All students must have a good metronome at level one. It

must tick loud enough to be heard over the sound of the

piano. It is very helpful if the metronome has a bell t o mark

the measures. We can order these special metronomes for

you. See Mrs. Stammer for current pricing.

Piano Tuning

If your piano does not have a temperature control and humidifier, the piano should be tuned in

the fall when the furnace is turned on and in the late spring when the furnace is turned off.

With a temperature control and humidifier unit in your piano, the piano should only have to be

tuned once a year.

We recommend Crites Piano Tuning. You can reach Mr. Crites at 419-494-7544.

Explorer magazine

Students, who are in the fourth grade and up including adults, will receive the Explorer

Magazine. This magazine is for the study of music history. Please read this with your student,

to help them develop an appreciation for music. You will be billed for the subscription.

Section 11

Proper Studio Etiquette Parents in the Studio

This is allowed as long as the parents are not disruptive. NO CELL

PHONES OR PAGERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE STUDIO!

No Children Visitors

It if fine to drop off more than one student at a time, but it is not acceptable to drop off

additional children who are not students. Bringing in other children while another is taking a

lesson causes too much confusion while we are trying to teach. The house is not open to the

public. We cannot teach and watch other children running around the house. We cannot

guarantee that the house is safe for children when they are unsupervised. No children should

be playing or running around in the yard. We are not responsible for any injuries that occur.

Food and Beverages

THIS APPLIES TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS: ABSOLUTELY NO BEVERAGES, FOOD, OR GUM IN

THE STUDIO. NO SMOKING ANY WHERE IN OR OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE. PLEASE DO NOT

THROW LITTER IN OUR YARD.

Bathroom

The bathroom is not open to the public! Please have the students go to the bathroom before

they come to piano lessons. Also, please have students wash their hands before they come to

piano lessons.

Fingernails

Piano players cannot have long fingernails. They must be able to curve their fingers and play on

the tips of their fingers for dexterity and speed. Long nails make a clicking sound on the keys,

spoiling the music. Nails must not extend past the tips of the fingers.

School Pictures

We would like a school picture of every student each school year. Please be

sure to put your name and the date on the back of the picture. Thanks!

Section 12

Student Goals

Goals for Students

Recognize keys on piano keyboard

Use correct fingering and hand position

Know the value of each note

Be able to count evenly

Be able to play musically, with feeling for the music (dynamics, phrasing, and technique)

Note reading and sight reading

Speed (get each piece to the speed marked by the composer)

Enjoy performing and take pride in excellence

Theory (music facts of composition, techniques, and music history)