Parent Letter 2014

Parents are an important part of a students learning experience.  Getting them on board and helping them understand the process can make a huge difference in how much the students learn.  In my studio, parents sign a policy signature form, so that at least in theory they understand what is going on in the studio.  Parents also receive every email that I send to the students about lesson notes, coming events, etc.

But parents still sometimes ask what they can do to help their kids succeed in voice lessons.  So this year, I will be mailing out a letter a few weeks into the year.  I may still do some revisions before it goes out, so please be sure to share any thoughts or ideas you have about it.

Dear Parents,

Thank you for making music an important part of your child’s life.  Music enriches our lives in so many ways.  By being an active participant in this learning process, you can help your child grow even more. 

Parents often ask what they can do to help their child get the most from voice lessons, so here are 10 things I suggest:

1. Make sure your email and other contact information is up to date on the website so that you get all communications from me. 
2. I do not send any emails that are not necessary communication, so please get in the habit of at least scanning everything that comes from me or from Music Teacher’s Helper.  I’m also trying to include more information at the beginning of mass emails that will let you know if you need to continue reading or if it can be deleted. 
3. Use the website.  When you log in using your own login credentials (parents and students have different usernames and passwords), you can see payment history, lesson history including lesson notes, the calendar of events, and important announcements.  
4. Stay up to date on studio events.  All mass emails go to both parents and students.  When I send an email about a performance opportunity, ask your child if he or she would be interested in participating and then discuss if the event will fit your current financial and scheduling situations. 
5. Whenever possible, encourage students to participate in events other than just lessons.  Having an event to work towards is a great motivator. 
6. Read lesson notes. Again, both parents and students receive these. Lesson notes are often just keywords to help a student remember what we did.  If you see something you don’t understand (sometimes I write strange things like “Darth Vader”) and you wonder what that has to do with singing, ask your child.  The process of explaining it to you helps the students to understand it better themselves. 
7. Encourage practicing.  Most of the student’s growth happens outside of lessons as they apply the principles we talk about and make them into good habits. Help your child practice by helping them to find a quiet, safe space and time where they can explore what their voices can do. Don’t make practice drudgery. Reward good practice habits rather than punishing for poor ones.
8. Please purchase music immediately when a new book or song is assigned. If you can’t buy the book right away (or at all), please let me know so that I can either find a lending library copy for the student or choose a new song. 
9. One of the things I’m trying to do is help students (especially the high school students) learn to take personal responsibility. When forms need to be filled out, please make the student fill out the form, or do it together if there are items that need your input.  It is part of their learning process. “My mom forgot” is not an acceptable excuse in my studio.  When an assignment or registration form or check is due, I will be asking the student to make sure it is taken care of, so please be kind to them when they ask for the 900^th time.
10.  Feel free to contact me with questions and concerns, but please ask your child the questions first, or send them to the studio guide, lesson notes, or emails from me to see if they can find the answer. 

Thanks,

Jeannine Robinett

EVHS Voice Instructor