Update for Students Sept. 2001

Summer events

Happily all four students who took graded examinations passed with distinction. This is very encouraging news, especially for the students, and continues our unbroken record of distinctions. It also proves that taking an extra term or two to polish one’s pieces and style really pays off. The Violin day was attended by 10 children, and half stayed the night for extra violin sessions the following morning. The children were cautious about performing, initially, but thankfully this rapidly improved from "not getting many hands up" to "too many hands up... you’ve just had your go !". Steadily, all fears about making mistakes and expressing oneself were alleviated and by the end of the day there was a huge amount of liberation and excitement ! We did think that in the future, smaller groups of say 6 children of compatible level might be easier to cope with.

Internet support

We’d like to repeat that a home PC with internet access can boost communication and support for your child’s lessons. Accompaniments and practice advice are available in quantity from our site www.wps.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk and this Summer alone 60 new accompaniments to "The Young Violinist" were posted. Our email address is wps@blueyonder.co.uk and we’d appreciate it if you could send us yours. There is a registration form which can also be used for this purpose.

This time last year fees increased by £2.50 and regretfully we have to increase them this year by £1.50. That brings half hour lessons to £14 and 3/4 hour lessons to £19 and one hour lessons to £24. This time next year ( Sept.2002 ) The fees will increase by just £1 in order to finally match our rate for lessons at The Welsh College of Music and Drama. Please note that even with our latest increase our private lessons are still cheaper !

Late payments

As before, we would like monthly payments to be made on the first lesson of each month. We are also introducing a penalty for late fees : We will charge next year’s rate. Therefore, parents who pay on the first lesson of each month save a total of £4 for their half hour lessons. Paying for the term in advance, as some prefer, would save a total of £10 on half hour lessons.

Attending lessons

We would like to remind parents that it is very beneficial to leave their children to their own devices during lessons. They build a good rapport with the teacher, they accept their mistakes more readily ( without feeling they have failed in front of their audience ) and feel easier correcting them. A teacher who sees a pupil under tight observation is usually having to cover up the child’s mistakes lest they become embarrassed ! A good time to check on your child’s progress is to come in and listen to a few play throughs on the last lesson before half term / end of term. The first lesson is always the worst as they will invariably have strayed somewhat during holidays ! Lastly, children who are given more breathing space always feel free to express themselves musically.

Have a good term ! Roland & Simonetta !

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