An Almost Welcome Back
Hello Forte Family!
By August, you're thinking school schedules and it's just about time to say WELCOME BACK! While some have continued in lessons over the summer, others took time off and will be ready to apply themselves well in this next music year. I trust your summer has allowed you to breathe a little more slowly & take a few more breaks than perhaps other times of the year.
START DATES
Our piano year gets back into full swing the week of August 31. That's a Monday so August 31 through Friday, September 4 is our first week back. This is prior to Labor Day. If you haven't seen the calendar or new policy for this year, you'll find it at this link:
Hard copies are available at the studio if you'd like one.
If you are unsure of your time & day for lessons, please be in touch with your teacher. The fall schedule has been in process since early July and in some cases is still being tweaked and completed as we speak. While your lesson time might work for now, if you are interested in a different time, please voice that. It's not likely that we could accommodate promptly but as changes come in the year, it may be possible to find something that agrees a little more with your preference.
You will notice the tuition for this year's lessons are barely raised but are higher because we will use a 9-month tuition rather than 10 which we've had the past few years.
LUMP SUMS
Some of you appreciate paying in larger chunks whether it is 3-months at a time, twice a year or once a year. These all bring small & graduated discounts. If this is you, please let me know & I will write your invoice accordingly. For those of you who are newer, you should receive your first invoice by the last week of August, around the 29th.
TUITION PAYMENTS
Please note while PayPal will still be accessible from the invoice, I will no longer accept Venmo as that business account will be closed by then. For your convenience & ease, this year I will accept & store your credit card number in your account so that the invoice is automatically paid when it is mailed. You won't have to be reminded about writing another check and while you'll still get the invoices, assuming you're paying monthly, it will be done.
If that is of interest to you, please either come to the studio in person or call that we aren't exchanging numbers via text or email.
PROGRAM ON THE LAWN
The last Friday of September, some students with families will be meeting on the front lawn, at the main doors of the borough center to have an outdoor program. It's Sept 25, 6:30 - 7:30 and we'll be looking for about 20 students who are prepared to participate in this fun performance opportunity. You'll need to bring lawn chairs and I'll provide the popcorn!
REMINDER EMAILS
Most of you receive emails just prior to your music lessons each week. If you don't and would like to, let your teacher know that we can fix it. For those of you who would like to Not receive them, you can let us know that too if it's just add to the clutter in your inbox. Those can be turned off. And know that these are automated so once you're in the calendar at your time, even if you have a switch for one week, you'll still get the "normal" time. Or if you've told your teacher you'll be missing, that same email will still come. Lots of you send reminders when you're missing or switching, and that's always a help if you think of it.
GROWING SKILLS
Like learning any new skill (technique), the only way to master it is to do it over & over and over again. The basketball player sinking the free throw, the pitcher targeting the 3rd strike, the knitter whose stitch isn't uneven but smooth and uniform-- it all takes practice. The more you do it, but better you get. Piano, violin, guitar . . . regardless the instrument, is no different. Commit to the long journey and remember that the only way to excel is steady, consistent, regular practice over & over. When you practice often, it may feel as though your progress is slow, but it will keep you engaged and motivated learning the next piece or the next part. Without progress, which is to say without practice, we get stuck in the same grind as every other week. That's not very enjoyable. Even though we can anticipate highs & lows (they're just part of life) continuing on in discipline & grit, inch by inch, you can make tracks. That can be this year. Talk with your teacher about a plan for how you can practice at home and make the most of your lessons. I would never say learning an instrument is easy, but it definitely is so worthwhile!
PARKING
Please remember the borough has asked us to not park in the loop at our enter & exit door. If you're waiting for a moment while still in the vehicle, that's not a problem. This is mostly for those of you during the day up to 4:00 but even after it's a nice courtesy for others who may need to pass through.
TEACHER CONTACT
Please be sure you have your teacher's cell number in your phone. There are umpteen reasons you may need to text or call. Ask your teacher, or these are found on the first page of the policy manual. See above.
If you're on FB and see Forte posts, please like and/or share to encourage their visibility. It's a technology world and it's just one way that new families find us. Thank you to those who already do post & mention Forte.
We're grateful for you choosing Forte and allowing us to be part of your musical story. We're very fond of this journey and want to encourage you with enthusiasm & excellence!
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