Music & Arts | Sound Teaching | October 2017

October 2017

SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS

2

3

4

6

Music is a Special

National Open House

M&A Core Values and

Keeping Them

Companion

Lesson Event

How They Relate to

Interested

Teaching

Music is a Special Companion

BY SEAN RICKMAN, PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR IN WEST HARTFORD, CT

Through teaching, I’m able to express and share the excitement of learning something new in each lesson. It’s a thrill for me to see the smiles from each student while they’re excelling during the lessons. The theme of my lessons is: Music is a special companion that will be with you for life. It gives you a place

radio was a common occurrence. I trav-

just that. This opened up a new world for

eled to Europe with my mother and her

me because teaching gave me the same

band in the mid 70’s so I had a firsthand

thrill as performing. For instance, when

experience of the road life at 5 years old.

I teach a young child, I’m seeing a ge-

I got to see what a full road production

nius in the making. It’s up to me to in-

was like, seeing the band setup at sound

spire so I make it fun. It’s that easy. I

check. I was on the tour bus and in a lot

create simple links to all kinds of music

of planes. There was always movement

in each lesson on every level. In doing

and there were people everywhere. At a

so, the student leaves my lessons with

very young age I saw what music does

the ability to do more than before. They

and how it’s a language that all people

always come back to me for more. It’s

speak and share. It’s not competitive like

kind of like getting to the dessert first.

sports. Music is an exciting event and

With adults, it’s pretty much the same

experience for people all over the world.

thing because no matter the level they’re at musically, there’s always a new area

It’s no accident I grew up to become

I can help them to discover. I can un-

a professional musician. I was in all

lock anything that anyone is looking for.

the school bands in elementary, ju-

That’s the most fun thing about teach-

nior high, and high school. I used to

ing for me.

to go any time you wish.

take my drums to school and do perfor-

I grew up in a musical household. My

a young adult I began touring and re-

S E A N R I C K M A N is a native

cording with professional artists. I trav-

of Washington DC and now lives in West Hartford, CT. He has performed, toured and recorded with many great artists including Herbie Hancock, George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic, Marcus Miller, Wayne Shorter, Angela Bofill, George Duke, Shawn Lane, Dapp Theory, Steve Coleman and many others. Along with drums, Sean also plays lead guitar, bass and is a lead vocalist. Sean hosts his video music lessons site thericklessons. com and features his solo music projects at therickrocks.com

mother was a professional singer and actress. She played the part of Mary Magdelene in Jesus Christ Superstar in the original tour production in 1969 - ‘71.

My uncle was a drummer. My father is a very well known industry guitarist named Phil Upchurch. My father appeared on many major artists’ albums (Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, George Benson to name a few) and has also toured with them. Hearing him on the

mances for the students and faculty. As

eled and worked in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America as well as new places in North America I had never been to. I was featured on many recordings, in magazines, and performed at popular music festivals such as Montreux, Montreal, Perugia, North Sea and others.

After many performances, I was asked if I teach and eventually I began doing

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: We’re updating our teacher profiles! If you don’t have a teacher profile or have attempted to get onboard before, please send us your current email to lessons@musicarts.com. If you’ve changed your email address, but haven’t updated it with us, please let us know at lessons@musicarts.com.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017

National Open House Lesson Event B Y K AT H L E E N B E L L A M Y, M & A R E G I O N A L M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R

Stores with the most successful number

3. Performed at the Open Mic AND

of lesson enrollments and event atten-

Had Their Students Perform

dance did a combination of, or in some

•

cases, all of these 5 things:

The most successful and engaging classes and open mic events are those where our un-

1. Planned Early •

believably talented instructors

If you are interested in partici-

perform, talk about their experi-

pating in our guitar classes OR

ences, and teaching techniques.

open mic night this January,

Sell yourself!

tell your store manager NOW! This past July, we hosted or first ever

•

frequently throughout the

National Open House Lesson event. Because of this new initiative, marketing created new resources to promote this fantastic event. We offered new online resources where customers were able to schedule their appointments through

•

our classes. We sent dozens of emails, social media promotions, newspaper ad, and more!

out you, our amazing teachers, who so generously gave your talents to this iniby over 1200 students! This was an outstanding success! Especially during dents leave our program due to summer

formed above and beyond the average and with our January Open House weekend coming up, we are hoping to share with you a few of these exceptional examples to give you a leg up on

your class. Ask what the goal is,

Make the beginners feel like

and how you can help.

performers from the start!

Spend some time on the sales 5. Followed Up •

Make sure you meet every

to the customers. Invite them

student and their parent, ask

to your free class; nobody sells

questions about what excited

you as an instructor better than

them to start playing, and then

you do!

follow up after the class is over.

If they do not register that day, ask the store manager if you

Our marketing team provides

can get information to help fol-

excellent resources to help

low up and meet the student or

promote these events. Use our

parent again. That extra effort

holiday catalogs, event flyers

will make all the difference!

and other lesson materials.

•

commitments. Thank you!

As with any event, some programs per-

be a simple chord progression.

2. Told EVERYONE •

Teach them a few basics and

students have registered for

•

tiative, helping us to grow our program

a time of year when we see many stu-

•

a quick song! This could even

lessons and introduce yourself

postcards personally inviting them to

4. Taught Something Fun

holiday season to see how many

floor between your current

our website. Over 50K homes received

All of this would mean nothing with-

Talk to your store managers

•

Every current student is a

Music & Arts is committed to music ed-

potential connection to another

ucation, which is why we have dedicated,

student. Ask them to pass the

talented instructors like you teaching

flyer along or to bring a friend.

in our stores every day. We are excited

Students who perform at the

to see what the holiday season brings,

open mic night tend to stay in

and the many new lesson students

lessons longer, and they will tell

that attend our upcoming Open House

their friends they are perform-

Weekend!

ing at the event!

promoting yourself and the event early!

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017

M&A Core Values and How They Relate to Teaching B Y D AY L E O B R E C H T, M & A R E TA I L S A L E S E M P L OY E E I N S E V E R N A PA R K , M D

knowledge with your students and the

•

I hear about it when you tell me

community.

about your past and present expe-

•

I see it when an almost 7-foot tall

riences with the military bands and

teacher goes back to his studio with

orchestras that inspire our nation.

his 6-year-old student and her 1/8 size violin, while she talks so com-

•

I hear about it when you go into the

fortably about her family, her day at

local schools on your own time for

school, and her violin lessons that

specialized seminars to expose as

she loves so much.

many young people as possible to their potential with a musical future.

•

I see it when so many of you go

One of the things that separates Mu-

back to your studios with a student

sic & Arts from other music stores is our

that has mental or physical chal-

orchestras, bands and groups that

commitment to music education, and

lenges, and I watch in amazement

travel not only within the communi-

without professional teachers, that goal

as those students blossom and flour-

ty but around the world, sharing the

would be unattainable. Music & Arts ac-

ish under your specialized teaching.

universal language of music.

•

I hear about your participation in

tually has a formal Mission Statement and a set of core values that you are

•

I hear it when you listen intently to

So here’s to all wonderful teachers as

probably unknowingly fulfilling as you

a student’s first attempts at record-

you fulfill Music & Arts’ Mission State-

go about your daily business of teaching

ing a composition of their own, as if

ment, Core Values, and the musical

and sharing your love of music with the

another Mozart were in your pres-

dreams of so many. You are cherished

people in our communities. Our mission

ence. And who knows? Perhaps

partners in our goal to share music with

as a company is “to help people make

there is!

the world. Thank you for helping to com-

music”. This goes beyond merely being a provider of instruments. It also means

plete the circle that begins with a stu•

I see it when you take an adult be-

dent’s purchase or rental of their first in-

being a provider of education - the edu-

ginner into your studio for their first

strument. A circle that hopefully never

cation necessary to make the music ex-

lesson, and I see the look of appre-

ends, but becomes a beautiful spiral of

perience a positive and lasting influ-

hension disappear and the look of “I

success and accomplishment that, fos-

ence in the lives of so many. Music &

can do this” appear.

ters a love of music forever.

Arts’ Core Values are “to be America’s leading family music store, and (here’s

•

I see it when you collaborate with

where you come in!) to be a vehicle and

other teachers to form groups of stu-

an advocate for increased participation

D A Y L E O B R E C H T is a full

dents for our Open Mic Nights. This

in instrumental music”.

often involves arranging music on

time employee at M&A in Severna Park, MD. Her studies include Classical Piano at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music and Music History at Peabody Conservatory. She has worked for M&A for over 26 years.

your own time simply for the pleaEvery day I see and hear examples of

sure of witnessing a student’s first

your amazing talents and your accep-

performance as “A Band”!

tance of the responsibility to share your S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017

In the Arts with Laura: To Make-up or To Credit

BY LAURA ZOLFO, M& A REGIONAL LESSON MANAGER

communicates that we’re respectful of

Don’t Have a Caveat For Crediting: A

their time, and that the music lesson is a

common response behind crediting

priority. We have found that any change

lessons is “there wasn’t a make-up time

from normal will cause student loss,

available.” This is a great problem to

regardless of the reason behind it. Stu-

have. It means you have a full studio!

dents and families who can rely on their

Your time is even more valuable. We

lesson to occur at the same time each

know it takes a lot of time and com-

week stay in lessons longer, and are

mitment to build a studio, and your

better positioned for successful growth

compensation should reflect that. Our

with their instrument.

lesson terms state: “We do not credit missed lessons except when the teacher

Make-up and crediting practices are

Set a High, But Realistic Expectation:

is absent or the following holidays…”

probably the most diverse aspect of

If you’re prioritizing the lesson, you can

Again, it comes back to prioritizing the

our lesson program from one store to

expect the same from your students and

music lesson and respecting your time.

another. Talking with teachers and

families. If a student becomes regularly

If you default to this standard, we’re bet-

sales teams all over the country, the one

absent, recommend choosing a different

ter able to advocate for all teachers.

consistency that exists is the desire to

time. Student schedules tend to fluctu-

build and preserve the lesson custom-

ate with each semester. Eventually, con-

A Credit Doesn’t Solve Everything:

er relationship. The challenge with

flicts are going to occur; life happens, as

Students are enrolled in lessons because

offering make-ups and credits is that you

I like to say. When possible, recommend

they want to learn music. If credits need

will never reduce these things to zero,

rescheduling.

to occur too often, it means the lessons

and you will always have people willing

aren’t taking place. As a result, the stu-

to take advantage. My goal is to help

Don’t Guarantee Make-ups: Being open

dent doesn’t grow, and they will inevita-

teachers find the best balance.

to make-up lessons is a great way to

bly stop taking lessons. Credits should

maintain the teacher-family relationship.

be few and far between to communicate

When finding our best practices, we look

It’s also a common reason your schedule

the commitment to the lesson and the

to set a few priorities in place. Student

can become very busy and confusing,

learning.

learning comes first, then taking care

so I recommend having a personal

of the teachers. When those two things

make-up practice, and finding the limit

Together as great teachers and as the

are in place, the business (Music & Arts)

in your own schedule. Many families

Nation’s Largest Lesson Program,

tends to benefit as well. I use this ap-

won’t know if you have 4 or 40 students,

we know the behaviors and priorities

proach when helping teachers determine

so a single make-up seems like a simple

required to inspire students on their

their make-up and crediting practices.

request. Our Lesson Terms are absent

instrument. Managing the make-up and

of any make-up policy. This is because

credit expectation allows student learn-

Be Consistantly Present: People ap-

we ask teachers to commit to the sched-

ing to remain the priority. And when

preciate consistency and reliability, and

uled lesson times. That (and only that) is

teachers and the sales team are aligned

students especially thrive on it. Being

what we’ve charged to the student.

on this priority, we’re better able to care

present at lessons on a regular basis

for both our students and teachers.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017

Keeping Them Interested

BY DECKER BABCOCK, TROMBONE INSTRUCTOR IN WESTMINSTER, CO

the ensemble. Some exercises benefit

larly with his undergraduate and grade

woodwinds more so than brass, and vise

school students at the University of

versa.

Colorado. The arms, lips, and body must move as one. Using this idea, I present

When my students come to their lessons

glissandi to the students and tell them

and I ask if they played today (general-

to make a melody using only glissandi

ly at 11:00am, they have not), I will ask

on a single partial (i.e. Bb 1st pos —- F

what their warm-up is and how they do

6th pos). They are at that point expected

it. This is usually followed by a big sigh

to create a new melody every time they

and they admit that they are very bored

pick up the horn; something simple they

of always doing the same thing, that it

can sing or whistle to themselves.

doesn’t always benefit them and they want to know something new.

Next, we move on to lip slurs. For this improvisation, I take from a former

Being new in music education, the

This is where my madness comes in. Al-

teacher of mine and fellow pedagogue

majority of my teaching is at the college

though the majority of my students are

Dr. Tom Gibson of Kennesaw State

level both from my undergraduate and

in middle school, I throw them a huge

University in Kennesaw, Georgia. Tom, a

my graduate degrees. That being said,

curve ball in creativity. Instead of giving

former student of the great Buddy Baker,

there are many things that college stu-

the students the tools to build a house,

would always encourage metaphor and

dents and young beginner students have

I give them only the wood, and founda-

melody while warming up. Now, adding

in common.

tion. The students must make their own

the component of improvisation, the stu-

warm-up, create their own melodies,

dent must create a melody by moving

slurs, and patterns.

up and down partials in all positions or

The main point of this similarity is

fingerings.

boredom. When a student has gone through all the motions of grade school

This method is not a free range sort of

band, they know the system in a loose

method; there is direction, and purpose

Like the previous exercise, simplicity is

way of “warm-up, practice reps, sight

to each improvisation. For example, as a

encouraged as well as practicality. I will

read, warm down, go watch TV”. First-

trombonist, my pedagogical philosophy

ask the students to think of a scenario,

ly, the warm-up is generally their local

in regards to a solid warm-up must con-

like climbing stairs or walking in mud,

band warm-up that directors tailor to

tain constant movement. This is some-

and convey that in their improvised

fit the needs of all the instruments in

thing Dr. Bill Stanley talks about regu-

melody.

D E C K E R B A B C O C K is a Masters graduate of the University of Colorado Jazz Studies & Pedagogy program, class of 2017, and his undergraduate is a Bachelor of Music from Georgia State University in Jazz Studies, class of 2015. Decker has been professionally playing in the Atlanta jazz community since 2009 and in the Colorado music community since 2015. Performance credits include performing with Lady Gaga, Joey DeFrancesco, Carmen Bradford, Joe Smith & the Spicy Pickles and Joe Gransden. Decker Babcock currently holds a position as trombonist in Joe Smith & the Spicy Pickles jazz band, as well as freelances around the midwest, Georgia and Colorado. Decker Babcock holds a teaching position at the Westminster Music & Arts, and is also a performing artist for Best American Craftsman (BAC) custom trombones.

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017

Lastly, we combine both slurs and slide/

vate the student to excel in all that they

to create melody and to associate meta-

valve, as well as the tongue to create a

do, both in and out of music.

phor with music at a young age. This is

song all their own. Keeping with simplic-

what my teachers Wes Funderburk and

ity as well as call and response between

My method is nothing new, or ground-

Dr. Tom Gibson passed down to me at

both instructor and student, the student

breaking, but it puts smiles on faces and

a young age, and this is the tradition I

is no longer bored of the “daily grind” as

gives them an appropriate warm-up on

continue to pass on to young, creative

I call it. The student has achieved cre-

their specific instrument; a different

minds.

ativity as well as a solid foundation for a

warm-up everyday that challenges them

successful practice session. This method can be used in many different areas on all instruments, not just brass. More

N E W T E AC H E R O R I E N TAT I O N

advanced students can be given more

U P C O M I N G O R I E N TAT I O N DAT E S : M o n d ay, November 20th @ 1pm EST Wednesday, December 20th @ 11am EST

creatively challenging parameters.

To conclude, keeping kids in music

Seminar phone number: 800-531-3250 Conference ID: 3860306 RSVP: e-mail lessons@musicarts.com

while having fun is what we do and why we teach. It is the job of the teacher to not only inform the student but to moti-

Teacher Retention Certificates The Lesson Department is recognizing our superior lesson instructors! There were 40 instructors nationwide who maintained a student turnover rate of less than 20% from August 2016 through July 2017. This list represents only 1.5% of The Lesson Studio Instructors. Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to your students and to music education!

Store

Teacher

Store

Teacher

Store

Teacher

Burlington

Lucius Wilson

Hilliard

David Detwiler

Reynoldsburg

Angela Heck

Charlotte

Lana Withrow

Horsham

Judy Alpren

Richmond

Bobbie Moore

Clay

Mary Woodburn

Horsham

Heather Dice

San Dimas

Gerald Hindman

Clay

Scott Spink

Huntersville

Alasandro Linney

South Austin

Andrew Schneider

Conyers

Bryan Ashmore

Issaquah

Debbie Shan Tze Hu

Sterling

Arlene Manger

Cool Springs

Daniel Reifsnyder

Manalapan

Rick Cragg

Stone Oak

Daniel Desalles

Corona

Peter Gamber

Manalapan

Ellen Plattman

Timonium

Christopher Young

Doylestown

Brenda Wollenberg

Midlothian

Andrew Certner

Timonium

Joseph Weaver

East Mesa

Jennifer Quaranta

Newton

Donald Landers IV

West County

Mary Loos

Ellicott City

Jeffrey Chiaverini

Oakton

Jeffrey Cortazzo

Westborough

Norman Jarvis

Ellicott City

Kristin Chamberlin

Oakton

Laura Maxfield

Worthington

Amy Guitry

Englewood

Felicia Behm

Rancho Cucamonga

Peter Gamber

Yorktown

Carol Allen

Frisco

Jeff Escude

Rancho Cucamonga

Genett Gamber

Hagerstown

Bailey Kercheval

Rancho Cucamonga

Allan Valladares S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017

Inside the Lesson Studio with Hannah

BY H A N N A H B E S T, M & A R E G I O N A L L E S S O N M A N A G E R

enough time to promote the concert

go to www.musicarts.com and click on

together. Next, you’ll select a location.

Careers at the bottom of the page.”

Most concerts take place in store as small groups, but occasionally we book

Q “Will there be another event com-

off site venues for larger events. Once

ing up after the holidays this year? I

you have this worked out, you’ll need to

gained students through this event

submit a list of students that will be par-

last year and I’d like to be involved

ticipating, and determine whether or not

again.”

you’ll have programs and refreshments.”

A “Absolutely. We’re hosting another

Q “I need to update my address and Q “I’m very interested in branching

National Open House Event the first

I don’t know what steps I need to take.

out. Lately, I’ve been thinking about

weekend in January. This event will

Can you help?”

other positions that Music & Arts has

include an Open Mic on Friday (1/4) and

to offer that would be more regular

two guitar clinics on Saturday (1/5). Both

pay and something with benefits.

events are a great opportunity to gain

form filled out. Your Store Manager can

Where can I find open positions aside

students. At the Open Mic we encourage

give you a copy to fill out and they will

from teaching?”

you and your students to perform. Often,

A “Yes, all we need is an updated W9 send to lessons@musicarts.com to be updated on your behalf.”

A “I’m glad you asked about this. A

when teachers perform and potential students see this, they’re inspired to take

few times a year, I hear from teachers

lessons personally with you and this is

that would like to broaden their role

a true selling point. On Sunday (1/6),

cert for my students. How do I get this

and develop in other types of jobs at

we’re scheduling appointments for stu-

started?”

Music & Arts. We do have many open

dents to meet with you (based on your

positions available, for all levels. Most

schedule and availability) so that any

teachers interact with our sales teams

student that is thinking about lessons,

be planning this! To schedule a concert

in the stores, but we have many other

but are apprehensive, will feel encour-

for your students, the first step is to

types of positions within sales (going

aged to go ahead and register. Please

speak with your Store Manager. Togeth-

into schools), repair (working in one of

speak with your Store Manager now if

er, you’ll want to figure out a date on

our shops), corporate (in Frederick), etc.

you’d like to be involved.”

the calendar and ensure that you have

To review open positions and to apply,

Q “I’d like to schedule a winter conA “Excellent! Now is the right time to

We Have a NEW Facebook Page!

We have a new Facebook page that teachers can like and follow for important events and information. https://www.facebook.com/greatteachersinspiredlearning/

S O U N D T E A C H I N G | October 2017