October 2017
SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS
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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
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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
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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
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tiative, helping us to grow our program
a time of year when we see many stu-
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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
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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
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I hear about it when you tell me
community.
about your past and present expe-
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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-
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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.
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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.
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I hear about your participation in
tually has a formal Mission Statement and a set of core values that you are
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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
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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