10 Truths About Children Learning a Musical Instrument – What All Parents Must Know!
Number 2: Getting Started. It’s important to understand at the very beginning that learning a musical instrument takes many years of dedication. How many years? Well, I (Lorenzo) began my first music lesson with my two sisters when I was 11 years old. Seven years later at the age of 18 I began over 13 years of music studies at four different Universities in Melbourne. Today, at the age of 38 I am still practicing and undertaking professional development and attending numerous seminars each year, and I still believe I have so much more to learn about music, music education, music history, and the great music master pieces. Learning any skill in life has no end, we only evolve, grow and become better at it. As you embark on this amazing journey there are five key points to take into consideration.
1. Have a discussion about what instrument your Child would like to learn. Engage your child in music concerts featuring their instrument of interest, or watch DVD’s, search You-Tube, or listen to CD recordings. Begin to foster and engage your Child’s interest to learn music.
2. Foster an environment that values music education in the home. The value you place on learning music will have a direct effect on your child’s commitment to learning a musical instrument.
3. Educate yourself and your Child on the level of commitment and time that will be involved in learning a musical instrument. Believe me, a guitar does not learn to play on its own!
4. Primary aged Children require parental support in the first five years of learning a musical instrument. Children do not have the capacity to structure their own day or priorities their activities It will take years for a Child to begin the habit of making music practice a priority.
5. Learning a musical instrument is an investment in your Child. The financial investment over time through weekly music lessons, purchasing of new music books, music examination fees, and upgrading of music instruments all add up. A portion of this article is an excerpt from 10 Truths About Children Learning A Musical Instrument – What All Parents Must Know! © 2012 by Lorenzo Capitanio. To receive your free e-book sing up free at www.auskeyboardacademy.com.au today
The 2012 Good Friday Appeal Concert was a great success. Congratulations to all 110 performers a total of $850.00 was raised for the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital. Over all, the Academy has raised a grand total of $5,300.00 for the Royal Children’s
Hospital Good Friday Appeal over the past 5 years. The event was spread over three concerts with some outstanding performance from Joshua Negraden on guitar, Ethan Cornwill on piano, and Vi Le on violin. Special congratulations to all the first time performers and new student performers.
A. Performers from concert 1.
B. Molly & Charlotte Iannella.
C. 4 year old performers, Isabella Romano, Jayden Capitanio, & Christen Koumi.
D. Performers from concert 3.
Water Gardens Easter Parade
The Easter Bunny arrived early this year at Water gardens. On Tuesday
3rd of April students from the AKA participated in the first Easter Parade
at Water gardens Shopping Centre. All participants were encouraged to
create and wear a Easter Bonnet. Congratulations to Olivia Capitanio who won one of two gift cards from Water gardens for most creative Easter Bonnet. The AKA look forward to participating in next years Easter
Parade.
On Saturday 24th of March the AKA participated in the Brimbank Festival in Sunshine. Thanks to all the student that got involved in the Parade at
11am and to all the students that performed throughout the afternoon.
Both events are a great way for students to get involved in community events and show off their talents.
Student Of The Year
Congratulations to Oscar Yang, Junior Student of the Year 2012 and Gabrielle Fetalvero Senior Student of the Year 2012. Both demonstrated high level of commitment and dedication towards their music studies. There were 14 students that received student of the month medals throughout term one. Overall, the Academy would like to congratulate all the students for a rewarding year of music learning.
TOP 10 TIPS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO DO THEIR MUSIC PRACTICE
As parents we have to remind our children continuously to do their daily chores. From the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed. “Have you brushed your teeth? Have you done your homework? What about your music practice!” and the battle continues. Encouraging children to do their music practice or any activity or chore that is beneficial for them will and always has been a parental challenge. Parents ask me weekly, “Iʼm finding it hard to get Johnny to do his music practice. Can you have a word to him to do his music practice? Hearing it from you (the teacher) will make a difference”. The reality is that it does not make a difference. Children and adults included will do what is highest on their set of Values, what we believe to be most important and our values change as we grow throughout life. For many children their Xbox or Wii game, or watching a favorite T.V show is highest on their value. Your highest value is that activity you just cannot wait to do, it is the reason you wake in the morning. As previously stated it takes time to develop positive practice habits and it will take a number of years for music practice to reach the top three of highest values in your child. As parents our role is to be patient, tolerant and provide lots of positives up port and encouragement, have an active interest in your childʼs music e ducation and foster an environment that values music education in the home. The success in your childʼs ability to develop positive practice habits will largely be based on your beliefs and values of music education, how important you believe music education to be for your child.
Below are 10 suggestions I have found useful with both my own three children and my students to encourage them to do their music practice . I w elcome your suggestions and experiences as well.
1. Establish a daily practice routine.
2. Create a private music area in the home for your Child to practice.
3. Be involved with your child’s music practice and their music lesson.
4. Take your child to music concerts.
5. Watch DVD’s of professional musicians, bands and orchestras.
6. Play classical music in the home.
7. Buy a new music book of songs that interest your child.
8. Create a reward chart that encourages and promotes practice.
9 . Give continua lpraise and encouragement when you child is or has finished practicing. Have an active interest when they are practicing.
10. Have your child play music with other children that are learning to play a musical instrument and organize family concerts in the home. A portion of this article is an excerpt from 10 Truths About Children Learning A Musical Instrument – What All Parents Must Know! To receive your free e-book sing up free at www.auskeyboardacademy.com.au inished practicing. Have an active interest when they are practicing. 10. Have your child play music with other children that are learning to play a musical instrument and organize family concerts in the home.
A portion of this article is an excerpt from 10 Truths About Children Learning A Musical Instrument – What All Parents Must Know! To receive your free e-book sing up free at www.auskeyboardacademy.com.au
GALA Music Concert
The second and final music concert for 2012 is in preparation. A GALA event and dinner is sure to provide an entertaining evening for all ages. Seats are limited so too avoid disappointment book your seats early. To register your child to perform at the GALA music concert please complete the Gala Music Concert
Forms which are available on the Term 3 Bulletin or contact our office for a concert form on 9310 9532.
Date: Sunday 16th September 2012
Time: 5:00pm to 8:30pm
Venue: Starlight Centre, Taylors Lakes Hotel
Address: 7 Melton Road, Taylors Lakes
Melway Ref: Map 14A1 All students are encouraged to perform either a solo, in a group or both.
Ticket Prices
Children Tickets: $25.00
Adult Tickets: $40.00
For Bookings Call Lorenzo on 9310 9532 The concert will be professionally recorded and all performers will receive a free copy of the DVD. Our free gift to you in appreciation of your attendance
