LESSONS
Private lessons are given in the months of September through July in addition to group week sessions scheduled for the first full week of each month. August is a vacation for everyone.
Lesson Length:
All students are strongly encouraged to take at least a 45 minute lesson. This is the length of time necessary to cover all the lesson material thoroughly. When the student reaches Music Tree 2A or Faber and Faber 2A, a 45 minute lesson is required.
Monthly Group Sessions:
Regular attendance at monthly group sessions is required. Just as in a team sport like soccer, basketball or baseball, every student is assigned to a team: Brilliantes, Animatos, Con Brios, Con Motos or Spiritos. Each student’s attendance is vital to their team’s success! The teams correspond with the theory gymnastics book from which students work, and students are generally placed according to age and level.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program held in December, May and August is an optional Springfield Piano Academy activity. Students perform three pieces of repertoire, as well as musicianship skills ranging from sight reading, ear training and theory at the higher levels. Certificates of Achievement can be earned by successfully completing all requirements for each level.
An optional examination, similar to the Royal Conservatory Exam, is the Decatur Area Music Teachers Association Annual AIM (Achievement In Music) Exam. AIM is a nationally recognized curriculum that focuses on comprehensive musicianship skills for students of piano, organ, voice, and strings. This curriculum is offered by the Illinois State Music Teachers Association (ISMTA). AIM has 12 levels that progress from beginning through advanced levels. Students may enter at any level. Each level consists of a theory and a performance exam; both have to be passed in order to proceed to the next level. Exams are offered once a year, and are judged by highly qualified teachers.
The National Guild of Piano Teachers holds an annual examination in May. This is an opportunity for students to receive a performance & technique evaluation. Students may prepare a program of one (1) to seven (7) memorized pieces combined with Musicianship Phases to be evaluated by an impartial adjudicator from outside the Springfield area.
Students can choose to participate in the Springfield Federation of Music Club’s (SFMC) annual Festival. SFMC is affiliated with Illinois Federation of Music Clubs/National Federation of Music Clubs. For Festival, students memorize and perform two pieces before judges, receiving adjudication and earning points toward Certificates & Gold Cup achievement awards.
Competitions for Intermediate (11-14 yrs old) and Advanced (15-18 yrs old) students:
IFMC & SFMC sponsors a Golden Lyre Scholarship, Scholarship Audion and the Jean Vitale Scholarship Audition held each March. Students compete to win scholarship assistance to attend the summer music camp program of their choice.
DAMTA, Decatur Area Music Teachers Association affiliated with the Illinois Music Teachers Association/Music Teachers National Association, sponsors a Scholarship Audition held in April at which students compete to win scholarship assistance to attend the summer music camp program of their choice.
At the end of the piano year in May, students participate in an Annual Spring Recital and Awards Ceremony, highlighting literature learned throughout the year as well as musical achievements and awards.
REQUIRED PERFORMANCES
Group Class - Each student will prepare one selection or section of a piece to be performed monthly.
Annual Spring Recital - Each student will prepare at least one piece to be performed by memory.
TUITION
The piano year is divided into 4 terms: Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer. Term tuition is collected in the months of September, December & March. If you wish, nine monthly payments may be substituted for the full term tuition. Monthly tuition payments are amortized over a nine-month period for ten months of lessons. These monthly installments are an average of all four terms. Families are welcome to choose the payment plan that will be most convenient. Payments are due at the first lesson of each month, unless other arrangements have been made with the teacher in advance. Any changes to tuition amounts are released annually in the Springfield Piano Academy policy letter.
MAKE-UP LESSONS
Busy students occasionally have activities which conflict with lesson times. While we'd like to accommodate everyone, because of the number of requests, we do not have time available to make up these lessons. However, students may switch lesson times with other students anytime. The teacher must be notified of all changes made to the schedule.