Welcome to the WIU Community Music School Piano Program! Students will have weekly lessons in Browne Hall (in our state-of-the-art digital piano lab and/or on one of our many beautiful pianos), and will present a formal recital at the end of the semester in WIU's stunning Recital Hall. Piano training is a daily commitment, and we look forward to watching the students grow and mature as the semester progresses.
The WIU Community Music School Piano Program was created to offer youth in the Macomb area a formal, organized, exciting and engaging piano experience. Students will have the opportunity to take lessons from some of the finest WIU students, and will benefit from their teachers' enthusiasm, up-to-date pedagogical methods, and the camaraderie that exists within the piano student body.
Students will take one private lesson per week (30, 45 or 60 minutes). Students will meet their teacher in Browne 213 each week (the digital piano lab) or the Browne Hall lobby and will be directed to their lesson location from there. Parents may make special arrangements with the teachers directly, if they would like their child met in an alternate location (the Browne parking lot, bus stop, etc.).
Lessons will be held from Tuesday 1/17/12 through Friday 5/4/12. There will be no lessons on 2/13/12 (Lincoln's Birthday), and no lessons the week of 3/12/12-3/16/12 (Spring Break).
Questions? Please contact Dr. Tammie Walker at the e-mail address listed below.
Dr. Tammie Walker
Professor of Piano
Email: TL-Walker4@wiu.edu
Phone: (309) 298-1237
Tamara Myers
Email: TL-Myers@wiu.edu
Parents need to register their vehicle with secretary Darcy Pinson in the Music Office (Browne 122) at the beginning of each semester. You will be issued a placard to place on your dash, which will allow you to park in the Browne parking lot during your child's lesson each week. More information on parking (including maps) is available on the Community Music School website.
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 1:30pm
WIU Recital Hall (north side of Simpkins Hall)
Lessons are pro-rated at $30/hour:
- 30-minute lessons = $15
- 45-minute lessons = $22.50
- 60-minute lessons = $30
Payment is due monthly, at the first lesson of each month, and is payable by check only, written to the WIU Community Music School. Students should bring their monthly check to their teacher at the first lesson of each month. If payment is not received by the second lesson of any given month, the teacher has the right to cancel lessons until payment is received.
Typical tuition example: Joey's Thursday afternoon piano lessons in September will be held on September 3, 10, 17 & 24. Joey takes 30-minute lessons from his teacher each week. Joey should bring a check for $60 to his September 3 piano lesson (4 lessons x $15), and his tuition will be considered current for the month of September.
Each teacher will inform the parents of what books they will work from. I recommend ordering music from Eble Music in Iowa City: 319-338-0313 (they are fast and reliable). Teachers may ask parents to purchase additional supplies (such as flash cards, a metronome, etc.) throughout the course of the year. Books and supplies will typically not exceed $25 per semester.
Students are required to attend all scheduled lessons. Lessons that are cancelled by the student or teacher will typically not be made up; make-up lessons will be arranged at the discretion of the parent and teacher. Lessons that are cancelled because of student illness or emergency with at least 24 hours notice will not be charged (a credit will apply toward the next month's tuition).
Students are expected to budget in 15-60 minutes of daily practice time in order to meet their musical goals (each teacher will advise the parents of the daily practice expectation). The WIU CMS Piano Program uses a "Three Strike" system to ensure that all expectations are being met. If a student comes to their lesson unprepared (or skips a lesson), the student/parents will be informed of Strike One. If a student reaches Strike Three in any given semester, the teacher has the right to terminate lessons with that student at the end of the month. Parents are encouraged to communicate directly, freely and often with the teacher to make sure all expectations are being met and the experience is positive and productive for all involved.
Please let me know how I can make piano lessons more successful and rewarding for your child – I am happy to discuss any of your ideas or concerns at any time. By giving your child piano lessons, you are giving them a gift they will use for a lifetime! Thank you for your support of the WIU Community Music School.
~Dr. Tammie Walker
