Epitelo Music Academy

Hello Everyone!

It?s back-to-school season!  Most children are already in school, and those who are not will be starting any day now.  With back-to-school comes lots of activities ? sports, clubs, and music lessons!  If you are not yet signed up for fall music lessons, sign up today!  Our fall schedule is filling up FAST!  Look at the end of this newsletter to see our current special!

Open House

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came to the Open House!  It was a big success, with not a dull moment for the entire two scheduled hours.  Several new people signed up for lessons, classes, or the mailing list.

Autism Walk-a-Thon in Mansfield, OH

On September 20th, there will an autism Walk-a-Thon held in Mansfield, OH.  Kate?s Music School will be there, with a booth about our special needs services.  If you would like to support the Walk-a-thon through donations or attending, please let us know.  We have fliers with more information.

Lesson Rate Change

As of September 1st, our rates have gone up slightly.  Basic rates are $75/month for 30-minute lessons, $112.50/month for 45-minute lessons, and $150/month for 60-minute lessons.  Sibling discounts are still in effect.  All of the information is currently on our website, and most of the new paypal buttons (all the basic rates) now work.  Please re-subscribe to paypal under the new rate if that?s how you would like to continue paying, or remember the new rate when writing your check.

Comprehensive Guide to Music Theory and General Music

We have just written a NEW music theory book!  It is full of new examples, lots of extra practice (2 or more full sheets per lesson!), games, listening skills, a glossary, and much more!  Please ask if you would like to see a copy.  The book is $25 and we are taking orders for it now.  The second printing will be this Friday, so students who have already ordered should pay at their next lesson, and they will receive their books this weekend and into next week.  Anyone who would like to order the book, please send us an email.

Recital

On Saturday, November 1st, we will be holding a recital for all our students and their families.  Location and exact time are TBA, although it will be in the afternoon.  If you are interested in participating, we have a sign up sheet in the studio.  Please write your name and instrument down even if you are only thinking about performing.  You are not obligated to do so if you sign up; we just want to get a feel for how many people are interested.  If you would like to perform in an ensemble, please let us know NOW.  We need to form the ensembles, get music, and begin coaching in order to be ready.

Fall Classes

There are still plenty of seats available in our fall classes!  Please see the website for details!

Special Needs Division

The special needs division HAS BEEN LAUNCHED!  We are now offering extended services for students with special needs, including documentation (necessary for waiver students), evaluation, detailed music plans, on-location lessons, and even team training!  Please see our website for more details, and call (614) 625-1064 for a FREE initial consultation!

Special Needs Music Learning System

A BRAND NEW music learning system for special needs students is in the works.  The complete package will include books, flashcards, and other visual aids, along with plenty of games.  The system will be suitable for ALL special needs students, including non-verbal ones!  In creating this system, we have borrowed from the Kodaly system, PECS, and much more.  Please ask if you would like to know more.

Student Evaluations

We will be conducting student evaluations the first week of September, with the onset of school (some students have already completed theirs).  Students who have studied at least since June will have a full evaluation done, where their playing ability is evaluated (if you would like to see an advance copy of the evaluation form we are using, please ask).  Students who are brand new will only fill out the goal sheet.  All students will use these evaluations to write goals with their instructor for the next three months.  These goals will include new musical skills, new songs, and anything else students would like to learn.  Instructors will then help students to break down the goals into manageable steps so that lessons this fall will have a definite direction.  Please look for these; copies of the evaluations and parent newsletters will go home once the evaluation has been completed (please inform students that this is NOT a grade; it is a goal-setting tool!).  Students will also receive practice charts to fill out each time they practice.  For students who may be having trouble practicing on a regular basis, we may pair these goal sheets with musical rewards!

September Special

Sign up for lessons for a longer time, and receive the first month at the shorter time?s rate!  i.e. if you sign up for 45-minute lessons, receive the first month at the 30-minute lesson rate!