Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
- Where can I find lessons in the area for my child?
- At what age should I begin my child on formal instrument lessons?
- There are so many styles of music. What should my child be exposed to?
- When will my child play the recorder and why is it used?
- Isn't music just something to enjoy, but not something to do for a living?
Where can I find lessons in the area for my child?
The Artist-In-Residence After School Music Program at Wachusett HS offers
beginners to advanced music lessons in voice, violin, cello, clarinet, flute,
horn, low brass, sax, piano, percussion and guitar. Contact MELANIE DONEGAN,
Program Director, at (508) 829-6771, ext 2424 for more information.
There are also music lessons at various private music schools and music stores
in the area. Please refer to my links page for more options.
At what age should I begin my child on formal instrument lessons?
Firstly, it depends on the child. Interest level, maturity, and physical
coordination are all factors to consider. Very young children often want
to have fun with music and are enjoy the sound and feel of an instrument,
but aren't mature enough to sit for a formal lesson. You may consider
getting your child into a class where they can explore music and movement
outside of school if they are not quite ready for a one on one, weekly lesson.
Piano and violin are popular instrument for early students. Look for a teacher
who works well with children and has lots of patience!
Serious voice study, I feel, should be held off preferably until the child
has gone through puberty and the voice has settled. Always look for a qualified
teacher who will teach age appropriate repertoire and exercise materials.
There are so many styles of music. What should my child be exposed to?
Yes, the styles of music out there are many. It's a great thing to introduce
your child to a wide range of music and also to know what they are listening
to. Some of the many genres are classical, jazz, folk, country, pop, rock,
opera, and sacred music. Classical music is a great way also to help your
child relax or settle in for sleep at night.
When will my child play the recorder and why is it used?
All children in the third grade will study the recorder in the second half of
the school year. The recorder is an excellent instrument for children to
begin reading music notation and learning to play alone and with others. The
concepts that has been taught in the grades leading up to this study are
further clarified in the playing of this simple instrument. It is especially
valuable to those children who choose to continue on other instruments as
they get older.
Isn't music just something to enjoy, but not something to do for a living?
Well, there are many avenues in music to pursue if one is very serious about
music as a career. Performing is probably the most difficult arena to earn
an ongoing living in and many performing artist do additional things to
support themselves. Teacher, music therapist, recording engineer, music
business administrator, composer, conductor, and music librarian are a few of
the areas one may work in music as.