Technique Kick-up: While there is still time in the school year, I will introduce the next level up of technical work. If a student is doing two octave scales hands alone, it will be time to learn them together. A root position I V I cadence will be done in inversions. Arpeggio study will be broadened. Perhaps the introduction of etude work will begin. Summer is also a wonderful time to learn new technique, but depending on the student’s schedule out of town, follow-up can become a challenge. Focus lesson time now on the next goal before lesson time becomes scattered
Assign a Reach Piece. Rather than wait for fall, how about a new project that will straddle spring and summer months? Perhaps the student has never learned an entire sonatina or sonata? Assign a movement now, followed by another over the summer, then finally the last on in the spring and voila, a complete sonata/sonatina can be in their hands before Thanksgiving. What an amazing start to the next year!
Revisit neglected skills. Transposition and particularly Sight Reading often take a backseat when practicing for annual festival activities. Now is the time to focus o these important skills. Chose one for the whole studio or key in on the most needed skill for each student.
Even if students get a little wobbly over the summer with the coming and going of vacations and summer camps, they will be far better off for planning now to kick up the playing skills and repertoire level. Another plus is that students begin to see themselves playing a more impressive and that can only enhance their motivation and desire to continue lessons in your Studio. Happy Spring planning ahead!