Preparing Students for Success
Festival, exam and competition season is upon us. How do you prepare your students for these events? I take this part of my teaching very seriously, mostly because I had a negative experience at a music exam as a student myself. My first piano teacher registered me for a piano exam and I had absolutely no idea what to expect, was not coached on any of the components of the exam, and left feeling like a failure. Luckily, I did not lose my drive for music and instead found a much more competent teacher who took the time to make sure I was prepared. What I learned from her was invaluable to me as both a performer and teacher. Most of this is common sense, but I would like to share some of my ideas.
First of all, set realistic goals for your students. I do this by sending out a music planning form to each student in the fall with all of the activities that are offered through my studio, including both in-house events as well as those events offered by our local and state music teacher groups. I recommend certain events for each student and require that they all choose at least twelve goals to work towards.
Next, once the goals are set, have a plan to achieve them in a timely manner. Give students deadlines for learning pieces, time to polish, and lots of opportunities for practice once the music has been learned.
As the event looms closer, educate both students and parents on what to expect. Students will be much less anxious if they know the details of what will occur at the event. For example, have a mock exam or audition in your studio. This not only includes the playing portion, but coaching them on arriving early enough to find the location and to settle in before they are called to perform. As the teacher, you must be familiar with the location and procedures (a good way to gather this information is to volunteer your time before entering students in a specific event so that you have first-hand knowledge of how the exam will be conducted). Since it has been very cold lately, I also encourage students to bundle up, wear warm gloves, and use the washroom to run their hands under warm water before their exam.
At your mock audition, instruct your student to take their time, breathe, and think before they begin to perform. If they are taking a music exam, go through each portion so that the student knows exactly what will happen. Be sure to remind your student to listen carefully to what the examiner is asking them to do. For example, many times students will play the wrong scale or chord because they didn’t take the time to think through it before starting, or they got nervous and misunderstood what the judge was asking them to play. Most adjudicators are positive and want the student to succeed. All it takes is a little more concentration and focus on the part of the student, which can be fostered in a simulated environment.
Lastly, kids are so busy these days and often schedule so much on any one given day. Instruct the parents to keep the performance day clear so they are not running from their basketball game to their exam in a frenzied manner. Also, students should get plenty of rest the night before their big event. Insuring that they are taking care of themselves will help them to focus and be less stressed allowing them to achieve success. Preparation is the key!
