It frustrates me when a student forgets a cheque, or misses a cheque… or bounces a cheque. It frustrates me when a student forgets a lesson, or misses a lesson… or asks for a make-up lesson. And it frustrates me when a student forgets to practice, or misses practice… or just doesn’t care to practice.
Then along comes my year-end piano recital.
And it brings me such joy to see proud students, and their proud parents, and their teary-eyed grandparents.
And I realize… all jobs have their frustrations. Piano teaching is no different. But not all jobs have a positive impact on the life of a child.
And this makes all the difference.
I know exactly what you mean Andrea. Tomorrow is our spring recital and while I’ve “lost” a few performers to sports, I know that seeing the students perform, especially when it’s their first recital, will be an overwhelming sense of joy!
Two words help me remember what this is “all about” when I’m getting frustrated: Servant’s heart. I love at our recital watching those students bloom right in front of me. Thanks so much for this reminder!
Yes Andrea, I understand your frustration regarding “forgetting a cheque” or students asking for a makeup lesson/credit/skipping etc. Further, even though if the teacher has all the policies in writing, there are some parents who would attempt to negotiate their own terms with the teacher.
One of the best payment methods would be asking for post-dated cheques for September – June school year, and not to give a time slot to the student whose family did not give the post-dated cheques.
And yes, the recitals and masterclasses are highlights of our teaching, and some parents and students appreciate and enjoy these events while other families decide not to be a part of what the teacher put in so much effort and time in during the school year.
Here is one of my favourite videos from my May 2014 recital: “No Easy Answers” by Christopher Norton (duet with a rhythm section):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3AFdhw5bkA
Andrew and Morgan are 8 years old, playing with live drummer and a bass player.
Exactly! Being an independent teacher means fussing and fretting (and sweating) through recital prep and dealing with the administrative stuff too. But those proud parents and beaming kid faces as the applause sounds, kind of erase a lot of that frustration. The highest praise I’ve had post-recital this year, came from the older brother (11 years old) of a student, who told his mom that the only music recitals he likes to come to are mine — because they are so interesting. This from a very smart, musically savvy kid! I was so honored. It is an honor to touch children in this way. Right on.
Kathy, that’s great. What an encouragement for you! Can you elaborate on what he described as “interesting” at your recitals? We would love to have some fresh recital ideas!