If success in business means going that extra mile… then success in the piano teaching business means going that extra mile… and that extra mile after that.
The first extra mile is what we all do as fabulous teachers. It’s the late nights searching for repertoire, printing out piano games, and customizing lesson plans. It’s the extra mile that nobody ever sees but results in happy, talented students.
And then there’s that second extra mile.
It’s the hardest mile! Because it feels like the unpaid extra mile; the coffee shop recitals, the theme months, the charity concerts, and the practice incentives. It’s also the extra mile that everybody clearly sees… and it involves a ton of work.
But, it also generates the all important buzz, word-of-mouth, and positive parent chit-chat
And while “seemingly” unpaid, it can mean the difference between a studio that thrives and a studio that dives.
Here on the blog we try hard to share whatever we can to ease the burden of that second extra mile so that you can reap the benefits and maintain your sanity. Today we wanted to show you how to go that extra… extra mile around the holiday season.
The Super Simple Holiday Party
Any time you have a chance to bring your piano students (and possibly their families) together in a large group, jump at it! When people are surrounded by other people who share a common interest (you), they will develop a natural inclination of pride, ownership and protectiveness towards whatever brought them together (you again!)
This resulting community of people is like an impenetrable forcefield protecting your success. And there really is no better time to bring your studio together to build that forcefield than the holidays.
But while this may be the “best time” to bring people together, it may be the “worst time” for you. After all, with holiday recitals, school commitments and family gatherings, planning a holiday piano party probably gives you that “just downed an entire carton of eggnog” feeling.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Because, while peering through the window of an abnormally busy cafe the other night and seeing a ton of adults playing board games and having an absolute hoot, I stumbled upon the easiest holiday piano party of all time… a piano game party.
If adults are coming in droves to coffee shops to play board games, then your piano students are going to be pumped when you throw a holiday piano game party!
Here’s how simple it is:
- Invite students to your holiday board game party
- Make it a potluck
- Clear a large board game playing area in your home or studio
- Set up games
- Have good ol’ fun
And if you want to complicate matters, just slightly:
- encourage students to wear “ugly” holiday sweater
- send each student home with a printed board game as a gift
It really doesn’t get much easier that that. But your kids will love it and parents will eat it up (and can even join in!).
But which games to use?
I know there are a bunch of PianoGameClub’ers with a shelf of games who just read this post and thought… Bingo!
But if you’re not one of them yet, be sure to check out PianoGameClub where we send our members four new games each and every month. You can even preview the four games that our members received this month by clicking on the image below.
And if you like what you see, hop on over to PianoGameClub.
I improvised with some “2 Player” games last month when I held Bring a Friend Week, and suddenly found myself with 5 children of all ages in one room! This is such a great idea, and helps me so much because I was stuck on what to do for the first 25 minutes of my holiday party this year. I would love to hear ideas for Piano Game Club games that other teachers have enjoyed using with 4 players
I have had a Christmas party every year, and my students really look forward to it. It is at my home, and just for the students (no parents). They play Christmas songs for each other, we have Christmas cookies (pot luck), and we do a craft project of some sort. Lots of fun, and easy for me.
My piano studio is just a year old so this will be our first holiday party. It’ll be a PJ piano party! After each child (in their favorite pajamas) plays a Christmas piece we’ll have some caroling, Secret Santa and cookie decorating. We’re all looking forward to it.
Could you please suggest the games that would be MOST appropriate for adult learners (plus guest) in a Game Party setting? I have (and have used) all of the games you’ve invented. I’m so very grateful that you share your creative genious with us!
Hi Wendy! Absolutely – here’s my suggested “older learner” list of PianoGameClub games we have released so far:
Keys to the Castle
Chord Shark
Pitch It
Code Cracker
Puddle Jumper
Island Hopper
En Garde
Jailbirds
Webster
Lava Liftoff
AIEscape (younger theme, but adults love it!)
We are doing group lessons this week. One more to go! We played the game “Bridge It” as a 4-person game. Good for rhythms! (In October we used the “Mystery at Measure Mansion” and used it with 8!) No group planned for Christmas this year. Of course, we can always play around of “Music Bingo” with a group.
And…I meant to say that one of my students asked if he could ever take home the game “Seadog Sinking”…one of the November PGC games! (I’m considering giving away games for Christmas…printed and unlaminated…they can play them over Christmas break!)
Hi Melissa! Sedan Sinking is a favorite over here too! This is what I”m doing for my kids – the beauty of an “unlimited printing” license with the games 🙂 I’ve done up their very favorite (the one game they ask me relentlessly to play) – know they’ll be stoked!
This blog was perfect timing! THANKS!
I am planning 3 Christmas Party/ Group Lessons for my students just before Christmas– 2 group lessons (older and younger piano students) and one for my violin students. I have games, crafts, performing (our Christmas pieces), snacks and more fun games planned for the party. Quite excited as this will be the first Christmas party/ Group Lesson for most of my students! Will have another one in Spring where students will bring able to bring one friend.
Wow! 3 Christmas parties Benita – you are busy! 🙂 The bring-a-friend party sounds fabulous.
I live in a village 1 hour from nearest city. Only have 3 students. We do a Christmas Card for our families who sit in my living room. Students and I keep things a secret; that’s part of the fun. Each student is free to play a solo, and usually 2 pieces in which teacher is the second. This year it will be mostly secular music. My students are all level 2. I always teach student a surprise gift. Perhaps Silent Night on the autoharp, perhaps rythm drumming on Jingle Bells Rock..you get the idea. It is lots of fun and everyone really enjoys it. Refreshments are kept simple. Thanks for having this website. I miss having other teachers to talk with.
Sounds lovely Ruth! And yes, this profession can be isolating no matter how many other teachers are in your town (but especially in your situation!). The internet is so helpful in making you a part of a community of teachers – we are rural too! We hear you 🙂
I love your holiday idea. I’m doing something similar, but with a bit of a twist others may enjoy next season. At the back-to-school kick-off in September, I began a Leader-Board where all the students track their “points” won using a 3-set game called “Spin and Tell” which is music theory on game boards. I let each student play for 5 points the last few minutes each lesson. At 25, 50, and 75 points there have been little prizes the students could choose from, to keep it encouraging and fun. Well, I timed it so we’d just about be nearing the 100-point level come Christmas party time, and so on the party/recital afternoon, everyone will have the opportunity to win those last points necessary to claim the big wrapped prizes and conclude what has been an exceptionally fun fall game. Of course I do cookies and snacks, and we all play pieces for one another – very casual style – and do a simple craft with a musical motif. My students really look forward to this, and parents are naturally thrilled. Merry Christmas!!!
Sounds like SO much fun! 🙂 Thanks for sharing
I am having a Piano Play Party from 4 to 5 on Fri. school is out for Christmas. Mid-Oct. I told all students I am giving a prize for the one who learns the most Christmas songs. I have a chart on wall for all to see. 1 first grade beginner is doing exceptionally well in all of his assignments. He is on fire & has learned 13…so far! 1 high school girl has learned 4 & three have elementary have learned 3 out of my 14 students. Of course, everyone will get at least 1 prize but the #1 guy I am searching for something special. Does anyone have a suggestion…in approximate $5-ish range? We will play a couple of games & I mom has offered to make cookies with her daughters. HOW NICE! Everyone will play 1 song (by this week that will surely be accomplished) & all are encouraged to “BRING A FRIEND”! Thanks for you game club Andrea & Trevor!