Sunday, January 3, 2021 by Bonnie Synhorst | Goal Setting

I started writing a post in reflection on the year we just completed, and what a crazy year it was!  And although I'm so proud of the students and all the things they've accomplished despite the spit second changes that had to be made, I think it's better still to focus on the path ahead.  

One of the many things I've learned from 2020 is that it is so important to look ahead and with that, this year is going to be all about goals.  I want to encourage (can I say require?) that every student set at least ONE BIG GOAL.  I know several students will have many, but it all starts with one.  Of course, I have goals for all of my students so I'll go first with my studio goals:

1. Practice---I want to excite and inspire student's enrolled to practice more.  After all, more practice leads to more progress and more progress leads to more satisfaction and excitement about learning new and harder things.  To put the practice in a visible plan for students, I want to encourage parents to visit:  www.peforkids.com/100-day-challenge Once a habit is established, students will more naturally and easily go to their instruments and practice.  Like I always tell them---ONLY practice on the days you eat!  The following link is another visual reminder of practice.  Color in the number for the date for each day you practice and let's see if you can make it through the entire year! Calendar

2. Scales--I've always taught with a focus on theory and scales, but over the past year I've really seen the benefits of theory in action as many students enrolled and continue to take the Ultimate Music Theory Classes and have joined an exclusive club!  Scales are the building blocks for all music and playing an instrument without knowing scales is like attempting to read without knowing how the letters in the words really work together to form the sounds.  I'll be rolling out Scale Incentives for ALL students, but piano students have the added benefit of being able to work through them in the SuperSonics exercises.  Each student that completes each level of scales will earn recognition, and possibly even a prize. . . .TBD

3. Technique & Artistry--During 2020, I enrolled in multiple courses to improve my own knowledge, playing, and expertise.  Even though I have a thriving studio with many talented students, I'm always learning and trying to figure out new ways to help each one to play better.  One of the courses I am currently enrolled in is feeding me so much valuable information that I'm about to burst!  Much like the Suzuki method focuses on teaching children music much like they learn their native language, this pedagogy course focuses not on playing as many notes as one is able from the start, but instead on playing fewer notes with as beautiful technique and sound as one can.  Initially, I started a few beginner students in this method, but want to slowly infuse these ideas into my teaching of all students.  One of the first goals is proper posture and positioning.  I'm going to start in January by asking for a picture of each student seated and playing their instrument and work toward getting them in their best position to make the beautiful sounds on their instruments.

4. Theory--An ongoing goal is to build on each student's musical knowledge.  Theory workbooks have always been optional, but in the future I will be requiring a theory commitment of students in order to transition my studio and student base to a more elite membership.  So I encourage each and every student to attend any optional theory classes when offered and plan on enrolling in a Summer Theory Class or Workshop.  This is a requirement for any student who wish to pursue the Royal Conservatory Program as well as another offering I am looking into called Student Day as both of these have a heavy theory requirement.

5. Performance--This one almost seems unnecessary because I feel this is one thing that is going very well in the studio.  There are so many performance and festival opportunities offered that I nearly overlooked it.  However, I know I have many students for whom the idea of performing still causes anxiety.  If this is you or your child, I'd like to encourage you to make this their goal.  We can work together to find the best opportunity for performance for them to conquer the fear.  This is really an easy one as it can be as simple as doing a mini-concert for family or friends.  

So I'd like to encourage you to sit down with your child(ren) to decide on at least one of the goals above and then let me know what you chose so we can work on it together!  

We don't know what kind of journey we have embarked on in 2021 just like we had no idea when we started 2020.  But we are better equipped to handle whatever it throws our way and if we start out with goals and a positive attitude to move forward, we can make it the best year yet!