Music Academy

GENERAL ITEMS

• Lesson studio: In-person lesson will be taught in Fine Arts Complex Room 237. It is advised, however, that the student seek and receive online instruction if he or she or the guardian is feeling ill, or believes that the student or family member(s) has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. WT Music Academy will follow all applicable guidelines set forth by the university. 
• The Texas A&M System requires all who are involved in youth activities on campus provide Agreement for waiver, indemnification, assumption of risk and medical treatment authorization. Please return the form and any other required forms in a timely manner when asked.
• Parking: Students of the Academy do not receive special parking privileges or free parking passes. Please contact the Parking Services Division at 806-651-2309 to obtain a visitor permit or to purchase the regular permit.  There are also a few limited visitor parking spots in purple, please click here to view them. (Click on Visitor Parking Zone 12 MMNH)
• Lesson instructors: All WT Music Academy lessons are taught by current music students.
• Fall recital is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., November 17th, in the Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall.
• Practice instrument: It is advised that students have regular access to an acoustic instrument at least five times a week. For that purpose an instrument at home is ideal. If securing a piano is not feasible, a local church, relative, or a neighbor may be solicited for an access to an instrument for practice. Using a tabletop keyboard as practice instrument is discouraged. There are finer electric instruments (such as Yamaha or Roland Digital Pianos), which have weighted keys for more responsive action. Though they never replace the acoustic counterpart, they may be used until a piano is acquired.
• Commitment to practice: For proper musical growth, one must practice the specific points covered in the lesson and assigned passages of music daily. It is recommended that the parent help set a practice time in the child’s daily routine.
• Mid-semester enrollment: New students may enroll mid-semester based on teacher availability.
• Lesson termination: Mid-semester withdrawal is discouraged; in the event that this is unavoidable, there may not be a refund for the unused portion of the tuition. Students may be dismissed from the Music Academy at the end of the semester for delinquent payment, frequently-missed lessons, and/or lack of preparation for lessons.
• General inquiry: please inquire or discuss matters (including fees) pertaining to the lessons with Dr. Choong-ha Nam or Dr. Sarah Rushing, co-directors who oversee WT Music Academy. Dr. Nam’s contact info: 806-651-2851 and cnam@wtamu.edu; Dr. Rushing: 806-651-2852 and srushing@wtamu.edu

CALENDAR AND TUITION PAYMENT

• Fall lessons will begin the week of August 28th. The semester continues through the second full week of November (Aug. 28 – Nov. 18). A total of twelve lessons will be taught during this time. 
• Registration fee for 2023-24 is $25. This is only applicable to new students.
• Following is the fee schedule:

30-min. lessons: $235

45-min. lessons: $340

60-min. lessons: $445

NEW! Registration for Music Academy will not be online this year.  Please click here or on the registration button above to access the registration form, which will need to be emailed to cnam@wtamu.edu or srushing@wtamu.edu.  Tuition and the registration fee are due the first lesson day of the semester.  

• The length of the lesson is to be determined by the recommendation of the teacher. Please understand that as children progress, the length of the lesson must increase so that an adequate amount of material is covered.
• Music scores and books are not included in the payment. They are the responsibility of the student.
• Teachers have the right to refuse teaching lessons if there are any unpaid fees. Teachers are not required to make up lessons missed while a student’s account remains unpaid.

ATTENDANCE

• Students should arrive five minutes prior to the appointment with all required scores and supplies. The lesson will end on time, even if the student arrives late to the lesson.
• Up to two lessons will be eligible for make-up during the semester for excused absences. An absence due to illness, accident, or family emergency is excused provided the teacher is notified as soon as possible, preferably 24 hours in advance.

PERFORMANCE

• Typically Music Academy students present some of their most polished pieces, in two public recitals each year, one at the end of each semester.  
• Recital preparation begins approximately two months before the date of the recital. Some students may begin the preparation as early as the beginning of the semester for a lengthy and complex piece.  Note that your teacher aims to have the pieces ready two weeks prior to the recital. By that time the pieces should be securely learned and memorized. Though memorization of music occurs naturally for many students, should memorizing a piece be an undue hardship, students may use the score in performance (no photocopy of the music in public).

• If a child is adverse toward performing in front of a crowd of strangers, there may be other outlets of performance such as the one-on-one adjudication at a local festival. Please note if your child is showing signs of an unusually high level of anxiety over a recital performance and communicate this to your teacher. A well-prepared student usually feels confident and looks forward to sharing his or her music with the family and others.

PARENTS’ ROLE AND SUCCEEDING IN MUSIC LESSONS

• Parental involvement: Young beginners generally require active parent involvement. Ages 5 to 9 (and beyond) will need a parent to be a committed partner in learning. This means the parent will sit in during the lesson, following the lesson and making necessary notes on a notepad. This works best if the parent is fully engaged (i.e. not given to checking phone/email messages or attending to another child). By doing so, the parent is better able to help the child practice the materials assigned to him or her. Ask questions to the teacher if any points covered in the lesson are unclear to you, especially the assignments. (You do not need to have any musical knowledge to be successful in helping your child.) The teacher will be glad to devote some time to help you follow the material. Because the musical progress of the child lies mostly in how successful and regular home practice is, your involvement in the early years is crucial. I have once heard it expressed that a parent aids the child with an extra set of ears and eyes; two heads are better than one! It is not necessary that you teach the child; in fact it is often counter-productive. Simply help your child follow the instructions given to them by the teacher (your notes come in handy here). The amount of involvement required in practicing varies by child: some parents may sit near the child quietly and engage with the practicing the whole time; others, if the child is quite self-sufficient (has formed good practice habits and can follow instruction without the help of the parent), would read a book quietly, but are ready to work with the child if a need arose.
• Quiet practice room: it is very important that the instrument is not in an area that is noisy (by the kitchen, a TV, etc.). If the piano is in a shared area like a living room or den, be sure to schedule the practice time and not allow access by the other members of the family during that time. Music playing is first and foremost an aural art! If possible, consider moving the piano to the child’s room or an enclosed room where all distractions can be kept out.
• If your child is older and experienced, your job at home is a less active one. Even still, continue to validate the child’s musical effort by asking him or her to play for you and your spouse. Regularly ask questions and have a conversation about the lessons. Provide a musically nurturing environment at home, which can be done in a number of ways. And don’t forget that attending or viewing online concerts with them is another great way to support the child's musical journey.
• We encourage you to help your child stay with the lessons at least several years, if not until she or he goes off to college.  By that time, one would have acquired a skill and appreciation for music that will enrich the rest of his or her life.

Dr. Choong-ha Nam - cnam@wtamu.edu (806) 651-2851
Dr. Sarah Rushing - srushing@wtamu.edu (806) 651-2852