NOTE: After reviewing the following policies, please print, sign and return the contract linked below.


Mission:  To Teach students to read music and learn piano technique and beginning through beginning piano literature.


Please - Checks are to be made to the Brener Piano Studio not to Deborah Brener


Monthly Payments: 4 payments in the fall and 5 in the spring. Due on the 1st of each month. Payments made after the 15th of the month will be considered late after the 15th of the month.

Fall: Sept. Oct.  Nov.  Dec.
Spring: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May


Material Fees: $200.  May be made in four - fifty dollar payments or in one full payment. This is to cover costs for music, recital costs, adjudications (Cert. of Merit, National Guild) and festivals. Extra monies will roll over into the summer. *I never find that money is remaining by July. Normally, books I hand out in the summer will be paid for by the following year’s MF. Payments may be made Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.


Workshops: These are held once a month and give students the opportunity to hear and learn from one another. Students at all levels perform for one another in a non judgmental atmosphere. If your student is unable to attend for any reason, please discuss this with me, so I may find other venues for performance practice.


Studio Recitals: Two this year. The first in February and the second in July (Guild/Recital). This is going to be a change from previous years. Please think about vacations as you plan summer. I am planning recital and then Guild so the two coincide. This way the student is not bored with their pieces.



Festivals: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary.
Students play in front of 3 judges and compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

The First announced festival is the Romantic Festival which will be held Oct. 24-25. Registration will begin Sept. 7 and ends Sept. 24.  Students should begin practicing their Romantic works for this competition if they are interested. This means composers who lived during the 19th century.

Certificate of Merit: Theory, Technique; Performance and Sight Reading Exams. This is a very rigorous exam at the higher levels and it requires daily practice and extra study in order to pass with high enough scores to be considered for the state convention. Certificate of Merit is well known across the United States, and due to its popularity it has been made more difficult. It is important that your student has the desire and the time to prepare in a proper fashion.  For further information go to www.mtac.org and go to Certificate of Merit. You may also look up the state convention on this site, in order to see the information which pertains to this event.

National Guild Exam: This is a program that is held internationally each summer. A judge is sent to a local center and my students are given predetermined times to perform their programs of memorized pieces. Now the Guild allows students to play popular and classical music along with the opportunity to perform with their music and not by memory if they so choose. Students have the option of working toward a Diploma or one of many scholarships and prizes. For further information please check the following website: www.pianoguild.com

Calendar:

Spring Semester:  20 Weeks, Jan.4 - May 28

Winter: Studio recital on Sunday, Feb. 7 @ 1 pm

Feb.20: Certificate of Merit - Theory Test   
Feb.21, Feb.27-28: Performance Test

Festivals are by arrangement with Dr. Brener and Parent

Mar. 21: Baroque Festival

Apr. 1-9: Spring Break

May 1-2: Contemporary Festival

May 16: Coda - In place of Path B for CM Levels P-2  

July 1-5: Convention 2010, Our 100th Convention: A Century of Education and Service Los Angeles Airport Marriott

July 11 - 1 pm: Spring Studio Recital - All Students: 

Mid-late July: National Guild in July - All Students

Students may also put their pieces in the Composers Today Program – There is a deadline of March 30

Pieces must be received by me by the end of February so we can work on finalizing them for entry

One other program is the Sonatina/Sonata Competition in June. When the date is published I will pass that on.

WORKSHOPS:

Jan. 29: Rehearsal of duets/two piano duos solos for recital

Feb. 5:  Required Dress Rehearsal for Recital –All students are required to be present at my studio.

Feb. 26: Performance rehearsal for Certificate of Merit Students only

Mar. 19: All Students

Apr. 23: All Students


Music Purchasing: I try to order music that students will enjoy. If your student is interested in purchasing music to supplement his or her repertoire, I have provided the websites below for your perusal. These are publishing houses that feature GOOD editions of both popular and classical student music. I highly recommend looking on these websites and then sending me your choice(s) of music. I will then order from my music store in Covina. You may not purchase directly from the publishers, and it can be confusing, so let me make the purchase and apply it to your material fee.

www.alfred.com     www.halleonard.com   www.fjhmusic.com


Practicing:  This year I will have a chart for students to fill out. Once they have completed the chart, they may “Purchase” a goodie from the goodie box. This is only for students who follow the routine.

Also, I give prizes at the end of the year. Trophies are awarded to students based upon their effort and hard work. I also have Piano Explorer Magazines for students interested in earning another special award. This is music appreciation for the young child and the magazines have wonderful “real” stories about all facets of music.

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