MCDONALD MUSIC STUDIOS
STUDIO POLICY
2013-2014
MCDONALD PIANO STUDIOS POLICY
MISSION STATEMENT: to train growing pianists to become better ones; to recreate timeless
masterpieces from piano literature; to express everything through healthy technique.
McDonald Piano Studios exists to develop in each student their highest individual
pianistic potential, through balanced repertoire, progressive technique, performance
opportunities, and music theory.
Learning to play the piano is a journey that offers a lifetime of benefits. Among the most
obvious is the pleasure derived from good music and the sense of accomplishment from
being able to produce a polished piano performance. In addition, studying the piano has
been known to increase sense of self worth, poise, and develop a greater focus,
perseverance, and determination. The very process that a student must undergo to read
notes on two clefs, assimilate them on a piano keyboard, and reproduce the music with 10
fingers on 88 keys requires not only both sides of the brain but, as studies are showing,
actually increases cognitive reasoning capabilities and brain size. Educators are finding
that those that study a musical instrument and classical music in particular are scoring
higher on standardized tests, are overall better learners in school, and attain higher levels
of cognition. In lieu of these facts the following studio policies have been set in order that
the student would experience the greatest achievement for his or her efforts.
THE TRIANGLE RELATIONSHIP: There are three parts to successful piano study - all
require commitment, have a unique role, and are equally important - these include: the
teacher, the student, and the parent.
TEACHER: The teacher will be responsible for providing the student with appropriate
music and information on how to play the music. The teacher will also ensure proper
hand technique appropriate to each student. In addition, the teacher will assign workable
practice methods and provide performance opportunities so that the student may see
positive results from practice. The ultimate goal of the teacher is to teach the students to
teach themselves.
STUDENT: The student is to arrive at each lesson with all assigned music well prepared
with a teachable attitude and willingness to implement suggestions of the teacher. It is
the responsibility of the student to apply the teacher instruction in a timely manner.
PARENT: The parent is to provide an acoustic piano in the best possible condition. They
are to make sure the student has scheduled an adequate amount of consistent practice
time; they are ultimately responsible for the student’s preparation and corrections. Parents
can be most helpful in helping the student in his/her weekly practice by attending lessons
and quietly taking notes. The parent’s attitude toward music and piano lessons many
times determines the child’s attitude as well. The parent will aid the student in this way
by their enthusiasm regarding lessons, practice, and by providing opportunities to listen
to classical music and attending classical concerts.
TUITION: Please contact us for pricing and availability. Occasional additional costs will
be added to the tuition bill, including fees for festivals and recitals, Student Affiliate,
theory tests, and music purchased by the teacher for the student.
ATTENDANCE: A specific time is reserved for each student’s lesson. If a student must
cancel a lesson for any reason they will forfeit their lesson without refund. Parents may
independently trade lesson times with another student with teacher approval. However, if
the teacher cancels a lesson, the lesson will either be made up or refunded. Please note
that vacations do not constitute cause to refund lessons.
EXTRA LESSONS: Occasionally the teacher may deem it necessary for extra lessons for
the preparation for a competition or festival. Should the parent agree to do so, there will
be two options for payment: either the student may pay for each lesson individually, or
the student may credit the lesson toward the summer (see “Summer Lessons”).
SUMMER LESSONS: Students are expected to continue lessons through the summer
months of June, July, and August, with the only exception being out of town family trips.
Lessons during this time will be billed monthly according to the number of lessons taken
per month. All students are expected to purchase at least 6 summer lessons in order
to maintain a spot in this studio. In the case of a student who is not available for these 6
lessons and wants to maintain their spot, the parent must provide the tuition for the 6
required summer lessons.
PERFORMANCES: Becoming a competent pianist requires performing experience.
Therefore, each student will participate in two (2) studio recitals annually and two (2)
festivals/competitions as well as take the TMTA theory test. There will also be a required
monthly performance class, meeting for one (1) hour at this studio. The teacher may
recommend other performance opportunities for students, such as additional
competitions.
PRACTICE: Good practicers become good pianists. Reasonable skill in any endeavor,
especially in a musical instrument, can only be achieved with an unyielding commitment
to consistent practice. Parental support in implementing a consistent and non-negotiable
practice time into the day is crucial toward meaningful musical growth. It is important
that parents aid their students by scheduling practice that will not be disturbed or
compromised and by maintaining a positive attitude toward the practice. The following
minimum times are expected of students for their respective ages:
K-1st grade: 30 - 60 minutes daily with parental supervision
2nd-3rd grade: 45 minutes – 1½ hours daily with parental supervision
4th-6th grade: 1 - 3 hours daily; parental involvement encouraged
7th- 12th grade: 1½ - 4 hours daily; parental involvement encouragement
For those planning to major in music, more practice time should be added due to
the demands of the profession. Those following the piano performance track
should practice 4 – 7 hours daily.
It has been said, “Practice makes perfect.” This phrase is misleading, for practice only
makes permanent. For this reason, early parental involvement is essential for the student’s
success in learning to play his/her instrument well. Only perfect practice “makes perfect.”
THEORY: All students are required to take the annual TMTA theory test. Students may
be required to utilize Just the Facts or a comparable theory curriculum to help them
achieve a high score. Students will be expected to score 90 or above.
“…a magnificent performance of the [Liszt sonata in b minor]. After the performance, I got
a phone message from a famous piano teacher who resides on the west coast and had
watched the live stream. She said it was the single best performance of the sonata she has
ever heard. High praise indeed.” Gregory Sullivan, Theater Jones
Marcy McDonald has been teaching piano in the Dallas
area, preschool through adult, for the past 25 years. In
2006 Ms. McDonald was recognized by the Texas Music
Teachers Association for outstanding achievement in
piano pedagogy with the Pre-Collegiate Teacher of the
Year Award for teaching excellence. Ms. McDonald is an
active member of DMTA, (Dallas Music Teachers
Association), TMTA (Texas Music Teachers Association,
MTNA, (Music Teachers National Association), Junior
Pianists Guild, and Dallas Piano Pedagogy Forum.
Ms. McDonald’s students have been singled out and
awarded top prizes in a myriad of local, state, national and international piano
competitions totaling over sixty first place awards. Most recently was the first place
prize awarded to a student competing in the prestigious National MTNA Yamaha
Competition and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Lynn Harrell Competition. In addition,
students have won top prizes in the Collin County Young Artists Competition, Texas
Association of Symphony Orchestras, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Concerto
Competition and the Lennox International Concerto Competition. These competition
wins resulted in the unique opportunity for students to solo with the Dallas Symphony
Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Plano Symphony Orchestra, the
Lewisville Lake Symphony Orchestra, the SMU Meadows Symphony Orchestra and the
Richardson Symphony Orchestra to name a few. Ms. McDonald has had students
accepted with scholarship into such prestigious music conservatories and universities
including The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music, Manhattan School of Music, Manes School of Music, SMU, TCU, and U of
Houston Moore’s School of Music.
Because of the many accomplishments and the reputation of high achievement, many
students within the McDonald Piano Studio have been invited to perform in events not
pertaining to competitions.
Some of these include solo performances with the Los
Colinas Symphony Orchestra, the Garland Symphony Orchestra and the New Symphony
of Arlington. In addition to that, Ms. McDonald’s Piano students have been asked to
perform for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, TASO, Steinway Hall and a preconcert recital for the Basically Beethoven Summer Music Festival. Her students
regularly participate in summer music festivals such as TCYA
in Plano and
distinguished themselves by being invited to participate in Piano Texas and the Banff
Summer Music Festival in Canada. They have had the opportunity to perform in the
master classes of internationally recognized concert pianists and pedagogues such as
Yoheved Kaplinsky, Julian Martin and Robert McDonald from the Juilliard School.
In addition to teaching piano Ms. McDonald is the proud wife of CPA husband David
and mother of 5 children all of whom share her love of the piano and great music.