When is the Best Time to Start
Music, Art or Theatre?
July 2021

Navigating Summer Learning
May 2021

Summer is fast approaching. It is often a time when schedules need to be adjusted because of vacations, jobs, and kids being home from school. As parents, we desire for our children to maintain all the learning they have received throughout the year, as well as stay creative and engaged during the summer months. This applies to their music learning as well.
Here are a few points to help parents as they navigate the summer transition which is rapidly approaching:
•AVOID LEARNING LOSS! Learning loss is especially damaging for individuals studying music. Statistics show that we have a tendency to forget whatever we study within two to three days, so you can imagine the impact that two or three months may have. Pausing lessons can be especially damaging for music students because regularly maintaining muscle memory is a key factor in seeing continued progress. Continued learning over the summer helps maintain musical progress and build music experience even further. It takes months or even years for students to develop their skills, but not much time to lose them.
•LEAP AHEAD! Did you know that playing an instrument for just 20 minutes a day, improves literacy, quantitative reasoning, and math and science skills. Music study also encourages a healthy mental state of mind. Leap ahead academically and musically with your summer practice.
•STAY IN IT! Continuing with regular music lessons and practice make it far less difficult to try and “get back into it” after an extended break. No need to spend time reviewing. Continued learning during the summer helps students avoid any muscle memory or music theory loss.
•MIXIN’ IT! Music learning provides the right mix of fun and challenges to prevent summer slacking and keeps your child’s mind active during the summer. Studying an instrument is a perfect complement to your child’s expectations of having a great and exciting summer.
•POSITIVE RESULTS! Enjoying music classes over the summer provides your child entertaining goals to work towards. It also builds self-confidence and initiative, and develops a positive attitude when school resumes.
•SCHOLARSHIP PREP! Scholarship competition can be steep in the performing arts. Gain a competitive edge with extra time for practice during the summer. Join us for audition prep and/or college prep classes this summer!
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s continued learning this summer, we are always here to help.
Sincerely,
Heather Parks, Piano Instructor/Owner
New Song School of the Arts

Our Investment in Our Children
April 2021

As parents, we are willing to invest in our greatest blessings . . . our children.
-what is the best way to invest in my child?
-what should the duration of this investment be?
-what signs should I look for to know if I am receiving a return on my investment?
PRACTICE
March 2021

A NOTE FROM MISS HEATHER
The “P” word!!! P.R.A.C.T.I.CE!!!
It is what every parent wants to HEAR, every teacher wants to SEE, and every student doesn’t love to DO. Every grown up knows how important practice is if you want to be good. However, young people have not yet learned value of practice. They still see it as a chore.
I have been playing the piano since I was four years old. To keep my skills sharp, my personal practice goal is two hours/day (10 hours weekly). That said, even after all these years, I still don’t LOVE to practice….. BUT…. I LOVE the results of my practice.
This is where parents come in.
As young people continue to mature, build character, and learn life lessons, they need wise and mature parents to encourage, motivate, and inspire them to STICK with their fine arts study until they see the results of their hard work.
Here are some tips for you as you parent your musicians, artists, and actors:
What NOT to say:
“Go practice”
“If you don’t practice, I am going to make you quit”
“You have a lesson tomorrow and you have only practiced once this week”
“Your teacher is going to be mad at you because you’re not prepared”
Keep it positive!
What TO say:
“Can you play some music for me while I make dinner?”
“I loved that song I heard you playing on the piano today. Can you play it for dad when he comes home from work?”
“Let’s FaceTime grandma this Friday and you can play her the song that you learned today at your lesson after your practice it for a few days”
“That piece is sounding nice. Let’s do a family “parlor performance” this Sunday.
Let this fine arts thing blossom and evolve naturally. We LOVE working with all of you and your amazing children!
Miss Heather, Piano Instructor/Owner
New Song School of the Arts

Our Location
7861 Tudor Lane, Argyle, TX 76226