Teaching Moment for Middle School Teacher

Objective: Students will explore how private music lessons can help them improve their skills, build confidence, and stay motivated in music. They will reflect on their personal musical goals and create an action plan to continue growing as young musicians.

Teacher Talking Points:
“Getting better at your instrument takes time, effort, and the right kind of help. Private lessons are one way to get support that’s just for you. You’ll go at your own pace, work on your goals, and maybe even discover new things you’re good at. Even if you’ve never taken private lessons, today’s your chance to think about what you want to improve and how to get there.”

📚 Student Assignment:
Title: Me & My Music: How Can I Get Better?

Instructions:

• Step 1: Read and Reflect
  Read the article How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships on the website Accoladi.com.
  
  Your first task is to write 3 things you learned from the article.
  Use full sentences. Think and write about how this article connects to your own experience in band or orchestra.
• Step 2: Personal Goals
  Answer these questions in writing (1–2 sentences each):
  • What’s one thing you feel proud of about your playing this year?
  • What’s one thing you would like to improve?
  • If you could ask a private teacher anything, what would you ask?

Grading Rubric (9 Points Total)

Teaching Moment for High School Teacher

Objective: Students will evaluate the benefits of private music instruction in the context of college admissions and scholarship preparation and develop a personalized plan for maximizing their own musical growth and collegiate readiness.

Teacher Talking Points:
“Private lessons aren’t just for students who want to play harder pieces. They’re a way to grow faster, get personalized feedback, and prepare for future opportunities like college auditions and scholarships. Some students don’t know that private study—even for a few months—can make a huge difference in your playing and your confidence.
Whether you’ve taken lessons before or not, now is the time to think about how extra support might help you reach your goals. Let’s build a plan that fits your life and helps you grow.”

📚 Student Assignment:
Title: Mapping My Musical Growth: Private Lessons and College Readiness

Instructions:

• Part 1: Article Reflection
  Read the article How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships.
  In 150–200 words, summarize three key takeaways from the article that you believe are most relevant to your future as a musician.
  Include specific reasons why each point stood out to you.
• Part 2: Personal Assessment
  Answer the following in complete sentences (1–2 paragraphs per question):
  • Are you currently taking private lessons? If yes, how have they impacted your playing? If not, what might be holding you back?
  • What musical areas (technique, repertoire, audition prep, etc.) would you most want help with from a private teacher?
  • How do you think private instruction could improve your chances of college acceptance or scholarship success?
• Part 3: Action Plan
  Create a simple 3-month action plan that includes:
  • A weekly practice goal (minutes or hours per week)
  • One specific skill or piece you want to focus on
  • One step you'll take to seek feedback (e.g., from a band director, private teacher, or peer)
  • Optional: Research one local or online private lesson option and include their name, website, and what instrument they teach.

Grading Rubric (9 Points Total)

How Private Music Lessons Can Build Confidence and Open Doors

From Your Child’s Music Director to Every Middle School Music Parent
Director’s Name     School Name

Dear Parents,

First off, let me just say how proud I am of your child. Whether they’re in their second year of band or just starting to figure out the bow hold in orchestra, they’ve already come so far in such a short time. Learning an instrument takes focus, patience, and courage — and your student is doing it!

At this stage in their musical journey, many families start asking great questions:

• Should we get a better instrument?
• Is my child progressing as they should?
• Would private lessons really help?

I recently came across an article that I think answers that last question beautifully. It’s titled “How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships,” and you can read it now on Accoladi.com.

Now, I know college might feel a long way off for a 7th or 8th grader but trust me — now is the perfect time to think about giving your child an early advantage. Private music lessons are one of the most effective ways to build confidence, improve technique, and keep your student motivated. Even one or two lessons a month can make a big difference.

In a group setting like band or orchestra, it’s hard for your child to get individual feedback on posture, tone, rhythm, or reading skills. That’s where private instruction shines. It gives them one-on-one time with a professional who can reinforce the basics, troubleshoot specific issues, and help them fall even more in love with their instrument.

The Accoladi.com article also shares how private lessons can play a major role down the road — in auditions, summer camp applications, and even scholarships. But most importantly, private lessons help students feel proud of their progress and excited to keep going.

If you’ve ever wondered whether lessons are worth exploring, now is a great time to try. Let’s build a strong foundation now, while they’re still growing into their identity as young musicians.

If you’d like help finding a local private teacher, just reach out — I’m happy to connect you with someone who can help your child take their next step with confidence.

Closing Thoughts

I am here to support every student as they navigate these opportunities and make informed decisions that enhance their musical journey. For more details on how private instruction can shape your child’s future, I highly encourage you to visit Accoladi.com and read the full article “How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships.”

Together, we can help ensure our students grow confident, capable, and excited to pursue music both now and into the future.

Musically Yours,

_____________________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_____________________________________________________
School Name

Dual Enrollment: A Prelude to Success for Music Students

From Your Child’s Band Director to Every Music Student’s Parents
Director’s Name     Name of School

As your child’s band director, I have the unique privilege of watching them grow as musicians, leaders, and individuals. Whether they’re first-chair trumpet or just picked up the clarinet last semester, every student in our program brings something special to the table. That’s why I wanted to personally share an important article with you that I believe every parent of a young musician should read.

It's called “How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships,” and you can find it now on Accoladi.com.

The article outlines the real, measurable advantages private music lessons can offer your student — especially as they begin to think about college and scholarship opportunities. While school ensembles provide community, discipline, and ensemble experience, private lessons add a powerful layer of individualized support. From perfecting technique to preparing for auditions, private instruction often makes the difference between a good performance and a scholarship-winning one.

Many of our students are incredibly talented, but talent alone isn’t what earns college acceptance or music scholarships. Colleges and scholarship committees are looking for polish, preparation, and potential — and private lessons can help bring those qualities to the surface.

If your student is considering a future in music — whether as a major, a minor, or simply a meaningful part of their college experience — this article is must-read. It offers practical insight and encouragement for families wondering whether the investment in private lessons is worth it. (Spoiler: it is.)

Please take a moment to read “How Private Music Lessons Help You Nail Auditions and Win Scholarships” on Accoladi.com. Even more importantly, consider having a conversation with your child about where they want music to take them — and how you can support that journey.

I’m always here to talk through options and connect you with trusted local instructors. Let’s give our students every opportunity to shine — on stage, in auditions, and beyond.

Maximizing Opportunities

The Accoladi.com article highlights how dual enrollment helps students become more comfortable with college-level coursework—especially in challenging areas like Music Theory I, which many aspiring music majors initially find daunting.

Additionally, these programs offer benefits such as private lessons and Music Appreciation courses that can broaden a student’s musical horizons, enhance audition performance, and improve scholarship prospects. Meanwhile, continued participation in our ensembles builds the teamwork, leadership, and performance skills that are essential for success both in high school and beyond.

Family Discussion

I encourage you to have an open discussion with your child—whether they are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior—about how dual enrollment might fit into their overall high school plan.

For underclassmen, this might mean selecting classes that lay a solid academic foundation and allow for later flexibility. Ask questions like:

• “Which courses align with your future music goals?”
• “How can you balance these opportunities with your current ensemble commitments?”

Thoughtful planning now ensures that, when the time comes, your child can take full advantage of dual enrollment without sacrificing the rich experiences of our school music program.

Closing Thoughts

Dual enrollment offers a fantastic steppingstone by giving students a head start on college coursework and specialized music classes, all while they remain active in our high school ensembles.

I am here to support every student as they navigate these opportunities and make informed decisions that enhance their musical journey. For more details on how dual enrollment can shape your child’s future, I highly encourage you to visit Accoladi.com and read the full article “Dual Enrollment: A Prelude to Success for Music Students.”

Together, we can help ensure our students graduate well-prepared and ready to thrive in collegiate music programs and beyond.

Musically Yours,

________________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_________________________________________________
Name of School