Lessons

Students are expected to become musically literate in order to achieve all that music has to offer.

Music from a variety of styles and different time periods will be learned as they explore the music emotionally though text, theory and history.

• Voice lessons are offered for students age 13 and older*.
• Beginning Piano lessons are offered for students age 5 and older.

An Initial Lesson is offered to all prospective students. This is an opportunity for you to meet with Mrs. Platt for a 30-minute lesson before making a monthly commitment. The only financial obligation you have at this point is the Initial Lesson ($20). If you would like to continue with weekly lessons, payment for the first month will be required at the next lesson.

*An essential component of proficient singing includes the ability to read music and play enough piano to sound out melodies. Voice students should expect to demonstrate and/or develop this proficiency as a part of voice lessons.

Exceptions may be made for younger students by the discretion of Mrs. Platt.

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Practice

The student’s growth as a musician will develop in proportion to the amount of time spent developing the craft.

It takes time and effort to establish proper techniques of posture, technique, strength and endurance. A physical skill develops more quickly and consistently when it is repeated frequently, so daily practice is recommended. Students are expected to practice all assignments five days a week. I will provide a practice record for students.

• Beginning Student: Two 5-10 minute segments per day
• Elementary Student: 15-20 minutes per day
• Intermediate(and beyond) Students: 30+ minutes per day

Voice students must spend time each day working on pronunciation of foreign texts, reciting texts as poetry, and developing subtexts for songs. I suggest a 10-15 minute vocal warm-up followed by 20-30 minutes of practice. Parental encouragement, support and occasional assistance is important to musical success. Parents do not need to know how to play the instrument. Simply reminding your child that “It’s time to practice” may be enough in many cases. Younger students will most likely require parental supervision during practice.

Students will be expected to memorize some of his/her music. As your instructor, I can help you to play better, but only you can memorize your music!

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Recitals

Music is meant to be shared!

Recitals offer students a great opportunity to practice their skills as a performer. Unfortunately, they can also be a source of stress or anxiety if preparations are not complete or certain practices are not followed.
There are guidelines and rules of behavior all performers and audience members should follow during recitals. This information is being shared at lessons, but should also be reviewed at home.

Student Recital Etiquette
• Please do not feel obligated to purchase new clothes - do the best you can with what you have, and remember that dressing nicely shows respect for the audience and what you have accomplished.
• All clothing should be comfortable. You might even want to practice one time in your clothes.
• Boys should wear dress pants with collared shirts (tie or suit also appropriate)
• Girls should wear knee-length (or longer) dresses, skirts or dress pants.
• NO: flip flops, tennis shoes, jeans, dangling jewelry or wrist corsages.
• Please arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the recital start time. This allows for instrument tuning and warming up (as well as a trip to the restroom).
• Wash your hands before the recital starts.
• Listen to the other performers. Follow the program so you know when it is your turn.
• When it your turn, approach the “stage” quickly and quietly. Adjust your instrument or music. Collect your thoughts and take a deep breath. Then have fun and play!
• Please bow when the audience claps – it’s your way of saying “Thank you!”

Parent/Audience Recital Etiquette
• Arrival – Please arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the recital start time. This allows for instrument tuning and warming up. It will also enable you to find a comfortable place to sit.
• If you do arrive late, please take your seat between songs during the applause.
• Please stay for the entire recital, it is disrespectful to leave in the middle (emergencies are the exception).
• Invite as many family members and friends as you like!
• Please turn off or silence all cell phones.
• Talking, eating, writing notes, reading (other than the program) and crafts are inappropriate and distracting to the performer.
• Listen quietly and appreciatively.
• Please try to stay seated throughout the entire recital; emergencies happen, but please try to plan restroom trips, etc. Crying/upset children should be taken out.
• Please be discreet when taking pictures. Large movements and flashes can be very distracting to the performer.
• You may videotape the recital; please set up your camera & tripod at the back of the audience.

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Fees

Attendance & Termination

Lessons are expected to be prepaid on a monthly basis, at the first lesson of each month. Mrs. Platt will send a monthly invoice detailing lesson dates, amount and date due. US Dollars or personal checks (made payable to Lindsay Platt) are accepted. The payment schedule for piano lessons is as follows:

• 30 minute lesson = $20
• 45 minute lesson = $30
• 60 minute lesson = $40

Due to the nature of voice lessons, the minimum length offered is 40 minutes. This allows time for warm up, vocalizing and preparation of songs. The payment schedule is as follows:

• 40 minute lesson = $25
• 50 minute lesson = $35
• 60 minute lesson = $40

Attendance
Lessons are scheduled on a weekly basis and offered year-round. It is recommended that students take lessons throughout the year, as music is a physical skill and develops more quickly and consistently when repeated regularly.
In the event of cancellation, twenty-four hour notice is required. Cancelled lessons may be no charge (if notified at beginning of the month), made-up or credited to the next month.

In the case of illness, the student is not always aware a day in advance. When you are ill, I would appreciate a telephone call before you miss the lesson. I will make every effort to make-up lessons due to illness. If your child stays home from school or is on the cusp of staying home from school with illness, please consider music lessons as the same. There are a number of children and families coming through our home, and it would be kind to not leave what you have with us - or the others!

If a student misses a lesson without an adequate excuse (forgetting to come etc.) the lesson will be forfeited and will not be made up (payment will still be expected).
There will be occasions when I will be out of town or unavailable. I will notify the student/parent and the lessons may be made up or canceled at my or the student/parent’s discretion.

In the case of inclement weather lessons will be canceled. At the student/parent’s discretion the lesson(s) may be made-up or credited to the next month.

Termination
There are times when lessons will need to be ended: moving, skill advancement or desire to pursue another activity. Please try to give 30 days notice before terminating lessons.

If a student is uncooperative during lessons, has minimal practice on a regular basis, excessive absences without notification or is unable to meet financial obligations, I may need to terminate lessons. Every effort will be made to communicate with parents the student’s progress during lessons before any termination.

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Lesson Expectations

When you arrive for your lesson, please come in quietly, as another student may be finishing his/her lesson. Please leave your coat and shoes by the front door.
Please feel free to wait during your child’s lesson. I understand many students and families may be coming from school and have need of an after-school snack. Please keep drinks and snacks to a minimum in the designated areas. There is no eating in the music room. Reading, homework, silenced video games and review of music assignments are fine for families in the waiting area.
Students are expected to follow directions during the lesson. The following rules will be discussed at the Initial Lesson:

• The piano is an instrument, not a toy. Do not hide or play underneath it.
• Please wash your hands before playing.
• Please sit with your bottom on the bench.
• No bare feet on the pedals. (bring socks, if needed)
• Please keep your fingernails trimmed.
• Only touch the piano keys with your fingers.

Students are expected to play assignments from the previous week at each lesson. This will include songs, exercises, writing assignments and memorization of ideas.

Daily practice will help the student be prepared for each lesson.

In order for a student to accomplish as much as possible, it is important that the student is prepared for a lesson. Please bring the following to every lesson (a bag or backpack may be helpful to stay organized):

• Music Books
• Flashcards
• Practice Record (provided by Mrs. Platt)
• Recording device (if applicable)

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Listen

Enjoy some samples from students & The Platts

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Lindsay Platt

Lindsay Platt is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration (concentration music) with High Honors from Butler University. At Butler she studied with Dr. Steven Rickards (voice), Larry Shapiro (violin) and Karen Thickstun (piano).

Mrs. Platt has performed in a variety of ensembles. While at Butler University she performed in the Butler Symphony Orchestra, Chorale and Madrigal Singers. She has also performed in the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and The Cleveland Orchestra’s Blossom Festival Chorus. Mrs. Platt was the Soprano Soloist for the First Congregationalist Church in Indianapolis. In 2004, she attended the Summer Music International All-Singing School in Haywards Heath, U.K. and sang in a master class with world-renowned soprano, Sylvia McNair. Since 2004, Mrs. Platt has performed in a variety of recitals in Indianapolis, Cleveland, Okinawa, Chicago, Louisville and Fort Wayne.

Mrs. Platt teaches private music lessons in voice, violin and beginning piano. She has had students in Okinawa, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

Mrs. Platt has been the music teacher for the Children’s Program at All Souls Anglican Church in Okinawa and Choir Director at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in Crestwood, Kentucky. Mrs. Platt was also the Associate Director of the Joyous Singers, a community Chorus in Louisville.

Mrs. Platt is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota. Currently, Mrs. Platt is the Director of Development at the Fort Wayne Children's Choir and a member of the Music Teachers National Association.

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Joseph R. Platt DDS, MSD

Joseph Platt is a former resident of Fort Wayne where he studied piano with Gene Marcus and Jane Glover McInnis. In addition to actively accompanying for programs and individuals, Dr. Platt first discovered and fell in love with chamber music while in Fort Wayne.

Dr. Platt graduated from Butler University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music in piano under Panayis Lyras, artist-in-residence, and a minor in Chemistry. He toured as pianist for the New Millennium Philharmonic Orchestra in Texas and Mexico during the summer of 2002. Dr. Platt and flutist Adriane Fink were performers at the Indiana University (IUPUI) Young Artists Series in March 2008.

In 2009 he graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Dr. Platt served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan for three years and at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago for one year. He completed endodontics program at the University of Louisville, and now practices in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Dr. & Mrs. Platt have participated in liturgical music at the Camp Foster Catholic Chapel Choir, St. James Parish in Highwood, Illinois, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Community in Louisville and now the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne. Dr. & Mrs. Platt also continue to give recitals of solo and collaborative works.

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