Klarinet Archive - Posting 000220.txt from 2000/04

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Studio teaching
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 13:15:12 -0400

MaryWBalch@-----.com Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 12:35:30 EDT Subject: Re: [kl]
Studio teaching and the Band Director Laurie, I'm in the same boat as you.
Fortunately for me, I do most of my instruction at a local music store. For
the price of monthly rent (say 3.00 per 15.00 half hour lesson) they
furnish a list of prospective students and telephone numbers. Generally,
there is alot of traffic in the store, but lately the store has been dead.
About 6 months ago Mars music (Wal-mart type store) opened up and the other
woodwinds teacher left to go there. To make a long story short, I have been
struggling to fill times. Currently I have about 15 clarinet and saxophone
students. Last year, I was filled up with 25 students. The only advice,
which I am going to take for myself, is to talk to the band directors. You
might try getting in the schools and doing sectionals. Also consider
teaching at a local music store or church. I hope that this answers most of
your questions. Good Luck! Mary W. Balch Woodwinds Instructor

-------------------------------

I do my teaching at home, and am so busy that I'm not even filling openings
by sports/spring drop outs. Doing so many different jobs - I feel like a
Jamaican ;)

The best way to recruit students is to go to the local school district, and
offer to do a clinic to the students free of charge. Bring some good reeds
(I bring 3 boxes of Grand Concert reeds) to the session to hand out, some
thumb cushions, and some cool pieces to demonstrate for them. Depending on
the district, age, and level of the players, they will be a lot more
impressed with you playing the gliss from Gershwin's Rhapsody, the opening
to the Pink Panther, or the Entertainer then the exposition of the Mozart
Concerto. Hand out your card, even possibly stapled to an article (public
domain) that you may find on the Net about Clarinet practicing, performing,
etc.

It helped a lot when I did do that. Also have a somewhat flexible policy -
it will pay off in student loyalty.

David Blumberg
music@-----.com
http://www.mp3.com/mytempo
http://www.mytempo.com
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