Piano Lessons

Featherstone Music also offers music instruction for toddlers ages 2-1/2 through 4. The young students learn in an informal setting as a group (5 per group) and parent participation is necessary. Each session lasts 20 minutes and the students learn to read and play the piano through singing and hand games. Students bring small keyboards to class and also learn to play the recorder. They are also taught in the "Bach to Blues" method. The toddlers are also encouraged to participate in the annual spring recital, however, they are not required to do so. We feel that mandatory performance at this tender age may hinder the development of the student.

Between the ages of four and five they are quite ready for the one on one private

instruction as well as the Friday Night Jazz classes. Students also attend the youth series programs with the school, held by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. These concerts are made especially for younger audiences and aid in developing music appreciation.

FSM combines basic classical forms, which we will refer to as technical training, and studies in jazz improvisation as well as chord and color formation. We call this our "Bach to Blues Program." All students young and old, beginner or advanced alike learn in this format. Each student is expected to learn a technical piece or pieces each year along with various scales, arpeggios, and studies at his or her level. Once the technical requirement has been met they are given studies of popular music in jazz format. This is enhanced by the student attending the Friday Night Jazz Class where they are instructed in music theory, sight reading, improvisation, ear training and vocal instruction (20 min. ea.). This is included in each students' lesson program and can be used as a make-up or auxiliary lesson.

As a non-profit organization we are able to provide our service to more children by maintaining an affordable tuition.

Presently the tuition for private piano is $315.00 per year ($35.00 mo). This includes 36 half hour lessons per year and an optional one hour jazz-makeup/auxiliary class every other Friday.

We also offer two scholarship awards each year. The Helen Doyle Award and the Andrew McNeil Scholarship Award. With our scholarship program and maintaining a low tuition we have been able to help a good number of young people who might not otherwise be able to receive instruction of this caliber.

Students who qualify participate in examinations given yearly by Trinity College of London held at Towson University. The TCL syllabus enhances the Bach to Blues method of teaching as it incorporates technical skills (scales, exercises, etc.), musician- ship, and creativity through extemporization, (improvisation).

The students who participate in the TCL syllabus are also invited to participate in a special recital held at Towson University annually.