With September just around the corner, it’s time we start thinking about how to set the tone for a fantastic year of music making! Writing an introductory letter to our students’ parents is a great way to share our enthusiasm for teaching, outline our plans, and create a collaborative spirit for the year ahead. It’s all about building meaningful bridges between our studios and our students’ families.
Here’s a 5-point template for your Music Teacher Introductory Letter.
1. Gratitude - Parents have lots on their plates. So it’s important to let parents know how much we appreciate that they’ve decided to include music lessons in their child’s life.
2. Annual Theme - I like to give each year an overarching theme. For 2024, I chose “Chill Out Pieces” to inspire my students. Appropriate themes may also include: gratitude, flexibility, persistence, patience, and goal setting.
3. Musical Goals/Life Skills/Home Life - This combination of aspects provides a very practical framework for students’ musical journey. I appreciate how these aspects may help parents develop a deeper understanding of what’s going on and how they can support/observe/understand their child’s musical journey.
4. Schedule - Provide a summary of dates for the upcoming four-month semester including weeks without lessons, concerts, holidays, and group classes so parents have this information well in advance.
5. Closing - Set the stage for success. Express appreciation for the value of music making. Always remember, as music teachers our enthusiasm is contagious and sets the tone for students and their families.
Taking the time to build meaningful bridges between our studios and our students' families is a great way to demonstrate our commitment to music making, our students, their families, and our profession.
Please feel welcome to adjust the above template to reflect your own teaching philosophy and lay the groundwork for a supportive and engaging learning environment.
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE FROM MY STUDIO
August 28, 2024
Dear Jane and John Smith,
Thank you so much for your generous support of your daughter’s music lessons. I appreciate it immensely and look forward to more explorations with Jennifer over the coming months.
As we continue with the 2024 theme of “Chill Out Pieces”, I like to keep in mind this question - Twenty years from now, what music making activities will these students participate in because of the music lessons they’re having right now? My hope is that students’ future music making will include any of the following activities: playing to chill out after a day at work, making music with their own children, putting a band together with friends, relaxing with a favourite piece from the past, learning something they heard on the internet. It’s so amazing to support students’ chill out development.
By now, you’re very familiar with gathering information about students’ musical goals, life skills, and family life. This information is so helpful as these three aspects overlap and intertwine with each other in ways that go beyond just keeping track of musical goals. Take some time to chat with Jennifer.
Musical Goals | Currently in place | To start working on |
1. 2. 3. | 1. 2. 3. | |
Life Skills | Currently in place | To start working on |
1. 2. 3. | 1. 2. 3. | |
Family Life | Currently in place | To start working on |
1. 2. | 1. 2. |
Please find attached the schedule/tuition info sheet.
I see the upcoming months as full of promise and exciting opportunities for musical exploration and growth. Music making is an amazing way to nourish the vastness of our inner lives - intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. Thanks again for your support and partnership. Here’s to a wonderful semester of music making and learning.
Sincerely,
Merlin Thompson
