General information for parents
How to contact your teacher:
Samantha Chang
RCM Teacher Number 52969
Phone: 416-293-1302
(Voicemail messages will be returned the next day)
Email: samantha.studio"at"gmail.com
Payments for lessons
Lessons are to be prepaid monthly by cash or cheque. (Please make cheque payable to “SAMANTHA CHANG” with student name and subject printed on it.) A receipt will be issued once payment is received. (Weekly payments may be possible, please discuss with teacher.) A $25 charge will be applied for each NSF or Stopped Payment cheque. A 5% interest charge per month will be applied to past due tuition fees. (After the 15th of each month.)
Absence
If the teacher misses a lesson, he/she will inform the parents at least 48 hours in advance, and that lesson will be made up later in the term. Similarly, the teacher must be informed of any student absences at least 48 hours in advance, at which time, the teacher will try to re-schedule the lesson. If no advance notice were given, the parents are expected to pay for the missed lesson. (Exceptions for prolonged illnesses or emergencies.)
Lateness
If the student is late, he/she may only receive the balance of his/her lesson. If the student is more than 15 minutes late, the teacher reserves the right not to teach.
Helping your child progress:
The teacher will:
encourage your child to learn how to make music
appreciate the work that your child does in the lesson and at home
work with your child to develop lifelong learning and appreciation of music
care for your child’s safety and happiness
let you know how your child is getting on
contact you if there are problems affecting your child’s music making
As a parent or guardian, you can help by:
ensuring that your child attends lessons regularly and on time
supporting your child’s learning including regular practice
ensuring that your child has what he/she needs to take a full part in all activities
encouraging your child to join in musical activities at school, and the community
reading and signing the record book each week
Record Book
A record book will be given to the student at the start of each academic year. If for any reason the student misplaces this book, there will be a replacement cost of $4. Please ensure that your child brings their record book, music, and instrument (if applicable) to class every week.
ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC EXAMIANTIONS
Examination Sessions and Registration Deadlines
RCM Examinations are typically held according to the following approximate schedule:
Practical Examinations
Winter (register by early November): two weeks late-January
Spring (register by early March): first three weeks of June
Summer (register by early June): two weeks mid-AugustTheory Examinations
Winter (register by early November): the second Friday and following Saturday in December
Spring (register by early March): the second Friday and following Saturday in May
Summer (register by early June): a Friday and following Saturday in mid-August
Online Registration
All registrations should be submitted using the online registration process.
To register online, click on “Register for an Examination,” and follow the instructions provided.
Be prepared to enter:
the candidate’s RCME Number and birth date (new candidates will receive an RCME Number when they register)
the RCM Teacher Number
the examination center
payment information – Visa or MasterCard accepted
Teachers may register their students by logging into “Teacher Services” and using the “Studio Registration” feature.
Examination Results
Candidates and teachers can access examination results online within six weeks of the examination.
1) Go to www.rcmexaminations.org
2) Click on “Examination Results”
3) Click on the appropriate Examination Session you wish to view
4) Enter the candidate’s RCME Number and date of birth
5) Click on the mark to download and view the examiner’s comments
6) Click on the candidate’s name to view an unofficial transcript
Please note that results will not be mailed or given by telephone.
Practical Examination Certificates
Certificates are awarded to candidates who successfully complete the requirements for their grade.
Beginning in Grade 5, certificates are awarded after the theory co-requisites for that grade have been successfully completed. Theory co-requisites must be completed within five years of the original practical examination.
Please note ARCT diplomas are awarded to candidates at the annual Convocation ceremony. Candidates may not use the designation “ARCT” before Convocation.
School Credits
RCM Examinations results can sometimes be used as a credit toward high school graduation or toward university entrance. In Canada, the policies of provincial education ministries can be found online under “Academic Information, High School Accreditation.” Candidates are advised to discuss the eligibility of their examination results with their school principal or guidance counselor.
Please visit www.rcmexaminations.org for more information.
Care of Instruments
FLUTE
Do
handle your instrument carefully at all times
keep it in a safe place at home and at school
tell your teacher if anything seems not to be working properly
dry it out properly every time: your teacher will show you how
clean the joints with a cloth so they fit together
be careful with the tin metal ends of the joints
Do not
apply excess pressure to the keys when handling
stand the instrument up on its end, even if it will balance like that
rest the instrument on a music stand
leave it in sunlight or anywhere else hot
let friends play it: it’s unhygienic and may get broken
make any adjustments to the instrument
keep music or anything else in the case: it will damage the keys
leave it in school overnight
PIANO
Do
keep the keyboard covered for general protection
keep instrument away from damp, wet or dusty conditions
Do not
use stickers or marker pens on the keys
play the keys with dirty or sticky fingers
rest your weight or put heavy objects on the instruments
use excessive force on the keys
eat or drink near the instrument
GENERAL TIPS FOR STUDENTS
Perhaps you think playing is fun and practicing is boring. Try not to think of them as separate activities!
Practicing and playing are the same, practicing develops your skill in playing. Practice because you want to, and enjoy your practice.
Practice in a good room. Have a ‘warm up’ before starting.
Keep to a fixed time. If your practice is part of your daily timetable, it cuts out the temptation of finding silly excuses why you can’t practice.
Plan your practice. Work out how much time you have and fit this into your plan.
Know what you are preparing for your next lesson but leave time for your own musical explorations in both playing and listening. Listen to a variety of music, discover different music.
Use your practice notebook as a record of what you want to achieve and what you are achieving. Make long term aims, and short term goals for a weekly and daily basis.
Devise your own exercises to help you with your own particular problems. Never strain your muscles. Play new techniques for a very short time to start with and build up gradually. Remember you can discuss difficult stages with your teacher. Difficult phases are temporary – they will pass!
If you are short of time one day. It is not a good idea to scramble through all your work. Take one specific job and practice that and the rest can wait until the next day.
Follow the ‘little-and-often’ principle, not ‘wait-until-just-before-my-lesson-and-practice-frantically’ approach.
Praise and criticism should always encourage you to believe in your own playing and make it more fun and satisfying. Criticism is not something to be ashamed of, we all need help and good criticism should always help.
Never undervalue yourself. Accept praise with the seriousness it deserves and use criticism as a learning tool, discuss what has been the subject of criticism.
Understand how both self praise and self criticism are essential to building up your own confidence.
Why don’t you share praise and criticism with your friends? By sharing ideas, music becomes more exciting.
Playing before other people is a recognition of your ability to play. Never perform until you are confident in your playing. Play with friends!
The confidence you build up gives you real pride in your playing. Confident playing gives enjoyment to both the player and listener.
Before playing, sit quietly, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and think of the music.
The more you know about your music and playing, the more fun it is.
Look at your chosen person in the audience. Don’t pretend there is no audience. They are essential to your performance.
Take time before you begin. When playing in a group, you must wait until everyone is ready to start.
Feel the excitement of anticipating the music you are about to play.
Above all – ENJOY YOURSELF!
Leave plenty of time to prepare for an exam. Taking an exam should be your choice. An exam must encourage you.
List everything you need to know for your exam, and track your progress. You are a good judge of yourself.
Test yourself with sight-reading and ear tests.
Think of techniques (scales, exercises, studies) as tools that are part of the music, not a bunch of boring automatic movements, use them musically.
When you take the exam, don’t rush and really listen to yourself – BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. If you have prepared well, you have nothing to be afraid of.
