Awards Programs

At Music Lessons Express, our goal is to provide excellent instruction and help our students become successful musicians. For any music student to play an instrument well, practice must take place on a regular basis. In order to motivate our students to practice, we implement an awards program entitled "Reach for the Stars!" In this program, students earn "star" points at each weekly lesson in the categories described below. Each instructor keeps a master star sheet where the star points are recorded for each student. At the end of spring semester, the star points are tallied and awards are given according to the rules below. Awards will be presented by school at each recital that takes place in May. (A recital also takes place in December, but awards will not be presented at that time.) We also have a "Level Completion Award" to be given by the Instructor upon completion of any Lesson Level Book. If a student prefers to not participate in these programs, please inform your instructor.

Level Completion Award

This award is not based on earning stars, but given to students who complete a level book (ex: level 1A, 1B, 2A, etc.) during fall or spring semester. This award is presented at a student lesson and each student completing a level book will receive one ribbon per level book completed.

Reach For The Stars Program

Star Categories:

1. Attendance at music lessons - 1 Star

Students will receive 1 Star for simply attending the lesson. Consistent attendance always helps to achieve faster progress!

2. Bringing books to the lesson and returning assignment sheet from previous lesson to the instructor - 1 Star

Rule: The instructor will inform the students as to what books should be brought to each lesson.

The assignment sheet must be returned one week after distribution in order to achieve this Star

3. Parent signature on assignment sheet - 1 Star

4. Practice Time - one star for each day of practice, with a maximum of 5 Stars per week!

Rules: Students will receive a weekly assignment sheet that includes a list of the pages to be practiced or completed in each book. The assignment sheet also includes a practice time log section for the student to record the time spent practicing each day of the week. Practice time stars will be earned only if the student records the practice time on the log and brings the log to the instructor for review at the next lesson. The parent/guardian is also encouraged to review the log and sign it in the space provided. However, this is not required in order to receive the practice time star. Time spent working on a theory assignment in the home is also considered practice time. Students are expected to be truthful when recording the time practiced. In weeks with no lessons (due to holidays or a canceled lesson), stars may still be earned for each day of practice if the time is recorded. (Note: In the event that the instructor loses the master star sheet, the program will be started again with all students at zero stars, or the program will be canceled for that semester if necessary. Please do not misplace the star total sheet!!!)

5. Time Spent Practicing per Week - 1 Star

• Students ages 10 and younger will get 1 star for practicing at least 2 hours per week.
• Students ages 11 and older will get 1 star for practicing at least 3 hours per week.

6. Excellent Behavior - 1 Star* - Student behaves in the following manner during lesson:

• Shows respect for instructor, fellow students and instruments.
• Has a good attitude, pays attention during lesson and follows directions promptly.

*The instructor determines when a student earns the excellent behavior star.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY!

• Performance for your family = 1 Star
• Performance at a community function or gathering = 1 Star

Each student has the potential to earn 10 stars per week, plus extra credit stars!

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Awards

1. Galaxy Award - At each recital location during the Spring Recital, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be presented to the students who have acquired the highest number of stars during fall and spring semesters combined. The star tally consists of an eight week sample of lessons from fall semester and a twelve week sample of lessons from spring semester. The stars tallied toward the award are acquired in the months of Oct, Nov, Feb, Mar and April. This award will be presented in the categories of In Home students, and After-School Program Students. If there are fewer than 5 in-home students participating in a certain recital, only one galaxy award will be given.

2. Star Achiever Award - Each student performing at a spring recital will receive the Star Achiever Award to recognize their effort in acquiring stars throughout the school year.