It's all your business: work stations: enhancing the independent studio
American Music Teacher

Teaching music in an independent studio has changed drastically over the last thirty years. Students, who at one time primarily received instruction on how to play an instrument, now often receive a more rounded approach to music education. The independent music teacher of today focuses more on additional areas such as music theory, music history, ear training, sight reading, world music, ensemble playing or composition, as well as the traditional emphasis on performance. One of the best ways to successfully integrate a broad curriculum, as well as increase studio income, is by incorporating a work station into the independent studio.

A work station can be simple or elaborate, "low tech" or "high tech." A small space within the existing studio may be used, or the work station may expand to a whole new room. The variations are limitless, and each teacher can decide what is best depending on budget, space considerations and musical goals.

One misconception about a work station is that it is expensive and requires high-tech equipment and skills. In actuality, an extremely functional work station can be built with only three pieces of furniture--a table, a chair and a file cabinet or shelf with dividers for folders and books. Each student can sit at the table and open an individualized folder, with the assignment for the day included in the folder. Perhaps a music theory workbook would be included in each folder or a reading assignment for music history. This means certain books must be purchased, but individual workbooks can be charged directly to the students.

Although many teachers are familiar with music theory workbooks, they may not be using music history books. A small library of student-level books about music periods or composers can be purchased easily and may be deducted as a studio expense. A few to consider are They All Sat Down--Pianists in Profile, by Leonice Thompson Price (Willis Music Company) and Student's Guide to the Great Composers, by L. Dean Bye (Mel Bay Publications, Inc.). Workbooks also can be purchased, such as Famous Composers and their Music, by Henrietta Atkin (Hayes School Publishing Co, Inc.); Music Alive! Great Composers of the 20th Century, by Jacquiline Wollan Gibbons (Hal Leonard Corporation); Let's Meet Famous Composers, by Kinghorn, Badman, Lewis-Spicer (T.S. Denison & Company, Inc.); and Meet the Great Composers, Books One and Two (with or without CD), by June Montgomery and Maurice Hinson (Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.).