Let’s Have A Ball! Practice Incentive

Now that my regular teaching year is over I can say without a doubt that this year’s theme was by far the favorite among my students! In determining a theme for each year I always contemplate whether there is any area in particular in which I think all my students need to improve. As I was planning last August I realized that all my students could use improvement in their performance skills. They needed to prepare pieces to a performance level and then build the confidence to perform well. Thus was borne the theme for the year: Let’s Have A Ball!

Here’s a brief overview of how it works (this is what I included in the summer newsletter for parents and students announcing the theme for the year):

“Because I have seen how motivating it is (for myself and my students!) to have a specific opportunity to prepare for and work toward, I am centering my theme this year around Musical Balls scheduled throughout the year. We will have three in the fall semester and three in the spring semester: Fall Ball, Thanksgiving Ball, Christmas Ball, Mid-Winter Ball, Spring Ball and Grand Finale Ball (specific dates are listed on the studio calendar and on the website). The Christmas Ball and Grand Finale Ball will be open to family and friends who want to observe the performances and join in on the fun!

As part of this year’s theme, we will be emphasizing three specific areas of musicianship that will help us become well-rounded musicians: Brains, Brawn and Beauty (aka Theory, Technique and Performance). In the front of each assignment book is a page titled with one of these areas. On each page is a list of ways to develop that particular area of musicianship. Throughout the year, each time a student completes one of those ways, they will be allowed to place a bouncing ball in their jar in the studio (there is the potential to earn quite a few balls each week!). Each time a student has collected 25 balls in his/her jar, they will write their name on a slip of paper and add it to a container for prize drawings that will take place at each Musical Ball.

Balls may also be added to the jar depending on the number of days practiced each week. Five practice days will earn one ball. Six practice days will earn three balls. Seven practice days will earn five balls. Throughout the year, there may be extra ways presented for students to earn additional balls, so keep your eyes and ears open!”

The packet below includes 11 files, including an instructions file to walk you through how to set the program up step-by-step. (Once you complete payment, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to download the packet.) My Climbing the Ladder to Success practice incentive has been very well received and I hope that this one is equally successful in studios all across the world. I know my students and I sure had a ball with it! 🙂 Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Let’s Have A Ball! Practice Incentive