This post is part of a series called Your Questions Answered that highlights questions from readers just like you. If you have a question you would like to submit, you can do so here.
This question was posed in reaction to two posts on giving out studio awards at the end of the school year:
Studio Awards: Policies and Procedures
Studio Awards Update (including some awesome trophies!)
Dear Amy,
I love your awards ideas and would love to implement it in my studio but have a couple of questions.
- If you have a transfer student, do you count the years they studied elsewhere in your calculations?
- If you were to start implementing this after your studio has been running awhile, would you play catch up with all the students and their trophies or just start in the current year? I would have several on the legacy award at this point.
I am excited that the students will have something else to strive for even if they don’t compete in the Federation or state exams.
Thank you for your input and thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas with all of us.
Blessings,
-SL
Hi, S,
Wow, these are GREAT questions! Here’s how I would handle each scenario:
In answer to your first question:
Transfer students receive their “Music Study” award based on how long they’ve been taking lessons – it’s about commitment – not just the time with you.
That being said, the “Legacy Award” IS about time with you. So, if you were to use that particular award in your studio and you had a transfer student that has been taking for 8 years (or however long you set your legacy award for), they would not get the legacy award – just the Music Study award for 8 years.
In answer to your second question, I have a two-part answer depending on what your question is asking…
If you’re asking if I would play catch-up as in giving them “back” awards, then no, I would not. That could, however, depend on how many students you have. If you have a really small studio and it won’t cost you a lot of money to do so, then certainly you could consider it. I think if you simply announce it’s a new program and from here on out, I would be surprised if anyone complained that you didn’t give them 3 trophies as “back pay”.
If you’re asking if I would play catch-up as in starting students at whatever year they’re at even if they haven’t received awards in the previous year awards then yes, I would. If a student has been with you for 4 years then they get an award for 4 years, even if this is the first year you’ve given awards.
I hope that makes sense and good luck with creating your own studio award program!
~Amy
6 Responses
Hi Amy,
I just came across your post and had a question about transfer students.
You mentioned that you would give them the “Music Award” for 8 years. What do you do about the physical trophy? Do you give them the 8-year trophy even though they were not in your studio for all 8 years, or do you handle it differently?
Thank you!
Wei
Hi, Wei – Good question! This was actually the first year I ever ran into the issue of having students who had 8 years of study but had only been with me for 7 years (two of them, in fact). In the past years, all my students who hit 8 years had also been with ME 8 years so they got the Music Study Award Certificate plus the Legacy Award Plaque – easy. This year I realized I needed something other than the certificate for those who had studied 8 years but weren’t getting the Legacy Award. I decided to add in that all students at 8 years study get a music dictionary. Then those who had been with ME 8 years will also get a plaque. So now, besides the certificate for years studied, I give extra awards at years: 3 (pin), 5 (small trophy) 8 (music dictionary), and 10 (larger trophy). I think the kids were actually really excited about the music dictionary! Hope this helps!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for getting back to me. I love the music dictionary idea! Do you use a pocket-sized version?
Although I don’t have any students who have studied for 8 years yet, I do have a transfer student who has studied piano for 5 years but has been with me for less than a year. Am I understanding correctly that, under your awards system, the student would receive only the Music Study Award Certificate while the other studio awards are based on the number of years the student has been with you?
For the lapel pin, I found this company offers many choices – https://www.jonesawards.com
Thank you,
Wei
I gave them this one. I have a friend who also really likes this one. (Disclosure: These are both Amazon affiliate links so I do make a small commission but it doesn’t cost you more if you purchase via those links.
Every student gets the “Music Study Award” Certificate which simply acknowledges how long they have been taking lessons total. On top of that, I give the additional awards based on number of years studied when they hit certain points (3, 5, 8, 10) This is not based on study time with me. The only award that is based on time with me is when they hit the 8 year mark. Does that make sense?
Thanks for sharing the link for more lapel pin options! 🙂
Yes, that makes sense. Thank you for clarifying and sharing the music dictionary suggestion.
You’re welcome!