Frequently asked questions about Woodward Academy of Music
What ages do you offer classes to? We offer classes to all ages! From 6 month to adult, we have a music program that you can fit into. From our Mom & Me classes to our group and private classes, we are certain you will find a fit here at WAM! Private instruction in piano can start as young as 4 years of age depending on the students focus and maturity levels.
Can you tell me about your teachers? Our teachers for the very young are well versed in music instruction and have varying experience and certification. Our private lessons and group lessons are taught by a teacher with a degree in music education. To be a teacher with our school, you must undergo a full background check as well as drug testing. Our staff and faculty know that we can ask for a drug test at any time they are employed with us.
What type of music classes do you offer? Just about everything. We offer music classes for the very young (6 mo to 30 mo) in our Mom & Me classes through adult! We try to match up our potential students request for private instruction to a qualified teacher. From musical instrument to voice, we offer a great program that can add value to the student's life and education. If you have a special instrument you want to learn, give us a call and request it. We will do our very best to find the right teacher for you.
Is the music program year round or in sessions? The classes for the very young and group classes are by session. The classes for private instruction are year round, although the summer classes will be on a different schedule to allow our teachers to have some time with their families.
How long are the classes? It depends on the class selected, level and age of student. Classes for the very young are 30 minutes, private classes for older or more advanced students can be 45 to 60 minutes depending on the recommendation by the teacher. Group classes are 30 to 60 minutes depending on the age and instrument level.
Why should we take private instruction from your school? We believe that our schools reputation for quality instruction speaks on it own. Our teachers are background checked and they each know that we can ask for a drug test at anytime. We also hire only those that are qualified to be teaching. Our teachers either have a degree in music education or a very strong and proven background in music education. But even the most quailfied musician is not always the best teacher. Therefore we also look at personalities, communication abilities and much more to make sure that they are a good fit for our students.
We also offer many parental conveniences to our busy families like our 24/7 Parents Portal to check their account and their childs skill levels.We also offer technology in our classes, such as our computer lab for music theory andmusic writting. Our students that take private classes receive 15 to 25 minutes in the computer lab working on music theory prior to their lessons with the teacher. Other conveniences include 17 different ways a parent can access information regarding their child's classes so that there are never any surprises. Parents know the calendar year well in advance.
Does my child have to be in recital? Our major recital is held in May. This is where the student can share with family and friends the outcome of their lessons. Like public school music education, this is our performance that shows exactly what skills your child has learned during the time they have been in class with us. Part of learning an instrument or taking a voice lesson is to be able to present and share ones abilities,so yes we do ask all students to particpate in the May recital. We also have a smaller summer and Christmas recital that is set for fun and enjoyment. These recitals are not held on a stage, but in a more informal setting such as a community event. Depending on when students enroll in a lesson will determine if they are ready for any of these performance opportunities.
We do offer a couple of time slots for those families that are just not willing at all to participate in the recitals. There is only a limited number of those placements and days and times cannot be changed. There is also some other limitations in being in these placements. Please inquire before registering for one.
In either case, one of the major benefits of being in a recital is to learn to be able to be in front of a group of people demonstrating your skills. This becomes beneficial when your child must interview for a job, scholarship or present a book report at school. We make sure that the student is well prepared for presenting in a recital. If parents are willing to support our teachers and staff we can help the student to overcome any anxiety about playing or singing publicly and reach a level of success.
Do your students attend any competitions? Students that have progressed enough in their classes may be asked to participate in a competition or festival. Currently we reserve the Seiling Music Festival and the Enid Tri-State Festival on our calendars for our students. If your child has been selected for one of these festivals or competitions, our staff and teachers will visit with you in person before saying anything to the student. Festivals and competitions are also a great way of determining if the student is on the correct track for future success.