Conservatory's Piano Lab Outreach Program Offers New Ways to Learn and Love Music Now Accepting Applications for 1999-2000 Story by Linda Shockley
			Scenes from a Piano Lab "It takes a family to build a pianist," says Andrew Hisey, assistant professor of class piano and pedagogy at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and founder and director of the Piano Lab Program for children aged six to ten. That's why he encourages entire families to make a three-year commitment when a child enters the Piano Lab Program. "It is so important that family members, right from the beginning, help carve out a daily routine for music-making, and provide a nurturing and encouraging environment that recognizes and applauds achievement all through the year," explains Hisey. "Parents are welcome to attend private lessons occasionally to help them understand the goals for daily practice and to learn what they should be hearing from the piano room through the week. This is one way of discovering how to help their children. Together, the 'family' of classmates, teachers, mom and dads, brothers and sisters, can help make the early years of music study creative and fun, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of joyous involvement with music." Hisey adds, "Piano Lab classes encourage students to work together with musical concepts through games, movement, active listening and musical response activities. Informal performances, which occur regularly in class, help make performance a comfortable and communication-focused activity. Private lessons allow for more individualized attention to technical development and the refinement of recital pieces and solos. The twice-a-week format also means that students are not left for an entire week without guidance or fresh motivation." Each year, a beginning class of up to eight students is accepted into the program, which is designed to provide a thorough introduction to music-making at the piano. Prior to acceptance into the program, an assessment interview takes stock of a child's rhythmic and creative response, reading ability, physical development, and aural aptitude. The 30-minute session is attended by the parent/guardian(s) and allows everyone to get to know each other and to make an informed choice about participation. The program is held in the Conservatory's piano laboratory, which is equipped with 13 electronic keyboards and two acoustic instruments. Students perform regularly in the nurturing and relaxed group setting and are expected to participate in the Spring Celebration Recital, scheduled in late May. Holly Payne of Huron, Ohio, is mother of Amanda who just completed her third year of Piano Lab, and Alex, who just completed his first year. The Paynes know firsthand about the commitment required of families. They travel twice each week to Oberlin, a trip that takes 45 minutes each way. "It's certainly worth the drives each week," explains Holly Payne. "My husband and I felt strongly that we wanted the kids in the Conservatory environment. We walk into the Conservatory and pass by rooms where we can hear violins, brass and drums behind any given door. Sometimes we just stand outside the lessons or rehearsals and play 'guess the instrument.' That kind of exposure is very important to us." Payne continues, "The twice-a-week setup is very good for progress, and it keeps them practicing to maintain the momentum. Mr. Hisey teaches them that it's OK to make mistakes. He encourages them by saying, 'Go ahead, try it.' And while he has a high level of expectation, he is realistic. There is lots of positive reinforcement. Mr. Hisey encourages creativity and originality. He encourages risk taking, which I think is especially important for young girls." She adds, "The music has had a positive effect on their other studies, especially in reading enhancement. I also like that my kids are working with Conservatory students, which is just another positive element of being in the Conservatory setting. I'm glad that the Lab offers students teaching experience as they complete studies and head out for professional careers." Amanda, age 8, describes the program, "I like playing the piano. Mr. Hisey is really nice. When I began I didn't know where to find the C note. Now I know all the flats and sharps and I know how to do jazz rhythms. I like the fast, quick rhythms." Alex, 6, says, "Yep, it's fun. My favorite songs are Indian Braves and Clog Dance." (Those two songs offer many changes in rhythms and dynamics, ranging from loud to quiet.) "Traditionally," says Hisey, "music training at the piano has been a lonely pursuit. One-on-one lessons and all-alone everyday practice have kept many young people from reaching the point where music-making begins to feed itself and take off as an expressive, artistic and socially valuable activity." Agnes Boye-Doe's son Ethan is a second year student. She says of the program, "My daughter has taken the traditional private piano lesson route and I can see how superior the Piano Lab has been for my son. I can see his progress in a very brief time. The foundations of music are well laid, especially in reading and rhythms. Because Ethan enjoys the program so much, practice is not a problem. And because the organization is so strong and effective, it's easy to find time to practice. I wish that more traditional teachers would apply some of Andrew Hisey's techniques. I'm glad to see that Oberlin is training and graduating a significant number of teachers with this kind of training." Ethan explains it this way, "I like the teachers and the way Mr. Hisey teaches. They make it easy to learn. It's fun. It's like learning by playing games." Requirements from the families Families are encouraged to commit themselves to a three-year period of study. A well-tuned acoustic piano in the home is a necessity before study can begin. From the beginning, a daily work-session at the piano will be essential to growth. The steady support and ongoing interest of family will be of the greatest value in helping to establish a daily routine and to achieve a high level of enjoyment and accomplishment. Tuition for each 12-week term Tuition for Piano Lab is $240.00, payable at the beginning of each term. A materials fee (for books, sheet music, flashcards) totals $30.00, payable at the beginning of fall term only. About Andrew Hisey Andrew Hisey, faculty member at Oberlin Conservatory since 1994, holds advanced degrees in piano pedagogy and performance from the University of Michigan where he taught until 1994. He served as coordinator and instructor in the All-State summer programs at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has performed, given masterclasses and workshops, and adjudicated competitions throughout the Midwest and in his home province of Ontario, Canada.
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