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763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com JANUARY 2024 WE OFFER STUDENTS A BETTER MUSICAL EXPERIENCE THE MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF MUSIC DIFFERENCE THE MONTHLY MUSICIAN
As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect time to look back on our journey and envision what the future holds for Minnesota School of Music. It’s a decade-long saga of trial, transformation, and triumphant growth, which has come to redefine the approach to music education in our community. So, what makes our school unique in an industry teeming with alternatives? The answer lies in a fundamental change I decided to make in how we operate — a change that has had far-reaching impacts on the quality of music education we provide. When I started Minnesota School of Music, I took the traditional route of hiring 1099 independent contractors to serve as music instructors. The theory was that these professionals would help grow the school, and we would all benefit. The reality, however, was different and often chaotic. Teachers ran their show, adhering to their methodologies and even selling musical instruments in the school’s parking lot. All these resulted in inconsistent teaching quality and an unmanageable situation. Parental complaints began to roll in, and it became evident that the school’s structure was a hindrance, not a help, to delivering quality music education. In 2015, I took a daring step to transform all existing contractors into part-time employees. While this might sound like a mere tax classification to some, it signifies much more. This shift allowed me to assert a form of leadership that was previously impossible. I could now recruit, hire, train, and set company-wide standards for our educators. This laid the foundation for our unique selling
point: deliberate mentorship, enabled by an employee-based operational model.
experience for their children that is consistent, well-guided, and effective. Our customer service standards — Friendly, On-Time, Consistent, Understanding, and Supportive, or FOCUS for short — are more than just buzzwords. They’re a reality we strive to deliver every day. There is, of course, a financial and time cost to this model. With our employee-based approach, we take on additional costs like FICA taxes, unemployment insurance, workers’ comp insurance, and paid sick leave. I am at the school seven days a week, 12–14 hours a day. It’s an enormous investment in time and resources, but I believe it pays off for everyone involved. As we enter this new year, our vision is to grow from 400 students to 500. We can serve the community at this expanded capacity without compromising the quality and personalized focus that sets us apart. We’re not just a school; we’re a community built on the deliberate mentorship of each student who walks through our doors. So, if you’ve ever wondered what sets Minnesota School of Music apart from other options, it’s this: We recruit, hire, train, and mentor the best staff possible, and through that, we offer a level of customer service and quality of music education that we believe is unparalleled. Here’s to another year of making music and transforming lives — one note at a time. –Eric Nehring
When you come to Minnesota School of Music, you’re not just receiving music lessons. You’re experiencing the benefits of a system that has been refined over years, a system rooted in mentorship and ongoing professional development. All our teachers undergo four interviews before joining the team, one of which includes teaching a lesson to one of my children. I wouldn’t trust a teacher with your child unless I’d trust them with mine.
With the change from contractors to employees, we were finally able to invest in our staff in a meaningful way. We’ve established core values of humility, effort, learning, passion, and service. We host regular training and professional development sessions — something that most other schools in my network of over 300 music schools don’t do. For parents, this level of intentional investment translates into an educational
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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Innovative Family Movie Night Ideas
THEMED MOVIE NIGHT Select a theme for your movie night. It could be based on a film genre, a specific actor, or a series. For example, a “Harry Potter” theme could include all the movies from the series along with themed snacks and decorations. CLASSIC FILM NIGHT Introduce your children (or spouse) to classic childhood hits or rediscover them together as a family. From “The Wizard of Oz” to “E.T.,” these movies offer timeless entertainment for everyone.
MOVIE BINGO Create bingo cards with scenes, quotes, or characters from the film you’re about to watch. As you watch the movie, mark off the items on your bingo card as you see them. The first person to get bingo wins a prize. MOVIE TRIVIA NIGHT After watching the movie, have a trivia game based on the movie you just watched. Whoever answers the most questions correctly gets to choose the next movie! With these creative ideas, your family movie nights will become even more special. Whether you’re enjoying the great outdoors, dressing up as your favorite characters, or challenging each other to movie trivia, these memorable experiences will bring your family closer together while creating lasting memories.
Family movie nights are a cherished tradition in many households, offering a chance to bond over cinematic adventures and entertainment. While the classic movie night with popcorn and your go-to films is always enjoyable, why not shake things up with creative and unique ideas to make these evenings even more memorable? Here are some imaginative ways to enhance your family movie night experience.
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT Take your movie night under the stars by setting up an outdoor screening. All you need is a projector, a white sheet or screen, and comfy outdoor seating. Enjoy the fresh air, watch the stars above, and immerse yourself in the magic of outdoor cinema.
COSTUME MOVIE NIGHT Encourage your family to dress up as characters from the movie on deck for the night. It adds a layer of fun and immersion to your film- watching experience.
GET TO KNOW VIHAAN, ONE OF OUR INCREDIBLY TALENTED STUDENTS! GUITAR, VOICE, AND LAUGHTER
At Minnesota School of Music, our students play many different instruments, from piano to violin and even guitar! But, if you’re like Vihaan, you can play all three!
started learning guitar with us back in February 2023. Since then, he’s put in an incredible amount of work to add guitar to his repertoire, so much so that in the amount of time he’s been with us, he’s learned to play “Never Enough” from the film “The Greatest Showman.” One of Vihaan’s favorite things is to play the guitar and sing for other people, and to him, there’s no better feeling than when his music can impact someone else. Whether it puts a smile on their face, makes them shed a tear, or just leaves them with a new perspective, the best part of performing is that it allows him to move people. This passion is easy to see in Vihaan, too, as he always shows up to his lessons with a smile on his face and an eagerness to learn. In fact, Vihaan is a student who, left to his own devices, would simply choose to continue to practice and play
his guitar or work on his voice without any guidance. He is a musical person through and through! But, in the moments when he’s not attending lessons, strumming away on his guitar, or singing a tune, Vihann loves to tell “Knock Knock” jokes! We asked him if he had a “Knock Knock” joke that we could use in the newsletter; we hope it makes you laugh as hard as we did!
Vihaan is one of our incredible students here at Minnesota School of Music who
“Knock-Knock? Who’s there? Dwayne Dwayne who? Dwayne the bathtub, it’s going to overflow!”
Vihaan, we love your “Knock Knock” jokes almost as much as we love having you as a student here at Minnesota School of Music. We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see all that you’ll accomplish!
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Music training is a collaborative effort that involves not just the student and the teacher but also the parents. As any experienced music educator will tell you, the teacher can only do so much within the limited time they spend with a student. To ensure long-term success in music, parents have a crucial role to play. Here are three essential tips for parents to help their children get the most out of their music lessons. BE PRESENT DURING LESSONS Often, parents drop their children off at lessons and leave, assuming their job is done. However, this is a missed opportunity. Those who consistently attend their children’s lessons, at least for the initial years, offer an emotional anchor that the child can rely on. This presence acts as an affirmation for the child, making them more comfortable and enthusiastic about learning. Your role as a parent here is not to teach but to provide emotional support, making your child feel loved and validated in their endeavors. BE PRESENT DURING PRACTICE SESSIONS Parents also need to be involved when their child practices at home. The common complaint “my child doesn’t want to practice” often arises from the isolation a child feels during these sessions. Instead of making practice feel like punishment, turn it into a bonding time. You don’t have to be there for every practice, but occasional check-ins or being there at the start and end can go a long way in maintaining your child’s interest and dedication. ENCOURAGE THEM TO PERFORM One common mistake parents make is perpetually considering their child “not ready” for performance. This often stems from the fear of pushing the child too soon. However, performances, even simple ones, offer invaluable experience and should be encouraged right from the start. The earlier a child starts performing, the easier it becomes for them to handle the inherent pressures and expectations. THE POWER OF PRESENCE In essence, all three tips boil down to one vital aspect: being present. Your presence, be it during lessons, practice sessions, or performances, sends a powerful message to your child: What they are doing is important. When you compare this with how many parents regularly attend their children’s sporting events, it becomes clear that a shift in perspective is what we’re talking about. Your involvement can make all the difference in whether your child views music as a fulfilling activity or a burdensome obligation. You Don’t Have to Be Beethoven to Support Your Kid 3 TIPS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CHILD’S MUSIC TRAINING
Leah P. Evan C. Gabriella G. Sarah P. Mia B. Axl H.
Jaliyah U. Patrick K. Analiese W. Felicity W.
Amelia P. Henry H.
IS YOUR TEACHER SOLD OUT?
Mr. Barrett: SOLD OUT Mrs. Bunish: SOLD OUT Ms. Ferbuyt: SOLD OUT Ms. Hsu: SOLD OUT Mrs. Lehner: SOLD OUT Mrs. Morris: SOLD OUT
Mr. Nehring: SOLD OUT Mr. Nelson: SOLD OUT Mrs. Nemirova:
Ms. Rotvold: SOLD OUT Mr. Spears: SOLD OUT Mrs. Tomlinson: SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT Mr. Nistler: SOLD OUT Mr. Popken: SOLD OUT Ms. Possert: SOLD OUT
–Eric Nehring
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3533 88th Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55014 763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
What Makes Minnesota School of Music Better
How to Elevate Your Family’s Movie Nights
Meet Vihaan, Guitar Student, and Knock-Knock Joke Master
Essential Tips for Non-Musical Parents
Unique New Year’s Traditions Around The World
BEYOND THE BALL DROP HOW DIFFERENT CULTURES CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR
The New Year is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. While many of us are familiar with the ball drop in Times Square or the clinking of champagne glasses at midnight, exploring how different countries and cultures ring in the New Year is fascinating. Let’s journey outside the United States to discover a few unique New Year’s traditions from around the world. SPAIN: EATING 12 GRAPES AT MIDNIGHT As the clock strikes midnight in Spain, people eat 12 grapes — one for each clock chime. This tradition brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The grapes are usually eaten in public squares and plazas where crowds gather to celebrate. It’s a race against time to eat all 12 grapes before the last chime, as failing can bring in bad luck. JAPAN: JOYA-NO-KANE (BELL RINGING) The Japanese celebrate Joya-no-Kane, where temple bells ring 108 times: 107
times on Dec. 31, and then the 108th ring at midnight on the New Year, bridging the old and new year. This practice is rooted in Buddhist beliefs and is thought to cleanse the 108 worldly desires that cause human suffering. DENMARK: BREAKING PLATES The Danish have a unique way of showing affection to their friends and family. On
New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to break plates and dishes against the doors of loved ones. The more broken pieces you find at your doorstep, the more popular and loved you are. BRAZIL: OFFERINGS TO IEMANJÁ In Brazil, particularly in coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, people make offerings to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, on New Year’s Eve. They gather at the beach dressed in white and send small boats filled with flowers, candles, and gifts into the ocean as offerings. SCOTLAND: FIRST-FOOTING In Scotland, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the “first- footer” and will bring good luck for the year. Traditionally, the first-footer should be a tall, dark-haired male who brings gifts like coal, bread, and whisky to symbolize warmth, luck, and good cheer.
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