Wow! I can't believe that this summer is already gone.  They seem to go by faster and faster each year.

Fall time is really such a refreshing time.  I hate to admit, even tho I love the summer fun.  It always feels good to get back into a schedule, get organized again, and accomplish some good things again.

I am so grateful to have this week to prepare for our upcoming piano year.  It takes many hours in selecting music, incorporating new programs, cleaning up, filing away.  It is an intense week for me.  But I love it, and hope I can have everything set up for a great new year.

Please take note of the dates for special events this year, in the column to the right.  There is one change already from the previous calendar that I emailed.  That is the fall recital will be on October 22nd, rather than the 15th.  We will also have group classes October 15,16,17th right before the UEA, fall break.  I usually try to keep as many students on their regular lessons times, to avoid conflict.  Looks like the Thursday students will be moved this week to join up with others for a small group class, so we can be off for UEA.

It has always been my goal to post some fun pictures here on this blog.  Please email photos if you have them from recitals, etc.  It would be fun to have them here.

Thank you so much for your cooperation and support in having a great piano year.  Please contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks. 
                           Marilyn 

Fall 2011

It is time once again to start thinking about school and fall piano instruction. I hope you have all had a wonderful summer break.

Please take a look at our piano calendar for 2011-2012 school year and summer. Please know that these dates are projected and may possibly change. I plan my teaching year into 3 school semesters, each with 12 lessons, group activities/recitals in each semester, and 1 summer semester. During summer semester, I will try to offer 8 lessons/workshops, and also a make-up day for missed lessons. This allows the students to take a little break, but will keep them going through the summer. During the school year, the tuition for regular 30 min. lessons/30 min lab will be $55 each month which includes $5 which will go into the students music account (the cost for 45min lesson/30min lab will be $80) . For summer lessons, parents usually pay for summer as a package.

We will be having recitals in the fall and spring. This year at Christmas time, we will try to have the students perform at Christmas Tree Jubilee. We will see how we like this—it may become a tradition. We will be working with ensembles in the fall, and some students will be participating in Federation and AIM in the spring.

In years past, I have had several families making tuition payments through an auto payment plan. This has been a wonderful tool, however a little difficult to make changes to. So, last spring, I canceled all these transactions, so that you as the payer could set these automatic transactions up on your end. You will have online access to these payments, which will be much better.

So, I would encourage each of you to go to your bill pay in your online banking and set up an automatic payment for piano lessons. These payments can be mailed to me, or transferred directly to my banking account. It is super slick, and easy. If you do not already pay your bills online, this will be a great tool for you to learn and use. I love, love, love it! Please see the notices sent to you for banking information.

We will begin fall lessons on August 22nd for Monday students only. All other students will begin the following week. Monday students will begin one week early, due to having Labor Day off.

I am excited for an exciting new year ahead.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in providing a successful experience for each student.

Marilyn Hilton

Fall 2010 Lessons underway

Well, it looks like school has started and we are all set for regular fall piano. Thank you to all for your patience as we have juggled the schedule a bit to try to accommodate all the changes created by everyone's new agenda's.

I look forward to a great year with your students.

Thanks to all for submitting your banking paperwork, or contacting me with your financial plans. I am so thrilled at the prospects of simplifying this financial procedure.

Thank you once again for your cooperation and support as we move into the new school year.

Federation Solo Festival - March 6, 2010 at the Piano Gallery

These are the scheduled student times. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early. Dress in Sunday dress. Bring Music paper clipped with measures number in red. Make sure to get a good night sleep the night before. Eat healthy, and try to avoid added stress. And don't forget your darling smiles. And remember this is just for fun!

Bedke Family 4:30 pm

McKenzie Benson 2:30 pm

Jaden Bybee 8:30 am

Megan Ferney 3:00 pm

Hardy Family 2:30 pm

Katie & Emily Hull 3:00 pm

Charity Parkinson 9:30 am

Andrea Porter 3:00 pm

Alyssa Scherer 4:00 pm

Tina Schwenke 4:00 pm

Recital Schedule : March 4, 2010 at Hilton's Home

4:30 PM
Ferney, Matthew
Ferney, Megan
McDonald, Jesse
McDonald, Toby
Pace, Sydney
Parkinson, Charity
Parkinson, Nate
Patrick, Ryan
Patrick, Tyler
Taylor, Maddie
Ward, William
Peterson, Trevor

5:30 PM
Benson, McKenzie
Benson, Nicholaus
Garner, Lizzy
Hardy, Brigham
Hardy, Noah
Hardy, Tacy
Henderson, Joy
Henderson, Luke
Hull, Emily
Hull, Katie
Parsons, Lacey
Scherer, Alyssa
Scherer, Garrett
Stolrow, Christa


6:30 PM
Bedke, Amber
Bedke, Brooke
Bedke, Courtney
Bedke, Jace
Lund, Kiersten
Moa, Sione
Peterson, Trevor
Porter, Andrea
Schwenke, Tina
Harrison, Kristen
Harrison, Jessica

7:30 PM
Blackman, Chance
Blackman, Spencer
Bybee, Jaden
Call, Hannah
Call, McKenzie
Daines, Matthew
Daines, Skyler
Daines, Spencer
Shaw, Jesse
Williamson, Jake

Christmas Recital Schedule

3:00 pm
Chance Blackman
Spencer Blackman
Jaden Bybee
Shaeli Bybee?
Emily Hull
Katie Hull
Sione Moa
Ryan Patrick
Tyler Patrick
Andrea Porter
Jessica Shaw
Maddie Taylor
Luke Henderson
Joy Henderson

4:00 pm
Megan Ferney
Matt Ferney
Brigham Hardy
Noah Hardy
Tacy Hardy
Sydney Pace
Alyssa Scherer
Garrett Scherer
Amber Bedke
Courtney Bedke
Brooke Bedke
Jace Bedke
Jake Williamson

5:00 pm
McKenzie Benson
Nicholas Benson
McKenzie Call
Hannah Call
Christa Stolrow
Tina Schwenke
Kyle Peterson
Trevor Peterson
Lizzy Garner
Sam Lemmon
Hyrum Lemmon


Not able to attend Sat.
Jessica Harrison
Kristin Harrison
Nate Parkinson 5:00 pm?
Charity Parkinson 5:00 pm ?

Christmas Recital 2009

Thank you for your efficient responses to the "Recital Date Change". Attached is a schedule for the recitals. Please let me know ASAP if the assigned times will not work.

This will be a delightful holiday performance for your students and family. Please have your students in Sunday dressy, or holiday dressy clothing. Feel free to invite relatives and friends for this performance.

Please encourage your students to polish, polish, polish. This means you should hear your students play their performance pieces at least 5 times each day (or tricky sections 5 times each day). (Sorry if you get sick of these pieces). You will enjoy them again as they perform confidently.

We will have lessons the week of recital. This will be an extra lesson which can count as a make-up lesson if we need.

Families are invited to bring a plate of cookies to share at the recital.

Thanks so much!

Marilyn