Music tuition blog and updates
No posts have been published yet.
MusicalMrFox is Three Best Rated since 2018!
Thank you once again to https://threebestrated.co.uk/ for ranking MusicalMrFox's music school in the top three in Rotherham! That means that every year since I opened in 2018 they've sent through this seal of approval.
Sincerely, everyone at Three Best Rated, thank you!
- MMF
Returning to face-to-face teaching
It's been a difficult period for us all, being locked down and staying home. Thank you to everyone who stuck with their tuition through the 14 months I delivered from home, and another huge thank you and welcome to all new students!
It's not been easy for any of us but thankfully we've got through it.
In my custom teaching studio I now have COVID-safe measures in place:
• a large mobile screen so we can conduct any lesson, including sight-singing
• 2m distancing for students and accompanying adults
• adequate ventilation
• hand sanitising and regular cleaning after every session
I also now have a digital solution to passing pages and working from books: a clear monitor on which I can put sight reading or other exercises for you to see in lesson! (This also doubles as a handy solution for forgetting your music!)
If you're not yet ready to recommence with face-to-face, or would prefer to continue online lessons, you're more than welcome to continue online!
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
The new studio so far - a work in progress
Over the summer holiday ROAR kindly gave up their office so that I may move my tuition closer to the gallery space, away from the drama theatre and into a larger room: thank you so much for this!
Once we had moved everything over from the old studio space (it's amazing how much stuff collects after three years in the same studio space), my wife and I set to organising and arranging furniture. We considered how the space would be used in a post-COVID environment and beyond. The new space affords plenty of room for social distancing measures to be in place.
Please have a look at the studio as it is so far - there's plenty more to do and a lot has changed since these photos were taken.
I look forward to being able to get in there and start face-to-face teaching again when it is safe to do so!
Summer updates
The summer term
I'm sure you'll agree it's been a rather unusual summer term. That being said, I'm very impressed with everybody who has continued to engage with their music education throughout lockdown and thank you to all for your continued support. I would also like to offer a welcome to new students who have started to learn with me over the passing weeks. Learning to play a musical instrument is possibly one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills we can develop at any stage in our lives so please keep up the hard work, everybody.
Taking music education online
I've been teaching face-to-face for over 18 years and until now I had not considered video tuition to be viable. It's meant making some adjustments for both you and I but the results of our efforts are clear to see.
As we move forward and September approaches I will:
• be taking a break from teaching for a few weeks in August and resuming fully on 1st September (Tuesday). I’ll only be teaching between 10th-14th August and then breaking until September
• continue lessons and support from September for all students willing to continue video-based lessons
• be working on protocols over my August break to start up face-to-face tuition at the studio as soon as possible
The new studio
I have some exciting news: I'm moving my studio...down the hall! I've been working with ROAR for over a year to secure a new studio space of similar size. Our new space is currently the ROAR office (to the right when you come up the stairs) but they are kindly moving their operations. I hope we can be in by September and will consider reopening for those wanting face-to-face lessons, but maintaining video lessons will likely remain the safest approach for a while longer yet.
Although I'll miss the view over Rotherham towards Greasborough, the new space should be better suited. Some bonuses include:
• having the waiting area right outside the studio door will make lesson transitions easier and quicker for us all
• parents/guardians can better hear the lesson content and progression of the student. I'm hoping this will assist with practise routines and student development away from the studio
• moving away from the drama studio means there will be far fewer distractions from the drama class, dance school or other activities and as it's a larger space I can look into sound-proofing
• I might consider trialling a doorbell at the top of the stairs. I can't make any promises but I hope this could cut down on waiting time
Exams with Rockschool
Although face-to-face exams were completely suspended, Rockschool were the first UK exam board to offer video-based examinations in lieu.
I've been working as a Music Examiner with Rockschool (a dream job!) since December and I absolutely love this work and how it keeps me sharp and up to date with modern music education practices. Many of you have bravely taken the opportunity to submit a video exam and we currently await the results - good luck to all!
Although this brought up unique challenges, you've all done very well. Face-to-face examinations are now taking place in the UK and Ireland.
Summary
It's likely we will see many more changes as the Autumn term progresses. I'm keeping my ear to the ground for any news from the government, Rockschool as well as the local schools and colleges. Once again, I ask kindly for your patience and understanding as I learn and work to maintain a strong and positive music education practice in this evolving environment.
Tuition in August 10th-14th only (online lessons as normal)
Full time tuition recommences from September 1st
(online lessons as normal, face-to-face TBC)
Please get in touch with me via email throughout August as mobile reception will be unreliable. You may not get a reply right away as I’m taking a break from working, but I will get back to you.
Enjoy the summer break and make the most of the time to be safe outdoors as well practising your music!
Photo credits
Music tuition blog and updates
No posts have been published yet.
MusicalMrFox is Three Best Rated since 2018!
Thank you once again to https://threebestrated.co.uk/ for ranking MusicalMrFox's music school in the top three in Rotherham! That means that every year since I opened in 2018 they've sent through this seal of approval.
Sincerely, everyone at Three Best Rated, thank you!
- MMF
Returning to face-to-face teaching
It's been a difficult period for us all, being locked down and staying home. Thank you to everyone who stuck with their tuition through the 14 months I delivered from home, and another huge thank you and welcome to all new students!
It's not been easy for any of us but thankfully we've got through it.
In my custom teaching studio I now have COVID-safe measures in place:
• a large mobile screen so we can conduct any lesson, including sight-singing
• 2m distancing for students and accompanying adults
• adequate ventilation
• hand sanitising and regular cleaning after every session
I also now have a digital solution to passing pages and working from books: a clear monitor on which I can put sight reading or other exercises for you to see in lesson! (This also doubles as a handy solution for forgetting your music!)
If you're not yet ready to recommence with face-to-face, or would prefer to continue online lessons, you're more than welcome to continue online!
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
The new studio so far - a work in progress
Over the summer holiday ROAR kindly gave up their office so that I may move my tuition closer to the gallery space, away from the drama theatre and into a larger room: thank you so much for this!
Once we had moved everything over from the old studio space (it's amazing how much stuff collects after three years in the same studio space), my wife and I set to organising and arranging furniture. We considered how the space would be used in a post-COVID environment and beyond. The new space affords plenty of room for social distancing measures to be in place.
Please have a look at the studio as it is so far - there's plenty more to do and a lot has changed since these photos were taken.
I look forward to being able to get in there and start face-to-face teaching again when it is safe to do so!
Summer updates
The summer term
I'm sure you'll agree it's been a rather unusual summer term. That being said, I'm very impressed with everybody who has continued to engage with their music education throughout lockdown and thank you to all for your continued support. I would also like to offer a welcome to new students who have started to learn with me over the passing weeks. Learning to play a musical instrument is possibly one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills we can develop at any stage in our lives so please keep up the hard work, everybody.
Taking music education online
I've been teaching face-to-face for over 18 years and until now I had not considered video tuition to be viable. It's meant making some adjustments for both you and I but the results of our efforts are clear to see.
As we move forward and September approaches I will:
• be taking a break from teaching for a few weeks in August and resuming fully on 1st September (Tuesday). I’ll only be teaching between 10th-14th August and then breaking until September
• continue lessons and support from September for all students willing to continue video-based lessons
• be working on protocols over my August break to start up face-to-face tuition at the studio as soon as possible
The new studio
I have some exciting news: I'm moving my studio...down the hall! I've been working with ROAR for over a year to secure a new studio space of similar size. Our new space is currently the ROAR office (to the right when you come up the stairs) but they are kindly moving their operations. I hope we can be in by September and will consider reopening for those wanting face-to-face lessons, but maintaining video lessons will likely remain the safest approach for a while longer yet.
Although I'll miss the view over Rotherham towards Greasborough, the new space should be better suited. Some bonuses include:
• having the waiting area right outside the studio door will make lesson transitions easier and quicker for us all
• parents/guardians can better hear the lesson content and progression of the student. I'm hoping this will assist with practise routines and student development away from the studio
• moving away from the drama studio means there will be far fewer distractions from the drama class, dance school or other activities and as it's a larger space I can look into sound-proofing
• I might consider trialling a doorbell at the top of the stairs. I can't make any promises but I hope this could cut down on waiting time
Exams with Rockschool
Although face-to-face exams were completely suspended, Rockschool were the first UK exam board to offer video-based examinations in lieu.
I've been working as a Music Examiner with Rockschool (a dream job!) since December and I absolutely love this work and how it keeps me sharp and up to date with modern music education practices. Many of you have bravely taken the opportunity to submit a video exam and we currently await the results - good luck to all!
Although this brought up unique challenges, you've all done very well. Face-to-face examinations are now taking place in the UK and Ireland.
Summary
It's likely we will see many more changes as the Autumn term progresses. I'm keeping my ear to the ground for any news from the government, Rockschool as well as the local schools and colleges. Once again, I ask kindly for your patience and understanding as I learn and work to maintain a strong and positive music education practice in this evolving environment.
Tuition in August 10th-14th only (online lessons as normal)
Full time tuition recommences from September 1st
(online lessons as normal, face-to-face TBC)
Please get in touch with me via email throughout August as mobile reception will be unreliable. You may not get a reply right away as I’m taking a break from working, but I will get back to you.
Enjoy the summer break and make the most of the time to be safe outdoors as well practising your music!
Photo credits
Website design, construction and maintenance by James A. Fox (2023)