The Holidays are just around the corner!
The leaves are turning, the days are cooler, and the nights come sooner and sooner. That can only mean holiday breaks are on their way! As quality family time, food, shopping, and visions of sugar-plums dance in you or your student’s heads and schedules, music practice takes the back burner. While some students still practice here and there, many do not because the holiday break is a break from everything!
While a break is great (and very necessary) from time to time, it’s important to remain consistent with practicing as “practice is the process of getting closer to achieving your musical goals.”(Activate Music)
If you don’t practice getting toward that goal becomes more difficult. For instance, let’s say you have a goal of running a marathon that is 6 months away. You start training for the marathon by running a little bit one day, a little more the next day, even more the next day, etc. Everything is great because you’re working toward your goal of running an entire marathon. BUT, in comes holiday break and you decide to take a week or two off from running. After taking the time off, you decide to start running again but find it hard to pick up where you left off. Now, you’re further from your goal then where you were before. Music practice “runs” the same way! Consistency is key!
You may be saying to yourself at this moment, “okay, I understand I should keep practicing but I am not motivated because there’s so much going on over the holidays!” When practicing is the question, holiday music can be the answer. Although it may not be in the student’s usual repertoire it’s okay for the student to try out new music every now and then. The important part is that they are practicing and staying consistent! Practicing holiday music may not even seem like practice because many students know the songs and enjoy them. Others around also love hearing holiday music and a holiday music performance put on by you or your student could even be a holiday present to a loved one!
And the best part? Harris Academy of the Arts offers a wide variety of holiday music for all instruments to purchase. Check out our holiday music inventory here. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect piece to bring in that holiday cheer!