Music Studio Bingo

August 26, 2023, 3:00 PM · Hello everyone! I haven't posted in FOREVER but I do stalk regularly.

I have finally, after a rollercoaster decade of navigating health challenges and the pandemic and just life stuff, I am finally in a place where I have been able to build up a studio of students again and I even have taken the plunge and signed a lease on my own studio space for the next few years.

So! Now that I have a healthy sized studio, I want to create some healthy competition and motivation in my studio. I've come up with the idea of musical bingo. Each student will get a bingo card at the beginning of the term and in December, if they complete a row, they get entered into a draw for a prize and if they blackout their card, they automatically win a prize of some description or are entered into a draw for a bigger prize.

So! What, to you, would be some things that seem like good bingo items to complete, some can be in multiple places in the board? My ideas so far are.... Also open to other studio competition ideas that promote some healthy competition! :)

memorize a piece
perform at a community event/place (ie: care home, public market)
play a duet/chamber piece with another student
compose a piece
practice X (based on level) minutes a day for 5 days in a row
research and write an essay/report on a composer/piece of your choice

Replies (6)

Paul Deck

August 26, 2023, 3:47 PM · It all sounds very wholesome to me. My guess is that it all will depend on the existing "gel" within the students / families of your studio and their mutual collegiality. I think these generally tend to be quite positive so I think you've got a successful idea in the making.

Mary Ellen Goree

August 26, 2023, 4:55 PM · Learn (2 or 3 octave depending on student) major scales up to X number sharps/flats

Learn relative minor scales as above

Listen to a recording (YouTube is fine) of one of the following concertos, all three movements: Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Barber

Learn a traditional fiddle tune from a book you suggest

Participate in youth orchestra or a church orchestra

Attend a live orchestra concert (university level or above) or faculty recital

Great idea!

Kelsey Zachary

August 31, 2023, 9:30 PM · Thank you both for your input and ideas! I really appreciate it!

Kelsey Zachary

August 31, 2023, 9:30 PM · Thank you both for your input and ideas! I really appreciate it!

Gracie Hayes

September 2, 2023, 1:49 PM · Write a short bio about a talented, but lesser known, performer or composer (maybe make a list of famous composers that aren't allowed)

Practice in x number of different locations for a week.

Compose a short piece and perform it.

Compose or improvise a cadenza

Learn a piece written in the 21st century

Write a short essay on the history of your instrument

Post a practice video online, or start a social media account dedicated to your progress

Give a beginner a lesson in your instrument (could be just taking 20 minutes to teach their mom or sibling how to hold the bow)

Interview (and job shadow if possible?) a professional musician (performer, composer, or educator)

Kathryn Woodby

September 2, 2023, 5:50 PM · Loving this! Bookmarking thread :)