The Newsletter of the Music Teachers’ Association of South Australia Inc.
The Newsletter of the Music Teachers’ Association of South Australia Incorporated
PO Box 4 RUNDLE MALL SA 5000
Print Post Pub. No 100003224
Vol. 25 No. 1 – Autumn 2017
Vol. 25 No. 1 – Autumn 2017 www.mtasa.com.au
MUSIC LESSONS AT TAILEM BEND AND BEYOND By Michael Kozikowski
Preparing for the Student Showcase
lessons, had the potential to cause other tensions. In 2001 I decided to cease my school commitments and concentrate on studio lessons, where I have all the resources I need to provide a full range of instruction. Teacher numbers are limited in a small community, so I found I needed to be a ‘general practitioner’ to some degree and provide tuition for several instruments.
I have been teaching music in Tailem Bend and districts full time since 1998. During this period I have spent individual lesson time with students in schools at Meningie, Karoonda, Mypolonga and Murray Bridge, as well as providing after school tuition in my studio at Tailem Bend. Students know me as ‘Mr Kozi’ and my studio is known as Kozi’s Music. I encountered many challenges while teaching in the school environment. Among a few concerns, I found that students were easily distracted and having been taken out of the classroom environment for one on one
‘anywhere’ is simply a way of life in relatively remote areas and I am pleased to say that I have a constant flow of eager students who come from as far away as Tintinara, Karoonda, Meningie and Murray Bridge to keep me busy. I am also pleased to be able to offer many opportunities to students in relatively remote areas, some of which include helping students complement their high school music programme or through the AMEB by facilitating examinations to Grade 4 level. Usually at the end of the year I have a ‘Student Showcase’ or concert, where individual students and groups have the opportunity to perform in public. This is a very busy time and I feel it is essential to help the students’ performance skills. I am pleased to say that many past and present students actively entertain in their local communities and onward largely as a result of the opportunities provided. ♫♫♫
Being classically trained in piano and having a lifelong passion for guitar and singing held me in good stead to understand the principals for the other ‘in demand’ instruments that I felt confident to teach. These instruments include piano, guitar, beginner trumpet, beginner flute and beginner drums. Kara, Sallee, Kate and Noah perform Travelling to 1