Summer Will Be Over Before You Know It: Why Piano Teachers Should Already Be Thinking About Fall
Summer is one of my favorite seasons in the piano studio.
Students are often more relaxed, schedules become a little more flexible, and lessons can take on a creative energy that feels different from the rest of the year. We can explore themed repertoire, games, worksheets, and activities that might not fit as naturally into the school year.
At the same time, summer has a way of disappearing before we realize it.
As the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun!"
While it is important to enjoy the season, it is equally important for piano teachers to think ahead. One of the best ways to reduce stress during the fall is to begin planning now.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
When teachers have a general roadmap for where their students are headed, lessons tend to flow more naturally.
Instead of scrambling to find repertoire at the last minute, you already have pieces selected that match your students' abilities and musical goals.
Planning ahead allows you to:
Save time during busy teaching weeks
Create smoother lesson progression
Prepare students for upcoming performances
Keep students motivated with fresh repertoire
Reduce decision fatigue throughout the year
Even a small amount of preparation during the summer can make a significant difference once schedules become busier in the fall.
Choosing Repertoire That Keeps Students Engaged
One of the biggest challenges piano teachers face is finding music that students genuinely enjoy playing while still developing important musical skills.
Students need pieces that are both approachable and rewarding.
When students connect emotionally with their music, they are often more motivated to practice and more excited to perform.
This is one reason I enjoy using expressive supplemental repertoire throughout the year.
The Glow Series is an expressive collection for early intermediate and beyond.
When students are ready to move beyond the method book, not all are drawn to the standard classical works that dominate recital stages and concert halls.
The Glow Series offers a refreshing take on repertoire, with a curated collection of five expressive solos, designed to spark inspiration and connect students with music that feels personal, lyrical, and rich in character.
Teachers can assign pieces based on the student’s personality and readiness, making this bundle perfect for freshening the repertoire in recital programs or enriching weekly lessons.
Ideal for early intermediate to intermediate players (Levels 3A–3B), these pieces also provide a satisfying and musical experience for advanced students looking to revisit expressive playing with intention.
Listen to the preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANXAeixH93k&list=PLVJkjwXh-25zb_F6BmL6_73zN-EdAUUVR
NOTE :This book includes two formatting options for each piece:
An Artistic Print and a simplified Easy Print version for flexible use.
The Glow Series
The Glow Series is an elementary-level collection composed by my husband, Joshua.
The collection includes a variety of pieces that help students develop musicianship while still enjoying the learning process.
Teachers appreciate the collection because it provides:
Approachable technical challenges
Expressive and performance-friendly music
Engaging melodies students remember
Supplemental repertoire for lessons, festivals, and recitals
One of my favorite aspects of the collection is its versatility.
Students can begin learning these pieces during the summer and continue refining them for fall performances, studio classes, or recitals.
I strongly believe your future self will be thankful if you at least begin to lesson plan. Grabbing The Glow Series is a great start, in my unbiased opinion 😆.
