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Where is Maranatha Piano Prep School?
How is the Piano Prep School unique?
Maranatha Piano Prep School faculty are specially trained to include a variety of music learning methodologies in both private lessons and group classes:
- Movement activities—Dalcroze Eurhythmics
- Improvisation activities—Orff and others
- Problem solving activities for listening, performing and creating—Wiggins
- 12 Step Conversational Solfege (Tonal and Rhythm Patterns)—Feierabend
Maranatha Piano Prep School faculty purpose to maintain well-balanced lessons:
- Technical Skills such as posture, arm weight, relaxed shoulders, good hand position, finger independence/thumb control, the basic drop, pedaling, 2-note slur, rotation etc.
- Technical Drills such as 5 finger patterns, scales, chords, cadences, and arpeggios
- Sightreading
- Improvisation
- Theory Concepts (via flashcards, theory books, and theory software programs)
- Educational and Classical Repertoire
- Sacred Arrangement Repertoire (if desired)
- Hymn Improvisation (if desired)
Maranatha Piano Prep School is a Christian environment where teachers truly care about their students.
Maranatha Piano Prep School faculty have the primary goal of developing well-rounded, life-long musicians, not merely “piano-typists.” Developing the students’ musical skills helps students learn other musical instruments with a much smaller learning curve.
Students have the opportunity to participate in several piano competitions and festivals:
- National Piano Guild Auditions (hosted at Maranatha Piano Prep School)
- National Federation of Music Clubs (hosted at Hartland Conservatory)
- The Achievement Program/National Music Certificate Program (hosted at Maranatha Piano Prep School)
- Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools Fine Arts Competition (Private Schools)
- Wisconsin Schools Music Association (Public Schools)
- Others
Students have the opportunity to perform in our newly remodeled recital hall for each semester.
Maranatha Piano Prep School is able to offer a first-class, well-rounded music education and still maintain competitive rates.
When is Maranatha Piano Prep School open?
FALL SEMESTER – 12 week semester: September – December
WINTER SEMESTER – 12 week semester: January – April
SPRING SESSION – 8 week session: April – June (no group)
SUMMER SESSION – 4 week session: Last two weeks in August and the first two weeks in September (no group)
Private lessons during the summer months are scheduled on an individual basis
For exact dates, please refer to “Important Dates.”
Who teaches in the prep school?
What if I want lessons from a particular instructor?
What is the facility like?
- Private Piano Studio with two new Yamaha acoustic pianos
- Additional teaching studios on the 3rd floor of Old Main
- Piano Lab consisting of Nine Yamaha Clavinovas
- Recital Hall on 2nd floor—Burckart Hall
- 2 laptop computers for Music Educational Software Programs
How are lessons scheduled?
The group classes are pre-scheduled (see group classes).
The computer time is scheduled either 15 minutes before or after the private lesson.
Please explain the group class set-up.
No additional tuition is assessed for group classes.
See group class information.
Can non-prep students enroll in group classes?
Yes, non-Maranatha Piano Prep School students may/do enroll. 30 minute, 12-week semester classes are $60. Email janet.tschida@mbbc.edu
Are group classes required?
Why are group classes so important?
Group classes…
- Provide confidence in playing for others
- Stimulate critical listening as students hear other students perform and comment on those performances
- Allow students to broaden their musical experiences
- Expose students to a variety of repertoire
- Provide a setting where drills and exercises are more interesting and motivating
- Facilitate the performances of ensembles including duets, trios, quartets and multiple ensembles
- Provide opportunities for supervised practice
- Establish a group dynamic that increases motivation
- Foster the development of communication skills
- Allow students to learn from peers as well as teachers
Please explain the computer time.
- Students may come 15 minutes before or stay after their private lessons to work on computer programs.
- The computer programs are programs that reinforce concepts learned during private and group lessons.
- No additional fees are assessed to students taking advantage of this offer.
- For computer usage policies and login info, see the “General Policies”
Students wishing to use the computers should email janet.tschida@mbbc.edu





