Trot!
Optional 5th Year of LPM-format learning

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**Registration opens March 1st**

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Please read through this entire page prior to enrolling so that you understand the registration process and an overview of Trot.

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Trot!

August 2025 to May 2026

Up to 9 children in class.

Classes are once per week for a total of 32 classes.
Prerequisites: Students must first complete the Let's Play Music and Bridge programs.​

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Trot! is such an exciting year for our students.  We will continue all the musical aspects that have been important in the studies of a well-rounded musician up to this point - sight-reading, improvisation, music form and structure, chord form and structure, music theory, composer history, learning to play in different keys, dictation and compose an original piece in the spring.  The concepts we will be reviewing and learning are truly college-level, but presented in a way that is easy to understand...all in the joyful company of peers that provide such a positive group learning experience.

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Any equestrian know that a horse's gait can range in speed and intensity from a walk, trot, canter, to gallop!  Trot! was aptly named for the fact that this year, the weekly practice load and assignments are both a little lighter than they were in 3rd Year and Bridge (which sometimes may have felt as exciting and intense as a canter or gallop!).  Your kiddos have learned a LOT of concepts, skills and theory, and we want to give them some time to let everything take root (like those bamboo shoots we've discussed before!).  We will learn plenty of new concepts and songs, but will also take ample time to review and digest all of the amazing stuff we have covered up to this point.

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Weekly home workload will be 1 key signature (scales, chords, triads, arpeggios, etc) and 2-3 songs from their songbooks.  Theory will be 2 pages per week; music history will continue as well (but won't have history homework to complete at home every single week).  We will continue to utilize the Bridge flashcards, so please keep those handy!

Trot! Overview

Class time for 2025-2026:

Tuesdays 5:10-6:10pm

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General calendar:
Mid August through early December – 16 Fall lessons
January through early May – 16 Spring lessons
Recital – mid May

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Class duration: 60 minutes a week

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Parental involvement:

Parents do not attend in Trot!, but are always welcome to observe.  Parents assist with keyboard/piano practice at home.  As in years prior, it will ultimately be the parent's responsibility to ensure practices happen.  Also, if you have a "real" piano (aka an acoustic piano), the piano must be professionally tuned once per year.

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Tuition: 

$640 for the entire Trot! year.
 

--An $80 non-refundable deposit is required by March 31st to secure your child’s spot.  This will be put toward the tuition balance so that $560 will remain when classes start.  The remaining balance of $560 *can* be paid in four monthly installments of $140 ( due on Lessons 1, 5, 9 and 13 of the fall semester).  If you decide to pull your registration from Trot! prior to classes starting, the $80 deposit will be retained.
 

--If you're wondering, the answer is yes -- Mrs. Katie DOES teach higher levels as well. :)  Currently, POP! is the 6th optional year, and STARS Advanced is the 7th optional year!

Registration for Trot! opens on Saturday, March 1st.

Registration is a 3-step process:

1) Register your child for Trot! here.
 

2) Pay $80 non-refundable deposit by March 31st.  Payable to Katie Shannon via cash, check, PayPal or Venmo.  Can be slipped into Katie's studio tuition dropbox or mailed to P.O. Box 796, La Porte, IN 43652.

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3) Purchase materials by July 15th.  I am finalizing my choices for the books we will need in Trot! to ensure they meet the scope/sequence I am seeking, so I will get the list to you by May.

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