After graduating high school I used to work at a piano studio, Piano Trends Music Company, whenever I was back in my hometown for a considerable amount of time. I seriously loved the store, and the vibe was really great there. Not only did we sell Baldwin pianos, but we were also one of the main dealers of musical instruments for local grade schoolers who were getting started in the band program.  Over time it became fitting that we should add private instruction for musicians of all types, which brought a really neat energy to the store.

The reasoning for my exposition is that I used to know where to point people when they’d ask me where their kids should go for musical instruction. Certainly you need quality instruction, but I’m also a firm believer that children need dedication and high standards in order to be really successful. Unfortunately I don’t know of many places that provide that kind of education; most music schools are happy to take your money with no regard to whether a student is learning or not. The point behind sending your kids to piano lessons is that you are hoping they will learn something – so why not send them to a place where they will be expected to work hard, and they’ll be rewarded for it with excellent instruction on how to continue developing their talents?

Blackburn's piano instruction rooms are all really well sized and have the great equipment.

Well, if you live in Houston and you want quality instruction for your kids, you now have the excellent option of Blackburn Music School.

Blackburn Music School is definitely the new kid on the block, but my strong opinion is that they are doing things the right way and should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for violin, vocal, or piano lessons for your children. There are three different levels of instruction (which include levels of involvement in recitals and competitions), they specialize in the instruction of children ages 8 to 18, and they have strict requirements for practice. Check this out:

Practice Policy

Minimum daily practice requirements by age are:

Ages 6-10:  30 minutes

Ages 10-14:  45 minutes

Ages 14-18:  1 hour

A student is required to practice 5 days a week. Lessons are designed to optimize student talents. Regular practice will help optimize lesson time. We want the time and money you invest to provide benefits that will last a lifetime.

(taken from Blackburn’s Policies page)

I don’t know what you’re feelings are on that practice policy, but I’m a big fan. I’m all about getting value for my money, so a requirement for students to develop skill through deliberate practice is something I would sign up for. I’m a firm believer that education takes a lot of hard work and that the return value far outweighs the cost.

Anyway – I thought I would share my thoughts. Hay and I took a tour of their new facilities and we were really impressed. They have perfectly sized instruction rooms, great equipment, and are located in a really comfortable home that has been converted into office/commercial space. If you’re looking for music lessons for your child in the city of Houston, I seriously recommend you end your search and give Blackburn a call!