Brian Swager, D.M.

BRIAN SWAGER is a concert organist from San Francisco. He is organist at Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, in San Francisco and teaches private music lessons: piano, organ, and harp. He holds the Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University. Before moving to San Francisco, Brian was Assistant Professor of Music and University Carillonneur at Indiana University where for nine years he taught carillon, piano, and organ, and played weekly recitals on the Arthur R. Metz Memorial Carillon.

A French Government scholarship enabled Brian to study organ in Paris for a year in the studio of Marie-Claire Alain, culminating in a Premier Prix. As a Fulbright Scholar, Brian spent two years studying music in Belgium and received the Final Diploma with Great Distinction from the Royal Belgian Carillon School.

"I have devoted my life to giving the gift of music, both through performance and through teaching. I still remember my very first music teachers fondly and am grateful for the love of music that they instilled in me. My primary music teachers were: Larry Smith, Richard Shirey, Jo Haazen, Linda Pointer, Marie-Claire Alain, Flor Peeters, Elisabeth Wright, Dorothy Henschen, Trudy Brittain, and Dorothy Kerr."

YOUNG BEGINNERS

The ideal age for children to begin taking piano lessons is usually around six or seven, often as they begin first or second grade. Lessons should be a positive experience, and success is more likely if the child is ready. It is best if they have some basic academic skills such as the alphabet (the note names use the alphabet letters A through G, forwards and backwards) and math (counting the beats in a measure, adding note values such as 2+1+1=4). They need to have an adequate attention span, some patience, and an ability to concentrate, although piano lessons will help them to improve all of these qualities.

Children who demonstrate natural musical abilities may benefit from beginning lessons at a younger age. Such children often spontaneously dance and clap when they hear music and tend to sing in tune. Musical Arts Lessons, alone or with a companion or two, are an option for students who are still too young for traditional piano lessons. These experiential sessions prepare students for lessons while teaching the basic elements of music through activities that may include singing, dancing, rhythm exercises, finding the notes on the piano, improvising melodies and duets, and more.

SCOPE OF STUDY

All students learn to read music. In addition to learning to play repertoire pieces, the students' creative mind will be stimulated by regular improvisation and composition activities. Included in lessons is training in music theory, sight-singing, and ear training. Students will learn to play music in a variety of styles including classical, jazz, and ragtime. Students will have the opportunity to perform in a group recital once or twice per year.

ADULTS AND ADULT BEGINNERS

It's never too late to begin studying music and taking piano lessons. Whether it is for relaxation, personal enjoyment, or for realizing an unfulfilled dream, learning to play an instrument is a rewarding experience for students of all ages.

I suggest that you give yourself two semesters of study to see if this instrument is right for you. If you don't give up too quickly, you'll discover that the benefits of music study outweigh the obstacles every time!