There’s nothing quite like team spirit to motivate students! So we are sharing one of our favorite ways to encourage team spirit in your studio: The Piano House Challenge. 

For this activity, we suggest dividing students into four groups or “houses” that will last throughout an entire semester or year. Each house has their own crest and composer. Here are some fun ways to use this challenge:

1. Fill out our worksheets which are included in the packet. Ask students to draw the composer in the portrait box, make note of important life events, and listen to a piece they composed.

2. Give out points for practicing or other accomplished goals and use the provided chart to track it throughout the year. The chart can be printed up to 18 X 24 inches but also works great with standard letter size. Use the expansion sheet if you run out of rows during the year.

3. Have t-shirts, scarves, or other accessories for each house, in their house colors. 

4. Let students learn about their house composer and share it with the other groups at studio events or group classes.

5. Host a scavenger hunt where you find as many house composers as possible. 

6. Assign a piece of music to each student based on the composer or musical period of their house.

7. Host a trivia night where students are divided by house. 

8. Create a playlist of music inspired by each house composer or musical period.

9. Encourage students to dress in house colors for a performance. (Be sure to take house photos!) 

10. Award prizes for the top house at your end-of-year recital. Consider having a trophy which gets passed around each year. 

Download the tracking chart and worksheets below!