Gifts for the Teacher

[squiggly_girl]

I want to get my teacher a Christmas/end of term gift. Is there anything you teachers particularly appreciate getting? Any past gifts that have made an impression - good or bad - on you?

[Spatula]

There's the super cheesie gift: chocolate, even if it's a good brand, it'll probably say you didn't care too much about what you gave them.

Try buying them a recording of their favourite artist.  Or perhaps a musical dictionary or encyclopedia if you're wanting to get something pricey. 

Treat them out for a performance at your local orchestra?  Then maybe some dinner?  Gift certificate?

But NEVER give cash, that's just rude and inconsiderate, (but if I got cash as a gift, that be $$$ in my eyes)

[Bob]

Tell them your going to practice an extra hour every day.  That would be a great gift for a teacher.

[Ed Thomas]

A new car is a good choice.   Or a mid-size Mason and Hamlin.   

Actually ANYTHING hand-made by you is perfect.  My daughter routinely draws simple cards with magic markers that say the darnedest things and they always mean WAY more than any present.  She is grown and gone and still does it... and I still look forward to them.  Make a bookmark and write your favorite quotes on it.  Get a T-shirt and write something funny on it, like:  "My Piano Students Rule".  In permanent laundry marker, of course.

[faulty_damper]

Why don't you compose a musical piece for him?  But in reality all you are really doing is writing the most technically demanding piece that YOU think your teacher needs work on.  Haha!   Then tell him that you want to hear him play it for you at the next lesson.

[Spatula]

Give him a copy of the OC! and say "your sight reading examination to prove your worthiness of teaching me!"

 

[bernhard]

Tell your students that on the last lesson before Christmas they should ring the doorbell with their elbow, or knock on the door with their forehead.

When they ask: "Why?"

Reply:

"Well, you are not coming empty handed, are you?"

 

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Tash]

commision me to paint you a lovely musical picture to give to them and they'll be impressed that you got it from overseas!

[squinchy]

In search of sageful wisdom:

Would my strings director (at school) be offended if I gave her a baton for Hanukah? She conducts our group at concerts, but she conducts with a pencil (because she broke her baton by tapping it against the stand too hard) and isn't very effective. She also has no idea how to conduct besides the basic patterns. I'm hoping the gift would be a subtle hint-ish thing.