<p>This non-music mom is seeking input on what (if any) might be an appropriate gift for music teachers as S graduates in the coming weeks. Is it general practice to give something to the private teacher who prepared S for auditions? If so, what have others done? </p>
<p>Do families give gifts to the high school teachers? If so, what might be appropriate?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance for your guidance.</p>
<p>Here’a one prior thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/911238-present-teacher.html?highlight=present[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/911238-present-teacher.html?highlight=present</a></p>
<p>High school teachers: (disclaimer: I am one.) </p>
<p>Most families do not give gifts to high school teachers in my country (and I don’t think that the US is that different from Canada although particular communities might have different traditions), but the gifts that are given are greatly appreciated. I receive several a year, generally either at Christmas or at the end of school. I would say that a card with a few heartfelt lines would be a very appropriate thing to give to high school teachers that your child has had a special bond with or that have gone out of their way to help your child. </p>
<p>If your child wants to give more, then a small gift certificate is appropriate (anything from $5 to $20: a couple of years ago, I received one for $200 and felt rather awkward). I have received gift certificates to Starbucks, bookstores, restaurants, movie theatres. As a teacher, I find that it really is the thought that counts, not the amount. I am very happy when I get cards with obviously sincere lines of appreciation written by the student. One family of four students gave me a plate of butter tarts every Christmas and June for as long as they had children in the school (which lasted about 9 years). I have also received a variety of objects: in the past couple of weeks (and school doesn’t end for another 7 weeks here), I have received a beautiful pen from China (student just returned from a trip to China) and a Princeton mug (student had just accepted an offer at Princeton). I have received chocolates (and my waistline can still testify to how many and how much I appreciated them), tumblers, pointsettias as Xmas, a plastic dragon a couple months back (from a student who confessed to being high on painkillers when he purchased it for me in France). . . . I treasure all of the gifts!</p>
<p>Private Music Teacher: (disclaimer: I have been one of these too.) Gift giving is much more common here than with high school teachers. It is by no means mandatory, but I would encourage giving at least a note or card. Again gift certificates, consumables (fine chocolates, coffee if the person has a caffeine addiction), or a well-chosen CD could be appropriate. I have enjoyed CD’s that students have produced of themselves (low-cost for the student, but provides a nice memory). We have given our sons’ music teachers bottles of wine (a couple of weeks after the teacher mentioned that he was heading home to curl up in front of the fire with a nice bottle of wine), fine chocolates, gift certificates to restaurants, and CD’s by artists that we know the teacher would like.</p>
<p>Ultimately, it is always the words that accompany the gift that mean the most. If the words are written, then the teacher can enjoy them more than once.</p>
<p>My daughter bakes cookies for her private teachers and coaches at the end of the year. At winter break she bakes them cranberry bread. I don’t know what will happen to our grand cranberry factory when she goes away to college. She also writes a longish heartfelt note to the teachers and coaches who have been mentors to her. We bought a bottle of wine for one of the coaches because she’s been with him for years and we know he collects wine, but I wouldn’t give wine to someone I didn’t know well. Before the kids were able to bake I used to buy books CDs for teachers, although one hopes not to duplicate books and disks they already own.</p>
<p>End of year gifts - For all of the teachers that gave DD recommendations, she gave them a copy of the CD and a heartfelt note of thanks after she had made her decision. All were thrilled, particularly those who gave academic references. For her voice teacher it was always a little something she noticed he could use, something she baked, and a gift certificate to the music store. At other holidays it was always baked goods. I added a special note of thanks with a little extra for him after we had finished with the auditions and she had some great opportunities to choose form.</p>