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Matt Safley Music
Matt Safley Music
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    • Home
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      • Piano Lessons
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      • About Matt Safley Music
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(712) 291-5097


  • Home
  • Music Lessons
    • Piano Lessons
    • Voice Lessons
    • Combo Piano and Voice
    • Community Music Classes
  • About
    • About Matt Safley Music
  • Calendar
  • Contact
St. Louis music students group photo on stage after singing and piano recital.
St. Louis Area Private Music Lessons

Events Overview for Music Students

Matt Safley Music's curriculum allows students to explore their interests, develop their skills, and reach their potential through recitals and the various performance opportunities listed below. 


Primary student events: Fall Recital, Winter Around the World, Progressive Evaluations, Spring Recital, and Summer Soirée.

Yearly Recitals

Fall Recital - October 2024 - TBA

Fall Recital Practice Week: Monday-Friday, October 16-20, 2023


The Fall Recital includes a chosen theme each year for students to learn about and to encourage audience participation. This year’s theme was Composer Chaos. Each student researched 3 different composers, which includes the composer of their piece to perform. Students then created a multiple choice question with listening examples to help the audience guess who correctly wrote the music. Family and friends invited to attend and learn!

Spring Recital - April 2025 - TBA

Spring Recital Practice Week: Monday-Friday, April 22-26, 2024


The Spring Recital is a celebration of their hard work and achievements throughout the school year, highlighting their areas of growth and what they have accomplished. Evaluation awards and certificates are given at this time. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate!

Additional Recitals and Practice Week Information

  • Online and In Person practice week sessions and recitals offered.
  • There is a $15 fee for participation in the recitals.
  • Recitals are broken down into 60-minute slots. Students may only sign up for one 60 minute slot. Maximum of 6 students per hour.
  • Each recital counts as the student's lesson for that week, no exceptions. Students that do not participate will still receive a lesson. Lesson time may fluctuate to accommodate recital participants.
  • Recital participants unable to attend one of the scheduled slots will still receive their lessons.
  • No classes on Saturday the week of the recital.
  • Students can use Lesson Passes for extra lessons during Recital Practice Weeks. 

In-House Evaluations

Progressive Evaluations - March 2025 - TBA

Progressive Evaluations Practice Week


This is an event where students memorize one to two musical pieces, and perform them in front of a professional musician. Each student receives feedback, a rating, and points towards a trophy. This type of evaluation is different than many other St. Louis music studios, as students are allowed to play or sing popular, contemporary pieces such as pop, rock, R&B, video game music, and music from blockbuster motion picture soundtracks. 


A $25 fee is assessed to participate. Students only allowed.

Evaluations Practice Week Information

This allows students to play or sing for each other and get feedback from peers and your instructor the week of the Evaluation.


  • Serves as a masterclass, coaching, peer evaluation/support group to enhance confidence and quality of playing or singing for the day of the actual event.
  • Students participating will sign up for one 60 minute slot with a maximum of 6 students each hour. Counts as their lesson for the week. If students want to participate, and not use a lesson pass, the current prorated lesson amount will be charged and due before the event begins, or student will be ineligible to participate.
  • No classes on Saturday the week of the evaluations.
  • Students can use Lesson Passes for extra lessons during this time.

Music Share Event

Winter Around the World - December 2024 - TBA

Winter Around the World Practice Week


Students prepare a winter themed piece to be performed at a retirement home to share their love of music with others. Friends and family are invited to attend and enjoy the festivities!

Share Event and Practice Week Information

  • Practice week is In Person only.
  • Online and In Person music shares offered.
  • The Share Event counts as the student's lesson for that week, no exceptions. Students that do not participate will still receive a lesson. Lesson time may fluctuate to accommodate recital participants.
  • Recital participants unable to attend one of the scheduled slots will still receive their lessons.
  • No classes on Saturday the week of the event.

Additional Evaluation and Ensemble Opportunities

Summer Soirée - Sunday, August 4, 2024

Students celebrate their work over the last year, share a sneak peak of their fall festival piece, and participate in a few music games/activities. This is a very casual play through and sample of pieces being prepared for an upcoming recital or evaluation.


Students sign up for 60-75 minute options. A maximum of 8 students in each timeslot will be allowed. Prorated fee will be due if they do not use Lesson Passes for extra lessons during this time.

District and All Suburban Choir Auditions

District/All Suburban Choir Auditions is an external event held in the Fall. High school students enrolled in choir at the studio are encouraged to participate. They must sing a sample of a solo, identify key signatures, and complete sightreading. Juniors and Seniors who score high enough receive an invitation to audition for All-State.

Sonatina Festival

Sonatina Festival is a St. Louis Area Music Teacher Association event where students from around the region perform a sonata or sonatina from memory and receive feedback from an instructor. It is usually held late January or February. Dates to be announced.

NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs) Festivals and Competitions

NFMC Is an external event where students prepare 2 pieces in contrasting style. One is a piece that comes from the required list and the other can be chosen, within specified guidelines. Dates are in mid-late April. 

Missouri District and State High School Solo and Ensemble Festival

Learn about MSHSAA music activities here.

Community Musical Theater

Students interested in participating in theater around the area prepare a monologue and an excerpt. Those chosen get to perform in a musical in a leading role or a member of an ensemble.

Extra Recitals and Performances

Experienced students that have a wide repertoire are encouraged to pursue continual mastery of their instrument and build confidence by getting in front of others. These students are invited to prepare a separate recital in addition to the above to showcase their talent, hard work, and celebrate their success. 


A $25 fee is assessed for each student participating. Extra fees apply for those wanting to prepare a solo recital.


  • Participation is dependent on the instructor's recommendation.
  • Multiple lessons each week are typically necessary for such preparation, and extra lessons will be prorated.
  • Students may use Lesson Passes.

Matt Safley Music is a music studio in St. Louis offering private piano lessons, voice lessons, and combination piano/voice lessons.


Copyright © Matt Safley Music | All Rights Reserved

(712) 291-5097 | info@safleymusic.com

14538 Manchester Road, Ste 201, Ballwin, Missouri 63011


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  • Home
  • Piano Lessons
  • Voice Lessons
  • Combo Piano and Voice
  • Community Music Classes
  • About Matt Safley Music
  • Calendar
  • Contact

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