There is no reason for piano teachers to continue putting energy into this thread.

We have no ability to offer advice or to effect change when the OP is not listening to valid points that have been made.

The story gets more and more erratic as it goes on and I consider the entire topic to have been a hypothetical scenario from the beginning.

Let's stop being "had".

Also agreed and I have yet to see the OP ask a question asked.

I am just a parent. Just wondering has your 8 years old son already decided he wants to be a pro musician? If not, is there a reason you want him to become one?

Did I read your posts right that your son takes lessons for piano, a second instrument for orchestra and composition at the conservatory? You also mentioned the students at conservatory come from upper class intellectual homes. That is kind of wired. Many of my friends kids take lessons at conservatories (we have 3 here). They are just middle class and not super rich either. The fee is about $65 or $70 for an hour lesson.

What kind of pieces he is learning currently? I think you need to give this information to the teachers here so they can better help you based on your son's level.

I have to admit I'm lost, too.

We have no specific information and don't really know what the question is.

"Conservatory" can mean a lot of different things depending on where you are. It could be anything from Colburn or Peabody's prep department to a private community music school to a non-profit community arts school to a Suzuki academy or a group of teachers who work at a music store. The teacher(s) in question could be almost anyone, from concert pianists to full-time faculty to part-time grad students from the local college.

The discussion of social class seems completely bizarre and irrelevant.

Then we have completely off-the-wall statements like:

"My son is going to have to become comfortable with a class that is much higher than that of his parents."

Huh?? Wouldn't you be the parent of your own son? It sounds like there are three parents - BusyMom, her son's mom, and her son's dad. I'm completely confused.

I think we've asked enough questions and given enough advice. The rest (classes, stereotypes that only rich nerds are musicians) have no place here. Time to move on.

Social standing makes a huge difference to how you approach the piano, as well as how we as teachers approach our careers. In fact, that's one of the reasons I direct my marketing to wealthy professionals who like ongoing learning. I've enjoyed the blue collar students I've had, and in fact came from a blue collar family myself. (My brother once attended his son's music festival and actually asked the adjudicator if he--the adjudicator--could play a little something for the audience. I just about died of embarrassment.)

They bring a joie de vivre that is matchless. But they don't always have the correct support at home to study piano for many, many years. They do have to overcome barriers to fit in the conservatory culture.

I can't believe how much collective energy has been expended on this thread. I suspect it's all for naught; anyone who hasn't checked the OP's posting history, or doesn't remember her handle from similar threads last year, should do so.

Steven

Wow. Thanks for the tip. I noticed on previous threads that teachers asked what level her children were playing. Even a list of accomplished pieces would help answers her questions but she was very evasive on that issue then as she is now.

The thread posted a year ago about the jealous parents and the public school music teacher who suggested BusyMom hide her sons talent so as no to discourage other students is very suspect. Either we are all being had as Betty Suggested or the OP’s perception is skewed.

I totally agree. And if you want to fritter away some more minutes of your life you'll never get back again, read Kimold's posts too - eerily similar...