Piano Camp, Book 3: Piano Book

Montgomery designed these books specifically for group settings rather than retrofitting solo method content into a camp format. Every unit progresses logically through the same skill categories (reading, intervals, sight reading, rhythm, ear training, symbols, terms, and composers), creating familiar structure that lets teachers focus on facilitation and fun rather than hunting for materials. The included games transform repetitive skill-building into genuine incentives for engagement, and the detailed scheduling guidance means even first-time camp directors can implement this immediately.

A well-organized group session where every student finds something to succeed at, whether they're reading notation, training their ears, or competing in a musical game. The atmosphere balances focused skill work with the collaborative energy that comes from learning alongside peers who are at the same level.

Piano camp directors, group lesson teachers, and private instructors who want to structure multiday or multiweek group sessions for students working through early elementary method levels. Teachers running camps at schools, community music centers, or private studios will find all the organizational and instructional content they need in one book.

• Spend time mapping the two-hour schedule before camp begins. Montgomery provides a sample you can modify based on your group size and student reading level, but knowing your pacing in advance prevents bottlenecks during transitions between activities.
• Use the composer pages as conversation starters rather than reading assignments. Ask students to share what they notice about a composer's life or style, then connect it back to a piece they might learn later.
• Rotate students through the group games strategically. These aren't filler; they reinforce the skills from each unit. Watching which games reveal gaps helps you adjust instruction in real time.
• Keep the sight reading sections short and celebratory. Unprepared readings succeed when students see themselves as problem-solvers rather than performers, which builds confidence for solo practice at home.

Implement this across a week-long summer piano camp, a semester of Saturday morning group lessons, or even an intensive weekend workshop. The five self-contained units work independently, so you can pull a single unit into a regular studio day if you want to add group energy without committing to a full camp format.

• Reading notes in treble clef with fluency and accuracy
• Identifying intervals by sight and ear
• Sight reading short melodic phrases and rhythm patterns
• Understanding note values and rhythm notation
• Developing aural discrimination through ear training exercises
• Recognizing and applying musical symbols and terminology
• Building historical and cultural awareness through composer study