Heid Summer Playcation
Make Music Part of Your Summer
& Win Prizes
Keep Your Music Skills Sharp
5 Smart Practice Tips for Summer Success
Break Music Into Small Chunks
Focus on just 4–8 measures at a time instead of playing the whole piece. This helps you refine and polish to build confidence section by section. Challenge: start at the end of a piece, and work back to front.
Play What You Love
Now can be a great time to explore music that inspires you, go beyond the page, and try new styles. Or, try improvising and create a mash-up, experiment with various tones, styles, genres, and more. There are so many movie themes, video game soundtracks, and works of various artists. It is your time to create.
Keep Practice Short and Consistent
10–15 minutes a day, 3–4 days a week is more effective than one long practice session. Frequent practice helps build and retain skills over time.
Use Play-Along Tracks
Many method books include digital accompaniment tracks. Playing along helps you develop a steady beat and experience making music with others.
Make It Social
Invite friends from band or orchestra to play together. Jam on your favorite songs from the school year and make music a shared experience.
Why Summer Music Practice Matters
A trusted music education partner since 1948, Heid Music understands what it takes to keep young musicians engaged year-round.
The Summer Challenge
The "summer slide" doesn't have to happen. Students who take three months off lose embouchure strength, muscle memory, and reading fluency.
Research shows that consistent summer practice helps students:
- Return to band and orchestra in the fall with stronger skills
- Feel more confident during auditions and performances
- Develop better practice habits that carry into the school year
The Playcation Solution
Just 10-15 minutes of practice, 3-4 days per week, helps your student retain what they've learned and return to school ready to excel.
The Playcation challenge turns summer practice into a fun, achievable goal with built-in rewards. Your student can practice at their own pace, explore music they love, and earn recognition for their dedication.
Simple Goal: 100 minutes per month equals about 25 minutes per week. That's just a few short practice sessions that keep skills sharp and confidence high.
Make This Your Best Music Summer
Summer is your chance to play the music YOU want to play. Video game soundtracks, movie themes, your favorite songs—this is your time to explore, experiment, and have fun with your instrument.
How Playcation Works
- Practice 100+ minutes each month (June, July, August)
- Log your practice time
- Win prizes and earn recognition
Just 15 minutes a day, a few days a week is all it takes. You'll keep your skills sharp, try new music, and start the school year ahead of the game.
Why It Matters
Practicing over summer means fall auditions, marching band, and concerts will feel easier and more fun. You won't have to re-learn what you already know—you can jump right into new challenges.
Plus, summer is the perfect time to explore music beyond your school repertoire. Learn that movie theme you love, try improvising, or jam with friends.
Support Your Students' Summer Success
Music educators know the challenge: students return in the fall having lost months of progress. The Playcation program from Heid Music gives your students structure, motivation, and rewards to maintain their skills over summer break.
Benefits for Your Program
- Students return in August with maintained embouchure, technique, and reading skills
- Less time spent re-teaching fundamentals in the fall
- Higher retention rates in band and orchestra programs
- Built-in incentives that encourage consistent practice habits
Easy to Share
Share Playcation with your students and families as a simple, effective way to bridge the summer gap. The program requires minimal commitment—just 100 minutes per month—making it achievable for students of all levels.
Get our Tool Kit to help spread the word – contact us at schoolsupport@heidmusic.com
Heid Music has served music educators since 1948. We're committed to supporting your programs with quality instruments, expert service, and resources like Playcation that help students succeed.
Why Heid Music?
Since 1948, Heid Music has been a premier music retailer and education partner, serving students, parents, and educators across Northeast and Central Wisconsin to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Our Playcation program combines decades of music education partnership with proven practice strategies to help young musicians thrive year-round.
Supporting Your Musical Journey
- Convenient and flexible instrument rentals
- Quality instrument maintenance and repair
- Music accessories and practice tools
- Advice and encouragement from fellow musicians