Tuition/Payment/Cancellations/Errata
1) Lessons are $20 a half hour/$30 for 45 minutes/$40 for one hour. You may pay by the week, or in advance by the month at the first lesson of the month, whichever is easier for you.
2) I schedule half hour lessons weekly, and for more advanced students and adults, 45 minute-or-1-hour lessons either weekly or biweekly. I do not give half hour lessons to younger students because of the greater need for more frequent instruction.
3) My policy has always been that if you call me by the evening before a lesson to cancel, then you are not charged for that lesson. Otherwise, you will be charged for the missed lesson. I try and use open slots for makeup lessons, so please be courteous to your friends and to me, and don't forget to call!
Note: You may also SWAP with another student if you need to change your time - please just let me know you are doing that! I am easily reached by email. Just don't call my cell phone if you think I'm in the house...
If you want to SWAP, however, YOU must do
the arrangements!4) In case of illness or emergency on the day of a lesson, I will give you the option to make the lesson up or SWAP. By "emergency" I mean: car breakdown/accident, death in the family, extreme weather**, illness (absent from school), etc. I don't charge for lessons I have to cancel.
Snow days: No one is charged for snow days if I cancel - but please check your email or your messages. Just because they cancel school doesn't mean we won't have lessons. After all, they will cancel school because a flake is on the road....
5) Lessons will be conducted during the scheduled time. If a student is late, the remaining time scheduled may constitute the complete lesson, depending on my schedule.
6) PARENTS: You need to help your child organize his/her schedule to include daily practice! This is essential for steady progress, and to keep the embouchure (mouth/facial muscles) in shape.
I tell my students to consider practicing as daily homework. Suggested practice time amounts: Beginning and Intermediate students, 20-45 minutes daily; Advanced students, a minimum of 1 hour daily. (Divided or all at once; sometimes it is more advantageous for flutists to play all at once because of the warm-up involved.)
Instrument Stuff
7) Your instrument should be well-maintained at all times. Please make sure you have supplies such as a cleaning swab, and then USE it!!! Leaving moisture and other "stuff" inside the instrument is not only gross, it will cause the pads to stick, and eventually will have to be professionally cleaned (NOT cheap).
Click here to see what I recommend....
8) For home practice, you should have the following equipment:
- Music stand (for flutists & saxes, one that raises to eye level when STANDING!);
- a metronome loud enough for you to hear over your playing; and
- a quiet area (!) with proper lighting.
- Clarinetists and saxophonists need to have cork grease and a box of reeds on hand at all times. Playing with a bad sound or squawking because of a bad reed does not impress your teacher!!!
Please note: I can order any supplies for you, or show you what to get. Reeds can be purchased from me, as well.
9) PLEASE bring all your current music to your lesson. I will help with band and orchestra music, and feel free to bring it occasionally, but that is not the major purpose of your lessons here! If I ask you to purchase a lesson book, please let me know whether you need me to order it, or if you will get it the following week. (Please have it by your next lesson if you get it yourself.)
10) At some point, all clarinetists and saxophonists will need to have a new hard rubber mouthpiece and ligature. The plastic mouthpieces supplied with student level instruments are not adequate for the demands of intermediate and advanced playing and basically are cut inside to play beginner music.
11) As for instruments....
13) I do encourage outside participation in groups such as the Lancaster County Youth Symphony, the Chester County Youth Orchestra (as well as other local student or community groups), as well as auditioning for PMEA District and County bands and orchestras. School groups in our area just don't quite match the caliber of these groups - and if you go to Octorara, you've probably never played with an orchestra!
These are fun experiences for kids - I met my college roommate in the LCYSO as well as other lifetime friends there, and have many fun experiences I'll always remember. At some point, I may start my clarinet choir, Cambiare, again, for which my advanced students are eligible.
BUT please know that in no way do I require my students to audition for anything!