Ms. Lori’s Flute & Piccolo Lesson Policies

 

You will acquire skills in performance, practice techniques, setting and realizing goals, and assessment of weekly accomplishments.

 

Required materials: 

Flute (and piccolo if learning the piccolo-by invitation only) in good working condition

3-ring binder containing all handouts

Audition music

Solo contest music and any band music that the student needs help with

Music stand to practice with at home.

Cleaning cloth and rod (preferably silk cloth and wood rod)

Metronome/tuner combination or Smart Music

Smart Music *highly recommended*  www.smartmusic.com

 

Tuition is paid monthly at the rate determined by your school district or $20.00 per 30 minute weekly lesson at my house.  This is due by the 7^th of each month for the entire month through PayPal or by check or cash.  I will send an invoice (to your email) the end of each month to cover the next month’s lessons.  Your lesson time is then reserved for you for that entire month.  If I cancel a lesson, tuition for that lesson will be credited to the next month, if I cannot arrange a make-up lesson with you.   I will not teach lessons for delinquent accounts until made current.  The only prorated tuition will be during the summer, only if I know by the first of the month the days you will miss that month.

                                                                                                                                                

Cancelling /Make-up lessons Contact must be made to 512-297-7841 as soon as you cannot attend a lesson, unless it’s an emergency.  If I receive 24 hours advance notice, a make-up lesson may be available.  Make-up lessons are not available for last minute cancellations.  Occasionally students cancel lessons for Holidays or family activities.  Nothing more than 2 weeks in a row is suggested.  I take the occasional Holiday or family time off too, but nothing more than 2 weeks in a row in one calendar year.  Being absent from school is not acceptable notice.

 

When cancelling private lessons for involvement in school & non-school sponsored afterschool sports activities, realize I cannot always accommodate these rigorous activity schedules.  I will only keep your lesson spot if payments stay current.

 

If I teach you on-campus cancellations during the school year; school trips, assemblies or changes in the daily schedule have to be relayed directly to me.  I will try to make-up lessons missed for school schedule changes.  If I cannot rearrange your lesson, there is no refund of tuition for that lesson.

 

Days I do not teach:  week of Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas/New Year’s, Easter Day, during STAAR week (on-campus only, I do teach at home during STAAR), Mother’s Day, Memorial Day (I attend TSSEC with students that qualify) and a short vacation time in the summer (to be determined each year).

 

Master Classes:  I will charge $10.00 per master class that usually take place at my home.  Master classes will be offered throughout the school year for different purposes. It is an important part of a developing musician to listen to others play, use critical thinking and provide constructive comments.   Master classes are designed for all this.  During some of these classes I will make a CD of your performance for educational use at home.  Special event master classes will be announced and fees charged according to need of the event and held at various locations in the area.

 

Practice:  Lessons are an exercise in "teamwork." The "team" includes the student, the teacher, and the parent(s). Parents are expected to encourage students, to remind them to practice (not nag), and to help them obtain needed materials in a timely manner. When parents take an active role in encouraging students to practice, students experience more success.  You must practice with a metronome in a calm space while standing properly or sitting on an exercise ball properly.

Beginner’s practice 5-7 days per week, minimum requirements of 15-20 minutes per day in the Fall and 25-30 minutes per day in the Spring.  

7^th and 8^th graders practice a minimum of 210 minutes per week, preferably divided throughout the week and not all in 1-3 days.   

High School students practice a minimum of 240 minutes per week, preferably divided throughout the week and not all in 1-3 days.   

Junior high and high school students who want to major in music in college are expected to increase these times accordingly.

 

Withdrawing from lessons: It is expected that students participate in lessons for at least an entire school year. If cancelling lessons before that time, one month advance notice is required to discontinue lessons in order to finish preparation of current skills and to leave on a positive note.  It is not suggested to discontinue lessons for a portion of the year and then “come back.”  Learning flute takes consistent dedication.

 

Behavior Expectation=musicianship Pride without arrogance.  Be proud of your accomplishments.  Do not have rude, disrespectful or arrogant behavior at contests or school with your fellow musicians/directors.  It is unbecoming and reflects badly on you, me as your private teacher, your parents and your band program.

 

Accompanist:  I will arrange two, 30 minute rehearsals at my home with Marvin Goad, accompanist, before each 7^th-12^th grade solo contest.  For these rehearsals there will ALSO be a 30 minute at-home flute lesson fee.  You are responsible for paying Marvin Goad, the fee of $65.00 per junior high solo and $75.00 per high school solo (includes both rehearsals and the performance). I will make a CD recording of these sessions whenever I feel the recording will be beneficial to learning the repertoire.

 

Buying/Renting instruments:  Please get my approval before purchasing or renting new instruments. See website for using really old hand me down instruments and why I strongly urge against it for health reasons.   I may find a better price or a higher quality instrument. I am more than happy to visit music stores with you to assist you in purchasing instruments. (I do not charge extra for being your "personal shopper" -- this is a service included in the price of tuition.)

I hope flute lessons will be a very positive experience for you.  If you ever have any questions, please call.  Don’t hesitate to call me (after 8:00 am and before 10:00 p.m.).  Home 218-1067 cell 297-7841.    

 

X___________________________________________________  X ______________________________________________  date_____________                                                Student signature                                                                                   parent/guardian signature                                                                                                                

 

Lori Chester Maillart              lorichester@hotmail.com           512-297-7841