Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band Private Lesson Program
Private lessons (supplemental music lessons) are offered as an extension and enrichment to classroom instruction and are designed to promote accelerated individual musical growth. Students are paired with professional musicians, and each lesson will consist of a plan for each individual student specifically targeting areas of needed and desired growth.
Participation
Private lessons are optional BUT HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. For all students, private lessons can be a great asset to their artistic and performance ability. Private lessons are highly recommended for any student who wishes to make faster progress or to improve on their instrument.
Enrollment
Any student wanting to participate in the private lesson program must complete the registration form and turn it in to the band directors. Once turned in, students’ information and parent contact information will be given to a private lesson instructor. Time slots fill up fast! Please be proactive and contact the band directors with any questions you may have!
Scheduling
All private lessons will be scheduled by the private lesson teachers and communicated to parents and students. Under NO circumstance will communication be only between the private lesson staff and student. All communication will be through parents. Please notate any foreseen scheduling conflicts on the registration forms. Lessons will take place after school at Sulphur Springs Middle School on Thursdays starting September 1st. Lessons are solely scheduled between the parents and the lesson staff. The directors do not schedule lessons. Lessons are not officially scheduled until an instructor has contacted you regarding scheduling.
Student’s Responsibility to the Private Lesson Instructor
Students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons, as well as have all assignments practiced and prepared.
Absences
If for any reason a student will miss their lesson, a phone call should be made to the lesson teachers. Failure to notify the lesson teacher and band director promptly (48 hours’ notice) will result in students being charged full rate for the lesson. Two or more unexcused absences will result in students being removed from the private lesson program. Even in the case of an excused absence, the family MUST notify the private lesson staff before the lesson time. Excused Absences: o Student illness and emergencies of a serious nature o Other absences approved by the band director
Financial Considerations
The cost for a private lesson is $15 for an individual lesson or $8 for a shared “buddy” lesson. Lessons are 30 minutes long. Payments are to be made to the lesson teacher the day of the lessons. We have allowed checks in the past but cannot allow it this year due to various problems cashing them. We have found that cash is the easiest form of payment for both the lesson student, private teacher, and the parents’ banking log. Please put payments in a sealed envelope and label with your child’s name, the word “Lessons”, and the corresponding date. Payment is due on the day of the lesson. Electronic payments (ApplePay, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, etc.) can be used, but that would need to be coordinated with the lesson teacher.
Lesson Termination / Dropping
A private lesson instructor may drop a student for the following reasons: • Failure to pay private lesson fees. • Frequent unexcused absences. • Failure to communicate with lesson staff. • Other contributing factors as discussed by instructor and band director. Parents may terminate private lessons at the end of the month with advance notice to the band director and lesson teacher. The final lesson date should be discussed with the private lesson teachers to accommodate for payments received. Any lesson termination must be in writing to the band director.
Participation
Private lessons are optional BUT HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. For all students, private lessons can be a great asset to their artistic and performance ability. Private lessons are highly recommended for any student who wishes to make faster progress or to improve on their instrument.
Enrollment
Any student wanting to participate in the private lesson program must complete the registration form and turn it in to the band directors. Once turned in, students’ information and parent contact information will be given to a private lesson instructor. Time slots fill up fast! Please be proactive and contact the band directors with any questions you may have!
Scheduling
All private lessons will be scheduled by the private lesson teachers and communicated to parents and students. Under NO circumstance will communication be only between the private lesson staff and student. All communication will be through parents. Please notate any foreseen scheduling conflicts on the registration forms. Lessons will take place after school at Sulphur Springs Middle School on Thursdays starting September 1st. Lessons are solely scheduled between the parents and the lesson staff. The directors do not schedule lessons. Lessons are not officially scheduled until an instructor has contacted you regarding scheduling.
Student’s Responsibility to the Private Lesson Instructor
Students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons, as well as have all assignments practiced and prepared.
Absences
If for any reason a student will miss their lesson, a phone call should be made to the lesson teachers. Failure to notify the lesson teacher and band director promptly (48 hours’ notice) will result in students being charged full rate for the lesson. Two or more unexcused absences will result in students being removed from the private lesson program. Even in the case of an excused absence, the family MUST notify the private lesson staff before the lesson time. Excused Absences: o Student illness and emergencies of a serious nature o Other absences approved by the band director
Financial Considerations
The cost for a private lesson is $15 for an individual lesson or $8 for a shared “buddy” lesson. Lessons are 30 minutes long. Payments are to be made to the lesson teacher the day of the lessons. We have allowed checks in the past but cannot allow it this year due to various problems cashing them. We have found that cash is the easiest form of payment for both the lesson student, private teacher, and the parents’ banking log. Please put payments in a sealed envelope and label with your child’s name, the word “Lessons”, and the corresponding date. Payment is due on the day of the lesson. Electronic payments (ApplePay, Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, etc.) can be used, but that would need to be coordinated with the lesson teacher.
Lesson Termination / Dropping
A private lesson instructor may drop a student for the following reasons: • Failure to pay private lesson fees. • Frequent unexcused absences. • Failure to communicate with lesson staff. • Other contributing factors as discussed by instructor and band director. Parents may terminate private lessons at the end of the month with advance notice to the band director and lesson teacher. The final lesson date should be discussed with the private lesson teachers to accommodate for payments received. Any lesson termination must be in writing to the band director.