Studio Policy
Welcome to my flute studio! I look forward to working with you and learning about the flute and the wonderful world of music together. Through private and group lessons, here are some goals that we will work towards; Developing technical skills on the flute, developing proper breathing and posture, learning musical theory and history, learning to play musically and with feeling, developing skills in listening, critiquing, and evaluating musical performances, and acquiring skills in performance, practice techniques, setting and realizing goals, and assessing accomplishments.
Required materials:
· A flute in good working condition (I can help you find a good flute to buy or rent- please ask for help!)
· Lesson Notebook (provided by teacher)
· A music stand for practicing at home
· A cleaning cloth and rod (preferably wood)
· An inexpensive metronome
· A tuner (for all students with more than two years of experience)
· Sheet music and other music/books as deemed necessary by the teacher in order to accomplish the goals set. Students are required to provide all their own music. (I know that music can be expensive and I will try to provide cost effective suggestions when possible.)
Notebook:
*There is a $10 photocopy charge for all new students- this includes all photocopies and lesson notebook which I provide.
The lesson notebook must be brought to each lesson to best utilize our time together.
The notebook will contain:
1. Lesson assignment sheets- with practice record
2. A copy of this Studio Policy
3. All handouts you receive
4. Fingering Charts
5. Listening List
6. Polished Pieces List
7. Studio Calendar
Rates:
Rates include: scheduled lesson time-slot (even if you are absent), bi-monthly group class, handouts and written exercises from the teacher, and recitals.
30min- $20 per lesson (usually for beginner students)
45min- $30 per lesson
45min- $30 per lesson
1 hour- $40 per lesson (usually for more advanced students)
Payment is due either on the first lesson of each month or the first lesson of a semester.
*One lesson of each semester will be replaced with a studio recital.
*If you have trouble meeting these requirements financially, please contact me and we can work something out- I believe that everyone deserves the right to learn to play the flute!
Attendance:
If you need to miss a lesson, please give me advance notice (24 hours minimum) so that we can reschedule.
Regular flute lessons are important in encouraging regular practice routines and musical development, so it is better to reschedule lessons rather than canceling them. Let me know ahead of time and we will reschedule the lesson at a time that is mutually agreeable or will do a make-up lesson at the end of the semester. Please do not assume that I am aware of school vacations; not all schools follow the same calendars, so please let me know if you will need to reschedule for a specific reason. *Please refer to the studio calendar each month so we can reschedule lessons as soon as possible.
Please understand that because I reserve a time for you each week, and the price of tuition includes more than just your weekly lesson, I must charge for cancellations or if you do not show up for your lesson. Accepted short notice cancellations that can be made-up include:
· illness (I won't teach you if you're sick, but we will try to reschedule if possible)
· family emergency
· severe weather conditions
If you must cancel on the day of a lesson: Please leave a message on my voice mail or send a text message. E-mail is not an acceptable way of contacting me the day of your lesson since I don’t always have access to it when I’m teaching other students. Lessons cancelled without 24 hours notice and not for an acceptable cancellation reason or no-shows will be charged the lesson rate with no possibility of a make-up. * If you haven't practiced, or if the flute is at the repair shop, please don't cancel your lesson--we can still make some musical progress!
*If I must cancel a lesson- for illness, emergency, or performance I will let you know as soon as possible so we can schedule a make-up lesson at a mutually agreed upon time.
Lesson content:
· In each lesson, we will work on tone production, technical studies, flute repertoire (a solo and/or duet), and music theory. We may also work on school band music as needed, and any solos you wish to play for contests or asked to perform for school, church, etc. We will also go over pertinent music history and flute repair techniques.
· Parents are welcome to observe lessons at any time and are required to attend the first lesson/consultation between the student and teacher to go over the studio policy and to answer any questions.
Practice:
Regular, daily practicing is essential for progress. Before committing to flute lessons, make sure that there is time in the daily schedule for practicing and that both the student and parent are committed to make this happen. Lessons work well when there is a team effort with the teacher, student, and parent all involved. Parents help encourage and remind students to practice and help them obtain needed materials. Students should practice about 5 minutes per grade in school (4th grader would practice 20 minutes daily). Once in Junior High students are expected to practice at least 30 mins. a day. High school students who wish to continue with music in college are expected to increase those times.
Recitals:
Each student is required to perform at our studio recitals- there will be one each semester. Students are strongly encouraged to play with an accompanist, but may also perform without if need be. Students will have an opportunity to perform a solo, duet, or in an ensemble (or all three).
Accompanists:
You are responsible for finding and paying your own accompanist for recitals and competitions and working out a schedule for rehearsal, lessons, and performance. Working with a pianist is an important part of learning to be a musician.
Listening:
You are required to listen to one new recording every two weeks. This is a wonderful way to learn about music and the flute! Please keep a list in your notebook with any observations you may have. You may substitute live flute performances for recordings. Recordings may be borrowed from the public library or checked out from me. You are also encouraged to begin to collect your own library of recordings. There is also a prize, at the end of each semester, for all students who complete their listening requirements.
Policy on Discontinuing Study:
If for any reason you feel that I am not exceeding your expectations, you may discontinue lessons- but I require a one month’s written notice.
