Private lessons consist of a 45-minute or 60-minute lesson once a week and four class lessons per year. Children under the age of 5 will have a 30-minute lesson once a week. Class lessons are held on the first Saturdays in October, January, February and March. Holidays will be Labor Day, Thanksgiving Vacation, Winter Vacation, Easter Vacation, and Memorial Day. No lessons will be given at these times. Music books will be billed as necessary. A late fee will be applied for accounts due over 30 days.
Summer lessons will be given in June and July. July 4 is a holiday.
Requirements
No missed lessons will be made up except in the case of an extreme emergency. If the teacher misses a lesson, it will be made good. If a student is unable to make a lesson time, the student is asked to use the swap sheet to trade lesson times. Lessons are given on school snow days unless the weather is extremely bad. Please call.
Every student must have a metronome and an acoustic piano.
Playing the piano requires two types of learning. First the player must be able to read the notes, rhythm and other musical markings. Second the player must acquire the fine motor skills to produce what has been seen on the page. Fine motor skills and proficiency at reading the music require repetition. Students will be asked to practice each piece or a part of the piece (when the pieces are longer and more complicated) several times in a row until he/she does not make mistakes. The repetition is the key to success. Practice techniques will be written in the assignment book. Parents are requested to listen to the music assignment each week and sign the book.
Each student is responsible for bringing all materials to the lesson. This includes all music, theory books, scale books, flash cards, and the lesson assignment book.
Events
Students may participate in Fall Festival at U of R, Guild Auditions in May at U of R, and other events that occur. Fees for these will be billed as necessary. Participation is voluntary and encouraged.
When a student has mastered a piece of music to artistry level, the student may be invited to play in one of the Richmond Music Teachers’ Association recitals or a Leschetizky recital. These are held on Sunday afternoons. There are no fees for these and the public is invited to attend.
