Trumpet Instruction FAQ's

Here are the answers to the questions most people ask about lesson fees, absences, re-scheduling, instrument choice, practice and the length of lessons. Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have regarding these policies. My aim is to enable all of my students to understand my expectations completely. 1. LESSON FEES.         1.1. Lesson fees         1.2. Lesson materials. 2. Required equipment         2.1. Choice of instrument         2.2. Home practice environment and equipment. 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES.         3.1. ALL EXCUSED ABSENCES WILL BE MADE UP.         3.2. I require ADVANCE ABSENCE NOTICE 24 HOURS BEFORE THE ABSENCE.         3.3. DROPPED FROM LESSONS 4. Teacher contacts         4.1. Cell & text line: 916-359-9616         4.2. Email: brass@brassandivorymusic.com 1. LESSON FEES. 1.1. Lesson fees Lesson fees are due one month in advance on or before the first lesson of each month. Students beginning at other times during the month will be prorated for the first month only. Payment is then due on or before the first lesson of the month in all succeeding months. You will not receive a bill from me. Checks or cash are accepted in payment. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO BRIAN DENEEN. My fees for 30-minute weekly lessons are $130.00 per month. 1.2. Lesson materials. These will be specified by the instructor and are to be purchased by the student. Each student will receive a list of the required materials. The instructor will discuss preferred providers for these purchases on an individual basis as this information is subject to change. 2. Required equipment 2.1. Choice of instrument Please do confer with the instructor regarding your choice of instrument for your student. Many instruments have flooded the market at incredibly low prices that do not function properly and are a waste of resources. Other choices do exist that cost less in the long run. Let's talk about it before you purchase or rent in order to insure the success of your student. 2.2. Home practice environment and equipment. Daily practice is essential to student success. The environment for practicing trumpet is somewhat different from other instruments. You will receive an information handout on the daily practice setup. Please provide a chair of correct height (covered in the information) and an adjustable music stand with good reading light for your student. Other equipment is described and discussed in the information handout. 3. EXCUSED ABSENCES. 3.1. ALL EXCUSED ABSENCES WILL BE MADE UP. My goal is to teach every lesson to every student. Excused absences (including holidays and illnesses) are made-up by taking two 45-minute lessons in your regular lesson slot in succeeding weeks to make up for one missed lesson. AS AN EXAMPLE, your student misses a lesson on October 2 and the absence is excused. The lessons on October 9 and October 16 will both be 45 minutes, making up the 30 minutes missed on October 2 while giving the 30 minutes due on the 9th and the 16th respectively. Generally, if you can go to school or work, you can come to lessons as well. Other adequate absence reasons include death in the family and normal family vacations (2 weeks). 3.2. I require ADVANCE ABSENCE NOTICE 24 HOURS BEFORE THE ABSENCE. Notice after this time will result in a charge for the lesson on that day as if it had been taken. Absences without notice will be charged as if taken. ABSENCES DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, HOLIDAYS AND STUDENT ILLNESSES - Policy above applies. 3.3. DROPPED FROM LESSONS If a student misses TWO CONSECUTIVE LESSONS without notification, the student will be dropped from the schedule and charged for those two lessons. The student can be re-instated at the previously scheduled time when this charge is paid, provided the time is still available. 4. Teacher contacts 4.1. Cell phone: 916-359-9616. This is my cell message and text line. Text messaging is preferred. When calling, please leave a short message including the best day and time to call you back and I will return your call. 4.2. Email: brass@brassandivorymusic.com Please email with any detailed questions about schedule, policy, lesson materials, student progress and anything else that applies to lessons.