All CTMS band students are highly encouraged to enroll in private lessons.  Private lessons offer your child a unique experience they cannot receive in a regular classroom setting.  Your child will meet once a week at an arranged time with one of our fantastic private lesson instructors.  During that time, our private instructors will focus solely on your child's musical development, offer specialized information geared towards their particular instrument, guide them through practice techniques, and organization of their weekly practice time to grow into a truly great musician.  

Learn more about our Private Lesson Faculty here!

SCHEDULING

Lessons are generally half an hour long once a week.  To enroll in private lessons, you will e-mail the appropriate teaching for your child and let them know you would like to schedule private lessons.  Please include the child's grade and class when e-mailing.  For example:  6th Grade Beginner clarinet, or, 8th Grade Honors Band trumpet.  Scheduling of lessons (in class, before school, after school) are based on the private lesson instructor's availability and the student's schedule.  It is the responsibility of the families to record the contact information of the private lesson instructor and communicate any absences or rescheduling needed.

PAYMENT

The lesson fee is $25 per half hour lesson.  This fee is set by GCISD and is based on comparable fees for the DFW area.  Payments are to be made on the due date set by the private lesson instructor.  Checks are made payable to the individual private lesson instructor and given directly to them.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

We understand that there may be a need for financial assistance for your child to participate in private lessons.  Financial assistance is reserved for the families/students with extenuating circumstances (personal/financial) that participating in private lessons would cause undue hardship.  We do not provide free lessons, but share costs with the family through scholarships. Please contact Ms. Nalbandian or Mrs. Whitehouse for more information. 

ABSENCES

If, for any reason, the necessity for an absence occurs, the private lesson instructor must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the time of the lesson. This is so the private lesson instructor has an opportunity to adjust his/her schedule. This is the private lesson instructor's livelihood. Every effort should be made to respect their time and to provide communication of expected or unexpected absences (emergency) as early as possible. Failure to notify the private lesson instructor promptly may result in failure to rearrange the schedule and full payment for the lesson may be due. This is a good reason to record the private lesson instructor's phone number and contact information. Please do not call the band/choir directors to leave messages for the instructors. It is the student or parent's responsibility to make direct contact with the instructor 24 hours in advance in order to avoid being charged! Emergency excuses are at the discretion of the private lesson instructor.  Students who are late to the scheduled lesson will only receive the remaining time allotted and will be charged for the full scheduled lesson.