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What are private lessons?
Private Lessons are a district wide program that provides a high-quality enhancement to classroom instruction. Students are taught at a pace that suits them. Students who are excelling in class may be given extra material or be taught how to get to that “next level,” while students who need extra help can receive this help in their lesson (which does NOT replace the availability of the band directors to help students during class and before or after school). ALL students are highly encouraged to take individualized private lessons.
Private Lesson FAQs
Who takes private lessons?
Each student in the Sprague Band has the opportunity to study privately with a professional musician in our private lessons program. This enrichment opportunity is available to all band students.
Why should we enroll in private lessons?
Enrollment in private lessons is the most significant predictor of a student’s success in music. While not mandatory, the individual attention available through private instruction provides tremendous enhancement of your child’s skills, motivation, and musical enjoyment.
Don’t we already get rigorous and stimulating instruction in our band classes?
Yes! However, while the instruction provided in the group lessons of the Sprague Band classes can lift a student to a high level of musical competency, there is no substitute for the individualized instruction that is only available through private study. The individual nature of private lessons means that instruction is catered directly to your child’s ability level, and supplementary materials are provided to expand on the full class curriculum. Students enrolled in lessons are able to move at their own fast pace instead of being tethered to the pace of the class as a whole.
Isn’t private tutoring just for kids who are struggling?
No! On the contrary, the purpose of the private lessons program is not to provide remedial instruction -- its purpose is to provide supplementary instruction for students seeking to get the most out of their music education.
Who will be my child’s private lessons teacher?
Private lessons instructors at Sprague are carefully selected by the band directors and receive the same scrutiny as full-time teachers at the district level before being hired. Most of our teachers hold graduate degrees (masters & doctorate) on their instrument and are professional performing musicians in the area.
Why should I take lessons at Sprague? Couldn’t my child take lessons from someone else, like a relative who played the guitar back in 1992?
With private lessons, just as with any worthwhile product or service, you get what you pay for. By studying with a Sprague-approved private lessons teacher, your child will receive instruction that aligns with the philosophy and quality of the Sprague Band. The band directors are able to collaborate with our lessons teachers and work together to give every student the best experience possible -- this is not possible with non-Sprague instructors.
When do lessons happen?
Private lessons are offered once per week after school depending on the teacher’s availability and your schedule.
How long is a lesson?
An after-school lesson is 30 minutes. Lesson lengths and rates are standardized across all of Cy Fair ISD. 60-minute lessons may be available by some private lessons teachers, but the standard lesson is 30 minutes.
What is the cost?
Depending on the level of teacher (1,2, or 3) each lesson costs between $23 - $29 per 30 minute lesson. Lesson lengths and rates are standardized across all of Cy Fair ISD. The level of experience/education of the private teacher determines the rate of each lesson.
How does payment work?
Payment invoices will be communicated by the Cy Fair ISD Fine Arts department, and payment is made on School Cash. Please understand that our private lesson teachers make their living teaching our students and students at other schools; in many cases, it is the primary source of their livelihood, in addition to performing. As such, timely payments and 24 hours notice of a missed lesson are important facets of private lessons enrollment. A missed lesson without notice will be charged at the full rate. With proper notice, alternative scheduling can be arranged.
Can we just take a few lessons to get started and then discontinue lessons?
No. The purpose of private lessons is to provide continuous, enhanced instruction to students seeking to get the most out of their music education. We offer multiple instructors on each instrument to best suit each students learning style and personality.
How do we enroll?
Private lessons enrollment is done at the beginning of the school year. It is not too late to enroll if you decline lessons at the start of the semester, but it is best to enroll early to ensure teacher availability. Because we hire only the best, our lessons teachers are in high demand, and their schedules fill up quickly! Enroll by completing the Online Private Lesson Enrollment Form.
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