Lessons

Brattleboro Music School teachers — Names of teachers at the BMC. Call (802) 257-4523 to inquire about lessons!

Vermont Jazz Center teachers — List and links for the teachers at the Jazz Center. Call 802 254-9088 for more information about lessons, ensembles or classes.

The year in lessons


Every member of the band is required to receive lessons on their instrument as part of the band curriculum. All students enrolled in any band class will be placed in the lesson rotation. All lessons will be with Mr. Rice and will last 35 minutes (a little less than half of a block).

  • A lesson cycle is six weeks long.

  • During that time, all students will get two or three lessons.

  • In the final week of a cycle, students will have playing tests.

  • Sometimes the assessments will be submitted electronically and other times they will be performed live in front of your teacher.

  • The goal of a lesson rotation is to schedule students in the least disruptive way possible.

  • In the first semester, lessons will rotate through blocks 1, 2, and 4. Most students will not miss any given class more than once in a six week cycle.

  • In the second semester, lessons will also be offered during block 3.

  • It is not possible for any individual’s lesson schedule to be tailored so that they miss the same class period each week. The reason for this is because it blocks that period from use by other students who need it in their rotation.


Many students choose to supplement their school lessons with private lessons outside of school with a professional player of their instrument. This is a great way to expedite and customize your instrument learning even more and it is highly encouraged! Our band has a scholarship fund set up to help its members pay for private lessons. The application for these scholarships is available on the band website or from Mr. Rice. If you would like a recommendation of a good teacher for your instrument, please ask. If you receive private lessons outside of school, you should still attend some of your school lessons so you can stay up-to-date on the playing test materials and due dates.

While no grade is directly linked to lesson attendance, your success with some important and weighty assessments relies on the instruction and feedback you get in lessons.