Fees quoted are based on a year of 36 lessons. Fees may be paid:
1) In full at the beginning of the year.
2) In two instalments: September 1st and February 1st.
3) In ten monthly postdated cheques, dated the first of the month from Sept. 1st, 2012 to June 1st, 2013.
Note: These cheques are due the first lesson in September and are payable to Joanne Lambert.
Fees are :
30 minutes per week: $80.00 per month
45 minutes per week: $100.00 per month
60 minutes per week: $140.00 per month
A Registration fee of $10.00 or $15.00 per family is due on the first cheque in September. This is to cover the costs of photocopying, lending of books etc.
Missed Lesson Policy
Lessons cancelled by a student will not be made up.
Lessons cancelled by the teacher will be made up at a mutually accepted time.
If a student decides to withdraw part way through the year, a month's notice is required.
Books
Books are the responsibility of the student. They are available at Long and McQuade Music Store ----250 385-3413 and ask for piano music. The store is located at the corner of Hillside and Nanaimo Streets. You can call ahead to see if the books you need are in stock. September is not usually a problem, but during the rest of the year it's a good idea to call so you don't have a wasted trip to Victoria. They will order the books for you if they are not in stock and call you when they come in--usually 2 - 3 days. There is also the Tom Lee Music Store at 105-2401D Millstream Road in Millstream Village---250-383-5222
Each student needs a small 3 ring binder (about 1 1/2 - 2 inches) with loose leaf paper in it for homework instructions, practice schedules, remarks, information on recitals and notices of upcoming events. A really good idea is to have page protectors in the loose leaf binder so we can put any music in them and the music will be protected and easier to read.
Practicing
Good practicing habits are essential for a successful year at any level. Parent participation, encouragement and guidance is necessary for the student's growth and progress especially the first few years. It depends on each individual child as to when more or less parental involvement is necessary.Parents are invited any time to attend private lessons and are encouraged to discuss any problems or questions they may have. Most students will have practice records to fill out each week.
Guidelines for Practicing (these are piano grades not school grades)
Beginner - Gr. 1 20 minutes daily
Grades 2 -4 30 minutes daily
Grades 5 -7 45 minutes daily
Grades 8 -10 60 minutes daily
Instruments
You child needs a proper instrument to learn on. Small unweighted keyboards are not sufficient after one year. Students become frustrated because the correct sounds, dynamics, pedals and different touches cannot be done on them. Often a student loses interest and quits. A good upright or a good weighted electric keyboard is needed. You can check Used Victoria, buy new or second hand pianos or keyboards at Tom Lee keyboards on Millstream Road, check Long & McQuade or Copeland Music in Brentwood Bay.
Remember: Your piano needs to be tuned once a year. You can look in the yellow pages for a piano tuner. I use Acoustic Pianocraft (Jim Anderson)--250-477-6439.
Important Dates
Monday Sept 10th
Lessons begin
Tuesday Nov 29th 6:45 Friendship Community Church
Piano Recital
Friday Dec 21st
Lessons end for Christmas Break
Monday Jan 7th
Lessons Resume
Mon-Fri March 18th- 22nd
Spring Break-no lessons
Lessons resume Monday March 26th.
Tuesday May 27th 6:45 Friendship Community Church
Piano Recital
Friday June 10th
lessons end for the year
Recitals are held at Friendship Community Church on Central Saanich Road in Saanichton (corner of Mount Newton X and Central Saanich Road) at 6:45pm.
Group Lessons are held in my studio.
The Royal Conservatory of Music has piano exams in January, June and August. The theory exams are held the second Saturday of December and May. Conservatory Exams have a set syllabus and students have to follow a certain list of scales and pieces for each grade. These exams can be very beneficial for certain students.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Joanne Lambert B.Mus. RMT AVCM