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LESSONS:

Location: Lessons will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Students should report to the designated practice room in the Band Hall just before their appointed lesson time.

Number: Course of instruction will be divided into two terms including weekly lessons (30 or 60 minutes each) September through May.  The number of lessons per month in each term will vary with the Plano Public Schools calendars and Dr. Lattimore's performance commitments

Holidays: No lessons are scheduled during vacations and holidays observed by PISD unless arranged individually.

Absences: Dr. Lattimore's policies regarding absences are based on the Code of Ethics of the Music Teachers National Association and the universities of the nation.  When a student is unable to attend a lesson, the teacher must be notified as soon as possible.  This time may be used for a make up lesson for another student, if the teacher knows in advance.  Lessons will be made up if there is a legitimate reason and notification has been given in advance.  Lessons may be shifted when there is a conflict if advance notification is given.  No refund will be made if no reason or notification is given.  In the event of the instructor's absence, the lesson may be rescheduled at the convenience of the student and the teacher.

FEES:

Tuition: Payable at the end of each month, due by the tenth of the following month.  All checks should be made payable to Lee Lattimore.

Discontinuing Lessons: A month's notification is required if a student is discontinuing lessons.  Exceptions to this are illness and moving transfer.

Festivals: Fees for auditions, contests, and festivals will be announced before the respective deadline dates.

Materials: Fees for materials distributed to students should be paid separately and not included in the check for tuition payment.

HINTS TO THE PARENT ON PRACTICE MANAGEMENT:

Playing an instrument and giving of one's talent for the benefit of others may be pleasant and satisfying, but practice is not always fun.  The pieces learned may be enjoyed, but a difficult piece has to be practiced diligently first.  This takes self-discipline, patience, time and focus on the ultimate goal by both parent and child.

1. Take a positive approach in your coaching.  Try not to display indecision if your child expresses dissatisfaction during practice.  Focus their attention on the goal of learning to play the instrument.

2. Praise your child frequently for their efforts, and make time in your own schedule to listen to them play.

3. Consider giving a small reward for a week of good practice.

4. Talk to the teacher.  Let him know what is going on at home.  If a piece is particularly troublesome, perhaps a substitution may be made.

5. Monitor your child's practice.  A teacher may suggest and encourage ways to practice or request a practice report but cannot monitor the practice environment.

Practice: A regular practice schedule is vitally important to the success of the student.  For this reason students are expected to invest a minimum of the following amounts of time daily, based on their level of achievement:

 Beginner:  15 minutes daily
 Year 1   30 minutes daily
 Year 2:   45 minutes daily