The Singing School

For so long, music lessons have been stuck in a rut that goes something like this: Mom signs child up for lessons. Child goes to lesson. Child didn't practice. So the lesson becomes a really expensive practice session. Child takes lessons like this for 2-5 years and ends up not learning much at all or maybe capable of playing a couple of songs at church. And Mom has forked out thousands of dollars over the years. Yikes!

Well, welcome to The Singing School. We have revolutionized lessons (both singing and instrumental) into an entire musical experience. No more signing up for a 30 minute slot once a week, for your child to receive a lecture on practicing. You're joining a team - a club, so to speak. Here's how it works:

• Power Practice. Your child comes to The Singing School at least twice a week, though he/she is welcome to come more often to practice. Yep - practice here, if you like. And if a few kids show up to practice at the same time, we might just have them quiz each other on rhythms. Or play some scales together. Or work on flashcards. Or if the teacher is wandering by, she might just listen in and give some pointers. So come on over and practice here. (*There are practice time-slots, and this is not to serve as a daycare.)
• One-on-One Lesson. One-on-one lessons last 15-20 minutes. Because, really, it only takes that long for beginning students to play/sing through previous assignments, get new assignments and get some pointers on hand position, fingering, breathing, etc. After a long day of school, kids' attention spans are only so long, and beginning students just really need more activity and less staring at the teacher.
• Class Time. Theory, rhythm, a little music history, some composition, some dictation - all of that is done in a class setting. That would be the second time your child comes to The Singing School each week. Classes are organized by skill level, and if your child works hard and gets ahead, he/she will be moved up to the next level. For singers, "classes" are vocal ensembles. Join the Children's Chorus, Chamber, Women's, and more. We will admit, though, that everyone gets a taste of singing, regardless of instrument. After all, this is The Singing School. 
• Stop spending so much on books and sheet music. Why buy a basic method book just to breeze through it and never use it again? Instead, how about you just borrow a book from our library of music and return it when you're done? Or maybe you want to play music from multiple books, but don't want to pay for them all. Perfect. Borrow your heart out.
• More performance and culture opportunities. With so much to offer, we can really increase your exposure. Students have the opportunity to play for each other during classes and at other group activities. This helps them get those jitters out faster so they can become comfortable performing sooner.
• Not just for kids - and the possibilities are endless. Want to put a group together with some friends? Need a coach for a barbershop quartet? Want some conducting lessons for a month? Call us - we love starting new things and can usually work out new and creative classes, groups, and lessons.

Fees. Again, this is different. All fees are paid using monthly Pay-Pal drafts. We like it because we won't have to chase you down for a check. You'll like it so you won't have to remember your checkbook (Who uses those anymore, anyhow?). And here's how much it'll come to:

• Base rate: $40/month per student. This gives you one class or vocal group per week plus practice privileges. Beginning instrument students are required to take one month of classes only before beginning private lessons, so this will be the rate for that month. 
• Beginner private lesson add-on: $20/month. This get's you a private 15 minute lesson once a week. Really, that's a steal - $5 per lesson. It also means you could sing in an ensemble and take piano and vocal lessons - all for $80/month. Pretty good deal. 
• Intermediate private lesson add-on: $40/month. This get's you a private 30 minute lesson once a week. Because we know that, at some point, you have the skill and patience to really fill up that 30 minute, traditional time-slot.
• Advanced private less add-on: $60/month. No worries - by "advanced," we are talking collegiate skill or above. And at that point, this is still a steal. This is also for 30 minute lessons.
• One-time, non-refundable $25 deposit. The primary purpose of this is to hold your place and make sure you are really going to show up. The money is mostly used to purchase more supplies, instruments, and music books so we can always be well-stocked and have whatever you need!

*Monthly rates cover 48 weeks of lessons per year. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, this means we all get a smidge of a vacation once in a while. Some months may have 5 lessons and others may have 3. But the monthly rate stays the same regardless.

Interested or want more information? Call (801) 708-2609 or fill out the contact form.