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​About Private Lessons

 

The Vandeventer Middle School Orchestra Program is fortunate to have an outstanding staff of highly qualified private lessons instructors. This private lesson program is designed to enrich and further the level of performance of our student musicians. One-on-one individual instruction is essential to a student's success and a large reason why orchestra programs are so successful in Texas. Our orchestra program at VMS is so successful because the majority of our students take private lessons.

 

We recommend all students sign up for private instruction during or outside of the school day as part of robust music education.

 

In order to be considered for Chamber orchestra placement in the future, students must regularly attend private lesson instruction. To remain competitive in the orchestra program, district, regionally, and at the state level, students and parents should consider private lessons a necessity.

 

Private lessons are designed and intended as an enrichment activity to assist students in their musical progress beyond what is possible in a classroom setting. 

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Students in the Chamber Orchestra are expected to take private lessons as a commitment to being involved with our Varsity Orchestra. Additionally, students must be active in weekly private lesson instruction prior to auditions to be considered for the Chamber Orchestra placement. Private Lessons can be taken at school, during the school day, or outside of school in the evening or on weekends.

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Before signing up for lessons, please review the following:

 

Frisco ISD Fine Arts Private Lesson Rates:

  • Middle School Rate: $25.00

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The rates listed above are for ½ of a regular class period or about 21 minutes.

 

Longer lessons may sometimes be coordinated with private teachers. For example, a double lesson, around 42 minutes, would take up one full class period during a regular day (Monday/Tuesday/Friday) or half of a class on block scheduling days (Wednesday/Thursday).

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When contacting Private Teachers for during school day lessons, please include the following in your communication:

  1. Student Full Name

  2. School - Vandeventer MS (many private teachers teach in Plano, Frisco, Allen, etc.)

  3. Length of lessons you are planning on taking during the school day

    1. (half class/21 minutes or, if available, full class/42 minutes)

  4. Any further questions

 

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Private Lessons OUTSIDE of the School Day 

(Evening or Weekend Lessons)

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Evening private lessons - please work directly with the private teacher for payment, schedule, lesson rate, etc. Orchestra directors do not need to be a part of this process.

 

When contacting Private Teachers for evening or weekend lessons, please include the following in your communication:

  1. Student Full Name

  2. School - Vandeventer MS (many private teachers teach in Plano, Frisco, Allen, etc.)

  3. Length of lessons you are planning on taking (30, 45, 60 min)

  4. That you are planning to take evening/weekend lessons

  5. If you have limited availability. Please note that private teachers may have very limited time slots available. 

  6. Any further questions

 

Many teachers offer longer lessons for their higher market rate which is to be discussed directly with the private teacher. I recommend 30-45 minute lessons for beginners and 45-60 minute lessons for Chamber Students and those planning to compete in All-Region, Solo and Ensemble, or wanting to be in the top orchestra.

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If you are not currently taking lessons and are committed to musical growth, please use the emails below to set up private lessons with an instructor at Vandeventer Middle School.

 

Violin and Viola Teachers:

 

Robert Padgett - padgett.music.llc@gmail.com

Tonia Pilliod - violakitten@gmail.com

Jeanny Whu - jeanny209@yahoo.com

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Cello Teachers:
 

Christopher Phillpott - cphillpott2@gmail.com

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Bass Teachers:

 

Caleb Evans - bassomaxo@gmail.com

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