Pre-college flute lesson syllabus from Nicole Riner

Lesson Contract

Welcome! Below are some basic guidelines for lesson protocol and procedures for flute lessons with Nicole Riner at RMCMA. Please review this contract carefully and feel free to discuss it with me. You must return a signed copy of this contract in order to be enrolled in lessons; it is also advisable to keep a copy for yourself.

Contacting Me

The easiest way to reach me is at home, by any of the methods listed above. You are welcome to call me at home between 7am and 10pm, and I check email daily. If an emergency arises and you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so as soon as possible. Please note that I am only at RMCMA once weekly, so calling the office is not an effective way of reaching me in most cases.

Materials

Enrolling in flute lessons is a declaration that you care about what you do as a flute player and wish to improve; to that extent, it will sometimes be necessary to purchase specific materials to meet your goals. I try whenever possible to keep costs to a minimum, but there is certain staple literature that will need to be obtained. Flute music and books can best be purchased at Lafayette Music (303-661-9335) or online at www.fluteworld.com. Please make every effort to have required materials by the next lesson, and let me know if you are having difficulty obtaining them.

In addition to literature, it is imperative to have a flute which is in working order. I do not wish to take precious time in your lesson to make basic repairs (nor am I very well qualified to do so!); therefore, please be sure that your flute works properly when you arrive for your lesson. Please inquire at RMCMA’s office or with your local band director for a reputable repair person’s contact information. If you have questions or concerns during the week about how your instrument is responding, do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to make suggestions for home or professional repairs.

Finally, please bring a notebook of some kind to be used specifically for your flute lessons. In it you will record assignments as well as valuable notes which will help you retain new information from week to week. The notebook is for your benefit and I will not read it; however, I will request that you always have it present and refer to it often during lessons.

Preparation

I expect that you will prepare to the best of your abilities for each lesson. Preparation includes not only knowing notes and rhythms, but also having general opinions about musical interpretation and some knowledge of the composer, piece, and historical background surrounding the piece whenever possible. Most importantly, it is crucial to make steady progress in the areas we are trying to improve. If you arrive to your lesson and it is painfully clear that you have not practiced, you will be asked to leave and will not be granted a make-up lesson.

If you feel that you are consistently not able to prepare thoroughly for your lessons, please speak to me about it; we can discuss restructuring your assignments so that they better suit your needs and schedule.

Absences

My attendance policies are RMCMA’s attendance policies. As stated in the catalog, “All lessons cancelled by instructors will either be rescheduled, credited into the next term, or refunded. In addition, one make-up lesson per term is allowed for excused, advanced-notice student absences, i.e. illness, school function, etc. (24-hrs. unless emergency). No other student absences will be rescheduled, credited, or refunded, and the student will be charged for the missed lessons.”

In addition, tardiness ONLY UP TO TEN MINUTES will be tolerated; I will do you the same courtesy. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you may not find me in my office. If I am more than 10 minutes late, you may leave, and we will make up the lesson.

Payment

Payments should be made with the Nora or Rose in RMCMA’s business office. Please consult the Center’s current catalog for payment procedures and tuition rates.

Finally, if at any time you have questions or concerns regarding your lessons or other aspects of the flute, please speak up! I am here to help you learn and grow as a musician, and your experience should be a positive one!

Welcome aboard; I look forward to working with you!

Student Contract

(please print this sheet, sign, and return to Dr. Riner in your next lesson)

I have read and understand the above information and agree to abide by the

guidelines set out for flute lessons with Nicole Riner. If at any time I am

not able to remain in the studio, I will give notice of my withdrawal as soon

as possible.

_____________________________________ _______________________________

Student signature/Date Parent signature/Date if under 18

_____________________________________ ______________________________

Lesson Date and Time Lesson location