What are Private Lessons?
Private lessons can play an essential role in the development of any child’s musical education. The benefits
of private lessons are very rewarding and advantageous to a child’s growth on their musical instrument.
Private lessons offers one on one instruction once a week for thirty minutes with a professional musician on
your child’s instrument. A student will learn more about his or her instrument in one 30-minute lesson than
they would in an entire semester in band without lessons. Providing individual attention for every member
of the band is impossible for one band director Private lessons provides that individual attention a student
requires by helping solve a particular problem they may be having and providing individual instruction in
meeting their particular needs. It is much like a private tutor in algebra or a biology class.
The benefit of lessons is endless. A student in lessons will learn additional fundamentals that a band
director may not be able to get to in one class period. Our students learn proper tone production on their
instrument by listening to what a superior tone sounds like from a professional musician. Students will
improve in tempo characteristics, scale study, better range throughout the instrument, articulation study,
pitch tendencies, and rhythmic accuracy. They will also benefit by learning music faster, develop their tone
to sound better, read music quicker, and learn to practice at home the right way. Your child will also receive
help in all-region music, solo and ensemble music, fundamental study, and various music the band
performs throughout the year.
Many parents have asked, “How will a 30 minute lesson per week help my child” Besides all of the
instruction your child will receive above, statistics have proven that private lessons is extremely beneficial to
any child’s development. Those students in lessons have a greater chance in being selected into the all-
region band, earning first divisions in the solo and ensemble competition, and being selected in the top
ensemble in their school. Many students across the state of Texas audition for the all-region band and
many work very hard to be selected to the all-state band. A majority of the students who are selected for
the all-region band will study privately. It is widely known that student's who have been selected to the
Texas All-state band, have been offered many scholarships around the country to become members of a
university band. Many schools have offered full scholarships to students to perform in university ensembles
without having to major in music. There is not one student in the All-State band who does not take private
lessons.
For the cost of cable or a cell phone bill, you can give your student the greatest gift in music. Providing your
child private lessons will only help them improve in their musical education in junior high and in high school.
The band directors work very hard to provide your child the best music education we have to offer, however
there is only so much we can do. Private lessons give your child the knowledge they need to be incredible
musicians and the individual attention they need. We realize that lessons cost money and it is a financial
commitment, but the happiness in your child’s eyes when they have accomplished something extraordinary
makes the cost worth every penny.
If you have any more questions about private lessons, Contact your child’s band director for further
information.
All-Region and All-State Band
The All-Region ensemble is a band made up of the finest and most talented students in Region 9.
Magnolia High School belongs to this region, along with Spring, Klein, Conroe, Tomball, and many other
school districts. In December the region holds auditions for placement in one of the three all-region bands.
If one of our students is selected, they will be invited to participate in several rehearsals, at an area high
school, with a very talented and prestigious band director. Many of our clinicians are band directors from top
quality high school bands and universities from around the country. After the rehearsals the band will hold a
concert for friends and family. This occurs in the month of January. Being selected to the all-region band is
a very high honor for our students.
If a member of our band is selected as one of the top musicians in the All-region band, they will
automatically be placed in the All-Area band. This band is made up of the finest musicians in a vast area.
MHS belongs to Area D which is made up of many schools in the Houston, Austin, and Central Texas area.
If you are selected in the Area band, you will be invited to participate in the auditions for the Texas All-
State band. Auditions for this prestigious band occurs in January. If you are selected, you will be a member
of the finest concert ensemble in the United States. The Texas All-State band is made up of the top 1% of
all high school band musicians in Texas. This is the highest honor any high school musician can achieve.
Many students who are selected to the All-State band receive numerous scholarships from universities
around the United States.
MISD Offers Private Lessons For
Flute
Oboe and Bassoon
Clarinet (Bb and Bass Clarinet)
Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, and Bari)
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion
Frequently Asked Questions
“How much do lessons cost?”
Private lessons cost can range anywhere from $15 - $40 per lesson for 30 minutes each lesson depending
on the quality of teacher that is found. A college student may charge around $15 per lesson and a
professional musician will charge on the high end of the scale. Most of our teachers are in the $15 - $25
range. A typical four-week month will cost $60 - $100.
“When do private lessons start?”
Private lessons begin the first week of school. All of our teachers will be given information of the students
who want lessons and they will be calling you to set-up a time to start. We also have each teachers phone
number available on the website.
“Where and when are private lessons?”
Lessons are once a week. The time and place is up to you and the private teacher. Our teachers teach their
lessons in the Magnolia High School band hall every Monday through Friday after school starting at 4:00pm.
During football season, the band hall is closed on Friday night games. Teachers may teach lessons during
your child’s band period. Directors will release students to have lessons with their private teacher. Again,
your teacher will contact you to set-up times.
“Can we take lessons in the summer?”
YES! You may take lessons in the summer, however the band hall will not be opened during the summer.
Students must arrange with their teacher where and when they will take lessons. Most teachers will travel to
your house, or they may ask for you to travel to theirs. We encourage all of our students to take privately
over the summer.
“If my child takes lessons, is it guaranteed he or she will be in the top band?”
Lessons do not automatically place a child in the top band. There are also no guarantees that your student
will automatically make the region band. As in life, the students must work hard if they want to be
successful. Lessons only work when a student uses them to their advantage. If a student takes lessons, but
does not practice his or her instrument, than that student is not taking advantage of the quality of
instruction he or she is receiving.
“How do I pay for private lessons?”
You will pay your private teacher directly. Band directors will not take money for private teachers. All
teachers will ask for payment at the end of each month. You will only be charged for those lessons your
student attends. Most teachers will ask for the payment at the last lesson of each month. We ask that you
pay your teachers on time. For most private teachers, this is how they earn a living. Also, never pay a
teacher in advance. Please talk to a band director if this happens.
“Do I have to use one of the private teachers in the district?”
No, you do not have to use one of our teachers, however we highly encourage you to do so. We caution
parents in finding teachers on their own. Not all great musicians are great teachers. In the case that any of
our teachers are found not to be teaching to our standards, we ask those teachers to leave and the district
will go through the process to find another private teacher. Our teachers go through a detailed interview and
background check. Each teacher is selected for his or her exceptional abilities, and we only hire those
teachers that will give our students a quality education.
“Are private lessons required to be in band?”
No, we cannot require a student to take private lessons, however we are HIGHLY encouraging it. As the
bands in Magnolia ISD become larger, more students will begin to study privately. This will only improve the
overall quality of the band. Taking lessons is extremely valuable to your child’s success in band. There are
no negatives, only positives in taking lessons. Private lesson’s benefits everyone in the band.
Private lessons can play an essential role in the development of any child’s musical education. The benefits
of private lessons are very rewarding and advantageous to a child’s growth on their musical instrument.
Private lessons offers one on one instruction once a week for thirty minutes with a professional musician on
your child’s instrument. A student will learn more about his or her instrument in one 30-minute lesson than
they would in an entire semester in band without lessons. Providing individual attention for every member
of the band is impossible for one band director Private lessons provides that individual attention a student
requires by helping solve a particular problem they may be having and providing individual instruction in
meeting their particular needs. It is much like a private tutor in algebra or a biology class.
The benefit of lessons is endless. A student in lessons will learn additional fundamentals that a band
director may not be able to get to in one class period. Our students learn proper tone production on their
instrument by listening to what a superior tone sounds like from a professional musician. Students will
improve in tempo characteristics, scale study, better range throughout the instrument, articulation study,
pitch tendencies, and rhythmic accuracy. They will also benefit by learning music faster, develop their tone
to sound better, read music quicker, and learn to practice at home the right way. Your child will also receive
help in all-region music, solo and ensemble music, fundamental study, and various music the band
performs throughout the year.
Many parents have asked, “How will a 30 minute lesson per week help my child” Besides all of the
instruction your child will receive above, statistics have proven that private lessons is extremely beneficial to
any child’s development. Those students in lessons have a greater chance in being selected into the all-
region band, earning first divisions in the solo and ensemble competition, and being selected in the top
ensemble in their school. Many students across the state of Texas audition for the all-region band and
many work very hard to be selected to the all-state band. A majority of the students who are selected for
the all-region band will study privately. It is widely known that student's who have been selected to the
Texas All-state band, have been offered many scholarships around the country to become members of a
university band. Many schools have offered full scholarships to students to perform in university ensembles
without having to major in music. There is not one student in the All-State band who does not take private
lessons.
For the cost of cable or a cell phone bill, you can give your student the greatest gift in music. Providing your
child private lessons will only help them improve in their musical education in junior high and in high school.
The band directors work very hard to provide your child the best music education we have to offer, however
there is only so much we can do. Private lessons give your child the knowledge they need to be incredible
musicians and the individual attention they need. We realize that lessons cost money and it is a financial
commitment, but the happiness in your child’s eyes when they have accomplished something extraordinary
makes the cost worth every penny.
If you have any more questions about private lessons, Contact your child’s band director for further
information.
All-Region and All-State Band
The All-Region ensemble is a band made up of the finest and most talented students in Region 9.
Magnolia High School belongs to this region, along with Spring, Klein, Conroe, Tomball, and many other
school districts. In December the region holds auditions for placement in one of the three all-region bands.
If one of our students is selected, they will be invited to participate in several rehearsals, at an area high
school, with a very talented and prestigious band director. Many of our clinicians are band directors from top
quality high school bands and universities from around the country. After the rehearsals the band will hold a
concert for friends and family. This occurs in the month of January. Being selected to the all-region band is
a very high honor for our students.
If a member of our band is selected as one of the top musicians in the All-region band, they will
automatically be placed in the All-Area band. This band is made up of the finest musicians in a vast area.
MHS belongs to Area D which is made up of many schools in the Houston, Austin, and Central Texas area.
If you are selected in the Area band, you will be invited to participate in the auditions for the Texas All-
State band. Auditions for this prestigious band occurs in January. If you are selected, you will be a member
of the finest concert ensemble in the United States. The Texas All-State band is made up of the top 1% of
all high school band musicians in Texas. This is the highest honor any high school musician can achieve.
Many students who are selected to the All-State band receive numerous scholarships from universities
around the United States.
MISD Offers Private Lessons For
Flute
Oboe and Bassoon
Clarinet (Bb and Bass Clarinet)
Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, and Bari)
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion
Frequently Asked Questions
“How much do lessons cost?”
Private lessons cost can range anywhere from $15 - $40 per lesson for 30 minutes each lesson depending
on the quality of teacher that is found. A college student may charge around $15 per lesson and a
professional musician will charge on the high end of the scale. Most of our teachers are in the $15 - $25
range. A typical four-week month will cost $60 - $100.
“When do private lessons start?”
Private lessons begin the first week of school. All of our teachers will be given information of the students
who want lessons and they will be calling you to set-up a time to start. We also have each teachers phone
number available on the website.
“Where and when are private lessons?”
Lessons are once a week. The time and place is up to you and the private teacher. Our teachers teach their
lessons in the Magnolia High School band hall every Monday through Friday after school starting at 4:00pm.
During football season, the band hall is closed on Friday night games. Teachers may teach lessons during
your child’s band period. Directors will release students to have lessons with their private teacher. Again,
your teacher will contact you to set-up times.
“Can we take lessons in the summer?”
YES! You may take lessons in the summer, however the band hall will not be opened during the summer.
Students must arrange with their teacher where and when they will take lessons. Most teachers will travel to
your house, or they may ask for you to travel to theirs. We encourage all of our students to take privately
over the summer.
“If my child takes lessons, is it guaranteed he or she will be in the top band?”
Lessons do not automatically place a child in the top band. There are also no guarantees that your student
will automatically make the region band. As in life, the students must work hard if they want to be
successful. Lessons only work when a student uses them to their advantage. If a student takes lessons, but
does not practice his or her instrument, than that student is not taking advantage of the quality of
instruction he or she is receiving.
“How do I pay for private lessons?”
You will pay your private teacher directly. Band directors will not take money for private teachers. All
teachers will ask for payment at the end of each month. You will only be charged for those lessons your
student attends. Most teachers will ask for the payment at the last lesson of each month. We ask that you
pay your teachers on time. For most private teachers, this is how they earn a living. Also, never pay a
teacher in advance. Please talk to a band director if this happens.
“Do I have to use one of the private teachers in the district?”
No, you do not have to use one of our teachers, however we highly encourage you to do so. We caution
parents in finding teachers on their own. Not all great musicians are great teachers. In the case that any of
our teachers are found not to be teaching to our standards, we ask those teachers to leave and the district
will go through the process to find another private teacher. Our teachers go through a detailed interview and
background check. Each teacher is selected for his or her exceptional abilities, and we only hire those
teachers that will give our students a quality education.
“Are private lessons required to be in band?”
No, we cannot require a student to take private lessons, however we are HIGHLY encouraging it. As the
bands in Magnolia ISD become larger, more students will begin to study privately. This will only improve the
overall quality of the band. Taking lessons is extremely valuable to your child’s success in band. There are
no negatives, only positives in taking lessons. Private lesson’s benefits everyone in the band.
PRIVATE LESSON INFORMATION
PRIVATE LESSON INFORMATION
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