Please read and sign below as indicated:

The private lessons program is designed to give your child the opportunity to study privately with some of the area's finest musicians and educators.  Students enrolled in the program are afforded a tremendous advantage over those without private instruction.  Benefits of private instruction include:

--One-on-one tutorials over class material and individual competition music
--Advanced instrumental methods
--Exposure to different and challenging musical works
--Performance opportunities
--Increase in competitiveness with students from around Central Texas
--Exposure to exceptional musicianship from their mentor/instructor

All instructors involved in the program are individually distinguished musicians in and around Central Texas, and include training from the following institutions: Baylor Univ., Univ. of Texas at Austin, New Mexico St. Univ., Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas St. Univ. at San Marcos, and Univ. of Alabama.

Participation in the program requires a commitment from your child to master his or her instrument.  Students will attend a 25-minute lesson with their assigned instructor once every week throughout the school year.  In addition, it is expected that your child maintain a healthy routine of daily practice.  Lessons are held in the SBMS Band Hall and surrounding facilities or in another public location.

Due to the amount of time these instructors have willingly committed, as well as their expenses accrued from travel to South Belton each week, compensation has been set at a rate of $15-$25 per week for each of your child's lessons.  This fee is nominal when you consider that many private teachers in the major metropolitan areas charge anywhere from $50-$75 per lesson.  Private Lesson Scholarships are also available to help defer part of the cost of these lessons.  Please email sara.wiley@bisd.net if you are interested in more information.

We hope you view this invitation as a terrific opportunity for you to support your child's music education.  It is of utmost importance that every child be enrolled in private instruction, if possible.  Take time to speak with your child about the lessons program and carefully consider the commitment.  Thank you for your time, and thank you for supporting the SBMS Band!