Policies Regarding Private Lessons

Payment for the trimester is due the first day of the trimester.  The last lesson of the trimester will be reserved for make-up lessons.  Any other lesson make-ups, or exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the teacher.  Students involved in sports sometimes will have to make choices between missing lessons and missing games.  It is the student’s responsibility to notify coaches or lesson instructors of their absence.

Intent to withdraw from lessons must be made in writing to the private instructor and Amy Hilliard.  Any refund for lessons will be at the discretion of the instructor.

Lessons will follow the school calendar and will generally begin the second or third week in September until the first week in June, at the discretion of the private instructor.

Occasionally school will be cancelled on the day of a lesson.  Private instructors can either make up that lesson during the last day of the trimester, or refund the cost of that lesson.

If an private instructor or student is unable to make a lesson, please be sure to notify the instructor, student, BCD main office and Amy Hilliard.

Private Music Lesson Recital

and

New Music Student Orientation

Furey Hall

Recital-2 PM, Sunday May 5th, 2013

Students who study privately with teachers at BCD will be performing for a recital.

Refreshments-3:00-3:15

New Music Student Orientation-3:15-3:45

Potential students and parents will have the opportunity to talk with music teachers and try out the various instruments available for after-school instruction at BCD.  (Please note that our violin/viola teacher will not be available on this day.)

Please contact Mrs. Hilliard with any questions

ahilliard@berkshirecountryday.org

Wednesday, September 12th

6:30 P.M. Furey Music Hall

Come and hear our fantastic after-school music staff play or sing!

Come and try out which instrument you like best!

Private and/or group lessons are available for violin, viola, trumpet, percussion, voice, guitar, cello, saxophone, composition, clarinet and flute.

If interested in piano lessons, please e-mail Mrs. Hilliard as soon as possible.  Our piano teacher has filled up her schedule already.  We are in the process of hiring an additional piano teacher, but need to have interest from several students before we can do so.

Our woodwind teacher’s availability is limited, but we do still have a few slots open.

Information about our program is available on www.mybcd.org/afterschoolmusic/ including bios and contact information for each instructor.

Feel free to e-mail Mrs. Hilliard at ahilliard@berkshirecountryday.org with any questions.

Hope to see you there!

We’re so happy that you are thinking about lessons for your child.  It will be a wonderful journey for your family.

There is an Instrumental Orientation Night on Wednesday, September 12th that will allow you to meet some (but not all) of the instructors and perhaps hear them perform.  It is always a fun evening.  We will have instruments to try at the end, if you are thinking about a woodwind, string or brass instrument.

If you know which instrument your child would like to study, now is a great time to contact the teacher directly.  Each instructor schedules their own lesson times.  Their contact information is under, “Contact Instructors.”  You will also deal directly with your child’s teacher in terms of payment and rescheduling of lessons.  When you are unsure about weather preventing after school lessons from taking place, please call the main office.

If you are having trouble reaching a teacher or if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mrs. Hilliard.  My e-mail address is ahilliard@berkshirecountryday.org

BCD offers private, after-school music lessons on the BCD campus. Currently, we offer voice, percussion, double bass, piano, violin, viola, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. We have a fine faculty of musicians who specialize on their instrument and who are experienced teachers. If you are interested in lessons for your child, please contact the instructor directly to discuss scheduling, fees, and any questions you have about lessons.

If you have questions about music lessons or the after-school lesson program, please contact me, Amy Hilliard,  via e-mail at ahilliard@berkshirecountryday.org.

This is a question that I am asked frequently here at BCD and in my home life.  There is no magic age to start and no universally correct answer to this question.  However, in general, brass and woodwind lessons are not given to students younger than nine or ten.  Guitar can be frustrating for some children before third grade, but not for all of them.  Piano, violin, viola and cello are often the first instruments for our students and are often begun as early as three years old.

When am I starting my own children on instruments?  They will be starting instruments when they enter 4th or 5th grade.  They will be ready and enthusiastic, and will do just fine.

Begin lessons when your child is ready to take direction from an adult, take responsibility for practicing and when the family is ready to devote time, money and energy into this wonderful new adventure.

Berkshire Country Day School’s

Upcoming Musical Performances

2011-2012

Winter Concert

December 9th 1:30-2:55, Fitzpatrick

Lower School Chorus (Grades 1-3)

Middle School Chorus

Middle School Band

Upper School Band

Musical Theater

US Arts Block Performing Groups

Thursday, February 16th, 1-2:30, Furey Hall

Musical Theater Students

Electronic Music

Guitar

Berkshire Country Day School’s Talent Show

Friday, April 13th at 6:30, Winthrop Theater

Private Music Lesson Concert

Sunday, April 22nd at 2 p.m., Furey Hall

Private students in BCD’s After-School Music Lesson Program perform

Lower School Music Concert

Friday, April 27th, 2:00-2:55, Furey Hall

Lower School Chorus

Kindergarten Children

3rd Grade Maypole Dance

Spring Music Concert

Friday, June 1st, 1:30-3:00. Fitzpatrick Hall

Middle School Chorus

Middle School Band

Percussion Ensemble

Upper School Band

Guitar Class

Vocal Ensemble

Caribbean Ensemble