Vanderbilt University Trombone Studio

Studio Policies

Lessons are scheduled weekly. On some occasions, due to my performance requirements, it is necessary to reschedule. This will always happen with advance notice and in consultation with the student.
Assigned lessons are prepared as if they were to be publicly performed.
"Suggestions" for practice methods and routines are NOT optional, just politely put.
24 hours of advance warning is required if a the student needs to request the rescheduling of a lesson due to "Force Majure."
Tools and Materials will be ordered when requested.
It is expected that students will come to lessons clean, reasonably dressed, and warmed up before their assigned lesson times. If this is impossible, then it may be that a different lesson time is necessary.

A grade of "B" (3.0) is considered a good grade. It represents the student having complied with the assignment and doing a good job.
A grade higher than a "B" (3.0) is reflective of drive, excellence, and devotion to doing MORE than is requested.
Less than adequately prepared assigned lessons are given grades commensurate with the level of preparation and time spent.
Each student will keep a practice diary/log on a daily basis. This record is essential for establishing consistency and tracking practice habits and will be submitted for review each week during the student's lesson. The quality of this daily record is part of the weekly grade.
I reserve the right to dismiss a student from a lesson if, in my opinion, they are unprepared. This will never be done capriciously, but when done is intended to send the most serious kind of message to the student. The grade for this lesson will be "F". A make-up lesson will not be permitted.