“ALP” - the Applied Lesson Program

Academic Year 2007 - 2008

The Applied Lesson Program (ALP) is after school instrumental lessons given by professional musicians to students in Grades 4-12. ALP is coordinated with an instrumental curriculum taught by in-school directors.

Registration Notes: Those students who are new to the ALP program need to attend the Registration Night held at Milton High School on September 11 to sign up for lessons. Returning students need to contact their teacher before September 11 to be assured of a slot in the teacher's schedule.

This document has information pertaining to both new students as well as continuing students.

Please Note: in September 2005 the Instrumental Music Department of the Milton Public Schools revised the leveling curriculum. Please read the current Leveling Policy on the Leveling Page.

New Students

In-School Ensembles (Band/String Ensemble)

In-School Ensembles are not an automatic part of the beginner lesson program in the elementary schools. The in-school ensembles are comprised of students who have taken lessons for at least one year. In December, the lesson teachers can recommend beginners who are practicing diligently and progressing rapidly to join the ensembles. Only those recommended beginners will be notified by the in-school directors and start attending in-school rehearsals in January. Within a few rehearsals the in-school directors will determine if these recommended students are at an appropriate level to join the groups. If a recommended beginner is in the middle or high school, he/she will have to audition for the in-school director and will probably have to wait for the following year to attain an appropriate level.

WHERE:

Lessons are given at Milton High School in various classrooms.

WHEN:

Lessons are scheduled 3:30-9:00 p.m. on Mondays-Thursdays and from 2:30-7:00 p.m. on Fridays. There are no weekend lessons. The days and times that lessons are given depend on the lesson teacher's schedule. Not all instruments are offered every day nor at all times.

HOW OFTEN:

Lessons (30 minutes each) are given once a week. The year is divided into two sessions. Session I has 15 lessons. Session II has 15 lessons and one recital.

PAYMENT:

Full payment is made for one session when registering. Checks should be made out to the lesson teacher.

Types of lessons: beginning students may take private (1 student) or semi-private (2 students) lessons. All lessons are 30 minutes. Semi-private lessons can be scheduled only if there are two students available at the same time that fit into the teacher's schedule.

Session I
Private lessons = $290 (15 lessons at $18.00; registration fee of $20)
Semi-private lessons=$177.50 (15 lessons at $10.50; registration fee of $20)
Session II
Private lessons= $299 (same as Session I plus recital fee of $9.00)
Semi-private lessons=$186.50 (same as Session I plus recital fee of $9.00)

CANCELLATION POLICY:

There are no make-up lessons if the student cancels. The student should always call the lesson teacher to cancel. If the lesson teacher cancels, the lesson will be made up or refunded. Lesson teachers are only allowed two make-up lessons per session. If school is cancelled or released early due to inclement weather, lessons are cancelled and will either be made up by the teacher or refunded. Do NOT call Milton High School to cancel lessons; call the teacher directly. Make sure you have the number on your refrigerator, your cell phone, your lesson book and your instrument case.

RECITAL:

During one of the last weeks of Session II, the teacher will schedule a recital for all his/her students instead of lessons that week. Recitals are excellent motivation and inspiration. Teachers will notify parents exactly when/where the recital will be. Each teacher will have one recital during the entire school year.

LESSON CALENDAR:

There are many holidays and other events that interfere with scheduling lessons during the school year. Check the ALP Lesson Calendar every week to check when there are/are not lessons. There are never lessons on a no-school day.

BOOKS:

Lesson books and any music needed for lessons should be purchased directly from the lesson teacher.

PRACTICING:

Beginners need to spend 20 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week to make steady progress. Parents can help by giving them a quiet room, a music stand, and constant encouragement.

WHAT TO BRING TO LESSONS:

Bring your instrument, lesson book, notebook, and a pencil.

COMMUNICATION:

Make sure you have several contact phone numbers and the email address for your teacher and make sure he/she has them for you!

CLASSROOMS USED FOR LESSONS:

Parents should sit outside the classroom in the hallway because it is less disruptive to the lesson (there are chairs in the hallway). However, if parents want to wait inside the classroom, it is important not to bring food/drink into the classrooms or to sit at the classroom teacher’s desk. We need to leave the rooms exactly as we find them and appreciate your cooperation.

PROBLEMS:

If you have any problems with lessons or the lesson teacher, you first need to call the lesson teacher to discuss them. If you continue to have a problem, then you should contact Noreen Diamond Burdett, Director of Music for the Milton Public Schools at 617-696-4470 x5518.

Continuing Students

Registration

Continuing students need to be scheduled before the beginner registration night on September 11 or there may not be any spots left! If your teacher did not contact you over the summer, call him/her immediately! If you need the name/contact info for a teacher, ask your in-school ensemble director.

PAYMENT:

Full payment is made for one session when registering. Checks should be made out to the lesson teacher.

Types of lessons: continuing students may take private (1 student) or semi-private (2 students) lessons. All lessons are 30 minutes. Semi-private lessons can be scheduled only if there are two students who are at the same playing level and can schedule at the same time with the teacher.

Session I
Private lessons = $290 (15 lessons at $18.00; registration fee of $20)
Semi-private lessons=$177.50 (15 lessons at $10.50; registration fee of $20)
Session II
Private lessons= $299 (same as session I plus recital fee of $9.00)
Semi-private lessons=$186.50 (same as session I plus recital fee of $9.00)

CANCELLATION POLICY:

There are no make-up lessons if the student cancels. The student should call the lesson teacher to cancel. If the lesson teacher cancels, the lesson will be made up or refunded. If school is cancelled or released early due to inclement weather, lessons are cancelled and will either be made up by the teacher or refunded. Do NOT call Milton High School to cancel lessons; call the teacher directly. Make sure you have the number on your refrigerator, your cell phone, your lesson book and your instrument case.

RECITAL:

During one of the last weeks of Session II, the teacher will schedule a recital for all his/her students instead of lessons that week. Recitals are excellent motivation and inspiration. Teachers will notify parents exactly when/where the recital will be. Teachers will hold ONE recital during the school year.

LESSON CALENDAR:

There are many holidays during the school year. Check the ALP Lesson Calendar every week to check when there are/are not lessons. The lesson calendar is attached to this info.

BOOKS:

Lesson books and any music needed for lessons should be purchased directly from the lesson teacher.

PRACTICING:

Continuing students need to spend at least 30 minutes a day / 5 days a week to make steady progress. Parents can help by giving them a quiet room, a music stand, and constant encouragement.

WHAT TO BRING TO LESSONS:

Bring your instrument, lesson book, assignment notebook, a pencil, and enthusiasm!

COMMUNICATION:

Make sure you have several contact phone numbers and the email address for your teacher and make sure he/she has them for you!

CLASSROOMS USED FOR LESSONS:

Parents should sit outside the classroom in the hallway because it is less disruptive to the lesson (there are chairs in the hallway). However, if parents want to wait inside the classroom, it is important not to bring food/drink into the classrooms or to sit at the classroom teacher’s desk. We need to leave these rooms exactly as we find them and appreciate your cooperation.

PROBLEMS:

If you have any problems with lessons or the lesson teacher, you first need to call the lesson teacher to discuss them. If you continue to have a problem, then you should contact Noreen Diamond Burdett, Director of Music for the Milton Public Schools at 617-696-4470 x5518.