Instrumental Music program signup

Tolbert Music is honored to serve Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School with our Symphonic Orchestra program.

This is an elective program offered to all students grades 2 and up. The program director, Mr. Marc Collier, will begin offering these classes soon! Students will be grouped based on ability level this year, with the ability to flex into more advanced groups if they are ready, and also to work with less experienced students if that is the right fit.

Students may choose to study any standard band/orchestral instrument including Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass. We have developed our own method book that allows students to learn all these instruments in the same classroom. We will continue to develop and choose other repertoire based on student progress level.

The Commitments:

• $40/Month or $300 paid up front for the full year: You will be provided a payment link on signup, or invoiced via Quickbooks monthly if you elect to pay that way. Please note that we charge this program on a 10-month Cycle. There is a lot of work done in August and in June outside of regular classes getting things set up and taken down at the end of the year. You may not have a full month every month due to holidays or the end of the year date, but we have figured that into our pricing. If more than 3 classes are missed due to unexpected cancellations across the year, we will offer makeup time.

• Full-year commitment. These instruments need time and commitment to get a real sense of them. Also, our teachers need to have clear expectations for the income across the school year. If you would like to request an exception and disenroll, please write to us so there is opportunity to repair before we grant a disenrollment.

• Instrument: You will need to make sure your student has an instrument for our classes. We have a rental partnership with Music and Arts that provides a discount on their superb rent-to-own program. Exact price depends on the instrument you rent but will range from $25/month to $45/month and every dollar you spend on the rental fees accrues equity towards owning the instrument. You do not have to go through us (and shouldn’t if you already own an instrument!) but we provide maximum convenience, the best pricing, high quality instruments, and the best repair network on offer. Please DO NOT buy a cheap instrument on Amazon. It will not work properly and when it inevitably breaks down it will not be worth repairing. Even if you do not use our rental service, please find a reputable rent-to-own program that provides quality instruments.

• Assistance Program: We understand that class fees AND instrument rental may be cost prohibitive to some families. We have an assistance program to help. All families that are on financial aid with the school automatically qualify. We are currently getting our hands on as many instruments as we possibly can from donations, and reliable but inexpensive used marketplaces. All students who elect into the assistance program will be provided an instrument by us from this program. If more students sign up than the number of instruments we end up having available, the available stock will be assigned with a random lottery. Please note that you will still be responsible for paying the class fees - only the instrument is provided at no cost. Students who opt into this program may share their preference on what instrument they would like to play, but there is no guarantee they will get their first choice as it will be dictated entirely on what we have in stock.

• Other Incidental costs: These will include some sheet music and instrument accessories, for example reeds for woodwinds. Nothing in this category is expensive but we want you fully informed.

• Practice: All these instruments are difficult. Progressing and enjoying the activity involves some regular practice. We recommend a minimum of 4 practices per week - roughly 30mins while accounting for some differences based on age and individual student focus level.