Meet Your Teacher: Mr. Cory Haley

Mr. Cory is one of Tolbert Music’s most experienced and trusted educators. With nearly a decade of service in our programs, he has helped develop the very curriculum we use in our Band and Orchestra classes today.

Symphonic Orchestra Program

Tolbert Music is proud to partner with St. Rita School to offer our Symphonic Orchestra Program—an exciting opportunity for students in Grades 2 and up to explore and learn a band or orchestral instrument during the school day. Please read through the following details and use the form at the bottom of the page to sign your student up.

Instrument Choices

Students may select from a full range of standard orchestral and band instruments:

• Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone

• Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass

• Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium

• Percussion

Our custom method book allows students to learn these instruments in a single classroom, while progressing at their own level. Additional repertoire will be added throughout the year based on student development.

Program Commitments

Tuition

• $50/month ($500 Total)

• $450 if paid upfront for the full year

• $400 if signed until June 1st as a “returner discount”
  You’ll receive a payment link at signup or can opt for monthly invoices
  

• Note: Tuition is spread over a 10-month cycle (August–June). This includes setup time in August and wrap-up in June. While some months may include fewer sessions due to holidays, this is already factored into the pricing.
  ➡️ If more than 3 classes are canceled unexpectedly throughout the year, we will offer make-up time.

Full-Year Commitment

Instrumental learning requires time, consistency, and dedication. To ensure meaningful progress and program sustainability, we ask for a full-year commitment from all families.
If unforeseen circumstances arise and you wish to withdraw, please contact us—we are happy to work with you before processing any disenrollment.

Class Schedule and Academic Responsibility

Classes at St. Rita School will take place on Tuesday during the 2025-26 school year. Mr Cory will be taking students for approximately 45 minutes of class time. School administration and teachers are working together to make sure this is minimally disruptive to the students’ learning.

As students will miss a portion of the school day for music class, they are expected to make up any missed classwork.

Instruments

Your student will need their own instrument to participate. We partner with Music & Arts to offer:

• Affordable rent-to-own plans ($25–$45/month, depending on the instrument)

• Top-tier instrument quality

• A robust repair network

• All rental payments accrue equity toward owning the instrument

Already own an instrument? Great! Use that one and we’ll notify you if we think there are any issues with it.

⚠️ Do not purchase cheap instruments online (e.g., Amazon). These often malfunction quickly and are not worth repairing. If you rent elsewhere, ensure it’s a reputable rent-to-own program offering quality instruments.

Additional Costs

A few incidental costs may apply throughout the year, including:

• Sheet music

• Instrument accessories (e.g., reeds, valve oil, strings)

When visiting the music store, we highly recommend purchasing the Instrument Care Kit—it’s not an upsell; it includes essentials you will need.

Practice Expectations

These instruments take dedication! Students will enjoy the program more—and progress faster—with consistent practice.
We recommend:

• Starting by building a habit of taking the instrument out and making sounds as many times as possible during the week.

• Grow to reviewing the material learned in the week 4-5 times a week.

• Achieve a daily habit of practice between 15-30 minutes a day. Adjust to age and attention span.