<p>I realize son is doing things completely backwards (did not visit, did not audition on campus, did not take sample lessons first--crazy schedule!) but tomorrow he's flying to his top choice school(s) to check it (them) out and is going to have a couple of sample lessons and will sit in on lessons in one case. And will sit in on choir rehearsal and a couple of classes, and stay with a friend who's not a music student.</p>
<p>He wouldn't offer to pay in the lesson that he's sitting in on, but would he offer to pay for a lesson for just him? He's going to take a couple of pieces he's worked on.</p>
<p>Apologies if this has been asked/answered before--I did some searching but didn't find this exact question, as the previous threads are about paying for sample lessons before applying.</p>
<p>(Of course, no one will seem as good at first as his voice teacher, whom he's had since age 12!)</p>
<p>I think it's always appropriate to offer to pay for a private lesson. I usually gave our daughter a blank check signed and made out to the teacher, so she could ask after the lesson how much she owed (sometimes I was also there and did so myself, sometimes not) Responses varied from "oh no, this is my job, I couldn't possibly take your check" to "thank you very much, that will be $150.) The fact that your son has already been accepted doesn't really make the situation any different from the pre-acceptence lessons, since he's not a tuition-paying official student of the teacher yet.
Hope he'll find someone he loves as much or nearly as much as the first teacher!</p>
<p>thanks nycm. Good idea. There's certainly no harm in him taking checks written out to the teachers. If he adds anyone else, I can always send a check through the mail.</p>
<p>I should edit my previous post about his voice teacher--I made it seem as if he's had regular voice lessons for 6 years, which is not the case at all! He's just had this voice teacher two or three times a year as a boy when he had to fine-tune a big solo, 6 or so times a year as a freshman, now three or four times a month. I know there's concern about having voice lessons too early.</p>
<p>I'm glad this was asked. My D is taking a sample lesson at a school on Thursday and she has already been accepted. I planned to offer to pay but still wondered if there was any difference. So far, none of the teachers have accepted any payment.</p>
<p>DD did not do lessons until after acceptance and we did not offer to pay. We considered it more of an audiotn for the teacher to see if she would go there. Reversing the tables so to speak. There did not seem to be any expectation that she would pay. Maybe different for different schools.</p>
<p>As a professional musician and teacher, I believe you should ALWAYS offer to pay. It's just the polite thing to do. It shows a respect for the teacher's time and profession. That said, I am thrilled when the teacher refuses payment!</p>
<p>I agree with Operahorn. We have always offered payment for a teacher's time - even we were exploring new teachers during the kids' middle and high school years. The teacher can then decline if they so choose.</p>
<p>We always paid until the last round at college. We set the last ones up with the understanding that it was to determine whether there was a suitable match. There did not seem to be any expectation that there would be payment for them since they were done as part of the accepted students program.</p>
<p>I wonder how much is instrument specific. I'd love to see a list. S plays horn, and paid for two of three trial lessons for undergrad. This time around (for grad school), he only had one trial lesson (Rice) but was charged a fee.</p>
<p>D, on the other hand, plays violin, and was not charged for any of the five trial lessons she had.</p>
<p>Like others have noted, we always ask what the charge is, and are happy if they refuse payment. Any time you have a lesson with a teacher who is not <em>your</em> teacher - paid for by your tuition, it is appropriate to expect to pay.</p>
<p>In terms of after acceptance lessons, son had two during the summer prior to matriculation with his chosen studio instructor. These were at the teacher's suggestion, and son accepted because of the proximity, an hour's plus drive. </p>
<p>He did ask, but was not required to pay for these.</p>
<p>This is probably not the norm, but it was our experience. For reference, he had no prior experience/association with the instructor other than an investigatory trial lesson, and a two hour session on audition day, in the evening after his audition.</p>
<p>I don't think payment is "instrument specific". Several years ago, we payed $100 - 150 for violin lessons at 4 or 5 schools. One teacher requested a donation to the school in lieu of payment - anything we thought appropriate. These lessons were all with "name" teachers at stand alone conservatories.</p>
<p>Like Binx, I'd expect to pay if I don't have a different established arrangement (tuition) with a teacher. It seems, IMHO, that these are professionals and if I'm asking for their service (or advice or just a hearing!) that I should offer/expect to pay. If they decline, that's their business. (One teacher did indicate the fee requested was less than normal for private lessons.)</p>
<p>I thought these teachers were incredibly generous with their time to respond to e-mails and set up a lesson at all. If a significant portion of the 200 or so violin students who are auditioning at any given conservatory asks for a lesson, it's really creating a burden for already busy professionals. </p>
<p>I personally would also offer to pay for lessons even after acceptance. I see this a similar to the situation when S has lessons with his current teacher outside of his school's schedule (for example, a couple summer lessons when both are in town). I don't expect the teacher to teach for free outside of the school semester.</p>
<p>I completely agree with musicianmom, binx and others. These dedicated and generous teachers should be paid for their special time. It is such a privilege for our kids to get the exposure to them!</p>
<p>Okay - rethinking - I'm wondering now if the charge has more to do with the level of school. S aimed much higher than D. Maybe it is those higher in-demand teachers who have to charge in order to weed out frivolous applicants. But perhaps lower level schools don't deal with the same numbers of serious students wanting to ensure good teacher matches.</p>
<p>Binx, perhaps... I think as long as payment is offered no matter where the school or who the teacher, the bases are appropriately covered!</p>
<p>BTW, I hope I didn't imply in any sense that major conservatories and "name" teachers are the only places to get excellent music instruction. I know many fine, fine teachers who have not yet established national reputations who teach at lesser known schools.</p>
<p>D is a senior and ALWAYS offers payment for extra lessons with her teacher.
Frequently the extra lessons are offered by the teacher and she is very explicit that they are free (example--prep for a special audition). That is however the teachers call and one should never assume that an extra lesson is free. Especially with a teacher whose time is valuable andwho charges $150 an hour for private lessons. (Teacher has also been generous by offering D work in exchange for lessons.)</p>
<p>neumes, except for auditioning on campus, I did things just like your son. I didn't do any campus visits or take any sample lessons until I learned of acceptance.</p>
<p>I brought a blank check to my lessons as well, and asked how much I could pay them at the end. None of them took it - they all said that it was their job, and that it was a pleasure. </p>
<p>Even if the teacher won't take it, I think you should always ask. I completely agree with operahorn in that offering to pay shows respect for the teacher and their time!</p>