Probably a silly question

<p>Is it proper, worthwhile, appropriate, or of any value to schedule a sample lesson with a profesor you have already studied with at a summer program? How about if it occured at a different venue, not the university?</p>

<p>Flutemom - if you are visiting the campus anyway, I would certainly contact the professor. If your child met the professor at camp, and was impressed enough to consider attending his (or her - but I'm too lazy to keep writing both) school, then another lesson with said professor can only be a good thing. "Sample" in this case is perhaps a misnomer. My S gets lessons from favorite teachers whenever he's in their area - whether he has any intention of longer study with them or not, because he feels he can learn from them. </p>

<p>I also thinks it's a good idea to contact the professor simply to let him know of the interest. If the teacher is teaching a larger number of students at camp, he may not remember any individual enough, and another contact will help cement your D in his mind. It's a compliment to say, "I had lessons with you last summer, am going to visit your campus, and would love to have another lesson with you if you have time. If not, would you have time to sit a bit with me and discuss the program here?"</p>

<p>Faculty at music schools are often expected to encourage applicants with "sample" lessons. If you have already had lessons with a faculty member and want to do additional studies, it is probably a good idea to do this on a fee for service basis.</p>

<p>Even if that previous lesson was not connected to the school and paid for as part of a summer program?</p>

<p>We always offered to pay for introductory lessons. Never had to. At the least, some sort of nominal gift is probably appropriate. I have a bunch of handmade reed cases that seem appropriate. I think we are missing some key information. What do you want to accomplish? Renewing a contact or a free lesson?</p>

<p>We also offered to pay for the "sample lessons" both of our kids took. Sometimes we had to pay and other times we didn't. I think each school and teacher has their own policy on payment. Inquire about payment when you make the appointment for the lesson. Cost (when we paid) ranged from $50 to $100 for the lessons. DS is doing them again for grad schools and he has paid as much as $150 for a lesson.</p>

<p>Our son took lessons with the professor that he is finally studying with everytime he visited campus, even when there for an outside competition. He always inquired about the fees when lining up the meeting. This professor only took a check the very first time. He had a total of five on-campus lessons.</p>

<p>No free lessons would not be worth the travel expense. And I understand that offering to pay is appropriate.</p>

<p>Some of the schools she has not visited but has taken lesson(s) with the professor, sometimes two or more years have passed. So some contact with the professor seemed appropriate during a visit. The time factors and location factors confused the issue.</p>

<p>binx advice seems to make a great deal of sense and fit the situation.</p>