I am definitely considering lessons at The Sparrow, but is there a way I can give it a try first before committing?
Yes indeed! We have two options for trying out the lesson experience before committing indefinitely:
- Trial Lessons are available to new students at the standard rate of pay, but do not require a contract. Trial lessons are a great way to meet one of our Sparrow teachers and let a student get a taste of the lesson experience.
- Summer sessions are also available for the months of July and August! Standard contract regulations apply, but with the benefit of having a set final lesson date on the calendar. In the case that you would like to continue with lessons in the fall, simply arrange with us as soon as you know you would like to continue! We cannot guarantee the same lesson time for the fall, but will most certainly arrange a lesson time that fits your schedule and allows for a student to remain with their summer session teacher.
How do semi-private lessons work?
Semi-private lessons are a wonderfully economical choice that still allow for a high standard of personal investment and learning. There are two scenarios where we find semi-private lessons to be most effective:
- Students at the same level: When both students are at an equal skill level, then we are able to use the same books and thereby move through the material at the same rate as a private lesson.
- Siblings: Even if at different skill levels, joint lessons for siblings are intended to ease the cost of investing in music when multiple children have interest. However, do keep in mind that since students would be using different material, the lesson functions as a split lesson (15 minutes per child) as opposed to joint, so we will most likely be working at a slowed pace. That in mind, we do offer family rates where two immediate family members are each enrolled in weekly, private lessons.
Do you offer bi-weekly lessons?
We have found that the structure of a weekly lesson is most ideal for a solid foundation of learning through frequent and consistent reinforcement. Therefore we only offer weekly lessons. However, if you are an adult student interested in pursuing lessons, an exception might be made for bi-weekly lessons, although keep in mind that lesson time options will be limited.
Can you tell me that rate again?
Your investment for standard, private instruction is $28 for weekly 30 minute lessons. Invoices are received on the 23rd of each month with a due date of the 26th, and reflect the number of lessons in the following month.
Do you offer a family rate?
We would love to work with you on arranging a family rate. Though do keep in mind that the intent of a family rate would be to lighten the investment of lessons on the income of one household. Therefore a family rate will only be applicable when two immediate family members are enrolled in weekly, private lessons.
How often will you raise your rates?
As very firm believers in financial stewardship, we want to be absolutely upfront about your investment. We are on a 2 year cycle. Current standard rates as of fall 2024 are $28 per 30 minute lesson, which means we will not raise rates again until the fall of 2026 in consideration of market fluctuations and overall cost of living. We don’t want you to be taken off guard, and will notify families by the previous May of what the new rate will be.
Do you offer in home lessons?
In home lessons are a phenomenal option for homeschooled students that have morning availability. Currently only those students who would be pursuing instruction with Mr. Jordan can take advantage of in home lessons. In home lessons are subject to an additional travel fee per lesson of $5 + .22¢ per round trip mile between your home and The Sparrow (Yorkville, IL).
Are books required?
Yes. Our teaching methodology believes that book study is necessary to teach certain concepts and implement student practice throughout the week. We also want to ensure that both teacher and student are working from one book together so as to better maximize lesson time.
Is there homework?
Although we simply refer to it as practice, yes, it certainly does need to take place at home! Private instruction is more than a weekly music class. There is an expectation that your child will work on what they have learned with their instructor and use that knowledge to grow in their musical skill.
What is your lesson cancelation policy?
Your studio contract will outline cancelations deemed acceptable (i.e. illness) or unacceptable (i.e. forgetting a lesson), and make up lessons will then be scheduled accordingly. For pre-planned events or social gatherings, we kindly request 10 days cancelation notice. All other acceptable cancelations must be made outside of 24 hours, unless due to illness or family emergency. Cancelations by the instructor will automatically be subject to a make up lesson.
Do you host any student recitals?
We are currently required to limit our number of Sparrow students, and so have not recently been able to accommodate any recitals. Although we have loved hosting recitals in the past, and hope to infuse that opportunity back into our Sparrow family. Thankfully our rates reflect what we are able to accommodate. Should you desire performance opportunities for your student, please consider bringing this up to your student’s instructor so that we might best see how to find performance opportunities that will encourage the musical growth of your child.
What is the primary focus of your teaching method- Jam buddy? Theory? Composition?
We are very serious about the foundation upon which a student’s musical training is built. Even though we ourselves, as teachers of the Sparrow, have invested in vocational opportunities that cater very little to notes on a page (i.e. church worship leaders and touring musicians) we believe that training should begin with a solid concept of theory and notation. Therefore we require all of our students to learn from books of study.
However, we also love to utilize that foundation as a way to venture into learning a favorite pop melody or jamming bar chords to a movie soundtrack. We will not begin there, but we will most enthusiastically grow there.
Any chance your delve into songwriting or worship ministry?
Oh my goodness, yes. Both our shared involvement in the music industry and extensive leadership in the church have largely shaped who we are as musicians. Whether you have a student that craves writing original pieces or a student that is wanting to hone in on harmonies for their worship team, we would love to move beyond advancing musical instruction and towards a fine tuned focus.
I’m interested! Now what?
Wonderful! Simply fill in our Lesson Inquiry Form. We are excited to hear from you!