What You Need To Know...

Summer lessons are kicking into high gear this week!  I am looking forward to starting beginners, working with new students & continuing with my current kiddos!  Here are some important things you need to be aware of as we begin.

Reminder of Payment Policy:

• Your first payment for the summer is due at the first June lesson.  If you have more due, it will be collected at the first July lesson.  There will be no payment due in August unless special arrangements have been made with me prior to starting.
  
• Reeds are $15 each, and they are to be paid for at the time of purchase.  Please try to give a week's notice when reeds are needed.
• If you are involved in reed making classes, your reed kit is included in the June/July total already.  However, reed classes will be paid for at the time of the class.  Reed classes are $30 each.
• Now that the schedule is set, there are no make up lessons.

Lesson Protocol:

• Please make every effort to be early to lessons.  As you can see it is a tight schedule so I will be starting each lesson at the scheduled time.  If you are late, you will miss some of your time.  
• Please have your reed soaked & your instrument ready to go when it is your time.  That way we can get more accomplished during your lesson.
• ALWAYS have a pencil, metronome/tuner, necessary music, & assignment notebook at each lesson.
• Parents are always welcome to come in and enjoy the cool ac & the comfy couch!

Communication:

• I love teaching music & hope it shows!  I want to help each student improve and enjoy their musicality.  Please feel free to contact me with questions about anything!  Good teacher-parent-student communication is an important key to success.  If there is ever anything I should know to better teach you (or your child), please let me know & I will be sure to reciprocate.  I will give feedback on how things are going whether good or whether there is need for improvement.

Materials:

• I will occasionally request you to purchase a specific book or piece.  Please make every effort to do so.  I will be advising you on what level of material you are ready for.  You may also bring in outside materials & we will work on them if you are prepared on your assigned materials.  I love when students have music they are excited about!
• I will be requiring you to purchase a notebook of your choosing (it can be a little spiral or a journal type book) to write down assignments at each lesson.  Often students come to lessons & have neglected to practice their assigned material.  This is not a good behavior so it is my hope that their added responsibility of keeping up with their assignments will help them practice.

Practice:

• Speaking of practice....  Most people have heard the cliche, "Practice makes perfect," but that is not true!  Only PERFECT practice makes perfect!!!  Good practice makes better!
• There is such a thing as "bad practicing."  If you only play the parts you can already play & like to hear you are not really practicing... you are just playing.
• Use your time wisely.  Attack small sections that need work & practice SLOWLY!  It doesn't have to be a really long practice session to make progress.  As long as mistakes aren't being practiced, you will improve.  
• Be sure good practicing is occurring.  I will have many tips on good practicing on the blog as we go, so be sure to check in often!

Summer Reed Making Classes

I will be teaching 4 basic reed-making classes this summer.  These classes are open to all students that have completed their 7th grade year.  

Classes will be 90 minutes and cost $30 each.  You are highly encouraged to attend at least 3 classes if possible.  Dates:  Tuesday, July 7th (6:30-8:00);  Tuesday, July 14th (6:30-8:00); Tuesday, July 21st (6:30-8:00)  

You will need to purchase a reed tool kit as well as some extra cane and materials.  I will receive a 15% discount for ordering 3 or more kits.  I will be placing an order for kits soon so payment will be required at June's first lesson.  Keep in mind that kits are an investment and can be used for years.  Additional knives will need to be purchased down the road but this will be a good start.  The kit I am ordering is $97.50.  It only includes a couple of pieces of cane so I will be ordering extra cane & a couple of staples.  The total due for the materials will be $110.   

The important thing to remember before embarking on the reed making journey is just that... it is a journey.  Any seasoned reed-making oboist will admit to struggles along the way as well as many unsuccessful attempts.  There will be ruined cane, but don't consider it wasted money.  With every mistake something valuable is learned.

The likelihood of immediate oboe reed making success if small but just like any worthwhile endeavor, it will pay off with hard work and time.  You will need to devote time, energy, patience & effort in order to make progress.

I will be here to teach, guide, support & empathize.    

Summer Payment Policy

I will be requiring a 6 lesson minimum if you take summer lessons.  You will pay for the 6 summer lessons at the beginning of June.  If you choose to take more than 6 lessons, & schedules allow, then those additional lessons will be paid for at the beginning of July.  If you want summer lessons, and your schedule is such that you cannot make 6 lessons you will still have to commit to the payment to reserve a place in my studio.  I will make every attempt to find at least 6 dates that will work for you even if we do 2 lessons on a given week.  After lessons are scheduled, there will be no make ups. 

Summer Rate = $36/hour
30 min = $108 (6 summer lessons) +  $18 ea. additional lesson
45 min=  $162 (6 summer lessons) +  $27 ea. additional lesson
60 min=  $216 (6 summer lessons) +  $36 ea. additional lesson
90 min=  $324 (6 summer lessons) +  $54 ea . additional lesson

Reeds... How not to be a head case!

Reeds can be the bane of the oboe player's existence.  Now that that's out of the way...  Every oboe player must learn to take charge of this love-hate relationship with reeds.  

Reeds can become an easy excuse to turn to when the real problem is something that lies with the player.  Most often even a less than perfect reed (& let's face it most all reeds are) can be played with success if the player has the right attitude and technique.

Reeds can become intimidating and psychological if you let them.  The best thing an oboist can do is to be confident and in charge of their reeds.  I always tell my students that they must be the master of their reeds not a slave to them!

There are times when a reed is broken or old and needs to have the always cathartic "reed funeral" but too often we blame a reed that really has life still in it if we just give it a chance!

About Me

My name is Maegan Schneider and I have played the oboe for twenty two years and been a music educator for sixteen years. My experience includes teaching private oboe extensively as well as private lessons for flute, bassoon, saxophone, and clarinet. I have taught in different capacities in the Austin and Round Rock school districts for the past thirteen years.

I have my Bachelor of Music Education from The University of Texas. While I was attending UT I was a proud member & president of the University of Texas Longhorn Marching Band. I have also been a counselor and faculty member for the Longhorn Music Camps.

I was the Head Band Director at Lamar Middle School in AISD where I taught beginning woodwinds and beginning brass as well as directed the Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble. My bands won numerous awards including UIL Sweepstakes. I have judged many competitions such as Solo & Ensemble & Region Band and have helped place students on instruments at many beginner fairs.

I am a member of the Band of the Hills community band, and I currently teach lessons from home and am raising my two precious boys (7 & 3). I count it a real blessing to be able to raise my children & still teach music which has always been a big part of my life.

Maegan Schneider

E-mail: maegan@longhornband.net

Cell: 512.296.6945