Private Lessons

All Ages. No experience necessary.

Private lessons are a key component to reaching one's full music potential as a musician. Merit School of Music's faculty provides students with expert private instruction on all instruments for classical and jazz music. All ages and levels of musical ability are welcome.

Working one-in-one with our skilled and supportive faculty, private lesson students explore their individual talents and interests, develop skills and overcome challenges. Private lessons teach students dedication, commitment, and achievement. Feedback is a required part of the process.

PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR:
• Brass: trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba
• Composition/Theory
• Guitar
• Jazz
• Percussion: orchestral percussion, drum set
• Piano
• Strings: violin, viola, cello, string bass
• Voice
• Woodwinds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone

SCHEDULE FOR PRIVATE LESSONS

Private lessons are available Monday through Saturday and occur based on instructor and family availability. If you are a new student and do not have an instructor preference, the private lesson manager can assist you with finding one.

Private lessons occur at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center in Chicago's West Loop and take place whenever the building is open. If you have questions concerning your private lesson schedule please consult your private lesson instructor.

All students must register with Student Services and their account must be in good standing before private lessons can begin. Private lessons are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis so please register as early as possible before the semester starts to ensure a convenient time. Due to the nature of scheduling private lessons it could take up to 7 days to schedule the first lesson.

Summer: June 4, 2012 - September 1, 2012

Tuition

Regular Non-Program Private Lesson Rates

$70    60 minute lessons
$53    45 minute lessons
$36    30 minute lessons

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PRIVATE LESSON PASSPORT

Passports provide even greater private lesson discounts for students enrolled in our Instrumental Music Program, Ensemble Camps, or Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory and are calculated in addition to any financial aid available to our families.

Private lesson passports are available for students with approximately one year playing experience and are based on a student's steady progression through Merit's curriculum. Please contact Student Services for more information regarding passport eligibility.

Passport Rates
$65    60 minute lessons
$49    45 minute lessons
$33    30 minute lessons

PRIVATE LESSON PACKAGE

Private Lessons are available Monday through Saturday. Private lessons may begin at any point during the summer. Select from the following Private Lesson packages.

12 PL Package Non-Program**
$840    60 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $290)
$636    45 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $222)
$432    30 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $154)

9 PL Package Non-Program**
$630    60 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $290)
$477    45 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $222)
$324    30 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $154)

6 PL Package Non-Program**
$420    60 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $290)
$318    45 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $222)
$216    30 minutes (First four lessons + reg. fee = $154)

12 PL Passport Package*
$780    60 minutes (First four lessons = $260)
$588    45 minutes (First four lessons = $196)
$396    30 minutes (First four lessons = $132)

9 PL Passport Package*
$585    60 minutes (First four lessons = $260)
$441    45 minutes (First four lessons = $196)
$297    30 minutes (First four lessons = $132)

6 PL Passport Package*
$390    60 minutes (First four lessons = $260)
$294    45 minutes (First four lessons = $196)
$198    30 minutes (First four lessons = $132)


In addition, financial aid is available for qualifying households when private lessons are added to other summer programs (this includes all summer instrumental camps and ensemble camps and will be offered to students registered for the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory summer ensembles). An additional registration fee is not required for students already enrolled in summer programs.

** Limited financial aid is available for students not enrolled in Merit summer music programs.

Financial aid and instrument loans are available.

Registration is easy!

Please note that private lesson registration cannot be completed using our online system.
Please contact student services to register for private lessons.

REGISTER BY PAPER APPLICATION
1. Download a paper application from our website or pick one up at the front desk.
a. your application or fax your application to
312-267-4489; or, come in and see a student services representative.

PAYMENT
2. Payment of the non-refundable registration fee of $10 and the first 4 lessons are due before lessons can begin. Merit School of Music accepts cash, check, and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express).
a. Payment plans are available. Please see a student services representative for more information.
3. Go to activenet.active.com/meritmusic and login with your Merit username and password, or create an account if you have not done so already.