Though teachers do not require students to take private lessons to be successful in their music courses, taking lessons can put them at an advantage over other musicians and enhance the level and skill of their technique.
Orchestra teacher Catherine Bond said students who want to progress at a faster rate or participate in more music-related opportunities should take lessons to advance their success.
“For example, if students want to audition to be in the district or regional orchestra, band or choir, then private lessons are going to help them be able to prepare and succeed in those auditions,” Bond said.
Choir teacher Kelly Pierson recommends taking private lessons, as they will give students an advantage.
“Most of my students that are taking private lessons are the ones who make All-district Choir, All-state Choir, Senior Honors Choir [and] make those top ensembles at the school,” Pierson said. “They are the students who are taking time outside of class to enhance their craft.”
Though most students do not continue music after high school, Pierson said she definitely thinks taking private lessons is worth it.
“There are always going to be opportunities to sing after high school and I think the more time [students] spend getting to know their voice, the more confident they are going to be,” Pierson said.
Bond said music is very individualized and students who take lessons end up having a better, more successful experience in music.
“I notice the students that are taking lessons not only [get] instructions from their private teachers, but are also then practicing more consistently because they have private teachers and material to prepare for those teachers in addition to their school stuff,” Pierson said.
Sophomore Sarah Kwartin previously took private lessons and said it largely improved her performance with the oboe.
“I think it put me at somewhat of a higher advantage because I have professional experience with someone who had a really good ear and was able to give me very precise comments,” Kwartin said.
On the other hand, sophomore Leslie Kim has never taken private lessons and said it puts her at somewhat of a disadvantage.
“[I’m] not able to get any feedback from someone else that plays the instrument better than [me],” Kim said. “I feel a little pressured because the kids that are in the lower band who are taking private lessons might eventually beat me later in the year or the year after.”
Bond said the main thing she notices is students who take private lessons typically advance faster in higher level ensembles compared to those who choose not to take or are unable to afford lessons. This trend is because they will not progress as quickly or may never even attain positions in top ensembles when they are juniors or seniors.
“It’s like if you were an athlete and you only did conditioning once a week or once every other week, you’re not going to see as big of an improvement as if [you are] doing a little bit every day and you had a [coach] checking in with you on your skills and making tweaks to your form individually,” Bond said. “You’re going to progress at a much faster rate.”
Bond said private lessons are not required in order for students to be a part of the program, enjoy it nor be successful. They are just not going to advance at a faster rate.
2019-01-24