Private lessons are available at Oregon Episcopal School and offered in piano, organ, harpsichord, harp, voice, composition, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello, double bass and guitar.

The majority of our advanced music students study with private music teachers. Students who take private lessons often improve more rapidly and develop confidence more quickly with intensive, individual instruction. The OES Music Department strongly encourages any MS or US student wishing to play in Band or Orchestra to take private lessons on the instrument played in the ensemble.

A list of private teachers who teach in the Private Music Lesson Program is available online, in the After School Office or from the Chair of the Music Department.

OES Policy for Private Music Lessons

Oregon Episcopal School offers private music lessons to all students on a variety of instruments. Individual music lessons are given by music specialists who are recommended by the OES Music Faculty. Our adjunct music faculty is selected from the finest performers and teachers in the Portland area.

A roster of music teachers will be available at the beginning of the school year. Only teachers engaged by Oregon Episcopal School may teach on school grounds. Only currently enrolled Oregon Episcopal School students are eligible for private lessons at Oregon Episcopal School during the school year. Lessons will be scheduled beginning the second week in September and finish during the first week in June. Private lessons are available during the school day at a time that is mutually agreeable to the student, the teacher and the school. This may include time before school, after school, and during the school day.

The contract for private music lessons will be for the entire school year. Students will receive twenty-eight lessons (14 lessons each semester) during the school year. Lessons are contracted and paid for by the semester so that teachers can reserve lesson times and plan their teaching schedule for the entire school year.

Consent to study privately with a music specialist will be given when the school has received a signed contract from the student and parent or legal guardian. Lessons are 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 1 hour in length. The length of lessons will be determined by the music instructor and parents based upon the student's ability level and commitment of time to practice.

Parents are reminded that by signing a contract for lessons, you are agreeing that your child will be available to complete 28 lessons during the school year (14 lessons fall semester, 14 lessons spring semester). Please take this commitment into consideration when enrolling your child in tutoring, sports, or other in-school or out-of-school activities.

A student may withdraw from taking private lessons for any reason at the semester break.  A student may withdraw from taking private lessons for any reason within 24 hours following the first lesson, but the student’s account will be charged a $100 administrative fee to process the refund and request.  After this period of time, withdrawal or non-completion of lessons for any reason other than medical does not qualify for a refund of any tuition.  Parents of students leaving the program for medical reasons must provide a medical statement from the student's physician. A $100 administrative fee plus 10% of total tuition will be charged for processing refunds and to cover material costs.

Teachers endeavor to make up lessons when notice of absence is given 24 hours in advance. Teachers will provide parents with their contact information and the time by which they must be called if it is necessary for a student to miss a lesson. Teachers must be called directly. The attendance office does not notify individual teachers about student absences, whether for sickness, class trips, or athletic events. Please note that refunds are not given for missed lessons.

For the convenience of parents, payment can be made either in full when the contract is returned or in two installments: one with the return of the contract and a second installment that will be billed at the beginning of the second semester.

After the contract and payment are received and after students have been given their class schedules, parents will be contacted by the teachers to arrange lesson times. Because certain times are in heavy demand, it is important that the contracts and payments are returned early so that schedules can be arranged more easily. The times immediately following dismissal are very limited and desirable. Please understand that it is not possible to accommodate everyone during this time. We suggest you alternative options to discuss when you speak with the teacher.

Private lessons are given after school in the Music Rooms in Scott House or the Chapel basement. Students must be picked up promptly at the end of their lessons, unless participating in the Extended Care program.  School Parents are urged to arrange with the teacher to be present at the end of the lessons in order to understand assignments and to lend an encouraging ear. If students are not picked up promptly, the student will be taken to the Extended Care program, and parents will be billed for the time spent there.