About

 

The Stratham Music Lesson Program is an after-school enrichment course for students at Stratham Memorial School who want to learn to play an instrument and be part of school band or orchestra programs. Any SMS student in 4th or 5th grade may enroll for lessons on violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, or percussion. No experience is necessary. Fifth graders are especially encouraged to enroll even if they did not take lessons previously. Oboe, bassoon and French horn lessons are available for second-year students. Younger students may enroll with instructor permission.

Music Instructors: Megan McIlwane and Curt Mackail.

Students furnish their own instrument. For parents who want to rent an instrument, a number of rental providers are available and parents are free to choose any source for their student’s instrument. Or, your instructor will help find an instrument for purchase if you’d like assistance.

Tuition assistance and installment plans are available by advance arrangement. Please ask if you feel you need tuition assistance. Finances are never a reason that a child is denied music lessons through this program.

Semesters: The academic year is divided into two semesters. Each semester offers 16 lesson weeks inclusive of one Lesson Make-Up Week. Other fun music activities complement your lesson program. These include informal performances for Pep Band, bang-a-can drum parties, in-school appearances and more.

Lessons are not scheduled during school vacation weeks.

Registration: Reserve your child’s spot by filling out a registration form and choosing your lesson options. Paper registration forms will be distributed in school and should be returned to the SMS music room or your homeroom teacher. Or print out an online form available here, fill it out and return it to the music room.

Payment Terms: Payment is requested in advance for a semester. Payment is due on or before your child’s first lesson of the semester, please. Payment should be by check made payable to your instructor. Do not send checks to school with your registration form. Do not make checks out to Stratham Music. Please see the Policies page for more information and a list of lesson options and tuition fees.

Scheduling: Your child’s lesson schedule is determined by you and your instructor based on available times and your preferences. Although every effort is made to reserve a time that is most convenient for you, please understand that scheduling of some 70 SMS music students is a challenge. The scheduling process for Semester I typically requires one week to complete.

More Information: Have a question or need more information? Please contact Mr. Mackail. E-mail works best and gets the quickest response! Click here to send a message to Mr. Mackail.