Question for parents whose kids have private music lessons?

[threebob]

I'm putting this to the mumsnet vote...

I review my prices each year before Term 4 (in NZ this is Oct. each year). I give 4 weeks notice of any rise - the week of your last lesson, plus there is two weeks holiday and then your lesson the next week. Parents pay for 10 weeks in advance.

To notify you of the fee increase would you rather have:

1. A letter saying how much the new fee is and an invoice.

2. A letter saying how much and justifying (rise in electricity, rates etc.) it and an invoice.

3. Something else entirely.

my DP is a music teacher and does the same every september or january, we have found that a letter with plenty of notice (Like u are suggesting) has been fine. We always invoice parents when they pay anyway, DPs thought is that if he gives reasons then the parents will think he is making upo excuses.

Probably option 1. I don't see why you should have to justify yourself over routine inflationary-type price rises. If it's a really big increase then some explanation may be in order though.

Number 1. Like MoM says, you don't need to explain. You are entitled to review your prices without giving a reason.

No not large really in the scheme of things ($1 per half hour lesson (around 30p)).

We're just starting ds1 with music lessons, and I teach privately as well. I charge retrospectively, on a termly basis, so at the end of the term before the rise, on their bill for the previous term I say something like 'from next term the lessons will cost £xyz per half hour. Lessons will restart on ...'

I don't justify it, and tbh, I get annoyed when places do try to justify price rises - it feels then like it is an unjustified rise, whereas prices of things do naturally go up, so it isn't something that needs to be justified.

Ds's preschool went to great lengths to justify a price rise of $2 per day when it's just obvious to me that things cost more. I hated the letter - but wondered if I was in a minority. So far it would seem I am not.

I'd go for A. That's what our music school does and I'm fine with that. How much notice do parents have to give if they are not going to continue lessons?

They usually just get the invoice for the new term and ring me and say - oh we won't be coming back next term. And that's fine because I have a VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY long waiting list and can fill just about any space (or have a tea break!)

What instrument do you teach threebob?

Piano and flute (and preschool music, but that's not going up).

This was last years letter, the flute one will be the same only practising accompaniments will be added to the things that are included:

New Fees for Piano Students from Term 4 2006

My annual fee review is held in Term 3 each year and is effective from Term 4.

Rates are now as follows:

Half Hour individual lesson $?? x no. of weeks in term

20 minute beginner lesson $??.00 x no. of weeks in term

Included in your fees are theory marking done outside of lesson time and participation in concerts and exams.

All lessons are strictly payable in advance at the start of each term. There is no refund for lessons missed by students. A full refund is given as a credit on next term?s fees for lessons I cancel.

Your letter is very similar to the ones my Ds's get. I just expect the fees to go up a bit every year, I think ours go up by 50p per half hour every year. Much better than waiting for years and years then doubling the cost imo. Deffo no need to justify the increase.

Dh is a private music teacher.

Letter with just an invoice is fine. Justifying it just makes it seem like you are trying to excuse something which is too high ratherthan being confident that you are worth this amount of money.

Your waiting list shows thatpeople are prepared to pay for your expertise.

Threebob I'm currently working through grade 8 and would love to teach at some stage. My youngest will be off to school next year and I should be able to take beginners, have great piano and plenty of room. How long have you been teaching and how did you get started?

I taught while at music college, and then had a long break while I paid a mortgage, got married and moved to NZ, paid another mortgage, had ds, had a year off etc.

This is my third tax year. I had 2 students for most of my first, 20 for most of my second and this year I have 36 (some in schools) plus 2.5 hours of preschool music classes. I won't be increasing that next year.

I would say if you are ready to start then start - you could always fit in an adult learner or 2 after the kids have gone to bed.

Just a letter with the new fee notice. If you give reasons it will just make stroppy parents seek to disagree.