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Teacher 

James Marck, Director of Music, St. Francis de Sales Oratory. B.A., Bradley University, M.Mus., Northern Illinois University.  

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Location 

All lessons are taught at St. Francis de Sales Oratory, 2653 Ohio Ave., St. Louis MO  63118.  

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Method 

Oratorio employs the "three-legged-stool" (parent-child-teacher) approach developed throughout the 20th century by Shinichi  Suzuki (1898-1998). The role of the parent is primary, with the teacher  performing a facilitative role. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in the lessons, often performing the same assignments as the children where possible.

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Objectives include: 

• Snare, tom, timpani, cymbals.  

• Stick & Mallet grips (Traditional and match)

• Rudiments: Rolls, flams, paraddidles, ratamacue, etc.)

• Body mapping and the proactive release of muscle tension while playing 

• Music literacy (reading notes)

• Performance etiquette (Program notes, entrance, bowing, posture, exit)

Tuition Rates 

• $1.50 per minute.  

• Checks Payable to “Oratorio.” 

• Payable weekly or 10% discount if paid in full upfront. 

• Total tuition is calculated based on the anticipated in-person lesson time, not merely the  number of weeks in the semester. For example, tuition is not charged for dates which  lessons do not occur due to foreseen liturgical conflicts, e.g., funeral, solemnity or on  dates which the teacher must cancel due to an oratory music program obligation. Credits  are applied to either a make-up day or subsequent semester. 

Lesson Duration 

Lessons are minimum 30 minutes by default for weekly beginners and intermediate  students, 45 minutes for weekly advanced students and 1 hour for one-time “pointer”  lessons.  

Practice Time 

Students are encouraged to practice privately, but progress will always be evaluated by  the degree to which the weekly objective is met, not an arbitrary duration of minutes or  hours spent practicing. 

Master Class 

There is a master class with a guest instructor once per semester. If due to time  constraints each student cannot receive a slot with the master teacher, students are  selected by audition. This depends on the size of the roster any given semester. 

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Performance 

Live performance with ensemble opportunities. 

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Absence & Cancellation 

All lessons are taught in-person and students must maintain a minimum of 60%  attendance. For example, in a 14-week semester, students must have attended eight (8)  lessons at minimum to be retained. To receive credit for a cancelled lesson, notification  must be given by the student to the teacher no later than 24 hours before the cancellation and the cause be something other than lack of practice. Lessons cancelled by teacher are  automatically credited.  

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Consecutive Absence 

Even if the cause is illness or other circumstances unfortunately outside of the student’s  control, the student may not take more than three (3) consecutive absences, even if they  maintain 60% attendance cumulatively. 

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Make-up lessons 

Lessons offered within the body of the normal semester to make up for a cancelled lesson  are very difficult to schedule and are not guaranteed. Make-up lessons tend to be offered  in the week following the formal close of the semester.  

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Weekly objective 

Each week, the teacher will assign an objective with all necessary information in writing.  The entire lesson and all cumulative progress is measured by the degree to which the  weekly objective is being met, not how many minutes were spent practicing. 

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Confusion about weekly objective 

Students must contact the teacher before the next lesson to resolve confusion, not wait  until the next lesson. In the case of confusion about the weekly objective, students who  fail to meet weekly objectives due to lack of inquiry/seeking of clarification between  lessons will not be retained. In short, going a whole week without practice due to being  confused is not acceptable.  

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Lapse Week 

In the event the student has not practiced, for whatever reason, it is the preference of the  oratory music program personnel that the lesson be cancelled with advance notification  by the student to the teacher. Cancellation for not practicing does not yield a credit or refund.

Archdiocesan Safety Standards 

The teacher is bound to the safety conditions of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Protecting  God’s Children. For all students under the age of 18, a parent or legal adult must be  present during the entire lesson. The teacher reserves the right to suspend the lesson if at  any point the parent leaves. 

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