Register now for classes and private lessons. Avoid the waiting list! Call (712) 250-4398 to register. Somers Guitar (in Atlantic, Carroll & Red Oak, Iowa) is Southwest Iowa's leading, professional guitar school. Somers Guitar offers private, class and intensive lessons on acoustic, electric, bass, classical guitar & banjo. We teach many styles for musicians of all ages from 8 years old to seniors. Private lessons for students ages 8 to 11 are taught by professionally trained student instructors. Private lessons and classes for ages 12 to adult are taught by adult instructors. For more info on both see the "Tuition" & "Schedule" section below.

$10 REGISTRATION FEE + FIRST MONTH TUITION - The registration fee is non-refundable and accompanies the (1) registration form, (2) first month's tuition for the fall (Sep - Dec), winter (Jan - May), or summer (June - Aug) term. Current students are given first opportunity to pre-register to retain their lesson time or acquire a different spot. After pre-registration the remaining spots are made open to the public.
PAYMENT METHODS - we accept cash, check or money order. Make checks out to Somers Guitar. We are working on implementing a recurring monthly auto-pay system that accepts major credit cards.
RENTALS, BOOKS & ACCESSORIES - Rieman Music provides our students with convenient on-line, all-in-one rent-to-own packages and delivery to your home. If you just the accessories then you can order that on-line too or call (800)-962-3658.

Attendance

Tuition reserves a specific lesson time and instructor. There are no make-ups, reschedules, credits, or refunds given when the student is absent or for weather cancellations.

STUDENT ABSENCE - Three absences in a month is cause for discontinuing lessons.
TEACHER ABSENCE - a credit is given if the teacher is absent due to sickness or schedule conflicts.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS - call Somers Guitar at 712-250-4398 and listen to the message to hear if there are weather cancellations. Cancellations are also announced as soon as determined via radio. There are no credits or make-ups for weather related cancellations.
30 DAY HOLD ON A LESSON TIME - we will gladly hold your spot for 30 days when you need time off for vacation, camps, work schedules, to get ahead financially, etc. We will open up the spot to another student after 30 days.
HEALTH CONCERNS - please inform your instructor in writing about health concerns affecting your child and others. Students should stay home if they missed or will miss school due to (1) illness, (2) lice, or other communicable disease concerns.

Tuition

MONTHLY TUITION - our flat-rate tuition is due by the 1st of month and reserves your specific lesson time and instructor. Pay tuition at the last lesson of the month before the 1st. Mail tuition when you can't make it for ANY reason.
LATE FEE - $10.00 is charged when tuition is late. Tuition is considered late (for any reason) when it is not received by the end of the business day on the first of the month. Lessons continue upon full payment. When you accidently forget your checkbook or cash at lesson, your instructor can direct you to the closest ATM machine to avoid paying the late fee.
RETURNED CHECKS - If a check is returned for insufficient funds Somers Guitar will ask you to cover the bank charge. Lessons resume after payment is received.
INTENSIVE ($40 per session, Adult Teacher) - Great for those traveling long distances, advanced players & adults, 50 minutes as needed.
CLASSES ($50 per month, Adult Teacher) - for ages 12 to adult - meet weekly for 50 minutes and start the first week of February, June, and September. A one-to-four student-to-teacher ratio is used in most classes. Classes average 6 people. If a class gets down to 3 people it only goes 40 minutes with the lead teacher or it is merged with another class. In the rare case that a class has one individual show, then that student is given a 25 minute private lesson at no extra charge. A general method approach with three levels is used. Private lessons are necessary after level 3.
PRIVATE STUDENT TEACHER ($60 per month) - for ages 8 to 11, meets weekly for 25 minutes. Start at any time. Student teachers are excellent students ages 14 to 18 that show strong music, communication, teaching and people skills. They are mentored weekly by an adult instructor for a career in music.
PRIVATE ADULT TEACHER ($70 per month) - for ages 12 to adult, meet weekly for 25 minutes. Start any time.

Discounts

SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT (private lessons only) - $60 per month for seniors at least 60 years old.

Schedule

There are an 4 sessions a month on the same day and time, year round, which includes the optional low pressure, annual student rehearsal and concert. There are only 3 sessions in December. When timeslots are full ask to be put on the waiting list.

ATLANTIC at Somers Guitar

Monday Classes (for ages 12 to adult) - start Feb. 1st, 6 pm (Beginner), 7 pm (Intermediate) $50 per month. Wednesday Class - 8 PM (Advanced).
Tuesday or Thursday Private Lessons - Student Teacher (for ages 8 to 11), 4:30 pm - 8 pm. Begin any week of the year. $60 per month.
Private Lessons - Adult Teacher (for ages 12 to adult) - Monday, 6:30 am - 5 pm. Wednesday, 6:30 am - 8 pm. Friday, 6:30 am - 8 pm. Begin any week of the year. Tuition is $70.00 per month.

CARROLL at The Carroll Community Black Box Theatre

Tuesday Classes (for ages 12 to adult), starts Feb. 2nd, 5 pm (Beginner 2), 6 pm (Beginner 1), 7 pm (Intermediate), 8 pm (Advanced). $50 per month.
Tuesday Private Lessons - Adult Teacher (for ages 12 to adult), 10 - 4 pm. Begin any week of the year. $70 per month.
Tuesday Private Lessons - Student Teacher (for ages 8 to 11), 4 to 8 pm. Begin any week of the year. $60 per month.
Saturday Private Lessons - Adult Teacher (for ages 12 to adult), 9 am - 5 pm. Begin any week of the year. $70 per month.
Saturday Private Lessons - Student Teacher (for ages 8 to 11), 9 am - 5 pm. Begin any week of the yr. $60 per month.

RED OAK at the Wilson Arts Center

Tues. Wed & Thurs. Private Lessons - Student Teacher (for ages 8 to 11) - Tues. 4 - 5:30 pm, Wed. 4 - 5:30 pm, Thurs. 4 - 8 pm. Begin any week of the year. $60 per month.
Thursday Private Lessons - Adult Teacher (for ages 12 to adult), 10 am - 4 pm. Ask to be put on the waiting list when we are full. Begin any week of the year. $70.00 per month.
Thursday Classes (for ages 12 to adult) - start Feb. 4th, 5 pm (Beginner - part 2), 6 pm (Beginner - part 1), 7 pm (Intermediate), 8 pm (Advanced).

Goals

Beginners develop basics - reading music, tab, tuning, correct technique, playing chords, scales, & performance
Intermediates improve - technique, chord & scale theory, fretboard knowledge, ear training & performance
Advanced players master - improvisation, ear training, composition, arranging and performance
Copyrighted music - students purchase and work from only legal, copyrighted, print and audio music

Practice

Progress depends on practice time. Setup a practice routine, 30 to 60 minutes, at least 5 times a week.
Dedicate a practice area with good lighting, music stand, books, footstool or strap, tuner, picks & pencils.
Children often need reminders and adult help with practice. Use a timer to know how long to practice.
Failing to practice three weeks in a month is cause for discontinuing lessons.

Concerts

There is an optional low pressure annual student concert held in April at each location with the exception of Red Oak, IA that has two concerts per year.

RED OAK - Thursday, April 29th, Wilson Performing Arts Center. Students arrive 5:30 PM. Concert 7 PM.
ATLANTIC & CARROLL - Tuesday, April 27th, location to be announced. Students arrive 5:30 PM. Program at 7 PM.

2010 Calendar

NO LESSON DAYS: Jan. 1- 3 (New Year), March 29 - 31 & Apr. 2 (Spring Break), May 29 - 31 (Memorial Day), June 29 - July 4 (Independence Day), Aug. 29 - Sep. 2 & 6 (Labor Day), Oct. 29 - 31(Halloween), Nov. 21 - 27 (Thanksgiving) & Dec. 22 - Jan. 3 (Christmas & New Year)