Christmas Break Lessons, Week 1

Hello! A lot of families have asked if I'm offering lessons over the break, and after difficult negotiations with my family we've decided that Tuesday 12/22 will be my lesson day for the first week of the break. We will meet at ISMS. We are still in negotiations for next week's lessons, but I do plan on at least one day of teaching, possibly two.

This is a great time to work on mallet sightreading, holiday tunes for the family, and discussion about solo projects. These lessons are not required. If you're in town and want to take advantage, cool; if not...cool, no worries! The cost is the same as a normal weekly lesson, and you pay just for this week's lesson if your student attends.

If your student is interested in a lesson, email or text me your three preferred time slots and I'll do my best to accommodate your request. I will begin replying with confirmation of times on Sunday evening.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 22 (ISMS)
9:00   Jamison P
9:30   Brent B
10:00 Ryan L
10:30 Will J
11:00 Blaine S
11:30 Blake S
12:00 Nikel E
12:30 Josh E
1:00   Jingun K
1:30   Nick H
2:00   Max B
2:30   Will B
3:00   Sophia S
3:30   
4:00

Columbus Day Lessons

Hello!

It's been an fun yet challenging start to the semester. I will have lessons tomorrow (Monday) at Keller Middle School. BUT! My Astros are playing at noon so I'll have a baseball break from noon to 3:00. Here's what I have available:

Monday October 12 (KMS)
9:00   
9:30   Zane G
10:00 Zane G
10:30 Brent B
11:00 Sujit V
11:30 Max B
xxxxxx
3:00
3:30 Nick A
4:00
4:30

Text or email your preferred spot and I'll confirm. We'll be at a neighbor's birthday party today so be patient!

Thanks!

Summer Lessons, Week 10

Sunday, August 16 (ISMS)
10:00 Nicholas H
10:30 Paris O

11:00 Brent B

Monday, August 17 (ISMS)
5:30 Lizzie M
6:00 Will J
6:30 Nick A

Tuesday, August 18 (KMS)
10:00 Sydney S
10:30 Jared T
11:00 Jared T
11:30 Aiden M
12:00 Kristofer E 
12:30 Connor H
1:00   Garrett C
1:30   Garrett C
2:00   Andrew F
2:30   Jordan C
3:00   Ethan S
3:30   Will B
4:00   Gautam V
xxxxxx

ISMS
6:00
6:30
7:00
7:30

Wednesday, August 19 (KMS)
10:00 Ryan L
10:30 Jason S
11:00 6th Graders
11:30 6th Graders
12:00 Blake S
12:30 Josh E
1:00   Nikel E
1:30   Connor D
2:00   Colton H
2:30   Colton H
3:00   Nick B
3:30   Nick B
4:00  Jamison P
4:30

Friday, August 21 (ISMS)

5:00

5:30 Luke D

6:00

6:30

Week 9, Extended!

So far my daughter has pulled through like a champ after her surgery and I feel comfortable letting her grandparents watch her for a couple of hours on Friday afternoon. Email or text me if you're interested.

Friday August 14 (KMS)

1:00

1:30 Ryan L

2:00 Jared T

2:30 Jared T

3:00 Paris O

3:30

4:00

Summer Lessons, Week 9

Monday, August 10 (ISMS)

5:00  Lizzie M 

5:30  Ethan S

6:00  Sydney S

6:30  Andrew F

Tuesday, August 11 (KMS)

9:00   

9:30   Sujit V

10:00 Brent B

10:30

11:00 Will B

11:30

12:00 Luke D

12:30 Blake S

1:00   Nikel E

XXXXXX

4:00   Jamison P

4:30   Colton H

Wednesday, August 12 (KMS)

9:00   Logan S

9:30   Tim T

10:00 Josh E

xxxxxx

1:00   Kristofer E

1:30   Kristofer E

2:00   Jason S

XXXXXX

(ISMS)

3:00   Will J

Summer Lessons, Week 8

We've made it to August!

My schedule is a little different this week but I will still be available for most students. KHS students: I will be available at Keller MS before and after I teach their Region music workshop. If you would like a lesson with me this week, Monday and Tuesday nights would be your best chance. I do not think I'll be able to make it out to KHS during the day for your camp times.

A little advance planning for the following week: I will teach next Tuesday and Wednesday all day, and nights only on M/Th. Just a heads-up.

As always, please email me your three preferred slots and I'll work my magic.

Monday August 3 (ISMS)
9:00  
9:30  Jamison P
10:00 Gautam V
10:30 Blake N
11:00
11:30
xxxxxx
*At KMS*
6:00  Garrett C
6:30 Sydney S
xxxxxx
8:00  Luke D
8:30  Jordan C

Tuesday August 4 (Keller MS)
6:00    Ethan S
6:30    Andrew F
xxxxxx
8:00     Kristofer E
8:30     Alex S

Wednesday August 5 (ISMS)
9:00  
9:30  Nolan H
10:00 Madison B
10:30 Sujit V
11:00 6th Graders (Blaine T, Max B)
11:30 6th Graders
12:00
12:30 Brent B
1:00   Will J
1:30   Will J
2:00   Ryan L
2:30  
3:00  
3:30  Paris O
4:00  Paris O
4:30  Blake S

Thursday August 6 (ISMS)
9:00  
9:30  
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00

Friday August 7 (ISMS)
9:00  
9:30  
10:00 Nick A
10:30 Nick A
11:00 Will B
11:30 Nikel E
12:00 Josh E

Summer Lessons Week 7

***Updated 2:30pm 7/28***

Hello!

We're back from San Antonio and I'm still tired! I will resume lessons Wednesday. All lessons will be at ISMS.

Wednesday July 29 (ISMS)
10:00 Blake N
10:30 Madison B
11:00 6th Graders
11:30 6th Graders
12:00 Paris O
12:30 Paris O

xxxx

3:00  Sydney S
3:30  Brent B
4:00  Luke D
4:30  Jamison P

Thursday July 30 (ISMS)
9:00   Colton H
9:30   Nolan H
10:00 Blake N
10:30 Will J
11:00 Will J
11:30 Sujit V
12:00 Nick B
12:30 Nick B

Friday July 31 (ISMS)
9:00   Will B
9:30   Max B
10:00 Jeno B
10:30 Andrew F
11:00 Blake S
11:30 Jason S
12:00 Jared T
12:30 Jared T

Varsity Lessons, Pre-Drum Camp Edition

These are for varsity members only, since camp starts Tuesday for them. Everyone else, I'll begin Wednesday. I'm still on the road back from San Antonio so I'll put up a schedule for you later tonight. 

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30 Noah M

11:00 Alex S

11:30 Alex S

12:00 Garrett C

12:30 Garrett C

xxxxx

3:00   Jack B

3:30   Ethan S

4:00   Ethan S

4:30

Summer Lessons, Weeks 5 and 6 (combined)

***updated to reflect 6th grade group correction to Wednesday at 11***

Hello!

I'm not quite back from vacation just yet; I'll return Monday morning. 

I am posting slots for the next ten days. I'll be leaving again but will make myself available every day until then. This week I'll be able to see many more students than usual to help make up for missed time. I am even available for 60-minute lessons, although my first priority is to schedule KHS students first for those slots.

I'd also like to try to get two lessons (or even three if we can squeeze them in) for each student during the next 10 days. Most families paid for three lessons for July and if we can get those taken care of before the 22nd when I leave again we can stay on schedule. If you paid for 30 minute lessons but want an hour I may be able to accommodate you. Just let me know! I'll resume lessons again on July 27th.

Lastly, if you haven't paid for any July lessons, now's the time! I'll be able to see each student at least three times unless you will be gone for one of the remaining weeks. July lessons are $51 or $90, depending on length of lesson. Email or text me for details.

Please send me an email with your three preferred slots for the next this Monday-Thursday, then again for Friday-Tuesday (taking care of two weeks' worth!). Thank you!

Monday July 13 (ISMS)

***Travel delays, makeup day is Friday 7/17***

Tuesday July 14 (ISMS)

8:30   

9:00   Shane S

9:30   Connor D

10:00 Ethan S

10:30 Ethan S

11:00 Jordan C

11:30 Jordan C

12:00 Jingun K

12:30 Logan S

1:00   Logan S

1:30   Sydney S

2:00   Alex L

2:30   Luke D 

3:00   Garrett C

3:30   Garrett C

4:00   Andrew F

4:30   Paris O

Wednesday July 15 (ISMS)

8:30

9:00

9:30   Nick B

10:00 Nick B

10:30 Cole G

11:00 6th graders (Max B, Sean S, Blaine T)

11:30 6th graders

12:00 Noah M

12:30 Noah M

1:00   Josh E

1:30   Nikel E

2:00   Kristofer E

2:30   Kristofer E

3:00   Sujit V

3:30   GV

4:00   Alex L

4:30

Thursday July 16 (ISMS)

8:30

9:00   GV

9:30   Jingun K

10:00 Madison B

10:30 Ryan L

11:00 Will B

11:30 Will B

12:00 Colton H

12:30 Colton H

Friday July 17 (ISMS)

3:00 Jack B

3:30 Jack B

3:45 Nick A

4:30 Connor H

5:00 Jared T

5:30 Jared T

Saturday July 18 (ISMS)

9:00

9:30   Jason S

10:00 Luke D

10:30 Brent B

11:00 Brent B

11:30 Tim T

Sunday July 19 (ISMS)

10:00

10:30

11:00

11:30

Monday July 20 (ISMS)

9:00   Paris O

9:30   Paris O

10:00 Tim T

10:30 

11:00 Sydney S

11:30 Sydney S 

12:00 Alex S

12:30 Alex S

1:00   Cameron S

1:30   Cameron S

2:00   Shane S

2:30   Josh E

3:00   Nikel E

3:30   Kristofer E

4:00   Sujit V

4:30   Connor H

Tuesday July 21 (ISMS)

9:00   Blake Niemuth

9:30   Cole G

10:00 Madison B

10:30 Jason S

11:00 6th Graders 

11:30 6th Graders

12:00 Jared T

12:30 Jared T

1:00   Noah M

1:30   Noah M

2:00   Alex L

2:30   Garrett C

3:00   Garrett C

3:30   Nick A

4:00   Nick B

4:30   Nick B

Summer Lessons Hiatus

This is a quick reminder that I will not be teaching lessons this week. But I still expect each student to keep working to improve and focus on the assignment from last week. 

Enjoy this break!

Summer Lessons, Week 4

Updated 6/29, 10:20pm

I will be teaching only two full days this week, then taking a little over a week off. Because of the limited time, I'm only offering 30 minute lessons this week. Let's make this week a great one!

Tuesday June 30 (ISMS) 

9:00   Alex S

9:30   Jordan C

10:00 Madison B

10:30 Ethan S

11:00 Cole G

11:30 Cameron S

12:00 Brent B

12:30 Logan S

1:00   Anthony A

1:30   Jeno B

2:00   Garrett C

2:30   Luke D

3:00   Jingun K

3:30   Jared T

4:00   Alex L

4:30   Josh E

5:00   Kristofer E

Wednesday July 1 (ISMS) 

9:00   Sujit V

9:30   Tim T

10:00 Noah M

10:30 Blake S

11:00 6th grade (Blaine T, Blaine S, Max B)

11:30 6th grade

12:00 Will B

12:30 Sydney S

1:00   Andrew F

1:30   Ryan L

2:00   Jason S

2:30   Carter B

3:00   Colton H

3:30   Paris O

4:00   Jamison P

4:30   Tyler W

As always, please email your three preferred spots. I'll begin responding and updating this page late Sunday night. Thank you!

Summer Lessons, Week 3

We are finished with Week 2 and I'm getting ready to start Week 3! I'll be teaching more days but fewer hours some of the days. We will tentatively be at KHS M/T/W, and ISMS F/S/Su. We may have to change locations away from KHS in case construction keeps us out of the band hall. I'll update this page if locations need to change. With these added times, I should be able to do more than one lesson this week for your student, and if we've done an hour, we can keep that going, as well.

A couple of changes this week: I'll offer two 6th grade groups, one in the morning and one in the afternoon on Wednesday. I'm still trying to gauge if there are enough to keep doing the group lesson, so after this this week if there are still only three or four students doing the group, I'll change over to individual lessons. Also, I've canceled the Symphonic/Concert Band group, since no one has attended that group as of yet.

Here's what I have available for the upcoming week beginning 6/22:

Monday, June 22 (KHS)
9:30
10:00 Thomas S
10:30 Thomas S
11:00 Jordan C
11:30 Jordan C
12:00 Colton H
12:30 Colton H
1:00   Jeno B
1:30   Jeno B

Tuesday June 23 (***changed to ISMS)
9:30   Shane S
10:00 Sujit V
10:30 Carter B
11:00 Ethan S
11:30 Ethan S
12:00 Logan S
12:30 Logan S

Wednesday June 24 (***changed to ISMS)
9:30   Tim T
10:00 Cole G
10:30 Tim T
11:00 6th Graders (Blaine, Max, Sean)
11:30 6th Graders
12:00 
12:30 Noah M
1:00   Noah M
1:30   Aden M
2:00   Jingun K
2:30   Nicholas H
3:00   
3:30   Luke D
4:00   Jason S
4:30   Tyler W

Friday June 26 (ISMS)
9:30   Connor H
10:00 Madison B
10:30 Blake S
11:15 Jack B
11:30 Jack B
12:00 Anthony A
12:30 Andrew F

Saturday June 27 (ISMS)
10:00 Nick A
10:30 Brent B
11:00 GV
11:30 GV
12:00 Paris O

Sunday June 28 (ISMS)
10:00
10:30 Cameron S
11:00 Cameron S
11:30 Sydney S
12:00 Will B

That's it, so let me know what three slots you want, etc. Thanks!

Summer Lessons, Week 2, Take 2

*Updated 12:33am to correct the omission of the SB/CB group for Friday*

Thank you for understanding as a perfect storm of bad timing occurred this week. I feel much better now, and thanks to everyone that shared kind words or even offered to help.

I can offer some limited lesson spots Friday and Saturday at Indian Springs MS for makeup lessons. Again, I'll be able to only offer 30-minute lessons and one group 6th grade lesson and one group Symphonic/Concert Band lesson for 30 minutes each. I ask that all 6th graders and SB/CB members participate in the group lesson this week.

Friday June 19 (ISMS)
11:00 Jeno B
11:30 Sujit V
12:00 Connor H
12:30 Will J
1:00   6th grade
1:30   SB/CB
2:00   Paris O
2:30   Connor D
3:00   Will B
3:30   Anthony A

4:00   Sydney S

Saturday June 20 (ISMS)
10:00 Jason S
10:30 Jamison P
11:00 Nikel E
11:30 Josh E
12:00 Noah M
12:30 Noah M
1:00   Blake S
1:30   Blake S
2:00   Brent B
2:30   Jingun K
3:00   Jingun K

3:30   
4:00
4:30

Please email or text me your three preferred slots and I'll do my best. Thank you!

Lessons for the week of 6/15-6/19

***Update 6/16 4:30 pm*** I'm going to CANCEL all Wednesday lessons as well. I don't think you all want me to show up tomorrow with the way I feel/look! I'll try to have a makeup schedule up by Thursday. 

***Update 6/16 9:11 am*** I have to CANCEL all Tuesday lessons. I do have strep. I hope to teach Wednesday as long as I do not have a fever when I wake up. I'll let Wednesday students know by 8:30am if I do need to cancel. 

****Update! 6/15 8:00 pm - I have a fever and sore throat! Yikes. I'm going to try to get to a clinic when I drop off my daughter in the morning but I may need to cancel the morning lessons. I'll let everyone impacted know by 9am Tuesday. If we have to cancel any/all lessons, I'll try to do a makeup day on Friday or Saturday, for whomever is able to attend. Sorry! This is horrible timing and I feel horrible even besides having chills and a sore throat! *****

This week is my third-annual "Single Dad" week. Every summer my wife travels to east Texas to teach band camp at our alma mater, Stephen F. Austin State University. This means I'm only able to teach lessons for two days this week, Tuesday and Wednesday, since those are the only days my daughter is at school over the summer. 

So, to accommodate the reduced availability I need to make a couple of changes this week:

1. I will only provide one 30-minute lesson per student this week. 

2. I will only offer one group lesson for 6th graders this week. 

There have been some additional students wanting to take lessons so I'll do my best to fit everyone in.

Here's what I have available this week:

Tuesday 6/16 (KHS)

9:30   David J  

10:00 Sujit V

10:30 Gautam V

11:00 6th graders

11:30 6th graders

12:00 Logan S

12:30 Connor H

1:00   Cole G

1:30   Will J

2:00   Alex L

2:30   Jingun K

3:00   Jared T

3:30   Jamison P

4:00   Sydney S

4:30   Jason S

Wednesday 6/17 (KHS)

9:30   Madison B

10:00 Connor D

10:30 Jordan C

11:00 Garrett C

11:30 Nick A

12:00 Noah M

12:30 Will B

1:00   Andrew F

1:30   Blake S

2:00   Concert/Symphonic (30 minutes only)

2:30   GV

3:00   Anthony A

3:30   Paris O

4:00   Aden M

4:30   Luke D

Also, it'd be really cool if whomever is taking a lesson during lunch times these days would volunteer to bring me lunch. I'm not picky, and it's a bonus if it's homemade! Don't worry if you're unable; it never hurts to ask, right?

I'll respond and confirm to your time requests beginning Sunday evening. Thank you!

Summer Lessons 2015

Well hello!

This summer is going to be different than past summers. Mr. Chapple is hosting drumset clinics, Mr. Wharton is away getting a super tan with drum corps, which leaves me as the only lesson teacher this summer. There are also more students interested in lessons than ever, which is a good problem to have! So here are the important things each group of students needs to know:

• 6th graders: There are more 6th graders than ever wanting lessons! I'm going to offer two group lessons for incoming 6th graders to help accommodate the high interest. These will occur on the same day each week at the same time, to help as many attend as possible. We will focus on counting, note reading, counting, mallets, and more counting. Hopefully this will help as many beginners get ahead and be ready for August with Mr. Chapple! Group lessons will be one hour and cost $10 each.

• Middle School Concert Band/Symphonic Band members: I will offer a 60 minute group lesson for this group of students as well, one for each band. We will focus on counting, note reading, rudiments and mallets.  Group lessons will be one hour and cost $10 each. If there are fewer than three students able to do each group I will try to combine the groups to make it worth everyone's time.

• Middle School Wind Ensemble members: I will offer one 30 minute lesson each week for you. We will focus on four-mallet technique, rudimental drumming and advanced techniques. Lessons are $17 each.

• KHS students: These students will receive priority scheduling for 60-, 45-, or 30-minute lessons when available. Lessons are $17, $25, or $30 each, respectively.

Scheduling: I will post my availability for each week on this website every Sunday, and send an email to you when that occurs. Time slots for lessons each week are first-come, first-served via email. As I receive replies I will add each student's name to the schedule, and respond to confirm. I will try to accommodate time requests, but as everyone's summer schedule is fluid, including mine, we may run into time crunches.

Payment and attendance policies: I'm doing things a little differently this summer. I'm going to ask for three lessons to be paid in advance instead of four. The way the months are going to line up we'll probably only be able to do three lessons each month anyway. If you have more than one child in lessons, you get a discount! We'll work that out individually. No matter what, I will see each student three times each month unless either of us are going to be out of town for multiple weeks in a row. If you need to reschedule or cancel a lesson, please let me know via email or text by 10pm the previous evening. I will do the same. If you fail to do so, you lose the lesson time and money unless the scheduling was my error.

Communication: You may text me at 817.917.5328 or email me at cristian.alcocer at gmail.com with your questions or concerns. It's easy!

Needed supplies: 6th graders need their beginner kit, stick bag, beginner book, and pencil. Middle schoolers need their stick bags, binder, packet, pad and pencil. KHS students need stick bag, packet, binder, pad and pencil.

Ok, I think that's it! Here's my schedule for this coming week:

Monday June 8 (KHS)

9:00   Luke D

9:30   Blake S

10:00 Blake S

10:30 Ryan L

11:00 Ryan L

11:30 Jordan C

12:00 Sydney S

Tuesday June 9 (KHS)

9:00

9:30   Aiden M

10:00 6th Graders

10:30 6th Graders

11:00 Alex L

11:30 Sujit V

12:00 Colton H

12:30 Jingun K

1:00   Noah M

1:30   Noah M

2:00   Garrett C

2:30   Garrett C

3:00   Kristofer E

3:30   Kristofer E

4:00   Josh E

4:30  GV

Wednesday June 10 (KHS)

9:00   Nick A

9:30   David J

10:00 Connor D

10:30 Madison B

11:00 6th Graders

11:30 6th Graders

12:00 Will B

Thursday June 11 (KHS)

1:00 Tim T

1:30 Tyler W

2:00 Concert/Symphonic

2:30 Concert/Symphonic

3:00 Anthony A

3:30 Cameron S

4:00 Connor H

4:30 Andrew F

Friday June 12 (KHS)

1:00 Andrew F

1:30 Ryan L

2:00 Nikel E

2:30 Jack B

3:00 Jack B

3:30 Logan S

4:00 Anthony A

4:30 Will J

Spring Break Lessons

Thursday 3/12 - Keller MIDDLE School

10:00 Alex S
10:30 Jared T
11:00 Jared T
11:30 Nate G
12:00 Nate G
12:30 
1:00   
1:30   
2:00   
2:30   
3:00   
3:30 
4:00 

Friday 3/13 - Keller HIGH School

9:30   Tim T

10:00
10:30 Blake S
11:00 Matt L
11:30 Kato R

Lessons for 3/5 - 3/6

Thursday 3/5 (KHS)
3:30
4:00 Connor H
4:30 Andrew F

Friday 3/6 (KMS)
CB              9:58  McCade K
WE             11:05 Jamison P
WE             11:35 Jared T
WE             12:05 Blake S
WE             12:35 Logan S
After Sch.   1:05   Garrett C
A.S.            1:35   Jingun K
A.S.            2:05   Will B
A.S.            2:35   Nick B

Presidents Day Lessons

Monday February 16

11:00 Alex S

11:30 

12:00 Nate G

12:30 Alex L

1:00   Kato R

1:30   Blake S

2:00   

2:30   

Lessons Monday 1/19/15

Updated 1/18 1:20pm

So we don't miss like three Mondays this month, I'm setting aside some time for lessons for KHS students, as well as students who want some extra help. Here's what I have available:

Monday 1/19

10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30 Brooke B
12:00 Nate G
12:30 Nate G
1:00   Alex L
1:30   Garrett G
2:00   Carter B
2:30   Cole B
3:00   Cole B
3:30
4:00

Let me know your three preferred times and I'll do my best to accommodate. Also, I'm giving priority scheduling to KHS students first since it's their day that we're trying to make up. Feel free to request an hour! I'll confirm Sunday afternoon once everyone has a chance to receive, read and respond to this.

Thanks!