Our mission at the School of Fine Arts is to develop and educate our Houston’s First family and community to help realize their fullest potential for service in ministry at their local church.
We accomplish excellence in musical education through private lessons, group classes, and performance events throughout the year. Our teachers are some of the most qualified in the surrounding Houston area. All are welcome to take lessons, inside and outside the church.
We are continually expanding and pursuing excellence as we seek to inspire the same in others.
Students may choose from two payment options:
Private Lessons
Fees
At the School of Fine Arts, we consider recital performance an essential element in the refining of our talent. The recital is also a wonderful opportunity for friends and family to celebrate in what the students have learned, and it’s an incredibly affirming time for the students themselves. For these reasons, we consider the recital a requirement for the over-all artistic experience. The student will come prepared to perform a specific piece assigned by their teacher, usually from memory. The recital date is posted at the beginning of the semester to give families plenty of time to calendar the event. Please make it a priority to attend this wonderful event each semester.
A typical semester will contain 15-17 lessons. The final lesson is the recital. Make-up lessons will be granted to each student when 24-hour notice is given by email or phone call. Any lessons missed and rescheduled, excluding the one allotted makeup lesson, will be at the discretion of the teacher.
Students who are 10 minutes (or more) late for their lesson will be considered to have forfeited their lesson. This will be considered an unexcused absence and the instructor is under no obligation to make it up. If running close to lesson time, please contact your teacher or the SoFA Management so we know that you are on your way. Communication is of the utmost importance.
If a student wishes to discontinue lessons, advance noticed will be required. The student will be financially responsible for the lessons that remain in the current month that the notice was given whether or not the student chooses to attend the lessons. A refund will be given for the lessons that were prepaid. The registration as well as the recital fee are non-refundable.
Regular practice is an essential element in refining our musical/artistic talents. In order to receive the full benefit of instruction, the student is expected to practice daily the same amount as the lesson time (e.g. 30 minute class = 30 minute daily practice). Teachers will make practice recommendations based on the individual student’s needs.
Practice Hints for Parents:
Sit down with your child and look at his/her schedule. Choose a set time every day for practice. Insist that this practice time be honored.
Provide a practice setting free of distractions such as phones, distraction from siblings, etc.
Check your child’s assignment sheet at the beginning of the week to see the teacher’s comments and assignments for the week.
Check on your child’s progress throughout the week. Make sure he/she has accurately recorded the amount of practice time each day.
Make sure your child finishes any written assignments and is prepared for each lesson/class.
The School of Fine Arts follows the inclement weather policy of Houston’s First Baptist Church. Please listen to local TV and radio broadcasts for information about closings. When bad weather develops during the afternoon, the School of Fine Arts reserves the right to cancel classes for the remainder of the day. Please visit the School of Fine Arts page or call the office at 713-957-5889 for cancellation notices or to determine whether a decision to close the building was made during the day. You should also check with your instructor.
Your child’s safety is our priority. Please adhere to all policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment.
No child under the age of 12 (whether student or sibling) may be left without adult supervision in the hallways or other areas of Houston’s First Baptist Church.
Students under the age of 12 must be dropped off and picked up in the School of Fine Arts reception area by an adult or authorized guardian. Parents and children are able to wait in our waiting room which has a break room area with water, snacks, coffee for students and parents.
For security reasons, if a student is late for any lesson without notification, the school administrator may call the parents to verify the child’s whereabouts.
Security cameras monitor the practice rooms at all times. All teachers will have completed a background and security check.
Please feel free to discuss with your instructor any difficulties that you or your student might be experiencing with lessons. If you feel the situation is not being properly addressed, please contact Mervin Machuca, School of Fine Arts Director, at 713-957-5889 or Mervin.Machuca@houstonsfirst.org. If possible, put your concerns in writing. The School of Fine Arts is dedicated to making sure your student has a quality and rewarding experience.
Need help choosing your campus? Email us or call 713.681.8000.