Services

A Few Items About Duane Berge
* Professional musician/ entertainer since 1974. Member AFM Local 52-626, Fairfield County.
* Taught public school music in New Canaan, Darien, Milford and Bridgeport
* Graduate of University of Bridgeport in Music Education
* Percussionist, saxophonist, trumpeter and co-conductor of The Milford Concert Band
                                                                                   www.milfordconcertband.org
                                  ***e-mail address is: berge2000@hotmail.com***

* Principal percussionist for The Atlanta Wind Symphony 1990-95
* Music substitute in Trumbull Public Schools
* Drummer/singer, manager for local club bands "Hard Luck Harry", "The Federation" and
"Metro"
* Drummer/ percussionist for swing group, Wayne Hiller Octet and Wayne Hiller Trio.

What one will learn from my instruction:
* An instrument is learned by time spent and not shortcuts. Play it until it sounds good.
* Always encourage "noodling". Any time playing is time well spent away from gameboy,
    x-box,etc.
* Correcting technique and mechanics, allowing emotion to enter into a student's playing
   encourages practice.
* Lack of time spent results in poor performance and eventually disinterest.
* It seems obvious, but I encounter this often. If you don't hear your child playing their
   instrument, they're not practicing. Schedule practice time.
* AUDITION FOR EVERYTHING!!! There are many ensembles both in school and the
   outside world. The student doesn't always get the best parts unless they are seasoned at
   auditioning a few times first.
*You have one of the BEST band programs in the nation courtesy of your tax dollars and it
should be utilized to the fullest. I do not conduct ensembles because I then become like the
local soccer coach demanding an extra four to six hours a week of commitment that the student
doesn't have. I would rather they spend their time learning their instrument and auditioning for
ensembles of their choice, not mine.
*There are local community bands that students may play in for free that count toward
community service, vital to any college application.
* Understanding the opportunities available to a practiced musician will create an environment
   of excitement and pleasure.
* Students should identify and recognize music of the past in order to develop their own playing
   style.
If these criteria are met, then a student will have years of playing enjoyment
and a rounded knowledge of the art of music.

Tuition payments for lessons are made monthly, payable the first week of the month.
$120 a month. 1/2 hour a week. ($180/mth for two students)
If you have reason to cancel your appointment, please call at least 24 hours in advance.
All makeup lessons must be made up during that same month. Lessons may not be carried over
into the next month.
NOTE: One major reason my students/parents employ me for lessons is that I am a
working professional musician. This is a double-edged sword. There are days when I
need to cancel lessons for the day to gig/perform because I am a working professional
musician. Sometimes; unfortunately, it could be a last minute to fill in. "The show must
go on and all that". I'm very liberal with makeups.