Band and Orchestra Teachers


“Feeding the Mind and Soul Through the Gift of Music”



Are you an elementary or junior high school music teacher with motivated students who have a financial need and who you believe would benefit from private lessons? If so, Desert Sounds invites you to begin the nomination process today.

Teacher Requirements:
There are only a few requirements for music teachers. During the nomination process all we will need you to do is distribute some forms to the students and parents during the nomination process, and fax, mail, or email copies back to us once they have been completed.

We will periodically ask you questions about the student’s progress throughout the year. This information is used to track the progress of the student and help determine the effectiveness of our Musical Mentors.

Mentor Requirements:

  • Currently pursuing a music education degree or a music performance degree
  • AZ DPS IVP clearance card
  • Ability to provide weekly lessons

Student Requirements:

  • Attend all scheduled lessons
  • Practice outside of school
  • Come prepared for all lessons
  • Perform at all required Desert Sounds recitals and performances
  • Have no unexcused absences from school
  • Maintain passing grades in all classes at school

Parent Requirements:

  • Allow, encourage, and require their child to attend all scheduled lessons
  • Allow, encourage, and require their child to practice outside of school
  • Encourage and require their child to be prepared for all lessons
  • Allow, encourage, and require their child to perform at all required Desert Sounds recitals and performances
  • Ensure their child has no unexcused absences from school
  • Ensure their child maintains passing grades in all their classes at school
  • Pay $10.00 per month for lessons

Nomination Process:

Step One:
All students are screened for playing ability, practice habits, school attendance, concert attendance, and financial need prior to being matched with a mentor. This screening process is based on your evaluation of the students, so please try to be impartial when completing the nomination documents.

Both portions must be completed for the nomination

Download Musical Mentor Program Student Nomination (Parent Portion) (75)

Download Musical Mentor Program Student Nomination (Parent Portion) (12)

*All downloadable forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Step Two:
After we receive the completed nomination forms we will determine the students eligibility and, if selected, mail the student and parent agreements to the address provided on the parent portion of the nomination.

Step Three:
Finally, after receiving the signed student and parent agreements we will match your students with mentors as soon as one becomes available to begin lessons.

Please note, many of our mentors are volunteers and it may take some time for these students to be matched with a mentor; however, we will do our best to find a mentor as soon as possible.

You, the music teacher, and the student will be notified via email and regular mail once a mentor has been found.