2007-08 STUDIO POLICIES

POLICIES FOR PRIVATE AND PARTNER LESSONS

1. Private lesson: The student should be well prepared and arrive 5 minutes before the scheduled lesson. In order for a lesson to be excused, the teacher must be notified of the absence at least 24 hours in advance of the lesson time (except in the case of an emergency). If a student becomes ill at school, please call by noon the day of the lesson. Make-up times will be given for excused lessons only; teachers will offer make-ups for up to two (2) excused lessons per student per semester. Students are encouraged to use the swap list if conflicts arise. School cancellations do NOT imply lesson cancellations. If lessons are cancelled due to weather, you will be notified by telephone. Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up. Professionalism: If a parent is concerned that a teacher has rescheduled too often or is absent from a scheduled lesson, the parent should contact the Business Manager immediately.
2. Partner lesson: The student should be well prepared and arrive 5 minutes before the scheduled class. Classes include: presentation of new music, performing, ear training, music history, directed listening, ensemble experience, creative time, and theory work. Attendance is mandatory--please call in advance if you are unable to attend at the regularly scheduled time; an alternate class may be available. School cancellations do NOT imply class cancellations. If classes are cancelled, you will be notified by telephone.
3. Practice: Daily practice is vital to the musical growth of the student. All students should practice at least five days a week; the teacher will suggest practice guidelines for each individual student. Parents may wish to monitor the student's weekly practice. A regular routine with parental encouragement will greatly aid the student's progress. For the best musical results, parents will want to take an active interest in their child(ren)'s music study. Please refer to the article, "How to Help Your Child Practice at Home."
4. Instrument: All students should have access to a well-maintained instrument. All students except piano students are required to bring their instrument to every lesson. Advisory regarding keyboards: piano students must have an instrument with 88 full-size keys (the length of a dollar bill) with at least 2 pedals, and be weighted as well as touch-sensitive. Parents are advised that keyboards with lesser capabilities will only serve the student for the first 4-6 months of study.
5. Notebook: Students are required to keep a 3-ring binder to be used for assignments and handouts. Parents are encouraged to check the book regularly for notes and weekly assignments. Students are encouraged to keep their music books in a bag to assure that all materials are brought to/taken from the lesson.
6. Tuition & Fees: For Private Lessons: Our tuition rate is based upon 34 lessons (29 private and 5 ensemble experiences) spread over the period from September 4, 2007, through June 2, 2008. Two different payment options are available. 1) Tuition may be paid in two (2) installments, payable in August and January, OR 2) may be paid in ten (10) installments, the first of which is due in August. The tuition remains the same for each payment, and is not based upon the lessons scheduled during any given month. Monthly payments are due by the 7th of the month. If payment is late, a $5.00 billing fee will be charged. The annual registration fee is $50 (one per household, non-refundable, not applied to tuition payment) and due upon enrollment. This reserves your spot in the studio and helps cover the cost of recitals, studio events, lab software, festival opportunities, maintenance, and administration. A $25.00 fee will be assessed on all returned checks. Student absences will not be prorated, and only excused absences will constitute a make-up (see section 1. for make-up lesson policy). Lessons will not be scheduled until signed registration form, registration fee, book deposit and first tuition payment is received. Students beginning study mid-year will have their tuition prorated.
   
   For Partner Lessons: Tuition is based on 34 lessons (29 classes & 5 ensemble experiences) spread over the period from September 4, 2007, to June 2, 2008. Tuition is paid in two (2) installments, payable in August and January, Payments are due by the 7th of each month. If payment is late, a $5.00 billing fee will be charged. A $50.00 (per family) annual registration fee (non-refundable, not applied to tuition payment) is payable upon enrollment. This reserves the student's place in the studio, includes the items listed below, and recognizes our mutual commitment to music study. A $25.00 fee will be assessed on all returned checks. Lessons will not be scheduled until signed registration form, registration fee, book deposit and first tuition payment is received. Tuition will only be prorated for classes that the teacher misses. Student absences will not be prorated or made up.
   
   Credit card payment is available at the studio or online by clicking here. To help minimize credit card fees and to continue to keep your tuition fees low, we do prefer payments by check or exact cash (we do not have change in the office). Please make checks payable to Rhapsody Arts Center.
   
   
   • NOT INCLUDED:
   • Music/Book costs
   • Audition entry fees
   • Accompanist fees
   • Summer lessons

   • INCLUDED IN TUITION:
   • Audition & festival opportunities; Performance opportunities
   • Lending library & supervised use of recording library
   • Theory curriculum & supplementary worksheets
   • Acoustic piano & digital piano lab use; Supervised practice time
   • Electronics use (MIDI equipment, synthesizer, keyboards, drum machine, digital piano lab)
   • MusicStation lab use, software & materials
7. Book Deposit: All students pay a book deposit upon registration. $40 is required for new students, and $20 for returning students. A record will be kept of all book expenses. When the book deposit is depleted, a copy of the expense record will be given to the parents and another $40.00 will be required. All unused funds will be refunded upon cessation of lessons. This is a service we offer to parents, and it ensures that our students have the correct books they need, when they need them. Individual books prices in excess of $9.95 will be pre-approved by the parent before purchase.
8. Extended Lesson (MusicStation) Time: MusicStation is supplemental enrichment time that is in addition to the private lesson time. It is scheduled for use either before or after the private lesson and includes a supervised computer software curriculum designed by the teacher. It is used to enhance note reading, music theory, music history, composition, and ear training skills in a fun, computer-aided learning environment. MusicStation is complimentary, but the student must sign up to participate.
9. Ensemble Experiences: Ensemble experiences (60 minutes, 4-10 students per class) are taught in place of the private/partner lesson on designated weeks according to the studio calendar. They will be scheduled near your normal weekly private/partner lesson time and include a 15-minute performance class and a 45-minute group class (including solo and ensemble playing, music history, ear training and music appreciation). Students should always bring their private lesson materials to ensemble experiences. During Ensemble Experience weeks, there are no private lessons (see calendar). Missed Ensemble Experiences can not be made up. Ensemble Experiences also apply to adults. For an additional fee, students may request a private lesson in addition to the group lesson during Ensemble Experience weeks.
10. Contractual Agreement: Music lessons will follow the school calendar. A high standard of excellence in teaching, materials, equipment, and curriculum is upheld in the studio. The same is expected of the students enrolled, especially in regard to weekly practice, attitude, attendance, and progress. At the end of the second term, the student, parent(s), and teacher may review and evaluate the year's progress and make decisions as to future study and the student's retention in the studio. Students who wish to continue in the studio the following year are required to participate in summer lessons or pay a fee and deposit to hold their enrollment for the fall to compensate their teacher for retaining space in his or her studio. A monetary penalty is assessed for breaking a contract mid-year.
11. Lesson Etiquette:
    1. fingernails should be reasonably trimmed (piano students).
    2. hands should be clean; please use the provided hand sanitizer before entering the lesson.
    3. no gum or candy during the lesson, please.
    4. if possible, students should have used the restroom before the lesson.
    5. friends, parents, and siblings are welcome to observe the lesson as long as they are not a distraction to the student.
    6. punctuality is appreciated: students are expected to arrive on time so the lesson may begin as scheduled, arriving late will shorten the lesson accordingly.
    7. students should be picked up no later than 5-10 minutes after their lesson concludes unless prior arrangements have been made with the teacher.

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