Please arrive early and quietly unpack outside the classroom. You may leave your case in the hallway. Teachers can not run late so you will forfeit lesson time if you are tardy. Use the restroom and wash your hands before handling the instrument. Please turn off cellphones. If siblings are attending, make sure they have a quiet activity.
Practicing
To ensure the best progress and most musical experience, students are required to practice the length of their lesson 6 days a week. Parents of younger students are expected to set a side time to practice with their child daily.
Missed Lessons
Students are allowed one make up lesson per semester which will occur during make - up week at the end of the term. If a student knows s/he needs to miss a lesson, then it is best to switch lesson times with another student. If I need to miss a lesson for any reason it will be made up in a timely fashion. Make-up week may also be used for these lessons.
Snow Days
We will have lessons on snow days at our usual time. If the school system is closed due to inclement weather, you may either choose to skype, drive to class, or use Make-Up week. (Please download Skype to your computer if you do not already have it). Any group classes that are canceled will be rescheduled for another Monday.
Cell Phones
Phones should be silenced and left out of sight during lessons unless the parent is recording part of the class. Answering the phone or texting is not appropriate during class and can distract the child. Please show your child that you care about what s/he is doing in the lesson.
Paying Tuition
Tuition is due the first week of each month. Please either bring it to your private lesson, group class, or mail it. Some families successfully use automatic bill pay from the bank. There is a $10 late fee if the check is received after the 10th of the month. You may also pay via credit card but a service fee of 2.95% will be added.
Group Class Check Offs
In order to participate at the group recital, students must practice and perform all group pieces for the teacher in the individual lesson. If pieces are performance quality then the teacher will check them off. Students may only check off and play pieces that are two BEFORE what they are currently studying in lessons.
Group Class Absences
Students are allowed 3 group class absences per semester. If they miss more than 3 group classes then they will not be able to participate in the group recital that semester. Leaders for the concert must be present for both dress rehearsals in order to lead at the concert. Absences or tardiness at a dress rehearsal will result in the opportunity being passed to another student. Parents should communicate with the teacher if they know they need to miss a class.
Group Class Exemption
Students who are in Book 5 or higher and playing in an approved orchestra level, may be exempt from group class if they wish. Students may always choose to stay in the chamber class. (Must be in at least the Concert Orchestra of CYSO or The Young Artsts of MCYO in order to be exempt).