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2008 - Winston Music Policy
All students or parents please read the new policy before beginning Fall Semester lessons.
Winston Music Studio Policy
As you may know, we are members of several professional organizations whose aim is to improve the quality of music education. Some of these organizations include Music Teachers National Association, American Guild of Organists, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. These organizations set guidelines for their members in order to provide some uniformity in quality and expectations for students and their parents, as well as providing competition opportunities. Most of our policies are based on these industry standard practices.
Responsibilities
Teacher: It is the responsibility of the teacher to provide excellent instruction, and conduct lessons in a consistent and professional manner. We are committed to each of our students and will strive to help them achieve their greatest potential both technically and artistically. Students will be given performance opportunities and, when appropriate, competition opportunities.
Student: Students are expected to participate fully in their lesson experience. This includes regular attendance and prompt arrival for weekly lessons, as well as participation in studio functions such as recitals. In the event that the teacher runs a few minutes late starting a lesson, the time will be added to the end of the lesson or made up at another time if that is not convenient. If the student is late, that time is lost. The student is expected to be courteous and practice regularly between lessons. Students should always arrive prepared with their music neatly organized and with a pencil for corrections. Voice students please keep any loose-leaf music in a three ring binder.
Parents (if student is a minor): The parent is responsible for bringing their child to lessons on time and paying tuition at the beginning of each month. Parents should also consider themselves a vital part of their student’s musical development, and enforce regular practice.
CDs:
We ask each student to purchase a multi-pack (at least 10) of CD-Rs and bring them to your first lesson with your name on them. We have in our studio a Marantz CD recorder which we frequently use to record practice aids for the student or student performances.
Practice and Attendance
Consistent study and practice are the only ways to achieve any musical success. The study of any musical instrument is a discipline and requires hard work. While practicing is not always fun or easy, it is an absolute necessity. Thirty minutes or even an hour of lesson time each week is not sufficient to provide musical growth, or even the most minimal note learning. The teacher provides the tools for learning a piece and practicing it, but the student must follow through in a consistent manner. While we cannot guarantee the same degree of success for every student, each student can reach their full potential and find enormous satisfaction in their musical abilities!
Makeup Lessons
In order to receive a makeup lesson, the student or parent must provide 24 notice of the absence. This includes conflicts caused by school extra-curricular rehearsals and performances or other activities, so please be sure to plan ahead. Since our studio is at capacity and our schedule is very tight, we are generally unable to re-arrange lessons or find extra slots, so please place your established private lesson time as a high priority.
If a student must miss a lesson and it is an excused absence, he/she may sign up for a makeup lesson. Students may not make up more than two lessons per semester.
One of the things that sets our studio apart is that we are professional performers maintaining an active performance schedule throughout the year. We know that “practicing what we preach” gives our students the best opportunity to succeed. If we should miss a lesson for any reason, we will make every effort to make that lesson up as soon as possible.
Tuition and Fees
Monthly tuition is $90.00 for 30 minute lessons, $135.00 for 45 minute lessons, and $180.00 for hour lessons. Lessons are held weekly, and tuition is due the first lesson of the month. Tuition remains the same regardless of the number of lessons in the month. We do not prorate during the school term, and there are no cash refunds. Please make all checks payable to Rebecca Winston. As this is our salary, your timely payment each month is appreciated. You may pay for a full semester or a full year in one payment if you would like.
Termination of Agreement
If the student (or parent if that student is a minor) wishes to discontinue lessons, then please inform Winston Music of the change as soon as possible so that we may fill that time from our waiting list. Once we have been notified of the change, the student will be removed from the schedule the first week of the next month.
If the student (or parent if that student is a minor) consistently fails to live up to the agreed studio policy, Winston Music reserves the right to drop that student from enrollment. Winston Music also reserves the right to refuse service or to discontinue lessons at their discretion. All changes to enrollment will be at the first week of the month for continuity of billing.
Student Drop Off & Pick Up
All students who do not yet drive themselves will be released only to parents or those who have been given prior approval on the Winston Music Contact Sheet. If for some reason you need to send someone else to pick up your child, please inform us prior to the start of the lesson. If you cannot, please call Winston Music so that we may verify your approval prior to releasing the child. Please be prompt in picking up your child as we are occupied with our next student, and unable to provide supervision after their scheduled time has ended.
Feel free to use the driveway to drop of your child. However, if you choose to wait during your child’s lesson, please park on the street rather than in the driveway. This frees up the area for other parents to drop off their child for the next lesson, as well as allowing our family to come and go from our garage .
There is a waiting area provided next to the studio for parents and siblings. Please have children remain in that area as we have been made aware of some legal liability issues.
Important Points to Remember
We follow the LISD calendar for holidays. (Summer session is handled separately.) Monthly tuition remains the same every month from September through May. We do not prorate for shortened months, vacations or missed lessons.There are no cash refunds. Once a student has signed up for the school year, it is presumed that they will complete the term.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your child’s musical education.
Sincerely,
Chris and Rebecca Winston
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