1. Once a student has been accepted for study after interview and audition, it is expected that practicing is part of the agreement. Parents should monitor this on a weekly basis and signing student practice records in Music History in the Making. Remember: students GET to practice six days a week! Please rest one day of your choice, but not lesson day. It is actually best to practice immediately following a lesson as that 50% of the knowledge acquired during a lesson is lost if this is not done.
2. Recommended practice time per day is 30 minutes for beginners with time increasing as student advances. Time required will be indicated on the weekly lesson assignment. The student is responsible for recording practice time and of course, for practicing as instructed.
3. Home environment should provide a milieu which is conducive to student achievement. A satisfactory, playable instrument, and parental encouragement in the organization of practice time are necessary tools of success for the student. Acoustic pianos are preferred. In fact, they are required. All piano students must have a piano!
4. Please be prompt for lessons. Enter the studio the door with the red and white windsock. Parents will promptly pick up students after their lessons so as not to leave them unattended, waiting outside.
5. Each student is required to spend 30 minutes per week in the Technology Lab in addition to the private lesson. There is a variety of independent learning activities: theory, rhythm training, ear training, composer biographies, opera, styles/eras of music, music history and notation. This is provided with computer software, CD ROM, videos, and audio cassettes.
6. Tuition reserves your exclusive lesson time; it is payment for your course of music education. Tuition is non-refundable. What you do with your reserved time, is entirely up to you. Tuition does not include music books/supplies, audition, testing or competition fees.
7. If you have conflicting activities, you may feel free to use the Student Roster to change lesson times with a comrade. The teacher does not change schedules once they have been agreed upon. The roster is maintained so that each student assumes responsibility for change in schedule. If for some reason, you do not want your name and number on this roster, please, notify the studio at once so the information can be deleted. By enrolling in the 2004-2005 studio schedule, you agree to automatically be listed on the roster.
8. If you are sick and notify the studio 24 hours in advance your lesson time will be rescheduled. Do not expect a rescheduled lesson if the 24 hour rule has not been followed. However, please do not come to your less
on sick. If you are not well enough to go to school, you are not well enough for piano lesson.
9. Vacations during the school year, require a two week notice and are not considered cancellations. Absenteeism is an obstacle to progress. It is the student's paid responsibility to use their reserved lesson time. There are no makeups.
10. If there is a true emergency, such as death in the family or sudden, expected illness, this time will be rescheduled. Try to notify the studio as soon as possible. Due to time constraints, the lesson will be completed during the summer months and most likely will be a group lesson. The number of lessons utilized will be reflected on the monthly statements.
11. Casa de la Música tries to operate on a time schedule. However, there will be times when your private lesson does not begin right on the scheduled hour. Please do not schedule subsequent events so close that you must leave early. Allow enough time to complete your lesson. When students are in a rush to make a deadline elsewhere following the lesson, they are distracted and unable to focus.
12. Casa de la Música reserves the right to dismiss a student midyear for lack of progress due to poor practice habits and attitude. Lesson time will not be used as a substitute for practice time. Prior to dismissal, parents will be notified. Ample time will be given to correct any problems. This is part of the self-discipline of the music program.
13. Remember, if objectives for the student are not clear, a conference with parents may be necessary.
14. Please wash hands before lessons. In fact, just get in the habit of hand washing before practice or performance. Instruments are expensive and require special care and respect. At the studio, the piano keys can become a medium for communicable diseases. Cleanliness can reduce this factor. A student may be asked to excuse themselves and wash if need be during a lesson. Fingernails will be clipped short. This is an important factor in hand position at the piano.
15. A notice of one month is required for students discontinuing lessons for any reason. Once a student embarks on a school year of study, it is expected that they will complete it.
16. Payments for tuition and other student expenses are due by the 10th of each month. Payments received late does not guarantee the student's appointment time.
A late fee of $5 is charged for payments received after the 10th. A $25 service charge is applied to all accounts for checks returned for insufficient funds.
17. Only full time students will participate in recitals, contests and extra-circular activities. It is not possible to have part-time students in these activities as the prep time required is not sufficient.
18. Due to the size and capacity of the studio, it is requested that family members wait outside the studio during lessons. It is too disruptive to have many people in the studio. Parents are welcome during the lesson, but without other children. Students should not bring guests to lessons.
19. Please watch and listen to the school closings due to bad weather. If District #196 closes schools for the day, there will be no lessons either. If school starts late, lessons will precede as usual. Lessons canceled due to bad weather will, of course, be made up. Please watch the website for studio closings.
20. Each student will receive Piano Explorer magazine each month. There are 10 issues per year. They will be expected to read it and complete all assignments in it. Cost is $5 per student.
And in Minnesota---Check the Weather Do we have lessons today? Or is there a snowstorm?
20. Casa de la Música serves as a host to pedagogy/piano major students from local colleges and universities such as University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota. On occasion, there may be a student teacher who will be observing studio activity and lessons. This should be a positive experience for all concerned. We are pleased to be included as a resource for higher education facilities.
