Our curriculum provides an opportunity for students to develop their talents without limits in whatever direction they wish to go. Not only performance skill, but comprehensive musical knowledge is included in the sequence of classes.
Scheduling
Students who purchase musical instruments at Music Showcase will be given priority to lessons.
Others that choose to support other music stores will be scheduled as time permits.
Payment of Tuition
Tuition will be paid monthly, in advance, the first week of every month.
Please note that even if you have a lesson credit in any given month, you should still make your monthly payment in the first week of the month.
At the end of each month the teacher will give the student a paper which states the amount due for the following month.
lease be sure to bring this paper when you pay for lessons.
No credits will be issued without this paper from the teacher.
Also note that credits are issued based on this policy and at the discretion of the teachers.
Any discussion about a credit should be directed only to the teachers.
There will be no option to charge lessons.
If a lesson has not been paid on the first week of the month, do not expect to receive your lesson. Please do not ask for exceptions.
Failure to attend three consecutive lessons without notification will result in removal from the schedule.
If you discontinue lessons your reserved time will not be saved.
The first two months of lessons will be considered a probation period.
| Tuition Rates | |||
| # Lessons | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Regular | $11.00 | $44.00 | $55.00 |
| Drum Set* | $11.75 | $47.00 | $58.75 |
*Lessons taken on a drum set will be slightly higher due to the equipment needed for these lessons.
If two or more people from the same family are taking lessons, a family payment plan is offered: One student should pay for their entire monthly tuition on the first week of the month, and the other child should pay their entire monthly tuition on the third week of the month.
Credits for Students' Absences
The payment of tuition reserves a place for students in a weekly lesson. There are no refunds or credits for student absences except for reasons listed below. Therefore, please do not ask for credit on a missed lesson for any other reason. Notification of the inability to attend a lesson is a courtesy to the teacher and we ask that you call at least 24 hours in advance. This procedure should be done by an adult. Teachers will make a telephone assignment upon request.
Tuition may be adjusted for the following reasons:
- Vacations (minimum of 2 weeks notice to the teacher)
- Prolonged illness (e.g. broken arm, hospitalization)
- Short illness. Each student will be given up to two lesson credits for illness during the school year (September to July).
- Inclement weather. Tuition will be adjusted if all lessons are canceled and Music Showcase is closed. Listen to 1200 WKST.
- Death in the immediate family
- A musical activity with the school band or chorus (e.g. parade, concert)
Should it be necessary for a teacher to cancel a lesson due to extraordinary circumstances, tuition will be adjusted in the following month.
Parental Duties and Responsibilities
It is our purpose, with your help, to bring your child an education in instrumental music. In order for us to do this successfully, we must clearly understand our respective responsibilities and that is the purpose of this message. To begin with, we must make it perfectly clear that the child who is physically and mentally normal can, without question, learn and benefit from the study of instrumental music. Further, children with learning disabilities are often aided by the study of instrumental music.
These benefits come about because the study of instrumental music requires the student to assemble the various activities of the aural, visual and touch senses simultaneously. This assembly enables the senses to support and strengthen one another in such a way that training is received in concentration beyond that which any other academic subject can offer.
So, while we are all for the enjoyment and social advantages which instrumental music can bring your child, we tend to think of them as bonuses. The real reason for instrumental music is it's ability to help your child learn how to learn.
It is a fact that usually children do not drop out of music. Parents do. Responsibility for staying with the consistent learning program is yours, not your child's. Learning music is a try and try again process and successes are extremely important. Your child might become discouraged one day. It is normal. At this point, let your child know that you realize the problem and that you're proud that he/she is working at it. Gentle encouragement is needed, both in the classroom and at home, if your child is to achieve the success he/she deserves. While he/she should not be forced, it is important the he/she attend classes on a regular basis. Set aside a regularly scheduled time each day for practice. Do not leave it for chance or interrupt a favorite play time. Give the child your support and we will take it from there.
The successful parental approach has proven to be one of firm but quiet resolve by both parents that the child will benefit from a music education. If you want your child to have an education in instrumental music, you must expect it of the child. While a knowledge of music is valuable at this point, it is not a necessity. The success of the child depends first and foremost on parental interest.
Music study for your child represents a sizable investment on your part, but a most worthwhile one. If you are going to make this investment, you must continually bear in mind that it is up to you, not your child, if the investment is to pay dividends. The only variable is your own attitude, and the necessary ingredient for success is your interest.
There is no such thing as a person who does not like music, nor is there one who would not like to be able to play a musical instrument. But the going does get tough sometimes in the study of instrumental music.
If you are willing to help your child pass the tough parts in music study, perhaps more music will be learned, and perhaps more will come from it than the built-in educational benefit. Maybe there will also be a valuable lesson in living.