Studio Policies

Our purpose is to provide an attainable, Christ-centered, quality musical education to children of local families.

Age of students:
We accept students as young as they are able to sit through a fun 45-minute lesson, if they know their numbers up to five and alphabet up to G. In general, we recommend starting children in lessons around age five or six, recognizing that readiness varies widely in young children. We also welcome older beginners. We do not currently accept adult students.

Calendar:
Weekly lessons are given May through September, from Labor Day through Memorial Day, with one week off for Thanksgiving, two off for Christmas, and one off for Spring Break.

Character focus:
Recognizing that Christian character is more important than the music instruction we provide, we will incorporate character training into lessons as opportunities arise.

Commitment required:
The period of definite commitment, for both teacher and student, is from September to May, barring extraordinary circumstances. But lessons are begun with the understood intention of continuing at least until the student achieves basic proficiency in music, which may take four to six years. If parents do not desire that their children reach this level, we can recommend another studio to better suit their goals.

E-mails:
We recognize that your time is valuable. Consequently, we send e-mails only when we need to communicate important information. Please read them thoroughly.

Goals of the family:
As an extension of the parents' role into areas in which they may not have training, we firmly desire to work under parents' authority, supporting their goals. We ask that parents read these policies and communicate their goals to us, so we can verify that they are compatible with ours. During the course of instruction, please communicate questions or concerns to us as they arise.

Instruments:
Violin students should own the correct size of violin, in good condition; or they may rent an instrument if that size is needed for only a few months, or the family is financially unable to buy a violin immediately. Harp students are encouraged to own their instruments, though they may rent them if the family so desires. Piano students should own an acoustic (not electronic) piano, which should be tuned yearly by a professional piano tuner. (Our piano tuner is Bill Cory, 512-472-9358.) Those looking for an instrument should consult closely with their instructor.

Lesson structure:
Consistent attendance at lessons is vital for steady progress. During the school year (see Calendar, above), students will receive weekly 45-minute private lessons. Parents of students under age nine should attend lessons and take detailed notes to assist in practice; parents of older students are strongly encouraged to attend lessons as often as they are able. Please make every effort to arrive on time for lessons.

Make-up lessons:
When a lesson is cancelled by the student's family with more than 24 hours' notice, we will make an effort to provide a make-up lesson. Make-up lessons must be completed within the semester or forfeited. We appreciate your understanding when we need to reschedule a lesson due to other obligations; in such a case, we will attempt to give you as much advance notice as possible.

Music Styles:
We teach primarily classical music, usually introducing it in the second year of instruction. We also train students to play hymns, and we can include folk music and some other styles at the parent's request. However, there are certain styles we cannot teach, such as rock, jazz, and new age music, because we believe they violate God's design in music. We would be happy to explain our beliefs to parents or students upon request.

Notebooks:
Each student should have his or her own personal three-ring binder for the instrument he studies. Please keep the following items inside the notebook: assignment sheets from the current school year (in chronological order), plenty of lined paper, a pencil, and all current music pages. You may also find it helpful to include these Studio Policies and to use tab dividers.

Parents' role:
The role of the parents in motivating the student is perhaps the most crucial of all elements of music instruction. The parents' appreciation of the child's current accomplishment and excited vision for what he could become can influence a student's success more than anything else. The parents' commitment is important to foster determination in the student when he sees that lessons will not be stopped at his whim if something is difficult. Parents of children under age nine need to attend their lessons and practice daily with them, a habit which is also encouraged for parents of older children. Because good parental involvement dramatically increase student progress, parents will find a much greater return on their investment in lessons when they will invest their time as well.

Parents' Responsibilities:
Although the instructors endeavor to motivate students to correctly practice for enough time, it is ultimately the responsibility of the parents to ensure that this happens. A parent is required to sign the student's assignment sheet before each week's lesson to verify that he or she knows (1) what was assigned, (2) whether the student worked diligently to complete the assignment, and (3) how much the student practiced (practice time should be written on the assignment).

Payment:
Tuition for each student is $100/month. This includes weekly private lessons, occasional group lessons, studio recitals, and theory instruction. All checks should be made payable to the instructor.

Payment schedule:
Postdated checks are required each semester. For the Fall semester, your instructor must receive by September 1 four checks dated September 1, October 1, November 1, and December 1, each for the amount of your family's monthly tuition. For the Spring semester, your instructor must receive by January 1 five checks dated January 1, February 1, March 1, April 1, and May 1, each for the amount of your family's monthly tuition. If these checks are late, the first lesson of the semester will be forfeited.

Philosophy of talent:
God gives physical and mental abilities in different measure, and playing an instrument is a learned skill which involves many different abilities. Teaching is the art of helping students put their strengths to good use and developing their weaknesses. Therefore, from the beginning of instruction we will seek to discover students' natural levels of ability in various areas. Though some may excel in certain aspects of music, it would be difficult to say that any one student has more talent than another. Similarly, though one student may progress quickly at first, speed of learning among different students virtually equalizes eventually, with each one being slowed when his areas of weakness are exposed.

Practice requirements:
Each student will be given a minimum time requirement (usually 30 or 45 minutes) which he needs to spend practicing daily, on five different days each week. Before committing to lessons, parents should examine their schedule to confirm that not only does the student have this time, but the parent can ensure that the student actually practices consistently. Failure to meet the practice requirements may result in the student's next lesson being skipped, shortened, or turned into a practice session.

Purchases:
Parents are responsible to purchase books and supplies recommended by the teacher, which will often be needed within one or two weeks of notice. This should not prove to be a major expense. A list of local music stores can be found here.

Recitals:
In our studio, recitals are not a showcase of accomplishment about which to be nervous, but rather a sharing of music about which to be excited. Studio recitals will be scheduled periodically, and, additionally, we encourage parents to find opportunities for their children to play music for others as often as possible.

Students' character:
We ask that students respect the teacher, cooperate with what they are asked to do, and display a good attitude even if they do not particularly want lessons.