Policy

Service

Lessons: The instructor will provide thirty or forty-five minutes of quality individual instrumental instruction, specifically tailored to the student’s abilities, on a weekly basis. The goals are to improve the student’s ability to read music, perform with musicality, and advance in musical repertoire difficulty and technique. Students will participate in an annual recital to share their accomplishments publicly.

Tuition and Fees

Payment is due on the 1st of the month and is considered late after the 10th of the month. A late fee of $10 will be added to the regular monthly amount. No refunds are given for students who miss lessons or discontinue lessons before the end of the month. Tuition and fees are paid on a per person basis. Students who choose to drop lessons should inform the instructor before the 25th of the month. The instructor may discontinue services if tuition remains unpaid.

Recital fee: There will be one formal recital a year. The recital fee is $45 per family attending. Friends are welcome.

NC Federation of Music Clubs Festival: This contest occurs on the last Saturday in February each year. Students prepare two pieces and play for a judge to receive a rating of Superior, Excellent, Satisfactory or Fair. Students who receive ‘Superior’ three years in a row will receive the Gold Cup Award. This is NOT a competition. Students are striving for their personal best. Students will be acknowledged and receive a ribbon for their hard work at the annual recital. Ask instructor about the current fees for this event.

Books: The instructor will send the correct Amazon link for each book needed. Clients are welcome to buy these books from Music and Arts in the Arboretum or online from any website of their choice. Students may also purchase their own non-required music but it will be the instructor’s decision whether to use it during lessons.

Payment: Payment for tuition and fees can be made with cash, Venmo, Zelle, or check (payable to South Charlotte Music Studio).

Schedule

Academic Calendar Year: The studio is open Monday thru Friday and follows a basic school calendar year. Please call or email for available time slots. Lessons are not given on major holiday breaks. Lessons may be given on minor holidays. If your student is still in school, be aware that this studio may or may not follow your student’s school schedule. Please call the studio if there is any confusion on closures.

Summer Lessons: Summer lessons are encouraged and are available based on the client’s and the instructor’s summer schedule. Details will be discussed in May with any interested students.

Make-up Lessons

Sickness: Make-up lessons are granted for student sickness provided that the make-up lesson is requested within 3 days of the missed lesson. A day and time will be agreed upon by both the instructor and the client. No more than three make-up lessons will be given within a three-month time period.

Instructor Cancellation: When a lesson is cancelled by the instructor due to sickness or emergency, a make-up lesson will be granted. A day and time will be agreed upon by both the instructor and the client.

Vacations and Student Absences: No make-up lessons are given for lessons missed due to vacations or other student absences. This includes but is not limited to sport events, birthday parties, dentist/doctor appointments or other special events. Parents may request a lesson before going on vacation, if there is a time slot available. If no time slot is available, the lesson will be missed and no make-up lesson will be given.

Other: Make-up lessons will be granted for a death in the family or other family emergency situations. No make-up lessons are granted for inclement weather or other ‘acts of God’ including but not limited to power outages and school closures due to snow.

Virtual lessons are also an option when a student is only mildly sick or if there are transportation issues.

Student Requirements

Preparation: Students are required to be prepared for every lesson on the material assigned to them at the previous lesson. All students should practice 5 days a week or more. The instructor will discuss how much time is appropriate for each student. This time requirement increases as the student progresses. Students are not expected to be perfect, only progressing at a pace appropriate to their age level and talent abilities.

Instrument: Piano students must have access to a piano or keyboard 5 days a week. An instrument in the home is preferred.

Students must keep their fingernails short. Good piano technique cannot be achieved if the fingernails are long.

Recital: Every student, regardless of level, is required to participate in the annual recital held in the spring each year. The recital date will be announced in March.

Lateness: No make-up lesson time is given for lateness, but students are encouraged to come to lesson EVEN if they are late. Twenty minutes of lesson is better than no lesson at all!

Probation: Students who are not prepared on assigned material and/or who are not practicing 5 days a week may be put on probation if the problem continues. A contract will be written by the instructor and must be agreed upon by the student (and the student’s parent/guardian, if appropriate) for lessons to continue. If the terms of the contract are not met, a student will be asked to discontinue lessons at the end of the month.

Parent/Guardian Requirements

Interview: A parent or guardian is required to attend an interview with the instructor and their student. The policy sheet is reviewed and possible schedule times are discussed. A short aptitude test is given to students in K-1. There is no fee for this meeting.

Lesson Attendance: While not required, parents are encouraged to attend the first 2-6 weeks of lessons and then, only occasional attendance is necessary.

Policy Sheet: It is the client’s responsibility to fully read and understand the policy sheet and sign it as part of the registration process.

Policy Agreement Statement

I have read and understood the policies of the Francis Music Studio. I agree to comply with these policies.
I agree to help my student comply with the “Student Requirement” portion of this policy sheet.
I agree to pay monthly fees for tuitions, books, late charges, recital fees or any other costs that the owners of Francis Music Studio and I have agreed upon.