Polices and Procedures
Policies and Procedures
NEW STUDENTS
New students are required to have a trial lesson before they are accepted into the studio. Students will be charged at the hourly rate for a trial lesson. New and prospective students are welcome to observe a lesson.
STUDENT PREPARATION/PARENT PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to come prepared to their lessons. They will be thoughtfully held to the highest standards. Students are carefully reminded that playing a stringed instrument is easily one of the hardest subjects they will study. It requires daily practice and a high level of dedication and persistence. Naturally, many students need to be reminded to practice and the youngest need guidance during practice. When necessary, the parent must take careful notes during lessons. Otherwise, taking notes is the responsibility of the student. The student is responsible for bringing a ring binder for lesson notes and all music and materials to the lesson. In the end what is most important is the process and unique journey of each individual student.
STUDIO CALENDAR/ SEMESTER COMMITMENT
Students are required to commit to a set number of lessons each semester which is reflected in the tuition. This reflects the level of dedication needed to excel in the study of music. FSI requires that you commit in writing to 13 lessons in the fall and 17 in the spring. Unless noted on the calendar, you will have lessons every week. It is your responsibility to keep track of when your lessons are. There will be no lessons during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
ATTENDANCE Lessons missed without prior notice will not be made-up. If advance notice is given, you will be given one make-up lesson during the make-up week scheduled at the end of the semester. Your lesson will be held at your regular day and time during this week and is reserved for you. No make-up lessons will be given after the make-up week. Also, you will have the option of switching lessons with another student. It will be up to you to arrange the switch and let FSI know as soon as possible. Late arrivals cannot be guaranteed a full lesson. If a student misses a make-up lesson or snow make-up lesson it will not be made-up. Any lessons missed due to teacher illness or emergency will be made-up or refunded.
STUDIO CLOSINGS/SNOW DAYS
In the case of inclement weather the studio may follow the decision of the schools. However, if weather conditions change for the better during the day, lessons may go on a scheduled. Snow days will be made up at the end of the spring semester and are noted on the spring calendar. One snow day will be made-up for each student.
SUMMER LESSONS
The summer teaching schedule is abbreviated and there is not a tuition commitment. However, students are encouraged to have at least one lesson a month over the summer. At the end of the spring semester a summer schedule will be available and students sign up for the lessons they want. Students must pay for all scheduled lessons in advance at the beginning of the summer. There will be no refunds for missed summer lessons.
EARLY WITHDRAWL
If a student withdraws from lessons before the end of the semester they will be responsible for the remaining semester tuition.
PROBATION AND DISMISSAL
Students can be placed on probation or dismissed for the following reasons:
1) Reluctance or inability to behave in a respectful manner.
2) Reluctance or inability to pracitce consistently.
3) Failure to meet tuition payments in a timely manner and/or honor their lesson agreement.
4) Repeated tardiness.
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Student solo recitals are given twice a year. Students are required to perform in at least one recital a year. This does not apply to students who have just started lessons. A recital evaluation will be held three weeks prior to the recital to access and discuss recital preparation. A $30 recital fee is included in the tuition.
Students are encouraged to attend world class performances. A list of performances can be found HERE.
