STUDIO POLICY

SC PIANO STUDIO
STUDIO POLICY FALL/SPRING 2011-2012

Prelude:

Welcome to Ms. Susan’s Piano Preparatory Studio. Piano lessons is a gift that your child can use throughout their lives to serve and help others, which will bring them joy and happiness. Through piano lessons your child will gain self-discipline, self-control, coordination, cognitive thinking, organization, memorization and communication skills. This piano preparatory studio will stimulate, inspire and enhance your child’s intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual growth through music education. MORE ABOUT WHY MUSIC LESSONS?, ON MY BLOGSPOT MSSUSANPIANO.BLOGSPOT.COM

Major Notes:

Tuition:
Tuition is due on the 1st lesson of each month. Tuition is $50.00 monthly for group lessons, and $60.00 monthly for private lessons, if child practices 5 days a week, $60.00/$70.00 if child does not practice. Tuition is on the honor system. If tuition is not paid by the 2nd lesson a $15.00 late fee will be charged. If not paid be the 3rd lesson your child will not be taught. ALL MISSED LESSONS MUST BE PAID FOR! If your child cannot attend a lesson, it is your responsibility to contact another student in the studio and swap lessons with them. A list of student’s names and numbers will be given to each family in the studio. NO MAKEUP LESSONS. A yearly registration fee of $40.00 per student is due on the 1st lesson in September. After September 15st the fee will be $50.00.

Recitals:
My studio presents two formal recitals a year. Every student is expected to perform and attend. The student’s pieces are required to be memorized when performed. I also will host a December performance party where each child can perform a Christmas or classical piece. This piece does not need to be memorized. Summer study is not required but strongly advised. Those that study in the summer have first chance for scheduling lessons for fall.

Attendance:
All students are expected to attend every lesson in the semester, however I understand that if a student is out of town or sick they cannot attend. Please arrange a lesson swap with another student if this occurs. If you cannot make a swap contact me ASAP to inform me of student absence.

Materials:
All students’ need: 1. Assigned music, 2. 1” binder, 3. pencil, 4. flash drive, 5. music bag, 6. metronome, and 7. 2 SASE for mailing assignment sheets for missed lessons. Optional materials: I-pod, and colored pencils. 1. Students are required to bring materials to lessons each week except for metronome. Be sure to have your child check their bag to see if they have their practice sheet and their music each week when you pick them up.

Practice:
The big P word! Your child is required to practice at 5 days each week. I award perfect practice trophies at the end of the spring semester for every child that has 100% practice throughout the year. I ask younger student’s to practice each song 5 times. Older students need to practice until they’ve accomplished their weekly goals. This usually takes 45-60 minutes a day 5 days a week. CORRECT PRACTICE IS IMPORTANT! The first practice session after each lesson is vital. Don’t let your child procrastinate their practice. It should be done immediately after their lesson if at all possible. Please help your child practice the first and last lesson of each week. Children love the attention they receive from the help you give them, thus enabling them to come prepared to lessons. Being prepared each week will give your child self-confidence in knowing they have done their best.
Schedule your child’s practice session the same time every day. Or have your child practice several times throughout the day. A good ritual helps children get the job done, creating excellent time management skills. At times your child will need a jump-start, we all do! I have fun incentives to help. (100 days of practice etc). If your child still struggles with practice, let me know. We all know what’s best for our children. Doing homework, household chores and practicing is hard but needs to be done, and your child will feel accomplished when completing each of these tasks. Remember, practicing piano lessons creates self-discipline, patience, responsibility, and instills a powerful work ethic in your child that they will need to compete in the world today. I know this is a sacrifice for you as parents however they will thank you someday for what you have given them. I know this for a fact!



Minor Notes:
Incentives:
100% Practice Award: Student’s who have practiced 5 days a week all year long will receive the highly coveted 100% Practice Trophy at the Spring recital. (If child goes on vacation or sick, they can practice twice a day to make up practice. Parent signature required for this award)

100 days of Practice: Try to practice 100 days straight for a special reward each semester! Crystals, treats or prizes will be given out each week when a student has practiced. Treats/prizes are new this year to reinforce immediate weekly practice.

AAA Club: To belong to this club student must be able to perform 3 memorized pieces Anytime, Anywhere, and in front of anyone. They will receive a membership card for every 3 pieces they have memorized. Student will receive 5 crystals for each memorized piece and 15 crystals for becoming a member of this prestigious club.

Superstar Award: Each student has a BE A STAR incentive sheet. This is a fantastic service incentive that children can participate in to help their church and community throughout the year. I will give small prizes for each chunk of incentives passed off through out the year, ending with an I’M A STAR trophy at the end of the year.

Olympic Test: Each year at the end of the spring semester, I test each child on the knowledge they have learned throughout the year. They will be awarded at the spring celebration for their testing effort. Parents are encouraged to help them prepare for the testing.

Piano Store:
The store will be open at the group ensemble lesson each month. All students will be able to buy prizes with the crystals they have earned. This year group ensemble lessons will take the place of the regular group or private lesson for that week.
Termination of Lessons:
Termination from my studio will transpire after 3 weeks of non-practice during one semester or 3 missed lessons without an explanation of excuse. I will warn a student and then write a letter to the parent’s with the proposed termination if necessary. If student desires to terminate piano lessons it is necessary to advise me of this, 4 weeks prior to last lesson.
mssusanpiano.blogspot.com:
I will keep everyone updated on my monthly blog informing student’s of any studio changes, recital information, current fine art events, composer of the month, SBC (Susan’s Book Club recommendations) and practicing suggestions. There are also piano games, and music freebies on this site.

Communication:
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at mssusankmusik_piano@msn.com. I teach over many student’s a week, and is very hard to contact me by phone. If you need to talk with me leave a message and I’ll respond as quickly as possible. Please remember that I work Monday-Thursday 8:00-6:30. Please limit calls to these hours unless it is an emergency. No calls will be answered or returned on Saturday or Sunday.

Postlude:

I’m excited to start a new piano year with your child, what a wonderful opportunity your child is going to have by adding music in their lives. My love of music and children is evident in my studio. I’m dedicated and committed to help every student succeed in his or her musical abilities.



I have read and I understand this studio policy.


Student Signature__________________________________________


Parent Signature___________________________________________