Manduca Music Studios Policy Statement

Academic Year 2020-2021

ATTENDANCE: It is important to the student’s growth to attend lessons regularly. Each student is committed to both private and ensemble lessons, and a specified amount of time in a learning center. All students should arrive punctually with music, pencils, staff paper, practice journal, and any other relevant materials and music.

PRACTICING: Successful and rewarding music study depends on consistent daily practice. Parents are asked to provide the following: an established practice time; a tuned instrument in good repair; a practice environment free from distraction; supervision of practice sessions for the young beginner; encouragement and support in establishing good practice habits. Students must keep assignments and practice notes in a practice journal. Parents are encouraged to call concerning practice problems and assignments.

If your family travels many weekends, I encourage you to have a portable keyboard that can go with you. There are many good and lightweight keyboards available.

PERFORMANCE: Each student is required to perform a minimum of three times per year in any of the following settings: group classes, recitals, outreach programs, competitions, student evaluations program, school concerts both as a soloist or accompanist.

When performing in a recital, the student needs to stay for the entire concert to see everyone play, unless an early exit has been cleared with me.

MAKE-UP POLICY: The instructor will make-up any lesson that he/she may miss. If the instructor does not make-up the lesson, the student’s account will be credited.

New snow day policy: We will revert to an online lesson thereby eliminating the need for make-up lessons for inclement weather. If school is cancelled, you may request a morning time. Text me at 207-233-9401.

Please do not send a student who is ill to a lesson. Lessons for illness will be made up. If you feel well enough to have a lesson online, let me know and we will do that at your regularly scheduled time. For everyone’s health, please wash your hands before your lesson. Students attending lessons should have had all current vaccinations, especially including those for pertussis and measles.

There will be no make-up lessons for any of the following reasons: extended vacations including ending the year early; sporting events, parties or other social events; forgetting a lesson; transportation problems. In order to accommodate students who have these conflicts, we will post a list of student phone numbers and a master schedule in the studio. Please do not call your instructor to set this up. Since we teach throughout the afternoon and evening we are unable to make these changes for you. It is up to the student to call another student and switch lesson times. Please plan ahead when attempting to switch with another student. On short notice, another student may not be able to accommodate you.

The student is responsible for scheduling a make-up lesson. Certain days are set aside for make-up lessons. Please see the studio calendar for these dates. The student must make up a lesson in the semester when the lesson was missed.

Adult students who take extended vacations: you need to make arrangements as soon as possible with other adult students to switch lesson times. There are no make-up lessons for the weeks you are gone.

ELECTRONICS: Students should bring IPhones, IPads or any other recording device to their lessons so that I can record their lesson material.
Parents: Please silence cell phones or computers during a student’s lesson.

PAYMENT POLICY: Yearly tuition is divided into 7 equal payments. Payment is due on the following dates: September 7, October 5, November 9, January 4, March 1, April 5, May 3. You will receive reminder notices by e-mail.

TERMINATION POLICY: A two week notice is necessary to terminate lessons. This gives the teacher the opportunity to schedule a student from the waiting list. Over this two week period, the student’s account will be reviewed and any outstanding balances paid or credits made.

OFFICE HOURS: Should any questions arise concerning billings, policies or general business, please call Liz Manduca at 773-7012; cancellations or lesson changes text to 207-233-9401; or e-mail: mark@manducamusic.com