Contract for Music Lessons at Grace Notes Music Studio
September 2023 to August 2024
Thank you so much for choosing our studio! We look forward to a fun and rewarding partnership.
We firmly believe that there is no one way to teach music that applies to every student. It is our responsibility as instructors to prepare for and diligently teach each individual student as we see their needs. We want our students to love making music for a lifetime!
Learning music is not easy but it is a wonderful endeavor with many benefits. It is hard work. Be patient with yourself. Work hard but relax and have fun.
Business Hours and Communication
The studio business hours are:
Monday - 4 PM to 8 PM
Tuesday - 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday and Thursday - 10 AM to 8 PM
Friday - 3 PM to 8 PM
Lunch hour is from 1 to 2 PM daily
We do not teach or do any business related communication on Saturdays or Sundays.
David’s hours begin at 5:30 PM each weekday and end at the same time as business hours.
Our email address is gracenotesmusic@comcast.net
Our business phone number is 410-603-8585
David can be reached directly at dcwilson6str@gmail.com
Phone calls are not advised as we cannot take calls while teaching. We encourage texting.
Please no texting or calling during non-business hours unless it is an emergency.
Practice
Regular practice of any skill is essential if a person is to gain competency. Athletes practice their skills regularly, and know how important conditioning is to their performance. For a musician, physical skills must be mastered, muscles must be conditioned, and intellect must be focused. Daily practice is essential.
For younger students: parents need to sit down with their child and help them to read directions, to complete daily practice, and to do their theory assignments.
The student, parent for younger students, is responsible for referring to the assignment sheet for practice instructions, suggestions, and theory assignments.
The parent should help their child set a pattern for a consistent practicing routine and remember that children need encouragement for practicing just as they would need it for anything else. Practice is not something to be done to check off a list. Effective, thoughtful practice will give the student a better understanding of their assignments and they will have better playing ability. I’ve often said that practice should be thought of as problem solving sessions.
Wherever the student is practicing should be free of distractions and a place where the student is able to focus.
Piano student’s fingernails must be trimmed to help facilitate proper technique.
Practice time guidelines are:
Young beginners, K-2nd grade - 20 minutes daily
Students 3rd – 5th grade 25 – 35 minutes daily
Students 6th – 8th grade 35 – 45 minutes daily
High School (planning on studying music in college) 45 – 60 minutes daily
High School Non-majors and Adults 30 – 35 minutes daily
The absolute bare minimum for any student is 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Less than this is unacceptable and will cause the student to be discouraged with their progress.
Tuition, Late Fees, and Notice of Discontinuation
Tuition covers planning time and one on one instruction time. It also covers lesson and theory books, any practice incentives, studio licensed and printed materials, and recital opportunities. It does NOT cover the replacement of lost or damaged books and music.
The monthly tuition rates are:
$93 per month for a half hour time slot
$133 per month for a 45 minute time slot
$173 per month for a 60 minute time slots
Tuition payment is due by close of business on the 25th of the preceding month. A $30 late fee will be added on the last day of the month. No lessons will be given without prior full monthly tuition and late fee payment. Therefore, if paying on the first of the month with late fee you then owe:
$123.00 for half hour lessons
$163.00 for 45 minute lessons and
$203.00 for hour lessons.
We, frankly, do not want to receive late fees, but we must be paid on time.
No business will be transacted outside of business hours.
One month's notice must be given if discontinuing or pausing lessons. If less notice is given you are responsible to pay for the month's tuition.
All checks are to be made payable to "April Wilson". We also accept cash and Zelle (using business phone number - 410-603-8585 )
Attendance and Lesson Etiquette
Your tuition is based on enrollment for a specific time slot occurring every week.
If you decide to take a break from lessons, your time slot is forfeited.
Only the student and 1 parent may be in a lesson. The room is small and it is a distraction to have other children in the lesson. You may use the living room as a waiting room, but children, other than the student in lesson, must be attended by an adult and please be respectful by keeping the noise level at a minimum. Do not let children wander outside of the living room. No food allowed.
Students are to be picked up promptly at the end of their lesson.
Make Up Lessons and Rescheduling
Use the mymusicstaff site to cancel and reschedule lessons. When you do this the teacher will be notified by email; and it will be reflected in the calendar. Do this as soon as possible because doing so will make that time available for others to use for their make up time. There isn’t a lot of wiggle room in the schedule so, if everyone does this, you will all be helping each other.
Rescheduling and make up lessons are essentially the same thing.
Make up lessons are not alway possible and are not guaranteed. Make up lessons will not be given without 24 hours notice of the missed lesson or if no mutually suitable time is available within a month. If needing to reschedule, please do this as soon as you can.
Rescheduling requires a minimum of 24 hours notice. Asking to be reschedule on the same day is the same as a same day cancellation.
If a student cannot come to the studio, online lessons are available. Another option is to record and send the assigned pieces and take photos of written work and send these to your instructor. The recording and submitted work will be evaluated and notes and assignments will be sent to the student.
A missed make-up or rescheduled lesson is not eligible to be made up.
Tuition is based on enrollment and is non refundable.
Vacation and Holidays
The studio is closed on the following dates from 9/2023 through the end of 8/2024:
September
Recital Dates:
December 9th 2023
June15th 2024
Referral Program
Please make sure we know if you refer someone to Grace Notes Music Studio. If a referred student signs up, the referring family will receive a $25 credit in the new student’s 2nd month of lessons.
Initial Payment and Scheduling for New Students
New students and those returning after an absence must submit first month’s tuition and $35 registration fee per student in order to secure their desired time slot.
I have read, and agree to abide by the above policies of Grace Notes Music Studio.
Name____________________________________ Date________________