Registration and Policy

 
 


New Students


New students will begin in either September or February of each year, depending on teacher availability.  Perspective students are placed on a waiting list in the order in which their applications are received.  All parents/guardians are sent information about the school, directed to our website and encouraged to observe private and group lessons.  A new parents meeting will be held prior to beginning lessons and an instrument sizing session arranged.  Parents/guardians will receive at least two new parent meetings once lessons have begun. 


If you are new to Suzuki or are thinking of enrolling your child, and would like more

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Each student will participate in:


    * 36 private lessons per year

    * 18 group lessons per year

    * a minimum of one solo recital


Registration


A registration form must be submitted each spring for the following September.


Lesson scheduling is done by the individual teachers and is distributed over the summer.


Changes to individual lesson times must be submitted to the School in writing or email by July 1st.


Fees for individual student lessons and group lessons are made out directly to the Director in the form of 10 post-dated cheques dated the first of each month.


In addition there is an annual school membership fee, made out directly to the Huntsville Suzuki School.


Workshops, orchestra, chamber coaching, music theory and master class sessions when offered are not included.




School Policies (revised June 2009)



The School year is based on a 36 week school year running from September to the following June.


Private Lessons and Fees

Each student will receive 36 private lessons and 18 group lessons per year.  They will also have opportunity to play in one solo recital.  Each family must fill out a registration form each spring for the following September.  Lesson scheduling is done by the teachers. If the assigned lesson time is unsuitable, a letter requesting a change must be sent to the school by the required deadline.  Changes must be requested in writing.  Parents/guardians are free to switch with another accommodating family.


A $50 non refundable registration deposit is collected each spring to hold a student’s place until September. The balance of the school fee (the school fee minus the $50 deposit) is due September 1 payable to the Huntsville Suzuki School.  This is used to pay rent, accompanist fees, teachers’ salary for group lessons, office supplies, hall rental for recitals, and the Artistic Director’s salary.


Lesson fees are due at registration in the form of 10 posted-dated cheques (one for each month from September to June).  The cheques are to be made out to Linda Drennan (the artistic director) and dated the first day of each month.  The cheques will be collected and recorded by the Treasurer and the fees distributed to individual teachers. 


All NSF cheques are subject to a $20 charge.

A late fee of $50 will be charged if school fees are not paid in full by September 1.


Group Lessons

Group Lessons are an integral part of the Suzuki program.  Learning to play a stringed instrument also means learning about ensemble, cooperation, and the joy of performing for others.  Groups also provide valuable teaching hours.  The schedule is for 3 sets of 5 small groups throughout the school year and 3 full groups.  The full groups are the Christmas group, the rehearsal for the final concert and the final concert.  The school philosophy is to teach discipline and commitment in a non-competitive environment.  Participation in the group lessons is critical and missed groups are very  disruptive.  A student absent from two or more groups may be asked to withdraw.



Parent/guardian Participation

A parent or guardian is expected to attend all private and group lessons until the student has reached Book 3, unless otherwise arranged with the teacher.


Missed Lessons

Only teacher cancelled lessons are made up by the teachers, at a time suitable for all.  In case of illness, parents/guardians are requested to try and arrange a lesson switch with another family.  In the case of extended illness, the teacher may refund a portion of his or her lesson fee.


Withdrawal

If a student decides to withdraw before January, the teacher fees for the second term (February – June) will be refunded.  There will be no refunds for withdrawal after February 1.  The school fee is non fundable.


Temporary Absence
Students who begin late or are absent throughout the year for reasons other than illness are required to pay the teacher fees to ensure a place for them in the schedule when they return.


Orchestra

Students will be invited to audition for orchestras, depending on the teaching policy.  Orchestra membership is optional and requires an additional fee paid directly to the school.


Additional Policies

Parents/guardians are required to sign the train station policy each year.  The purpose of this policy is to ensure all students and accompanying people act in a safe manner around the train station and tracks.


Parent/guardians are required to sign a picture use form.  This allows/prohibits the use of student’s photo in advertising and promotional materials.




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