The School Year The Huntsville Suzuki School year is based on a 36-week school year running from September, 2024 to June, 2025. Private Lessons take place at The Canada Summit Centre, Huntsville. Group lessons and Orchestra take place at the Muskoka Music Centre in Huntsville. Please contact us about Zoom lessons if you prefer to take lessons by video.
Lesson Structure Each violin, viola and classical guitar student receives 36 weekly private lessons. We also offer bi-weekly Suzuki Group Lessons and Suzuki Orchestra on Thursdays after 5pm for violinists and violists taking lessons from our violin/viola teacher. These group playing sessions are in addition to private lessons to learn the art of playing in an ensemble. If five or more guitar students are enrolled, the group playing experience will also be offered for those taking lessons from our guitar teacher.
Forms Each new and returning student must fill out either a Violin-Viola Registration Form or a Guitar Registration Form, an Image Use Permission Form, and pay their fees prior to the start of lessons in September. Lesson scheduling is done by the teachers, who send out a schedule of lessons to each enrolled student once a time slot has been agreed upon and fees paid. Fees are listed on the violin/viola and guitar registration forms.
School Fee Each student within driving distance of the School (100km) who is taking lessons with one of our teachers must pay a School Fee of $200. For students outside driving distance, the fee is $100 per student. This is payable by cheque to Huntsville Suzuki School or e-transfer to [email protected]. This goes toward the cost of running a school and thus being able to retain our teachers. The School uses it to rent studios for the teachers, pay insurance, afford music purchases, buy office supplies and many other expenses. The School's Board of Directors oversees spending of fees and also directs annual fundraising efforts to help maintain financial stability. In addition, the School is a Registered Charity and can accept tax-deductible donations.
Required Membership Every student of one of our teachers must be a member of the Huntsville Suzuki School of Music. School members may sign up for Group Lessons and Orchestra, and are invited to play on School concerts. Parents and students over 18 may sit on the Board, which meets monthly by Zoom.
Late Fees for Returning Students A late fee of $50 will be charged to returning School members if Registration and School Fees are received after July 1, 2024.
Private Lesson Enrollment and Fees Private Lesson fees for returning students are due July 1, 2024, though we ask that returning students get their forms in early to avoid the late fee. Sign-ups for new students continue year-round until teachers’ studios are full, though most people sign up over the summer to start in September. We take students at any time of the year however, and we find that students who start at times other than the fall don't have difficulty fitting into our program.
Private lesson fees are paid directly to the student’s teacher by posted-dated cheques or an e-transfer for the entire year. Group lesson fees and orchestra fees are also paid directly to the teacher. Please consult the Violin-Viola Registration Form or the Guitar Registration Form for detailed fee information.
NSF cheques must be taken care of immediately and are subject to a $30 charge.
Parent/Guardian Participation A parent or guardian is expected to attend private and group lessons of students under 8 years old. Parents are more involved in Suzuki music lessons than traditional lessons. They come to lessons, take notes on the lessons, and guide student practice at home until the age that the student can practice efficiently on his or her own. This is younger for some, older for others, depending on the student's study habits, organizational skills and work ethic.
Missed Lessons Only teacher-cancelled lessons are made up by the teacher, at a time suitable for all. In case of student absence for any reason, parents/guardians are requested to arrange a lesson switch with another family for that week’s lesson using the teacher’s weekly lesson schedule.
Group Lessons Group Lessons are available to all School students in Books 1 to 3. They are an integral part of any Suzuki program and are highly recommended. Learning to play a stringed instrument also means learning about ensemble, cooperation, and the joy of performing with others and performing for an audience. In a normal year, there are roughly 18 group activities scheduled throughout the year, which include group classes, concert rehearsals and concerts. The School's philosophy (and the philosophy of Suzuki lessons in general) is to teach discipline and commitment in a non-competitive, friendly environment.
Orchestra Orchestra is open to violin and viola students in Books 4 and up. Orchestra students play more advanced repertoire and use the music reading skills they have developed to prepare for rehearsals and concerts.
Withdrawal Policy If a student decides to withdraw from the School for non-medical reasons and written notice is received by November 30, 2024, one half of the year’s private lesson fees will be refunded by the teacher. There will be no refunds of private lesson fees for a student withdrawing after November 30, 2024 except for medical reasons, which are considered on an individual basis. Group lesson fees, Orchestra fees, the Registration and the School Fee are non-refundable.
Students are required to commit to attending the entire length of their lesson. No refund will be offered for a student wishing to shorten the length of their lessons after the schedule has been set and lessons have started for the year.
Additional Policies Parent/guardians and adult students are required to sign an Image Use Permission Form each year. This allows/prohibits the use of student’s photo in advertising and promotional materials.