Fall 2017 Registration - Chester - In Studio Step-1
Please review our studio policies and click on the registration link at the bottom to continue with the registration process.
Piano Workshop at Chester Studio Policies
Our Fall 2017 semester will run from Tuesday September 5th, to Tuesday January 23rd, 2018, and our Winter/Spring semester will run from Thursday Jan 25th, 2017 to Thursday June 21st, 2017.
During the academic school year our rates are tuition based.
- You will be billed for just 18 of the 20 weeks for fall which allows for vacations and/or 2 cancellations, and 19 of 21 weeks for spring.
- Payment options are on the registration form.
- A late fee of $25 will be charged for payments made after the 10th of the month.
- For students starting lessons mid-semester, they will be invoiced monthly until the next semester begins.
Invoices will be emailed at the end of each month for the upcoming month, and payments are due by the 10th of each month. Preferred method of payment can be found through the online link on your invoice. You may also use check or credit card. If you have a billing question, please contact Mark directly with any questions (teachers are not in a position to answer any billing related questions).
**First month tuition and fees must be paid prior to your first scheduled lesson date of the semester.**
Registration Fee: There is a registration fee of $40 per student per semester. Or $60 if you enroll for the full year. Registration fees cover the following:
• Maintenance of pianos and keyboards
• Music shipping costs
• Teacher education
• Training and orientation
• Administrative paperwork, scheduling time for each student, trips to the music store.......you get the idea.
Please note: If you started your lessons in late fall of 2016, or late spring of 2017 the registration fee and music fees may have been waived but will apply for our 2017/2018 semesters.
Music Fee:
There is a $50 dollar music fee billed at the beginning of each year. This applies to piano students age eight and older and is waived for our younger students, guitar students and adult students. Fee will also be waived on your invoice if you spent less than $25 of last year's fee.
The average student spends between $35 and $80 dollars on music per year. If there are siblings of the same age and level taking lessons, there will be only one music fee charged. However, if the siblings are not at the same age or level, then the music fee will be $75. Credits for unused music fees for last winter and spring will be issued on your October invoice. Music provided for adults or pre-schoolers will be added to your monthly invoice.
Attendance and Make-up lessons:
Your lesson time is reserved each week and regular weekly attendance is expected of all students.
• Notification of inability to attend a lesson does not excuse payment for the lesson. If more than 24 hour notice is provided, then a make-up lesson may be scheduled with the teacher.
• Make-ups will be scheduled based on teacher availability and are not guaranteed. Note: Only two make ups will be allowed per semester, and must be taken before the end of the semester. If less than 24 hours notice is given or if a student fails to show up for a lesson, there will be no make-up offered.
• We also offer make up classes which will be offered and scheduled by each teacher. If you need to miss a lesson and are unable to reschedule, you may attend one of your teachers make up classes which may be offered in the evening or weekend hours.
• Reminder: You are only billed for 18 lessons in the first semester of 20 weeks.
For emergencies and last minute scheduling issues please call the school number at (908) 955-3022. Your message will immediately be texted to Mark . This is the most efficient way to reach everyone, especially for last minute problems. Other scheduling issues may be discussed directly with your teacher. However, we ask that you also email the studio at director@thepianoworkshopatchester.com or use the email system on your calendar login page on our website.
Student Drop-off and Pick-up:
If a parent or guardian cannot wait with a student during a lesson, the student should be dropped off no earlier than five minutes before the scheduled lesson time and picked up no later than five minutes after the lesson ends. Please make sure their teacher is at the studio before you leave. If a student must be dropped off early or picked up late or if you are running late unexpectedly, please contact the teacher directly to ensure someone will be at the studio to wait with your child. The studio is only open for scheduled lessons and does not keep specific hours. For your child's safety and your own convenience, please do not assume the doors will be open and someone will be available to wait with your child more than five minutes before and after their scheduled lesson time.
Cancellation of Enrollment:
If a student needs to discontinue enrollment in a semester due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances, the studio will retain a pro-rated portion of the tuition for two weeks following the date of discontinuance.
New Students Enrolled Mid-Semester:
If a new student enrolls after a semester has begun, they may take a partial term of lessons with a pro-rated tuition.
Inclement Weather:
If lessons are missed due to snow or inclement weather, a make-up lesson or class will be scheduled with the teacher. Often schools are closed in the morning, but the roads are clear and safe by afternoon. In these cases lessons will continue as scheduled. Please call the studio or your teacher directly if there is any doubt or question about the weather.
Teacher Cancellations:
In the event a teacher has to be absent due to a professional or personal commitment, a make-up lesson will be scheduled with the teacher. If a make-up is impossible, then we will issue a credit at the end of the semester for the missed lesson. In the event of an absence due to sudden illness or other teacher emergency, a substitute teacher may teach your lesson. You may not be notified about this in advance.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
A Few Words About Practicing:
"You don't have to practice every day, just on the days that you eat."
This is good advice but not always the most practical. The most important time to practice is immediately following the lesson, or at least within the first 24 hours. Research indicates that retention rates go from 90% for students who practice within the first 24 hours of a lesson, to less than 60% for those who wait until the second day after a lesson.
• If a student has a 30 minute lesson, then a good daily practice session would last between 15 and 20 minutes.
• For a 45 minute lesson, practice should be between 25 and 40 minutes
• For an hour lesson, practice should be between 30 and 55 minutes.
"If there is consistency, the results will speak for themselves."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Our Commitment:
We are 100% invested in giving you (or your child) the appropriate curriculum to help achieve a successful education in music as well as enhancing a lifelong enjoyment and appreciation of music. Students have very diverse strengths, interests and learning styles. Parents have varying expectations. All this is considered when choosing lesson materials for each student. We are constantly researching and reviewing new materials, teaching aids, methodologies and educational technology to assure that you are receiving the best music education possible.