MATERIALS NEEDED

An instrument for at-home practicing (Strings: the instrument must be the correct size. Pianists: the piano must be full size with 88 keys, touch-sensitive, and tuned if acoustic)

Metronome (all students), Flashcards (beginners only–purchase Hal Leonard Set A), Full-size binder, Music books (selected by the teacher)
Email Address—all communication including billing, is done via email and the website

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

New students have until the semester start date to register.
Current students need to complete their registrations two weeks before the start date of the Fall Semester. Current students discontinuing lessons or needing a time change for the Winter or Spring Semesters must notify the Music Prep director two weeks before the semester begins.

LESSON SCHEDULING

Lesson times will be assigned no later than one week before the start date of Music Prep based on the lesson availability information on the student’s registration form.
Music Prep cannot guarantee accommodations for late registrations or for students who need a lesson time change because the registration form contains inaccurate information.
Lesson scheduling preference will go to families who follow the registration protocols.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students who register for private lessons, early childhood classes, theory classes, and ensembles commit to attending for the entire semester. Please refer to the calendar for the semester start and end dates. Students should miss classes only for illness or family emergencies.
Tuition is for enrollment, not attendance. Students will not receive makeup lessons or tuition credits for student absences. However, as a courtesy, students must notify their instructors if they cannot attend a private lesson or group class.
Students’ accounts will be credited for a teacher’s absence unless the student wishes to reschedule the lesson and the teacher is able to do so.
Students are welcome to request extra lessons – tuition fees will be billed accordingly.

INCLEMENT WEATHER DAYS

If Watertown School District closes due to inclement weather, Music Prep is also closed. An email notification will be sent to both students and teachers.
Accounts will not be credited for group classes, but private lessons will be credited. Inclement Weather tuition credits will ONLY be given if Watertown School District closes due to weather.
Online lessons will be taught as scheduled on inclement weather days.

TEACHER ASSIGNMENT

While parents may request a teacher, the Music Prep director assigns Music Prep students to the teacher who best fits the student’s learning style, supports the student’s long-term learning goals, and complements the student’s personality. Other factors include the student’s overall commitment, scheduling limitations, and the teacher’s availability.

PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION

Parents are encouraged to openly and frequently communicate with the teacher and the Music Prep director.
Please bring any unresolvable conflicts or problems to the attention of the Music Prep director ASAP.
Parents of students taking string lessons must be at the lesson.
- Parents of elementary school students on other instruments need to come to the last five minutes of their student’s lesson to observe the lesson review and communicate with the teacher in person.
- Parents of middle or high school students on other instruments need to attend the first part of a lesson midway through the semester to communicate in person about your student’s progress (please coordinate this in advance with the teacher). If this is not possible, parents need to initiate contact via email or phone.
Written semester progress reports are available upon request.

REQUESTING A TEACHER CHANGE

Occasionally, students will desire to take lessons with a different teacher. Students should openly discuss their desire to change teachers with their current teacher.
After reaching a consensus with their teacher, students should ask their current teacher to email the Music Prep director with their request. The Music Prep director will then contact the student regarding the requested change.
Because all of the Music Prep faculty maintain waiting lists, a teacher change may take time. Additionally, faculty instructors reserve the right to accept new students based on schedule openings as well as the student’s level, potential, goals, and work ethic. Faculty reserve the right to require an official audition and interview.
If the reason for wanting the change involves being unable to resolve an issue between a teacher and student/parent, please involve the Music Prep director.
Scholarships are funded by teachers on a very limited basis and only granted in special cases when a family is experiencing financial hardship (detailed application is required). Teachers do not fund scholarships to accommodate teacher changes.

PICK UP/DROP OFF

Parents are responsible for their children's safety before and after scheduled lessons and classes. Because Maranatha Baptist University is an open campus, Music Prep strongly encourages parents to accompany their students to and from their lessons and classes.

MUSIC LEARNING READINESS AGREEMENTS

Students enrolling in the Music Prep sign a “Music Prep Learning Agreement” each year.
Students should turn the agreement in to their teacher by the third lesson of the year.

WEEKLY REPORTS

Students will fill out a weekly report to track practicing, etc.
Parents should review and sign the report each week.
For positive reinforcement, points earned on the weekly reports can be used to purchase items from the “Music Prep Market.”

PARTICIPATION IN RECITALS/PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION PROGRAMS

Students ages 18 and younger are required to participate in the Music Prep Evaluation Program during the Fall Semester, a themed recital during the Winter Semester, and a service activity of their choice (unless special permission is obtained in advance due to an extenuating circumstance).

FINGERNAILS AND HAND WASHING

COPYRIGHT

PERMISSION WAIVER

Music Prep reserves absolute rights and permission to use, reproduce, copy, exhibit, or distribute any video or audio recordings, photographs, or computer files in which the student may be included for use in the Music Prep newsletter, social media publicity, or any other such purpose. Families needing an exemption due to extenuating circumstances must request an exemption form from the Music Prep Director.

PIANO LAB USAGE