Greetings, studio families! Happy Fall Semester! Here are some reminders and general policies.
* Communication
I communicate with group email and here on the blog. Please watch and be aware of emails and the studio calendar.
* Tuition
Fall term runs from Labor Day to New Years. Your tuition gives you an average of 3 lessons a month (12 in a term), one group class per month, one recital per term. Also, there are extra activities such as workshops with other teachers, SAU graduation, federation, Suzuki Institute, and personal book recitals.
* Make ups:
I have a no make up policy. Since illness and car trouble are inevitable, during the Spring and Fall Terms I give 13 lessons instead of 12. If you know ahead of time that you can't make a lesson, then you can switch with someone. I email out a studio roster of names and phone numbers that you can use with the google calendar to find a spot that works for you, or you can send out a general email to my studio list. If I get sick or cancel, I will make that up to you. There are also no make ups for group class, but I do give an extra group in the fall term to get ready for the Christmas Concert.
* Schedule/ Calendar
The schedule is published on a google calendar. There is a link to it in the upper right hand corner of this page, or you can go to google.com, (log out of your other google users,) and log in with the username and password that I have given you in an email. I announce schedules on email, and on the calendar. It is up to you to follow them. Please let me know if you have technical difficulties and can not access the calendar.
* Group
PLEASE Look at the calendar closely for group dates. They are at slightly different times of the month to accommodate different schedules and general vacation days. (None of us wants lessons or groups during Christmas!) Often there are regular lessons on group class weeks, but not always. Groups are listed in Green on the calendar. Please arrive 5 - 10 min early to unpack and be ready to go when it is time. I am very excited for groups this year. We will be starting each class with Music Mind Games, and build on our theory knowledge with this genius set of fun materials. If your time listed for group class is impossible, talk to me and it would be better to attend a different group class than to miss entirely.
* Parent attendance at group:
For the age 5 & 6 pre twinkle group class I would like the parents to attend full time. For the book 1 - 2 groups, this term I would love to have parent chat groups going on downstairs during the group class.This was very successful last term as parents shared practice ideas and got to know each other. This strengthens our Suzuki community and helps all parents feel more supported in this endeavor of bringing music into our children's lives.
* Christmas Concert
We will be in the beautiful and spacious downtown public library auditorium this year again for our grand Christmas Concert on Monday evening December 16 at 7:00 (students arrive at 6:30). Mark your calendars now and feel free to invite family. Group for December will be two Saturday rehearsals to prepare for this event. See calendar.
* Tuition:
There is not an increase in tuition this term, but I will be more strictly enforcing the Late Charge if I don't receive checks until after the 20th of the month. In order to get the best lesson rate and avoid late charges, it is best if you hand me a stack of postdated checks that I keep secure and deposit only on the first of the month. Some families have also had success with having their bank send me checks on a regular pre set schedule.
lesson length
|
Early
(before the start of the month)
|
On Time
(from the beginning of the month - 20th)
|
Late
(after the 20th of the month)
|
1/2 hour
|
$95
|
$105
|
$110
|
3/4 hour
|
$130
|
$140
|
$145
|
1 hour
|
$165
|
$175
|
$180
|
Also this year there will be a one time fee due during the fall term equal to one month's on time tuition. This is in lieu of a tuition hike, and also instead of asking parents for smaller checks all throughout the year. It covers SAU membership; group room rental; music, books, and room for the Christmas concert; federation fees, accompanist, and room; and general office supply costs.
* Practice:
I expect my students to be practicing regularly at home. Without steady, consistent practice of the things that I assign at the lesson, students' brains and muscles can not develop the skills they need to play the cello with ease and confidence. Practice should be at least as long as the lesson, and be happening at least 5 times a week, but preferably 6.
* Listening
Filling your child's world with music is the surest way to lead them into a life of loving music. Listen not only to the Suzuki recordings but lots of cello music in general: Bach unaccompanied suites, cello concerti, String Quartets by Beethoven, Debussy and Ravel, etc. etc. just ask if you are interested in a more extensive list.
Three cheers for a great fall term!
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