Amherst Red Barn Music School

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Music is an investment in a lifetime of joy and appreciation. It is not learned in a week or a month, but over time. In order to help you succeed, we ask your cooperation with the following policies:

Policies

1. BASIC POLICY Our basic policy is "whatever you think is fair". If you have questions or suggestions, please talk to us and we'll work something out. Music is more important than... anything.

2. TRIAL PERIOD  What I tell people is take a lesson and see if it is what you wanted and then commit to a month. Psychologists have shown that it takes a month to acquire a new habit.  Therefore, the first month of lessons may be considered a trial month and we ask that you commit to completing the first month.  There will be no refund after the fourth week of study.

3. CALENDAR For after school lessons, the Red Barn calendar runs along with Amherst Schools, except that lessons and classes are held on state and administrative holidays (e.g. Veterans Day and Curriculum Day). A semester is comprised of seventeen weeks followed by a two-week make-up period. You may start lessons any time.

Adults may book lessons in smaller blocks, see below.

4. LESSON TIMES  Out of respect for your fellow students, five minutes at the end of each lesson is reserved for a smooth transition and for business matters.  Please arrive five minutes before your lesson and feel free to knock at your lesson time.

5. ATTENDANCE  You are responsible for attending all of your lessons and classes.  All lessons scheduled must be paid for whether or not you attend.

6. CANCELLATIONS, ABSENCES & MAKE-UPS Lessons will be made up if at least 24 hours notice is given.  In case of cancellation due to illness, snow day, family emergency or teacher absence, make-up lessons will be offered at a mutually convenient time.  Lessons cancelled at the last minute by choice (i.e. I forgot, I haven't practiced, I had a game, a friend came over, etc.) will not be made up.

Teachers are, ultimately, obligated to make up a maximum of two lessons missed by students and they will not be carried into the following semester. 

Snow days will be made up at the end of June, one maximum. Students who drop from the school prior to the June make up period will forfeit the snow make-up date. Scheduled make-up lessons missed by a student will not be made up.

Student absence from group/ensemble instruction will not be made up. You may, however, attend another, different class.

7.  PAYMENT POLICY  Failure to make payments as agreed on will be grounds for termination of instruction.

8. TUITION & FEES A 25% deposit for the Fall semester is due by June 30 to reserve your slot with the balance due Sept 1. For new students, tuition is payable September 1. An installment payment plan may be arranged for an additional $25.

A Registration Fee of $20 for singles or $35 for families is due at the beginning of each semester.

Registrations will not be taken in class. Please come to the Red Barn office before 3 PM or register online or by mail. This helps keeps classes affordable. Thank you for your cooperation.

Adult Day and Evening Students (before 2:30 PM and after 6:00 PM) may register for blocks of lessons, six minimum.

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