Today’s investment in a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Thank you for choosing the Reedley School of Music for your family’s music instruction. We feel that a music education is an investment in your child’s future. We have set up the following policies to assure consistency, fairness, and continuity of study. We ask that you read them carefully, initial each section and sign.

We are living in unprecedented times. Our country, and consequently all our businesses and schools are on a roller coaster of openings and closings. We realize this is very unsettling for students, parents and teachers so we are trying to make our decisions at the Music School based on doing the very best we can to reduce stress and anxiety in our students and their families. We will need to begin this year with online instruction. As soon as we feel it is safe we will begin to open with a hybrid plan. Students will be able to choose to remain online for a while or switch to in person lessons. Thank you.

An annual registration fee of $30.00 is required of all students. It is payable at the beginning of the school year or time of registration and is non-refundable.

Tuition is based on an annual fee. The annual tuition is conveniently divided into 10 equal monthly payments, September through June. August tuition is a half month only. Tuition is the same each month regardless of the number of weeks or lessons in the month. No credit is given for absences. Books, materials, and recital fees are charged separately.

Tuition is delinquent if not paid by the fifteenth (15th) of that month. A $20.00 late fee will automatically be charged to accounts not paid by the 15th. You can make your payment with check mailed to the music school or you may make your payment online. We accept credit card payments. Lessons may be suspended for non-payment of tuition. Please contact the office if you wish to arrange an alternate payment date. Returned checks will incur a $25.00 service fee.

There is an $80.00 materials fee for new group students. This covers the cost of class materials including book, bag, and class supplies. If you already own some of these materials from a sibling’s class, please let us know; it is possible to purchase only those materials that you need. It will be necessary to purchase a new book when the class finishes the current one. There will be a $25.00 per family, recital fee due with the March 2021 tuition.

Consistent weekly attendance is very important to your child’s musical success. The tuition you pay reserves a place for you in a weekly lesson, therefore, there is no reduction for absences. If you know that you are going to be absent, please call or text the Music School and leave a message that you will not be coming; your teacher will then contact you with the assignments for that week. Remember, tuition is an annual fee; there is no reduction for absences. ONLY ENROLLED STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS MAY ATTEND CLASS, NO SIBLINGS OR FRIENDS, PLEASE.

A parent, or other adult, is asked to attend the Harmony Road and Young Musician classes with their child. You and your child are learning together. The parent becomes the home teacher and you will be sharing practice time and home assignments. This will greatly enhance your child’s musical experience and make learning more enjoyable. Parents should be prepared to set aside time for home practice each day. Occasionally a parent may need to miss a class because of scheduling problems or conflicts. If this happens, please try to arrange to have your child attend class anyway. Other parents are usually happy to fill in as learning partners for the day, and you can fill in for someone else when they need to miss. Parents are not required to attend the Keyboard Prep classes; however, parent meetings may be scheduled approximately every six weeks so that parents may keep abreast of our progress and activities.

An exciting part of your child’s musical experience will be the opportunity to participate in recitals. Times for our Christmas and June recitals are already scheduled. Please see the 2020-2021 calendar, on this sheet, so you can reserve these dates now. Family, relatives and friends are encouraged to attend these events and share in our musical achievements.

Students are matched according to age, skill development, and experience and occasionally it becomes necessary to regroup. Since the foundation of our program is group instruction, a class needs to be large enough to allow for a number of important musical activities. These group activities are impossible to accomplish in a private lesson, a group that is too small, or one where abilities are too diverse. The best interests of the students will be the basis for any schedule changes and we will try to avoid them when possible. We appreciate the dedication of students and parents who make adjustments in their busy schedules if changes are necessary.

A one month written notice is required if it should become necessary to withdraw from your lessons. Failure to attend your class does not constitute a withdrawal notice. Remember, your child’s presence affects the entire group. It may be impossible to add students to an existing class at mid-year, and your withdrawal can create a class that is too small or otherwise unbalanced. Your withdrawal notice must be completed, signed, and turned in to the office. We ask that you discuss your decision with your child’s teacher outside the classroom. Please consider your child’s music education a long-term commitment.

Your child’s interest in music classes may not always maintain a steady level. Some weeks there may be an abundance of practice and other weeks the practice times may be infrequent. These fluctuations of interest are perfectly normal. Consistent attendance will aid in musical success, so do not skip class just because you haven’t practiced enough. Students will learn something each week in the group if they are present. If you are uncomfortable with any aspect of the class, please arrange to talk to your child’s teacher. This may well be the first serious commitment your child has ever made, and as you know; your child will be only as committed as you are. By working together, we believe we can make music one of the most enjoyable experiences your child will ever undertake.

Please call the Music School office if you have any questions. 559-638-6931.