School Policies

Enrollment for lessons may be done at any time in the semester. Interviews and auditions determine acceptance, placement, and curriculum.

Young children are also accepted pending an initial interview. For children under the age of five, there will be a trial lesson conducted by the teacher prior to the first lesson. Parents will be informed if the teacher does not feel the student is physically or emotionally ready to begin lessons. If the child is not accepted into the program, no registration fee or tuition will be charged. The child may be re-assessed the following year.

Suzuki students and parents are encouraged to observe at least two lessons prior to being accepted into the program. These will be scheduled with the help of the director and the Suzuki teachers.

In addition, the first three weeks of Suzuki lessons will be a Parent Information Class. After the class is completed, regular private lessons and group classes will begin.

Once a student has been accepted for study, regular daily practice of 15-30 minutes is expected. As the student advances, practice times will increase.

Please allow adequate time for prompt arrival to your lesson. Time will not be taken from the next lesson to accommodate late arrivals.

Lesson assignments are expected to be completed each week. A good, well-maintained instrument at home is necessary to facilitate learning.

Parents are encouraged to become involved in their child's musical education. Parents should help the student in their practicing at home and may sit in on the lesson at the discretion of the teacher.

Studio Etiquette

• Please enter and leave quietly as other lessons may be taking place around you.
• Please do not bring any food or beverages into the studio.
• Please wait quietly before your lesson. The instructor will come to get you when ready.
• Please do not bring siblings or other children to lessons in order to eliminate possible distractions for both the student and the teacher.
• Use of video games is strongly discouraged prior to a lesson. Many students have a difficult time changing gears and then focusing on their lesson.
• Unless an emergency develops, please do not interrupt a lesson.

Lesson Etiquette

• Students must bring all materials to each lesson, which includes assignment books, lesson books, flashcards, and other materials deemed necessary by the teacher.
• Neatness is expected. We request that students avoid showing up for a lesson directly from a sporting event.
• Please wash hands both before and after your lesson.

Concert Etiquette

• All students and their families participating in a recital are expected to stay for the duration of the recital.
• Appropriate dress and behavior are expected at all concerts.
• Please arrive promptly and turn off all cell phones.
• Avoid flash photography during the performance.
• Small children are welcome with parental supervision.

Out of courtesy, please notify your teacher as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend a lesson.

In addition, the following will be true:

• Lessons missed by the instructor will be made up within the semester.
• Lessons missed by the student will not be made up at a another time. Teachers will make every effort to give the lesson during the scheduled lesson time via videoconferencing.
• Tuition fees will not be prorated for missed lessons.
• If students know they are going to miss more than two lessons per semester, the students will need to fill out a leave-of-absence form. Proration of fees due to missing more than one lesson is up to the discretion of the director and is considered for serious health reasons.
• Students on scholarship may miss no more than two lessons per semester. If more than two lessons are missed, the student is at risk of losing their scholarship. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.

Private Lesson Withdrawals

Although it is not encouraged, students wishing to withdraw at any time during the semester may do so given one months notice. Students will be billed for four lessons beyond the date of withdrawal.

Class Withdrawals

For classes cancelled due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances, a full refund will be issued. For students withdrawing prior to the second scheduled class date, tuition will be refunded less the prorated fee if the student attended the first class. From the date of the second scheduled class, no refunds will be given. Students will be billed accordingly.

Students may be dismissed for any of the following:

• Nonpayment or repeated late payments of tuition fees
• Repeated failure to attend/prepare for lessons
• Chronic rescheduling of lessons
• Behavioral or attitude problems

Although Oberlin College rarely closes because of weather conditions, Community Music School teachers may cancel lessons for inclement weather, especially if the Oberlin Public Schools or other nearby public or private schools close. To stay up-to-date on school closings, check the CMS Facebook . Lessons cancelled by the Community Music School or a teacher due to weather will be rescheduled.

If in doubt whether the school is open, you may always contact the Community Music School office.

Although we realize that technology challenges are sometimes beyond our control, if the student is having technological issues, the lesson will not be made up. If the issue is on the part of the teacher, the teacher will be required to make up the lesson. We are aware that this can sometimes be a grey area. If the students and teachers are not able to come to an agreement, please contact Director, Louise Zeitlin.