Lesson Policies
Weekly Expectations
By registering as a student at Vivaldi String Academy, students are committing to weekly lessons that will take place during the school year.
Practicing: To make satisfactory progress, students must practice regularly during the week in between lessons. A suggested length of practice time will be discussed in lessons. Generally, to be well prepared, one should allot a daily minimum of what the lesson length is (e.g. 30 minute weekly lesson= 30+ minutes daily practice). We recommend that students keep a written log of daily practice.
Parents: Be gentle and yet firm in your encouragement. Don’t be surprised if your child needs some occasional "pushes" to practice. Just like homework is expected for school, practicing is expected for string lesson enrollment. Younger students will benefit from a parent’s supervision during home practice. Parental presence during lessons may thus be helpful and may continue even until the student is in the 8th or 9th grade. After this, the student is expected to take on more individual responsibility.
Lesson assignments: Lessons are filled with tips for effective practice methods. The teacher will also discuss how to make improvements in technical and musical aspects of playing - these should be regularly worked on, for it is expected that progress in these areas will be made week to week. Specific ideas or repertoire assignments will be noted in directly in the music or in a lesson notebook. If questions about these assignments arise between lessons and further guidance is needed, do not hesitate to ask before the next lesson.
Required Supplies to bring to each lesson:
Behavior: Respectful behavior to the teacher and to other students is expected. Inappropriate behavior may result in dismissal from a lesson/recital.
Punctuality and Cancellations
Punctuality: Students are expected to arrive on time for their lesson. Lessons that start late due to student tardiness will not be extended and will end at the regularly scheduled time.
Cancellations: A no-show without communication or a last-minute cancellation (less than 24-hours notice) will be considered a forfeited lesson, and the lesson payment will not be refunded or credited. In case of the event that a lesson must be rescheduled, the rescheduled lesson cannot be bumped into the next month and take the place of one of those lesson slots. Naturally, there is no way to foresee cancellation due to accident or illness, but if the student has any concert dates, school events, or holiday travels that may conflict with the lesson, please communicate in advance to discuss an alternative lesson date. In the event that that the teacher must miss a lesson for any reason, you will be informed as far in advance as possible with options for rescheduling. In case of sickness or inclement weather, please call to confirm lesson.
Lesson Calendar
Lessons will take place on a weekly basis except for breaks/holidays marked on the lesson calendar. Any cancellations due to unmarked teacher travel/performances or inclement weather (in accord with Baltimore County schools) will be made up during the year on mutually convenient days/times, or during breaks.
Performances and Concerts
Recital and Studio Class participation: During the year, students have opportunities to perform in studio classes, master classes, festivals, and/or recitals. Participation in these events is strongly encouraged. Piano accompanists will sometimes be necessary for recitals, festivals, competitions, etc. Their fees are not included in lesson costs and should be paid directly to the pianist. Students are responsible for finding their own accompanist (if assistance for this is required, please ask). Festival fees are not included in your tuition payment.
Concert attendance: Invitations will be sent out throughout the year to concerts featuring the violin or cello. Attendance is strongly encouraged and provides students with inspiration by exposing them to a variety of repertoire.
Tuition and Payments
Payment for lessons should be made in monthly installments by check. Checks are to be made out to the teacher and should be given prior to the next block of lessons (if the student will have 3 or 5 lessons in a month instead of 4, adjust the payment accordingly). This ensures commitment to the lesson time by both parties. Lessons will not be given if fees are not paid.
Music Purchases
Although some special-order selections may be purchased at-cost from the teacher, it is expected that most music purchases will be purchased by students/parents. Suggested music outlets are as follows:
Local: Menchey Music 2444 Broad Avenue, Timonium 410-453-6635
Music and Arts 1940 York Road, Timonium 410-453-0811
Online: www.Amazon.com
www.SharMusic.com
www.SheetMusicPlus.com
Instrument and Bow Rentals/Purchases, and Strings
Higher quality rentals, and instruments and bows for purchase, are available through our partner shop, Grace Albert Strings.
Strings and accessories are also available at discounted prices. Visit www.GraceAlbertStrings.com for more information!
By registering as a student at Vivaldi String Academy, students are committing to weekly lessons that will take place during the school year.
Practicing: To make satisfactory progress, students must practice regularly during the week in between lessons. A suggested length of practice time will be discussed in lessons. Generally, to be well prepared, one should allot a daily minimum of what the lesson length is (e.g. 30 minute weekly lesson= 30+ minutes daily practice). We recommend that students keep a written log of daily practice.
Parents: Be gentle and yet firm in your encouragement. Don’t be surprised if your child needs some occasional "pushes" to practice. Just like homework is expected for school, practicing is expected for string lesson enrollment. Younger students will benefit from a parent’s supervision during home practice. Parental presence during lessons may thus be helpful and may continue even until the student is in the 8th or 9th grade. After this, the student is expected to take on more individual responsibility.
Lesson assignments: Lessons are filled with tips for effective practice methods. The teacher will also discuss how to make improvements in technical and musical aspects of playing - these should be regularly worked on, for it is expected that progress in these areas will be made week to week. Specific ideas or repertoire assignments will be noted in directly in the music or in a lesson notebook. If questions about these assignments arise between lessons and further guidance is needed, do not hesitate to ask before the next lesson.
Required Supplies to bring to each lesson:
- Well-maintained instrument
- Metronome and chromatic tuner with clip (eg: Korg TM-60 or OT-120)
- Good quality sound and/or video recorder
- Notebook and blank staff paper (see www.blanksheetmusic.net for staff paper)
Behavior: Respectful behavior to the teacher and to other students is expected. Inappropriate behavior may result in dismissal from a lesson/recital.
Punctuality and Cancellations
Punctuality: Students are expected to arrive on time for their lesson. Lessons that start late due to student tardiness will not be extended and will end at the regularly scheduled time.
Cancellations: A no-show without communication or a last-minute cancellation (less than 24-hours notice) will be considered a forfeited lesson, and the lesson payment will not be refunded or credited. In case of the event that a lesson must be rescheduled, the rescheduled lesson cannot be bumped into the next month and take the place of one of those lesson slots. Naturally, there is no way to foresee cancellation due to accident or illness, but if the student has any concert dates, school events, or holiday travels that may conflict with the lesson, please communicate in advance to discuss an alternative lesson date. In the event that that the teacher must miss a lesson for any reason, you will be informed as far in advance as possible with options for rescheduling. In case of sickness or inclement weather, please call to confirm lesson.
Lesson Calendar
Lessons will take place on a weekly basis except for breaks/holidays marked on the lesson calendar. Any cancellations due to unmarked teacher travel/performances or inclement weather (in accord with Baltimore County schools) will be made up during the year on mutually convenient days/times, or during breaks.
Performances and Concerts
Recital and Studio Class participation: During the year, students have opportunities to perform in studio classes, master classes, festivals, and/or recitals. Participation in these events is strongly encouraged. Piano accompanists will sometimes be necessary for recitals, festivals, competitions, etc. Their fees are not included in lesson costs and should be paid directly to the pianist. Students are responsible for finding their own accompanist (if assistance for this is required, please ask). Festival fees are not included in your tuition payment.
Concert attendance: Invitations will be sent out throughout the year to concerts featuring the violin or cello. Attendance is strongly encouraged and provides students with inspiration by exposing them to a variety of repertoire.
Tuition and Payments
Payment for lessons should be made in monthly installments by check. Checks are to be made out to the teacher and should be given prior to the next block of lessons (if the student will have 3 or 5 lessons in a month instead of 4, adjust the payment accordingly). This ensures commitment to the lesson time by both parties. Lessons will not be given if fees are not paid.
Music Purchases
Although some special-order selections may be purchased at-cost from the teacher, it is expected that most music purchases will be purchased by students/parents. Suggested music outlets are as follows:
Local: Menchey Music 2444 Broad Avenue, Timonium 410-453-6635
Music and Arts 1940 York Road, Timonium 410-453-0811
Online: www.Amazon.com
www.SharMusic.com
www.SheetMusicPlus.com
Instrument and Bow Rentals/Purchases, and Strings
Higher quality rentals, and instruments and bows for purchase, are available through our partner shop, Grace Albert Strings.
Strings and accessories are also available at discounted prices. Visit www.GraceAlbertStrings.com for more information!
