Instrumental, Choir & Instrument Groups: Booking Policy

COLOURSTRINGS CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC 129 EAST 8TH AVE
Instrumental, Choir & Instrument Groups: Booking Policy

Thank you for being part of the school. Important information at a glance (full details are outlined in the full policy )

* We require 48 hours notice to cancel and reschedule a class, this is so we don’t have teachers sitting waiting, and we can schedule that time, or shuffle times forward.

For Choir & Groups: Classes will only be made up if we cancel or reschedule.

* There is only 1 make-up class per term, to be taken within or before the next term, no carry overs or refunds. See full Sick days info below.

* Priority registration during the term for existing students to keep consistency and your class place.

* Withdrawing from lessons requires 4 weeks written notice to admin@colourstringsvan.com during the registration period. Each term we have a priority registration for all instrumental & choir. Register for next term or give notice please. No refunds are given.

* Communication between students, teachers & parents regarding practice, playing and motivation is key for learning.

* Code of Conduct to be followed at all times
Please also take time to read our Code of Conduct.

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Full Policy

We offer Annual Lessons for Instruments & Choir
 
We have three terms per year, the expectation is to attend all of them. Fall, Winter & Spring, we run approx. around the school year. Please check for holiday closures. We have optional classes during the summer, and also additional performances & Master Classes.

Tuition & Payments during the Priority Registration Periods

You must be paid in full for lessons before the term begins, please see below for ‘Priority Registration Periods’ 

  • Jun 1st - 5th:
    REGISTER & PAYMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER FALL SESSION, PLEASE GIVE NOTICE IF YOU ARE NOT RETURNING IN FALL.

  • Term 1 - SEPTEMBER: FALL SESSION BEGINS

  • Nov 1st - Nov 5th:
    REGISTER & PAYMENTS FOR JANUARY WINTER SESSION, PLEASE GIVE NOTICE IF YOU ARE NOT RETURNING IN JAN.

  • DECEMBER: WINTER RECITALS AND WORKSHOPS

  • Term 2 - JANUARY: WINTER SESSION BEGINS 

  • Feb 1st - Feb 5th:
    REGISTER & PAYMENTS FOR MARCH SPRING SESSION, PLEASE GIVE NOTICE IF YOU ARE NOT RETURNING IN SPRING

  • Term 3 - MARCH: SPRING SESSION BEGINS

  • APRIL: OPEN FOR SUMMER CLASS & CAMP REGISTRATIONS 
  • JUNE: SUMMER RECITALS & WORKSHOPS
  • JULY/ AUGUST - Optional summer lessons / camps

Attendance - consistency is key to learning an instrument/ choir
 
* Students must arrive on time or at least 5 mins before,
* lesson time lost due to lateness or not having the correct materials will not be made-up.
* Students are required to complete the full session. Your class day, time & teacher will remain the same for the full and following terms.

Changing day, time or teacher

You can requests a day, time or teacher move during the Priority registration period, however this will be determined by availability and is not guaranteed. You will keep your place if no change is found.

Missing a lesson, no show, or rescheduling for make-up

We require 48 hours notice to cancel and reschedule a class, this is so we don’t have teachers sitting waiting, and we can schedule that time, or shuffle times forward. Email, call or text admin and teacher. Admin@colourstringsvan.com. Messages received on the day of the lesson will not be made up.

Sick days, Vacations or missed class - 1 make-up class per term only.

There are no refunds or make up classes given for extra missed classes, due to work but not limited to: schedules, traffic, bad weather conditions, vacation time or sick days.

This also applies to and not limited to, major events out-with our control; traffic, power-outs, weather conditions, pandemics, health issues, natural disasters, and announcements from the Health Ministry or Governments. 

Choir Groups - String Groups - Ukulele or Guitar Groups

It is very difficult to organize make-up lessons for group classes missed for any reason. We will offer to a maximum 1 per term if the schedule dictates, but it is not guaranteed as we have numerous students & limited schedule time. No refunds, credit or cash will be given for missed group 
sessions. 

Non-registered students or parents can not take the class in the place of a student.

Zoom - We have zoom links for all classes, that must be used in event of lockdowns, sickness or pandemic protocols. No refunds will be issued, as we can switch to online.

Vacations - If you are on an extended leave, we will only consider pro-rating classes if you are missing more than half of the session. Please request in writing to the admin.

If the teacher is sick or has to cancel

Zoom can be used or teachers will afford the same notice to students & accommodate an extra make-up for teacher sickness or away days due to performances. For bad weather, no refunds will be given for classes missed, or occurrences out with our control. We are normally open on snow days unless extreme school closures have occurred, you will be emailed & we will also post it on the website.

Make-Up Lesson

Your teacher will make-up 1 lessons per term, as long as you have given proper 48 hours notice.

Make-up lessons have to be taken within or before the next term, no carry overs, refunds or non-registered students. The teacher will give you options, please help accommodate a mutual day and time, as we often group these together with other requests to minimize travel & scheduling.

All lessons will be conducted in the school location. No lessons will be conducted in the homes of teachers, students or an external location unless fully authorized by the school admin. The only exception being for concerts or performances.

Medical Emergencies 

We realize that medical emergencies and situations may arise, please notify us with plenty of time in writing to the admin & teacher with any information and medical documentation. This includes broken limbs etc, as we can modify lessons. Any requests for Credit will based on information supplied and is not guaranteed.

Pandemic Protocols

All protocols imposed by either Health Board, Government or the school must be observed, no exceptions. This includes switching to zoom or online lessons. There are no refunds for pandemic closures, we will switch online to fulfil all lessons. No refunds will be issued if you refuse to go online.

Communication between students, teachers & parents

It is important to maintain an open dialogue to allow for progression, and to discuss any questions or concerns regarding lessons, scheduling, practise or continuing lessons. Please see our Code Of Conduct also for the school.

Please talk to your teacher on a regular basis as most issues or questions and help with practising can be resolved. Any further questions regarding policy, scheduling or withdrawing can be sent to the admin.

Withdrawing from Lessons

You are able to withdraw from lessons with at least a four weeks email notice sent to the admin & your teacher during the registration period, (see below for term registration dates). You will be charged $25 reversal fee.

During the Priority Registration period you can:

* Re-register online for the next term - day, time & teacher stay the same

* Request a change of day, time or teacher, you hold your place, as requests may not be possible, then you would return to your regular lessons

* Give notice that you will not be returning the next term & finish the remainder of the term. We can then use that time to schedule another student to take that day and time slot for the next term. You will be charged for all classes in the term, if you show for those remaining classes or not.

* Please do not wait or hold on to your place until the start of the next term, or after that priority period, as you will be sent an invoice for 4 weeks notice, or charged 4 weeks accordingly plus a $25 refund charge.

* If you give notice to end lessons, you automatically give up your day, place and time and also any priority registrations for future terms. No exceptions.

Termination of lessons by The School & teacher

The school and teachers hold the right to terminate any lessons, after complete communication and all due process has failed to resolve matters. This will apply to such matters of lateness, absenteeism, unacceptable or disrespectful behaviour, lack of practise, or unpaid lesson fees. Termination of this nature will be final with no refunds.

Teacher expectations

Please always have all of your books and materials with you for classes & continue to practise at home every week, this includes a quiet and appropriate area for zoom classes.This will ensure correct and progressive tuition is delivered by the teacher.

There will be at least two performance opportunities per year, where the teacher and student will work on the musical aspects and also the performance stage skills as well.

Please be prompt when entering and leaving the teaching areas. Maintain short nails for piano lessons, good hand hygiene, and no gum, food or drinks in the studios please.

Parent & Student Participation / Home practice 

Parents are encouraged to attend private lessons if possible, and also to assist with maintaining ‘good’ practise at home. Any group lessons should be students only. Using a practise booklet that the teacher can write notes is a good practise method, and promotes communication.

Additional Books, music and materials are required for teachers and students to progress. Please make sure you have these items, or contact the teacher or admin.

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Email: admin@colourstringsvan.com

By registering in any of our instrumental or choir programs this policy is adopted, as we intend this document to allow for clarity and understanding, and respect for all attending the school. Please also take time to read our Code of Conduct.

Thank you for being part of Colourstrings Music