Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer programming for four year olds?
Enrollment in private, semi-private, and group lessons is generally offered to musicians of all abilities ages 8 years old and above. We occasionally offer private lessons to musicians younger than 8 years old on a trial basis. Prospective students may schedule a trial lesson with one of 317 Main's teachers. The purpose of a trial lesson is for the teacher to assess the musician's level of interest and commitment, and to determine if the lesson will be a good fit for both student and teacher. Payment for this lesson is due at the time of the lesson. After the initial lesson, at the teacher's discretion, the student will be invited to continue for a course of lessons, the length and number of weeks to be determined by the teacher. Payment for continued lessons is due at the beginning of the course of lessons.317 reserves the right to honor teachers' considerations in any teaching situation.
Do you rent instruments?
We do not currently rent instruments. Please see the resources below:
BuckDancer's Choice 774-2219 (guitar, mandolin)
Music & Arts 797-3494 (cello, violin & wind)
Frost Gulley: 865-0818 (cello, violin)
When does the session start? When does this one end?
Our calendar is posted here.
My son cannot make his lesson - can I schedule a makeup?
Each lesson is important. Student attendance is expected every week. No makeups will be given for student absences. At first glance this may seem strict however it is no different than signing up for a session of yoga classes or a college course. Our instructors are highly sought after professionals and when you signup for lessons that time is reserved specifically for you. Any teacher absences or cancellations by the center will be rescheduled by the August 1st.
Who is in charge of money? / Who do I talk to about my bill?
Marie & Kate at the front desk are in charge of collecting all tuitions, billing questions/concerns. You can email them at frontdesk@317mainst.org. Any financial aid inquiries can de directed to Anne Coleman: anne@317mainst.org.
Do you have a wait list?
We do have an Individual Lesson Wait List which we actively manage. We will work with you and look to fit your need into our schedule. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate your schedule, but we will try. If you have been on our list we will ask you if you want to remain on the list or taken off. If you ask to be left on, we will contact you if openings arise. Please feel free to call Kate or Marie at the Front Desk to check in or to give or receive updated information. Call 846-9559.
How Does the Registration Process WorK?
The 317 Main St. waiting list for individual lessons has grown considerably over the past year, 2009-2010. To better meet the need and honor the many requests for individual lessons, we are introducing a new enrollment procedure based on tiers designed to accommodate as many students as possible. This includes those on the wait list, prospective students inquiring for the first time as well as those who are currently enrolled.
The new tier system:
Tier 1: top priority in the schedule will be given to students, current and/or returning, who have paid and registered prior to the Early Registration Deadline.
Tier 2: new or wait listed students who have registered and paid prior to the Early Registration Deadline will be given next priority once we have scheduled students on Tier 1. Requests will be managed in the order in which payments are received.
Tier 3: If you wait until after the Early Registration Deadline to pay and register, regardless of previous enrollment, we will attempt to fit you into the schedule based on availability. Requests will be managed in the order in which payments are received.
For the many of you who have been on our wait list we want to thank you for your patience and hope you find this new system to be helpful. If you would like to secure a lesson slot for the Fall 2010 Academic calendar, you can be placed on Tier 2 by registering and paying for the Session 1 lesson block prior to August 15. We will not cash your check or process your payment until the schedule being built is permanent and you are satisfied with your slot. Once students from Tier 1 are scheduled we will start placing Tier 2 students based on the date registration was received. We will do our very best to accommodate all reasonable requests.
As an alternative to private lessons, be sure to check out the classes that are offered this Fall.
If you have any questions please contact Kate or Marie at the Front Desk by phone, 846-9559 or email us at frontdesk@317mainst.org.
Do you have anyone who teaches drums? Harmonica? Uke?
We do not have any teachers that currently teach these instruments, but we do have some other teacher's in our community that do. Please contact the front desk for additional contact names.