Policies & Procedures

 

(May 2010)

Welcome to 317 Main St. Community Music Center

OVERVIEW: 317 Main St. Community Music Center (317 Main) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. We offer a variety of music programs and services to make community, expression, and music as widely available to as many people as possible. Starting with the Fall 2010, 317 Main’s program calendar will be divided into two 16-week sessions and a flexible summer session: Session I (September to early January); Session II (mid-January to mid-May); and Session III (late May through August). Make-up lessons and recitals will be scheduled within the 16th week of Session I and Session II. In addition to private and semi-private lessons, 317 Main offers various workshops, group lessons & classes, and a summer camp experience.

Your cooperation with the following policies and procedures will help us to operate efficiently and continue to serve our community to the best of our ability at minimum cost.

ENROLLMENT: Enrollment in private, semi-private, and group lessons and music classes is generally offered to musicians of all abilities ages 8 years old and above for stringed instruments and ages 7 years old and above for piano.

Trial Lessons: Prospective students may schedule a trial lesson with one of 317 Main’s teachers through the Front Desk. We offer this to help students determine if a lesson will be a good fit for both student and teacher. Payment for the trial lesson is due at the time of the lesson. After the initial lesson, the student may choose to continue for a full course of lessons and register accordingly.

Musicians Under the Age of 7 or 8: For musicians under the age of 7 or 8, we offer private lessons on a trial basis. The purpose of this trial lesson is for the teacher to assess the musician’s level of interest and commitment. After the initial lesson, the student may be invited to continue for a course of lessons, the length and number of weeks to be determined by the teacher.

317 Main reserves the right to honor teachers’ considerations in any teaching situation.

REGISTRATION: Registration enrolls a student for the entire Session. Instruction is not offered on a week-to-week basis, although new students are accepted through the year when open teaching times are available.

New students registering for private, semi-private, group, and/or music classes are required to fill out a Registration Form and a Youth or Adult Wavier Form. Forms are located at the Front Desk or download a registration packet here. Completed forms may be hand delivered, mailed, or faxed to the Front Desk (fax # 846-9533).

317 MAIN RECOGNIZES TWO REGISTRATION DEADLINES (REGULAR AND LATE) ASSOCIATED WITH EACH SESSION. AN ADDITIONAL $30 FEE IS ATTACHED TO ALL REGISTRATIONS THAT ARE NOT RECEIVED ON OR PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION DEADLINES ESTABLISHED FOR EACH SESSION.

For returning students:

Regular Registration – 2010/2011

To reserve a lesson time, registration must be received by:

· August 15 for Session I;

· December 17 for Session II;

· May 6 for Session III.

Late Registration – 2010/2011

Late registration fees must be received no later than:

· September 8 for Session I;

· January 18 for Session II.

· May 23 for Session III.

*Note: Registrations for returning students submitted after the Regular Registration Deadlines described above will be considered LATE and assessed an additional $30 fee. Scheduling preference will be given to students who commit to the full session and pay before the Regular Registration Deadlines.

FEES & PAYMENT PROCEDURES: Payment is due in full at the time of registration unless a payment plan is worked out through the Front Desk (see below). Tuition may be paid by personal check, money order, cash or credit card (Visa, Master Card, and Discover Card). Personal checks should be made payable to “317 Main St.”. Please put the Session’s start date and teacher’s name on the memo line and either hand your payment to Marie or Kate at the Front Desk or drop your personal check into the yellow payment box at the Front Desk. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25 bank fee. You will receive a copy of our calendar by request from your instructor and/or the Front Desk, or you may check our website at www.317mainst.org

Annual Registration Fee: Starting with Session I of the 2010-2011 year, 317 Main will be instituting an Annual Registration Fee. The Annual Registration Fee, $25/person ($35/family), is renewable each year and paid at the time of Session I registration, or at the time of enrollment if registration occurs later during the 317 Main calendar year.

2010-2011 317 Main Tuition Rates for Session I (Fall) and Session II (Spring) (16 Weeks/Session):

Lesson Type Registration (per Session) Late Registration (per Session)

Private (45 min) $560 $590

Private (30 min) $480 $510

Semi-Private (2 people/45 min) $360/person $390/person

Group (3 or more people/60 min) $320/person $350/person

2011 317 Main Tuition Rates for Session III (Summer):

317 Main offers a flexible Summer Session (Session III) to account for end of school year activities, vacations, etc. We encourage a block of 10 lessons over the 14-week Summer Session. The tuition rates assuming a 10-week block are as follows:

Lesson Type Registration (per Session) Late Registration (per Session)

Private (45 min) $350 $380

Private (30 min) $300 $330

Semi-Private (2 people/45 min) $225/person $255/person

Group (3 or more people/60 min) $200/person $230/person

For returning students, registration is considered final, and a lesson schedule is confirmed, with receipt of the Registration Form, Annual Registration Fee and the Session tuition. For new students, lesson times will be offered once a Registration Form, the Annual Registration Fee, the Release and Waiver Form and the Session tuition have been submitted and personal schedules are aligned with available openings.

MID-SESSION REGISTRATION: Depending on availability, prospective students may enroll in lessons at any time during an existing Session. Students who enroll mid-Session will be charged on a pro-rated basis. The pro-rated payment is expected in full at the time of enrollment. All new students who enroll mid-Session are required to pay the annual registration fee of $25/person ($35/family).

PAYMENT OPTIONS: 317 Main asks that tuition be paid in full at the time of registration. We offer an option where the student may pay one-half of the tuition and the full annual registration fee at the time of registration. The second half of the tuition fee must be paid in full prior to the lesson on Week 8 of Sessions I and II and Week 5 of Session III.

Alternatively, students may arrange a 4-installment payment plan for Sessions I and II in which four equal payments are paid according to the following schedule:

· Payment 1 – Prior to Regular Registration Deadline

· Payment 2 – Prior to Week 5

· Payment 3 – Prior to Week 9

· Payment 4 – Prior to Week 13

Note: Students that subscribe to the 4-installment alternative will be assessed an additional $20 fee to cover the added administrative costs incurred by 317 Main. The additional $20 fee is to be paid with Payment 1.

LESSON TIMES: Lesson times are assigned at the time of registration and remain constant throughout the Session. If the student needs to change their lesson time, it will be up to the student and his or her instructor to make those arrangements.

WITHDRAWAL: Students enrolled in private lessons may decide to terminate their lessons for any reason within the first three weeks of the Session. The intent to terminate must be requested in writing and submitted to the Front Desk (Kate or Marie). Communicating with the instructor alone will not guarantee a refund or negate the student’s obligation to pay for the entire Session. Tuition fees will be reimbursed for the balance of lessons that remain in the Session.

Students enrolled in semi-private or group lessons and/or classes may terminate for any reason prior to the 2nd scheduled meeting. Tuition fees will be reimbursed for the balance of semi-private or group lessons and/or classes that remain in the Session.

MAKE-UP POLICY: Each lesson is important. Student attendance is expected every week. No make-ups will be given for student absences. All teacher absences or cancellations, however, will be rescheduled. Rescheduled lessons are to be arranged between the student and the teacher. The 16th week of Session I and Session II and the 14th week of Session III will be reserved for make-up lessons. The Front Desk will not be involved in rescheduling of lessons.

JAM SESSIONS: 317 Main offers a variety of weekly jam sessions that meet in the evening at both our Yarmouth and Portland (Acoustic Artisans) locations. The drop in fee to participate in a 317 Main jam is $5/jam session. Jam Passes, which entitle musicians to participate in 11(eleven) 317 Main jams, are available through the Front Desk for a price of $50. So that we can continue to offer these popular sessions, we ask that all individuals that participate in 317 Main jams provide us with their contact information and voluntarily pay the nominal fee.

PERFORMANCE RECITALS AND/OR WORKSHOPS: Performance recitals will be scheduled the last week (Week 16) of Session I and Session II. In addition, 317 Main instructors will develop various workshops that encourage group participation. All students are encouraged to participate in either a 317 Main organized recital or workshop.

SNOW DAYS: 317 Main DOES NOT follow the school cancellation and/or delay policies associated with any of the School Districts. In the event of snow, please go to either our home page at www.317mainst.org or call the Front Desk (846-9559) for information about the status of all lessons.

SNOW DAY MAKE-UPS: Students are entitled to one make-up lesson per Session for lessons that are cancelled due to weather conditions. If lessons are cancelled by 317 Main due to snow, teachers will schedule up to one make-up lesson per student. Make-up lessons will be scheduled during the lesson make-up week at the end of each Session and be arranged between the student and the teacher. The Front Desk will not be involved in rescheduling of lessons.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Limited Scholarship funds are available for continuing students in need of financial assistance. Applications may be obtained in the office. Please contact Anne Coleman with any questions (anne@317mainst.org).

PERMISSIONS: 317 Main may photograph, record, and/or videotape classes, lessons and/or events sponsored by 317 Main for educational purposes and/or use on the 317 Main website and publication materials. If you do not wish to be photographed, recorded, and/or videotaped, please submit a brief written statement (or indicate your preferences on the registration form) and submit it to the Front Desk.

Lastly, the staff at 317 Main is always available to help students and their families. Our mission is: Community. Expression. Music. We are mindful and deliberate in our efforts to create a space that is friendly, inclusive, and encouraging to everyone who walks in the door and wants to be a part of the 317 Main community. We welcome any and all feedback. Please do not hesitate to call or visit 317 Main if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you all for your ongoing support 317 Main Street Community Music Center.