Your instructor has set aside a dedicated time for you / your child each week. When we do this, it means you are committing to the lesson both in attendance and payment. We know that to insure reasonable progress for our students, they must regularly attend their lessons. 

If you need to cancel a lesson, 24 hour notice is needed for the lesson to be eligible for a make up lesson. Your instructor will schedule this with you individually. If you opt to not have the make up lesson, you are still responsible for payment of that lesson. Lessons can be canceled using your Student Website (see below), by emailing [email protected] or by informing your teacher directly. 

"No shows" and short notice cancelations are not eligible for make ups. We do understand when an infrequent last minute illness arises and will do our best to work with you, however. 

Please note that many of our teachers have a wait list for students. It is not fair to the instructors to forego lesson fees from students who regularly cancel when other students are waiting and willing to commit to weekly lessons. Musical Chairs prides itself in hiring the highest caliber of professional instructors. In order to maintain this level of instruction, we must provide them with predictability of income. Our policy also serves to address this need. 

Studio Holidays * Musical Chairs takes the following days as Studio Holidays. Lessons will not be scheduled on these days and do not need to be made up.  At times, instructors and parents choose to use these days to schedule make up lessons, this is at your mutual discretion.

Studio Holidays:  

New Year's Eve and Day * Martin Luther King Day (Monday) * Memorial Day * 4th of July * Labor Day * Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday * Eve and Christmas Day

** Other Religious Holidays can be taken as "no make up days", please let your instructor know in advance. 

** We do not take President's Day as a holiday because schools generally do not all take this on the same day. 

 

Musical Chairs invoices on a 3 month basis for private lessons. Step the Beat, Drama, Camp and other group programs are billed individually and payable in advance of the first class. For private lessons, invoices will be sent to you via email. Students / families are welcome to pay by monthly installments if you prefer.  Payments for each month are due at the beginning of each month.  The final payment for each session is due on the 1st of the 3rd billing month. For example, the final payment for Fall tuition is due on November 1st. Our billing cycles run: 

Fall - Sept 1 - Nov 30 

Winter - Dec 1 - Feb 28 

Spring - Mar 1 - May 31

Summer - June 1 - Aug 31

Payment is accepted by credit card. Please return this Credit Authorization Form  to the office at [email protected] or have your teacher deliver it to us. 

Please note that Musical Chairs is not a "pay per lesson" music school. We pride ourselves in offering the absolute highest quality teachers available. To maintain these resources, we must offer them some predictable level of income. When you commit to a lesson spot, you are committing both in attendance and payment. As mentioned in the attendance policy, if a lesson is canceled in advance, we will do everything we can to accommodate a make up lesson. However, if a make up is not an option for families, the lesson should not be deducted from the invoice. This policy has been established with our students in mind and is in line with other musical schools in the area who have similar objectives toward excellence.

Materials

There is a lot going on at Musical Chairs Studio. We try very hard to keep everyone in the loop. To be sure you don't miss something, we encourage you to stay connected with us in the following ways: 

Like us on Facebook :)    

Monthly Newsletters similar to this format will go out. Please take a moment to scan through them each month for important updates.

Musical Chairs Website is updated regularly with class / program registration, new instructor bios, and upcoming events. This is also a good way to stay connected. 

Regular performances are an important component of your child's music instruction. Recitals give students a tangible goal to help insure progress. Performances also build critical self-confidence skills that will carry your children through life. 

Musical Chairs offers recital opportunities about every 2 months.  Our goal is for each student to perform at least twice yearly. We offer them in a variety of settings and always with a non-threatening approach. Children are encouraged to do their best - not be perfect. 

There are many costs associated with recitals including the facility, instrument maintenance, programs, food/beverages for the reception as well as on going student recital monitoring and administration. To help us recoup some of these costs, we charge a $20 per family recital fee. This is added to your regular invoice. 

In addition to recitals, we offer other performance opportunities. Serenading Seniors is our community "give back" program where we share our musical gifts at various senior homes in the area. For motivated students, Musical Chairs participates in area music competitions where children are evaluated by judges and compared to others. Information about these programs is distributed through our monthly Newsletter and is also available on our website.

Jam Session - Our rock band program for ages 8-16. Groups can rehearse together with instructor driven, flexible schedule. Groups who meet frequently and are well rehearsed can work together "gig" opportunities. 

Kidzrock - A ro ck band for ages 4-7.  Children work on modified instruments and develop early skills in playing keyboards, guitar and drums. 

Summer Camp - a week long day camp engaging children ages 4-10 in various music activities. 

Master Classes held periodically to hone in on a specific skill or subject area

Step the Beat is our Early Children Music Fundamentals group class designed to prepare children preschool ages ages with the basic skills needed to begin learning an instrument. 

Step into Piano - a group beginner piano class for ages kindergarten and first grade. Children learn early piano skills in a fun and interactive setting

Glee Club for children ages 7-14 who love to sing and want to participate in a choral program in the style of Glee

Drama / Musical Theater is offered in collaboration with a few neighborhood schools. Children learn basic drama skills and work together toward a final theatrical performance. 

Open Mic and Dance Nights at our Borelli's Restaurant on the main floor of the 2124 W Lawrence studio space. 

We are also proud to announce Academic Coaching this year!  Parents can bring their children to music lessons and also leave them for a tutoring / homework session.  Instructors are education specialists in the areas of reading, language and math up to and including high school and test prep assistance.