Calvary Music School Policy Statement
Contract: In registering for instruction, an adult student or parent /guardian is entering into a contract between themselves and Calvary Music School (CMS). All contractual issues should be addressed to the Calvary Music School Administrator, not the instructor. The Administrator can be reached at musicschool@calvarychurchstonington.org or (860) 535-1181.
Calendar: Public holidays are observed. New students may enroll at any time during the year.
Private, one-to-one lessons for children and adults are offered at 30 and 60 minutes. There are opportunities to perform in recitals.
COVID-19 Precautions/Restrictions: We here at Calvary Music School put the Health and Safety of you and your family first. We offer lessons via Zoom or In-Person per students request. Zoom meetings are set up by our Administrator and an invite will be sent out to our students via email. In-Person lessons we are taking every precaution - our instructors wear face-masks the entire time and we ask students to wear a face-mask. Hand sanitizer is available and instructors will remain a safe distance.
Attendance/Absences: Regular attendance is expected. As a courtesy to the instructor, if a student must miss a lesson, he or she must notify the instructor as early as possible. Students taking one-to-one lessons are allowed two excused absences per year. Make-up lessons will be offered at a time mutually agreed upon with the instructor. Excused absences that cannot be made up will be credited to the student’s account and will remain valid for one year and are not subject to a refund. After two excused absences per year, all other absences will be “unexcused”. Unexcused absences are not subject to make-ups, credits, or refunds. Any missed lessons on the part of the faculty will be made up. Calvary Music School reserves the right to discontinue a student with poor attendance at any time. In case of prolonged illness or injury, CMS should be notified.
Cancellation by the School: If the instructor must cancel a lesson, it will be made up at a mutually convenient time. Lessons cancelled by CMS or the instructor that cannot be made up will be credited to the student’s account and remain on account for one year. The credits are not subject to refund.
Religious Holidays: Lessons missed due to the observance of a religious holiday will be made up if CMS is notified at least one week in advance. If CMS is unable to schedule a make-up lesson, it will be credited to the student’s account.
Tardiness: Students who are late for lessons cannot be guaranteed their full lesson time. Instructors will wait for one third of the lesson time before beginning another lesson or leaving. Missed lessons due to faculty lateness will be made up.
Withdrawals from CMS: To ensure continuity and musical advancement, students are considered to be enrolled for the entire school year. This reserves the time slot and instructor for them. In the event that a student must discontinue lessons before the end of the year, 10 business days’ notice must be submitted to the Administrator in writing at musicschool@calvarychurchstonington.org. Notice to the instructor is not sufficient, nor is non-attendance. CMS will refund any unused tuition payments at the end of the semester year, minus a processing fee equivalent to the fee for two lessons. Any make-up lessons that have not been taken prior to the withdrawal are forfeited and non-refundable.
Public Holidays and Weather Cancellations: Public holidays are observed by CMS. Weather Cancellations declared by the Stonington Public Schools are observed by CMS. Lessons missed due to official Weather Cancellations will be made up whenever possible. An email will be sent out to all students in the morning if a Weather Cancellation is announced.
Media Release Form: Parents or Guardians of students under 18 are requested to fill out and sign the Calvary Music School Picture Release Form which grants the School permission to use images of their child royalty-free in print, audio, or electronic promotion of the school. The form is located on each enrollment lesson.
Sibling/Second Instrument Discount: CMS offers a 10% discount for siblings, or for one student taking lessons on a second instrument. The discount will be taken on the less expensive lesson.
CMS Enrollment Reward Program: Students who introduce a new student will receive a discount on their tuition of $30. The discount will apply only to the first year that the new student is enrolled. This does not apply to siblings.
Financial Aid: The mission of Calvary Music School is to provide high-quality musical education to students of all ages, backgrounds, levels of ability, and economic means. Fundraising and charitable contributions enable CMS to offer limited financial aid to students with demonstrated need. The amount of an aid award is based on family size, financial obligations, and the limited availability of CMS resources. Applications are strictly confidential and must be updated yearly. Continued aid is dependent upon commitment and attendance, plus teacher and Artistic Director evaluation. CMS reserves the right to discontinue Financial Aid in cases of lack of commitment to practice, poor attendance, tardiness or limited resources.
Registration and Payment Policy:
1. There is a yearly Registration Fee of $30 per family. A Registration Form should be completed for each student. The Form is available to print and mail, or submit electronically, on the CMS website at www.calvarymusicschool.org.
2. CMS offers two payment options:
Payment in full online or by check in advance.
Two installment payments online or by check for 60 or 30 minute lessons. First payment is due at the initial registration and the second tuition payment is due at half of the term. Payments not made by the due date will result in a suspension of lessons until payment is made.
** If a student enrolls later in the term and is set up for the Installment Payment Option, the installment payment is due before the first lesson.
The amounts are:
19 One Hour lessons: $1330 full payment | $665 first installment; $665 second installment
19 Thirty Minute lessons: $722 full payment | $361 first installment; $361 second installment
The completed Form(s), Fee, and tuition deposit should be returned to the CMS Administrator: The online registration process will send you an automatic email confirmation. If by snail mail: Calvary Music School, Attn: Matthew Provost, 27 Church Street, Stonington, CT 06378.
3. Once the above are received, a confirmation email will be sent indicating the day and time of the lesson. Every effort will be made to give students their first or second choice of day and time, depending on instructor availability.
4. CMS accepts personal checks and online electronic credit card payment. Online payments are secure, and can be transacted directly on our website. Checks must be made out to Calvary Music School. Please put in subject line the instrument you are registering for.
Recitals and Performance Opportunities
Throughout the year CMS offers several opportunities for students to perform. Participation in student recitals is encouraged but not required. Participation in all performances is by teacher permission only.
Calvary Music School is a community outreach of Calvary Episcopal Church, Stonington Connecticut. Calvary Episcopal Church is a not-for-profit organization in compliance with IRS Code 501 (c) (3). All donations are fully tax-deductible. CMS welcomes all students.
Calvary Music School, 27 Church Street, Stonington, CT 06378. 860-535-3631
musicschool@calvarychurchstonington.org