POLICIES

MAKE-UP POLICY: Make-up lessons will be given only for lessons missed due to illness or family emergency. Lessons missed because of parties, vacations, sports events or other social activities will not be made up. Due to limited studio space and schedule openings, we must have a strict policy concerning makeup lessons. Because our classrooms are constantly in use, Piano Readiness classes and Keyboard Orchestra rehearsals cannot be made up. Every effort will be made to reschedule missed computer labs, but makeups must be worked around the computer lab schedule. Regarding private lessons, makeups will be given only if we receive notifications of the absence by at least 12:00 noon of the lesson day. This enables the teacher to schedule other makeups or rearrange lessons in order to avoide sitting idly for up to an hour. Call either our office or the teacher’s extension.

SNOW DAY POLICY: We must follow the university’s policy concerning cancellations due to bad weather. If TCU closes, then the Music Preparatory Division must cancel all classes and lessons, and makeups will not be given. In the past, the university has closed only in the most severe ice storms. Local news broadcasts will announce such a closing, or the TCU switchboard, 257-7000, can be called for confirmation.

STUDENT PROGRESS: Our piano, instrumental and voice students are expected to practice six days each week, or an equivalent amount. Recommended daily practice:

4-6 years - 20 minutes

7-9 years - 30 minutes

10-12 years - 45 minutes

13+ years - 60 minutes

We need parental encouragement and support of careful and consistent practice sessions. Both student and parent will be extremely proud of the rapid progress made when daily practice becomes a habit. Students become more stimulated by music and more motivated to practice as they realize how much they can accomplish.

PIANO RECITALS: We recommend regular recital participation, with each piano student playing in two informal weeknight recitals during the school year in addition to the formal recital ending each semester. Weekly recitals will be held on Thursday or Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and programs will be limited to 30 students. Students are expected to stay until the end of the recital.

EVALUATIONS: All piano students will be formally evaluated by a team of teachers during the last week of each long semester. This evaluation occurs in lieu of a sixteenth lesson. A written evaluation will be given to parents, with copies kept by the teacher and Prep. office. An unsatisfactory evaluation will jeopardize the student’s place in the program.

TERMINATION OF LESSONS: Lessons can be terminated due to insufficient preparation, excessive absences or failure to make payments according to the registration agreement.

Please feel free to call us with questions, suggestions, or information concerning your child’s progress. We will work closely with you to make your child’s music education the finest available.

Leanne Kirkham, Director
(817)257-6645

MAILING ADDRESS:
TCU Music Preparatory Division
TCU Box 297500
Fort Worth, TX 76129