CAREY INSTITUTE OF FINE ARTS
Piano Lab Program Policies and Procedures
All music needed for study will be available at Wolfe Gang Music, 3906 Hardy St. (601-545-2080). A booklist will accompany this letter. Children should arrive to the first group class with all materials. Please mark your child’s name on the front cover of all books prior to the first group class.
Pianos: a tuned acoustic piano with 88 weighted keys is a necessity for daily practice. We will be happy to refer you to a qualified tuner/technician if your instrument needs some attention prior to the start of group classes/lessons. Digital keyboards are not sufficient because the key weight is significantly different from an acoustic instrument.
Assignment sheets are given out at every group class and provide the student and parent with a handy checklist of materials and pieces that will need daily practice. Parent announcements are always at the top of the sheet.
Daily practice: an essential ingredient necessary for each student to reach his or her full potential! The amount of practice time will vary, depending on the length of the assignment, student’s level, etc. We ask that our students do as much practice as is needed to play each item on their assignment sheets well.
Parental help is needed to assist younger students with practice following each group class or lesson. Your family will want to discuss daily practice and determine a regular, convenient time for it to happen. Daily practice will be enjoyable with your loving support, encouragement, and praise.
Performance opportunities: Students perform weekly in class for one another. Beginning students will have a Parent’s Day Class on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 during class time. They will also have the opportunity to perform in the CIFA spring recital which will be held Sunday, May 1, 2011. Please refer to the CIFA Academic Calendar (sent out in a separate mailing) for more details.
Punctuality: Classes and private lessons begin promptly at the scheduled time. It is important that students arrive at least ten minutes early (with all materials and clean hands) so that they may get settled and warmed-up prior to the start of class.
Class absences: Regular attendance is essential for progress. Group classes are not able to be made up. However, if an absence is unavoidable, please notify Dr. Elder at (601) 318-6179. Assignment sheets for a missed group class can be mailed, faxed, or emailed, or given out at the next group class/private lesson.
Please note: More than three class absences in one academic year will be grounds for expulsion from the program.
Private lesson absences: Students in the first year group class will receive two (2) 1 hour weekly group classes with Dr. Elder during the first trimester. The group classes will meet on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the piano lab, Rm. 100. The first group class is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24, 2010.
During the second trimester, the Friday group class will be replaced with a 30-minute private lesson. Private lesson teachers will be assigned by Dr. Elder at the beginning of the winter trimester. Ideally, private lessons should fall on a Thursday or Friday. This allows enough time for practicing any new items introduced during the Tuesday group class.
Private lessons will be made up if missed due to illness or emergency and if the private teacher has been notified 24 hours in advance. Group classes/lessons cancelled by the teacher will always be rescheduled. Lessons missed due to reasons other than those above will be made up at the teachers’ discretion only. Group classes cannot be made up.
Weather policy: We will call you if weather conditions force cancellation of group class. If we are unable to reach you, please phone Dr. Elder at (601) 318-6179. School closings in the morning do not necessarily cancel late afternoon group classes/lessons.
Parking: There are guard booths located at each of the two campus entrances. Tell the guard that you are here for the Carey Institute of Fine Arts Piano Group Class.
Parents are welcome to wait in the student lounge located on the first floor of the Thomas Fine Arts Building. For our younger students, it is important for parents to wait inside of the building in order to pick them up from group classes/private lessons.
Tuition Payments: There is a $30, annual non-refundable registration fee required in order to hold your child’s spot in the group class. Tuition rates and trimester fees vary. Please consult the “Course Offerings” sheet for more details (sent to you in a separate mailing).
We are pleased to offer a choice of tuition payment options. Option One is a single payment per trimester or summer term. Option Two requires two equal tuition payments per trimester.
We are pleased that you have entrusted your child’s pianistic development to us and want you to know that we take this responsibility very seriously. If you ever have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding your child’s study, please feel free to contact us. Your feedback is always appreciated.
We look forward to seeing you on August 17 at 7 p.m. for the Parent Orientation Meeting.
Dr. Ellen Price Elder, CIFA Director, Assistant Professor of Piano, WCU
Mrs. Sue Boyd Price, CIFA Administrator
I understand and accept the policies and procedures of the CIFA Piano Lab Program as stated in the accompanying pages. I have read and accept the information regarding practice instruments, daily practice, private lesson/class absences, and punctuality.
Parent/guardian signature:
Name (printed)___________________________________________________________
Signature______________________________Date______________________________
Please return this form to Dr. Elder prior to the first group class:
Dr. Ellen Price Elder, Assistant Professor of Piano
CIFA Director
William Carey University – Carey Institute of Fine Arts
498 Tuscan Avenue, Box 14
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
E-mail: ellen.elder@wmcarey.edu
Phone: (601) 318-6179 or (601) 467-9745
Fax: (601) 318-6176