Music Arts Program

WT is pleased to offer this program as a service to children and adults in the greater community. The school arranges for and coordinates professional, private music lessons for beginning through advanced students in grades 1-12 and adults, during and after school, through its Music Arts Program. An adjunct staff of experienced professional music instructors and practicing musicians offers individual instruction.

In addition, WT enjoys a strong partnership with the Center for Young Musicians. Program information for Center for Young Musicians (CYM) can be accessed by contacting Autumn Kunselman, Vice President of Student Affairs, at akunselman@youngmusicians.org.

Learn more about CYM

Below you’ll find the answers to “Frequently Asked Questions” about the WT Music Arts Program. Should you need additional information, please contact Dionne Brelsford, Director of Programs, at 412-578-7533 or brelsfordd@winchesterthurston.org.

What happens after I register for the Music Arts Program?

First, we will review your instrument choice and schedule preferences and will then assign an instructor for the instrument you have selected. You will then be contacted to arrange a mutually suitable lesson time for your lessons.

Please note that WT makes every attempt to meet the needs of each student by securing teachers for a variety of instruments; we encourage you to let us know if there is an instrument you or your child have always wanted to learn. Nonetheless, from time to time we are unable to find a suitable teacher or teachers for a particular instrument. We regret that we cannot guarantee all instrument choices.

If, for any reason, the Music Arts Program is not a comfortable fit for you or your child’s schedule, we may be able to provide you with a list of private music teachers and other alternatives.

How are teachers assigned to individual students?

All adjunct teachers in the Music Arts Program are invited to teach at WT based on the quality of their teaching and on their performance experience. Teaching assignments are largely determined by the teachers’ and students’ schedules. Returning students are assigned to their previous year’s teacher if desired, and if scheduling permits. Parents of students who are new to the Music Arts Program are welcome to call to discuss options.

When will the lessons take place?

Lessons are scheduled around regular classes during the school day (for Middle and Upper School students), in the early morning before school begins, or after school (for all students). Lessons are planned based on the school year calendar, taking into account school vacations. A few possible absences (illnesses, snow days, etc.) are also built into the plan. Lessons typically begin in mid to late-September, as soon as the parent/guardian and the private teacher arrange dates and times for the lessons.

Will I receive a progress report?

Should you have questions about program progress, you should feel free to contact the teacher directly. In addition, you will be invited to an annual recital of the students in the Music Arts Program in the spring. This event is a lovely celebration of our students’ commitment and progress that has become a WT tradition.

Please note that participation in the recitals is not mandatory. A student’s readiness to perform in a recital will be determined by the teacher, sometimes in cooperation with the student. We will send parents a letter in March outlining recital information.

What should I do if my student must miss a lesson?

Your student’s instructor will provide his or her home or cell phone number to the parent/guardian by the student's first scheduled lesson. Please call your student’s instructor directly to cancel a lesson. Except for same-day illnesses, the private instructor should receive at least a 24-hour notice of cancellation, or else you will be charged for the missed lesson.

Since our private music instructors are adjunct, independent contractors, they do not keep regular hours on campus. Therefore, officially reporting your student absent from school in the morning does not suffice as cancellation, as the teacher may not receive the message.

Can lessons be made up or rescheduled?

If a student misses a lesson due to illness or a school calendar change, the lesson may be made up by rescheduling or by extending subsequent lessons by 10 or 15 minutes.

Lessons will not be rescheduled nor fees refunded when the student or parent fails to notify the teacher of a schedule change, forgets an instrument or lesson materials, or misses because of unexcused absences from school. If the student habitually cancels the lessons or becomes disinterested, the teacher may consult with the parent and the student may be asked to discontinue the lessons. Students are expected to maintain a regular practice schedule and arrive at lessons on time.

What are the fees, and how do I pay for my student’s lessons?

Families will be billed monthly for lessons. The first billing of the year (based on the start month for lessons) includes a $75 administrative fee for the year. This fee helps to cover all expenses related to communication, scheduling, and the management of the end-of-year music recital.

Fees for lessons in 2018-2019 are as follows:

• 30 minutes of instruction per week at $26.50 per lesson + $ 75 annual admin fee
• 45 minutes of instruction per week at $39.75 per lesson+ $ 75 annual admin fee
• 60 minutes of instruction per week at $53 per lesson+ $ 75 annual admin fee
• 45 minutes of Middle School Percussion Ensemble instruction (full year program), $600 per year and 60 minutes of Lower School Percussion Ensemble instruction (full year program), $750 per year

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