GENERAL STUDENT/PARENT LESSON INFORMATION

1.1 Company History & Philosophy

1.2 Showroom Staff

1.3 Practicing at Home

1.4 Course Duration & Program Structure

1.5 Payment & Policies

1.6 Lesson Cancellation Policy

1.7 Family Lesson Discounts

1.8 Withdrawal from the Program

1.9 NSF Cheques

2.0 Rentals

PROGRAMS & LESSON OPTIONS

2. 1 Private Lessons

2.2 Performance Program

2.3 Theory/Rudiments

2.4 Group Lessons

2.5 Summer Clinics & March Break Camps

2.6 Summer Lessons

2.7 Exams & Competitions

2.8 Recitals

2.9 Octave Music Festival

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

3.0 Studio Teachers

3.1 Switching Teachers

3.2 What is Re-Scheduling Week?

3.3 Inclement Weather – What to Do

3.4 Sitting in on Lessons

3.5 Instruments at Home

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1.1 Company History

Established in 2002, The Octave Music Centre in Guelph Ontario Canada strives to achieve excellence in both music education and instrument sales. Lessons at the Octave Music Centre are client based. This means that our teachers will take you musically where you want to go. We treat every student as an individual both academically and musically. If you have any concerns or questions on our lessons or philosophy, please talk to you teacher, or give us a call.

1.2 Showroom Staff

The showroom staff can also help you with any questions you might have regarding lesson times, rescheduling, rentals or instrument sales. Our showroom staff are knowledgeable about the instruments we sell in the showroom and of strong, diverse backgrounds in music.

1.3 Practicing at Home

A common question for beginner students is ‘How often should I practice at home?’ The rule of thumb is the student should practice an hour for every grade level they are in music. Therefore, if the student is in their 2nd year of music lessons, they should be practicing approximately 2 hours per week, which works out to be about 15 minutes per day. This is for the student to progress at a suitable rate – more practice is always encouraged! It’s a fact that usually children do not drop out of music. Parents do. Learning music is a try-and-try again process and successes are extremely important. Every student becomes discouraged at some point along with way and this is normal. We suggest that gentle encouragement is needed in both the classroom and at home. Set aside a regularly scheduled time to ‘play’ music each day. Practicing should be an enjoyable experience and not seen as a chore. So, give your child the support at home and we will take it from there!

1.4 Course Duration & Program Structure

The 10-month Program is comprised of 39 weekly lessons and 1 recital* however, students may enrol at anytime throughout the year. Breaks are scheduled for 1 1/2 weeks at the Christmas holiday, 1 week for March Break all statutory holidays and Halloween. Please see current School Calendar for all scheduled breaks and dates at theoctavemc.com (under Music School, then click on School Calendar).

1.5 Payment & Policies

The Octave Music Centre features 3 different payment options: 1) 10-month tuition payment, 2) 5-month tuition payment, 3) monthly tuition. Please leave post-dated cheques or a credit card for the entire duration of the school year. Please call the store for current tuition rates.

1.6 Lesson Cancellation Policy

Lessons missed by the teacher will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time for both the student and teacher, or a qualified substitute teacher will be provided. Lessons missed by the student are non-refundable. It is the responsibility of the student to attend all classes. In the event of an illness or other cancellation, 24-hours notice MUST be given to receive make-up lesson privileges, with a maximum of 1 per 10-month term. One week at the end of June is devoted to make-up lessons. Private or group lessons cancelled due to inclement weather, or due to teacher illness without an appropriate substitute will be rescheduled during Re-scheduling Week.

1.7 Family Lesson Discounts

The Octave Music Centre offers a family discount of 7% off the per-month tuition price when 3 members of the same family take lessons. For 4 or more members of the same family, we offer a 10% discount.

1.8 Withdrawal from the Program

A minimum of 2 weeks notice is required to withdraw from the program and the student will be charged for those 2 weeks whether they attend lessons or not. The remainder of all tuition fees will be refunded in full.

1.9 NSF Cheques

Octave Music Centre requires a $25 fee for all returned NSF cheques.

2.0 Rentals

The Octave Music Centre offers a wide variety of Rentals & Rent-to-Own Programs for all our students. Please contact the store for instrument availability. 60% of Rental Fees go towards the balance remaining on your instrument should you choose to purchase. On digital pianos and acoustic pianos, 100% of your Rental Fees go towards your purchase for the first 6 months of rental*. (*Some exceptions apply, please see in-store for details).

PROGRAM & LESSON OPTIONS

2.1 Private Lessons

The current lessons available are: Piano, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Voice, Violin, Theory and Flute. Please inquire regarding other instruments and specialized programs!

2.2 Performance Program

Designed for those who want to learn to play professionally, the Performance Program comes in a few different packages.

‘Rock Class’: This ‘jam session’ takes place every second week above and beyond the student’s private and group lessons. combining drums, vocals, guitar, piano and bass guitar, this band will learn the basics of rhythm with the sessions taught by professional musicians with different specialties. It is an excellent way to apply what is learned in lessons. This program requires at least 6 months to 1 year of study in an instrument to participate.

‘Vocal Performance’: Comprised of beginner and advanced groups, the choir is an extra hour ever second week at a scheduled time and incorporates learning harmonies, rhythm, sight singing, music theatre, drama and movement.

‘Ensemble Class’: The ensemble class is an extra hour every second week for performers who would like to perform with others. This class combines many different students of the same instrument (example Violin ensemble). Students will learn songs and pieces meant to be played with other musicians.

2.3 Theory/Rudiments

The Octave Music Centre educates its intermediate and advanced students with theory classes in a group situation in addition to practical lessons. These classes with prepare students for a Royal Conservatory of Music Rudiments Exam. This program is run based upon attendance. Please speak to your teacher or sales staff for current availability.

2.4 Group Lessons

Group lessons are strongly encouraged and should be taken into consideration by every student on any instrument. Group lessons will dramatically improve timing and will lead you to a better understanding of music, after all, most professional musicians play in groups! Please ask your teacher or the staff if you are interested in group lessons, and we can place the student in a suitable group with others that are the same age and ability.

2.5 March Break & Summer Camps & Clinics

‘General Music Camp’ – So you love music and you want to learn more? come learn all of the instruments – Piano, Guitar, Drums, Violin, Voice, Fundamentals, Woodwind & Brass – all in one week! Each camp is hands-on and interactive- each student can try out each instrument! No musical background is required!

‘Rock Camp’ – Rock Camp is dedicated to the semi-serious player that already has a solid foundation of their instrument and is interested in playing with other students their age. Incorporating Drums, Piano, Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bass and Vocals, this ‘jam session’ is taught by a professional musician who knows the industry and knows what it takes to become a successful band.

‘Voice & Performance Camp’ – Voice and Performance Camp is geared toward students who ant to develop their individual vocal talent and sing in ensembles of various sizes. In this camp the students explore different vocal genres, styles and artists and learn how to give an outstanding vocal performance. This camp also includes one-on-one lessons with trained professionals, movement, drama workshops and a performance at the end of the week.

2.6 Summer Lessons

Lessons over the summer are always offered and strongly encouraged. Students who continue over the summer have more time to practice without schoolwork. We also offer switching instruments for the summer term to try out another instrument and broaden your knowledge of music in general.. The summer term is booked and co-ordinated separately and starts booking in April of each successive year. Please inquire with the Showroom Staff. Booking summer lessons does not guarantee you a time for the fall.

2.7 Exams & Competitions

As a large music school, Octave Music Center is linked to many organizations and festivals throughout Southern Ontario and the rest of the country including the Royal Conservatory of Music, Kiwanis Music Festival, Conservatory of Canada and many others. Should you intend to do an exam, a festival or a camp, simply talk to your teacher or a Sales Representative in the Showroom for more information, requirements and deadlines. We strongly encourage and support any student wishing to further their music education. Exams and Festivals are at an additional cost and not directly associated with the Octave Music Centre.

2.8 Recitals

Recitals are held four times a year – October (Halloween Recital) December (Holiday Recital), March (Red Carpet Recital) and in June (Summer Recital) . Participation in the recitals provides a tremendous opportunity for performance in a non-competitive environment. Involvement and parental support of this exciting experience is highly encouraged but not required. The cost for one recital is included in your tuition. Should you wish to opt out of the Recital, please talk to the Sales Staff. You will be given a lesson in lieu of the recital. Please see the current School Calendar for Recital dates and ask your teacher for the times. Please visit theoctavemc.com under Recitals.

2.9 The Octave Music Festival

Held annually, The Octave Music Festival is a wonderful opportunity for students to play in a competitive and stimulating environment. Unlike our non-competitive Recital, this Festival is designed for all our students to compete against each other for awards and prizes, including. An additional registration fee is required for each entry and students are encouraged to enter as many categories as they would like to! Any student on any instrument may enter and all ages and abilities are encouraged. For more information, please talk to your teacher, or visit theoctavemc.com under Festival.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

3.0 Studio Teachers

Please be advised that all of our teachers are industry professionals and as such, may be required to re-schedule lessons from time-to-time. However, please note that on all occasions lessons missed by the teacher will be made up at a mutually convenient time or credited toward your account, should a substitute teacher not be available to fill in. Moreover, please note that although we strive to maintain each teacher throughout every school year, a teacher may uncommonly leave our studio throughout the school year for personal reason. We will always strive to replace any departing teacher with a teacher of equal calibre and style.

3.1 Switching Teachers

The staff at The Octave Music Centre do their best to place a student with the most suitable teacher. However, certain situations may arise and the student may desire to switch teachers. The benefit of being enrolled in a great music school is the flexibility to take lessons with a variety of teachers, each of whom has their own individual teaching styles. If you have any concerns, please talk to a member of our Showroom Staff.

3.2 What is Re-Scheduling Week?

Re-scheduling Week is designed to make-up an outstanding lesson throughout the year. Therefore, if a student misses one lesson during the year, it can be made up on this week. Please see the current School Calendar for Re-Scheduling days. To qualify for Re-Scheduling Week, a student must give 24 hours notice that they are missing a lesson. Only 1 lesson can be re-scheduled per term.

3.3 Inclement Weather Policy

Should you have any concerns regarding the weather, please call the studio or go to our website theoctavemc.com and click the ‘Weather Watch’ tab on our Music School page to determine if we will remain open for lessons. If your teacher is in the studio, you will be charged for the lesson. If the studio should be closed, the lessons will be made up at a convenient time.

3.4 Sitting in On Lessons

Each student is unique. It is not required in private of small group lessons for the parents to be sitting in on their child’s lesson. However, parent’s participation is never discouraged. If a parent would like to sit in on the child’s lesson, feel free to do so! Talk to the teacher and figure out what is the best approach that will benefit your child.

3.5 Instruments at Home

A common question is ‘Does my child need an instrument at home and if so, what kind’? Yes, students do need their instrument of study at home. Most of the students training comes from in-home practice. One of the great aspects of The Octave Music Centre is the connection of the Showroom & the Studio. Our students are always welcome to rent an instrument on a rent-to-own plan. Please talk to a Sales Representative is this is a concern for you and we will be happy to individually suit the student with a proper instrument that they will enjoy learning on.

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