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Policy for Private/Group Instruction
Policy for Music Readiness Classes
Attendance | Expectations | Practice Tips
Attendance
Attendance is essential for all scheduled classes to ensure the student's success. In the case of illness or other schedule conflicts, parents should notify the teacher 24 hours in advance. No refunds from missed classes will be given. Instructors are not required to make-up lessons missed by students. If an instructor misses a lesson, it will definitely be made up. Once a lesson time is decided upon at the time of enrollment, it is the responsibility of the student to commit to that time slot. Parents should be ready to pick up their children from the classroom directly after each class. If a student is to be picked up by someone other than his or her parent, a parental release form must be submitted to the SOFA office at the beginning of the semester.
Student and Parent Expectations
Students should arrive on time to all classes and remain until the end of the class period. If there are consistent behavioral problems in the classroom that requires attention, the parent will be notified by the director.
All students enrolled in group and private lessons are encouraged to participate in the fall and spring recitals upon approval of the teacher. Parents should inform the teacher one month prior to the recital date if you do not wish for your child to participate.
Practice Tips
Practice Daily
Students should practice for the length of their lesson time each day. If your lessons are 30 minutes long, you should practice for 30 minutes everyday.
Warm-up First
Spend at least 5-10 minutes warming up, using the techniques suggested by your teacher. Plan Accordingly Have a game plan before you begin to practice. Follow the assignment that your teacher gave you, and check off each item as you go, repeating them if necessary.
Divide and Conquer
When you come across something that appears to be too challenging, break it up into sections and practice one section at a time.
Review Frequently
If you've worked on several new sections, review each section occasionally during your practice. It never hurts to go back to old piece and review them from time to time, you never know when there might be performance opportunities.
Helpful Resources
Buy Sheet Music Locally | 713-802-2900 | 4819 Feagan St | Order online at AMCmusic.net
Website for learning Music Theory | MusicTheory.net
Website for improving sight-reading & ear-training | SightReading.Training
Listen to Classical Music 24 hours a day | TheClassicalStation.org
Book Recommendations
Book about how to practice a musical instrument | First, Learn to Practice by Tom Heavy
A Fun Series to collect over time | Getting to know the World's Greatest Composers by Mike Venezia
An exciting introduction to the world of classical music-from composers and music history to the instruments of the orchestra-for elementary age children (and parents, too!) | The Story of the Orchestra by Robert Levine
Resources for At Home Practice
IMPORTANT DATES
🍂 FALL SEMESTER 2025
AUGUST 2025
- Aug 15 (Fri): Last Day of Summer Classes
- Aug 17 (Sun): Teacher & Student Blessing Sunday – 10:00 AM
- Aug 18 (Mon): Fall Registration Deadline (Priority Placement)
- Aug 25 (Mon): First Day of Fall Lessons
SEPTEMBER 2025
- Sept 1 (Mon): Labor Day – No Classes
- Sept 2 (Tues): First Day of Fall Classes (HISD Closed)
- Sept 8 (Mon): Late Fees Apply
OCTOBER 2025
- Oct 2–3 (Th–Fri): SOFA Open (HISD Fall Holiday)
- Oct 3 (Fri): CP Closed – Parent/Teacher Conference & Staff Inservice
NOVEMBER 2025
- Nov 7 (Fri): SOFA Open (HISD Closed)
- Nov 16 (Sun): Student Recital – 3:00 PM
- Nov 17 (Mon): Spring Enrollment Begins
- Nov 24 (Mon): Make-Up Lesson Day (HISD Closed)
- Nov 25–28 (Tues–Fri): Thanksgiving Holiday – No Classes
DECEMBER 2025
- Dec 1 (Mon): Spring Enrollment Deadline for Current Students
- Dec 2 (Tues): Spring Registration Opens for New Students
- Dec 5 (Fri): Milk & Cookies with Santa – 5:00–6:30 PM
- Dec 8–19 (M–Th): Make-Up & Additional Lessons
- Dec 16 (Tues): Spring Registration Deadline (New Students)
- Dec 22 – Jan 2: SOFA Office Closed
❄️ SPRING SEMESTER 2026
JANUARY 2026
- Jan 6 (Tues): HISD & CP Spring Classes Begin
- Jan 12 (Mon): SOFA Spring Classes Begin – Late Fees Apply
- Jan 19 (Mon): Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No Classes
FEBRUARY 2026
- Feb 5–6 (Th–Fri): SOFA Open – CP Closed
- Feb 13 (Fri): SOFA Open (HISD Closed)
- Feb 16 (Mon): Presidents’ Day – SOFA Open (HISD Closed)
- Feb 18 (Wed): Ash Wednesday Services – Noon & 6:30 PM
- Feb 13 (Mon): Summer Camp Registration Begins
MARCH 2026
- Mar 9–13 (M–F): Spring Break – No Classes
- Mar 30 (Mon): SOFA Open (Chavez-Huerta Day – HISD Closed)
APRIL 2026
- Apr 3 (Fri): Good Friday – SOFA, HISD & CP Closed
- Apr 6 (Mon): SOFA Open – CP Closed
- Apr 27 (Mon): Summer Registration Opens
MAY 2026
- May 1 (Fri): CP Closed – P/T Conference & Staff Inservice
- May 3 (Sun): Spring Student Recitals – 3:00 PM (All), 5:00 PM (Voice)
- May 4 (Mon): Summer Registration Deadline for Current Students
- May 4–8 (M–F): Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 8 (Fri): Family Music Celebration – Last Day of Class
- May 11–22 (M–F): Make-Up & Additional Lessons
- May 18 (Mon): Summer Registration Deadline (New Students)
- May 25 (Mon): Memorial Day – No Classes
☀️ SUMMER SESSION 2026
JUNE 2026
- June 4 (Mon): Last Day of HISD Classes
- June 8 (Mon): Summer Private Lessons Begin
- June 9–11 (Tues–Thurs): Summer Musikgarten Classes
JULY – AUGUST 2026
- July 13–17 (M–F): Preschool Creative Arts Camp (Ages 3½ – K)
- TBD: Creative Arts Camps (Pre-K – Age 11)
- TBD: Strings & Piano Workshop
- Aug 14 (Fri): Last Day of Summer Classes
- TBD: Piano Workshop (Grades 2–8)
