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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

Group Piano Class: Hush Little Baby

Group Piano Class: Alouette

Group Piano Class: Ode to Joy

IMPORTANT DATES

Download the SOFA Calendar

 

JUNE/JULY 2024

6/10 (Mon) Summer Private Lessons Begin

7/15-7/19    Preschool Creative Arts Camp (3 1/2 to Completed Kinder)

7/29-8/2     Creative Arts Camp (1st-5th Grade)

AUGUST

8/16 (Fri)    Last Day of Summer Classes

8/18 (Sun)   Teacher & Student Blessing Sunday - 10 a.m.

8/19 (Mon)   Fall Registration Deadline for Returning Students

8/23 (Fri)   Fall Registration Deadline

8/24-8/25 (Sat-Sun)  Piano Workshop (2nd to 12th Grade)

8/26 (Sun)   First Day of Fall Lessons

SEPTEMBER

9/2 (Mon)     Labor Day - No Classes

9/3 (Tues)    First Day of Fall Classes - HISD & CP Closed 

9/4-9/6 (W-F) SOFA Open - CP Closed

9/11 (W) First day of Family Music Classes - Late Fees Apply

OCTOBER

10/3 (Th)  HISD Closed - SOFA Open

10/4 (F)   HISD Fall Holiday - SOFA Open - CP Closed

10/31 (Th)   SOFA Open 

NOVEMBER 

11/17 (Sun) Student Recital – 3 p.m.

11/18 (Mon) Spring Enrollment Begins

11/25 (Mon) Make-up Lesson Days 

11/26-11/29 (T-F) Thanksgiving Holiday

DECEMBER

12/2 (Mon)   Spring Enrollment Deadline for Current Students

12/3 (Tues)  Spring Registration Open for New Students

12/17 (Tues)  Spring Registration Deadline for New Students

12/9-12/19  (M-F) Make-up/Additional Lessons 

12/20-1/3  (F-F) SOFA Office Closed

JANUARY 2025

1/13 (Mon)   Spring Classes Begin – Late Fees Apply

1/20 (Mon)   MLK Holiday - No Classes

FEBRUARY

2/6-2/7 SOFA Open - CP Closed

TBD    SOFA 20th Anniversary Celebration

2/14 (Fri)    HISD Closed - SOFA Open 

2/17 (Mon)  Presidents' Day - HISD Closed - SOFA Open

MARCH

3/3  (Mon)   Summer Registration Begins

3/5 (Wed)   Ash Wednesday (SAPCH Services: Noon & 6:30pm)

3/10-14 (M-F) Spring Break - No Classes

3/31 (Mon)  Chavez-Huerta Day - HISD Closed - SOFA Open

APRIL

4/18 (Fri)   Good Friday - SOFA Closed

4/21 (Mon)  SOFA Open - CP Closed

4/28 (Mon)  Summer Registration Opens

TBD  Family Music Celebration on the Last Day of Class

MAY

5/2 (Fri)  HISD & CP Closed - SOFA Open

5/4 (Sun)  Spring Student Recitals 3pm All & 5 pm Voice

5/9 (Fri) Last Day of Family Music Spring Classes

5/12-5/23  (M-F) Make-up/Additional Lessons 

5/19 (Mon) Summer Registration Deadline for New Students

5/22 (Wed) Summer Family Music Classes begin