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Policies and Procedures

ATTENDANCE, PROMPTNESS, MAKE-UPS
Attendance at all lessons and group classes is expected. The student's attendance record at lessons, group classes, concerts, and community performances is taken into consideration when scholarship awards are determined. Teachers need only make up lessons they canceled. Students with Friday lessons should expect to occasionally reschedule due to Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra dress rehearsals. Make-ups for lessons missed by the student are at the teacher's discretion. Students are provided with the instructor’s schedule at the beginning of each term. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor if they are going to miss a lesson. If a student wishes, they may try to switch lesson times with another student. Coordination of lesson changes is the responsibility of the student, not the instructor. If a student misses a lesson without notifying their instructor in advance they will automatically forfeit that lesson. There are no exceptions. Lessons are not held on Memorial Day or Good Friday and will not be made up. Students are expected to arrive five to ten minutes early for lessons and classes and at least twenty minutes early for performances. Violins, cellos, bows, etc. should be prepared before the lesson is scheduled to begin.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
There will be no lessons on days that the Houghton schools are closed due to poor weather conditions. Our instructors are not obligated to make up these lessons. There will be no refunds of tuition in these instances. If there is more than one missed lesson in a single term because of poor weather conditions, those additional lessons will be made up.

FUNDRAISING/WORK CREDIT PROGRAM
Fundraising is the responsibility of all CCSA families. Family participation in fundraising is an important factor in our success in obtaining grants. These grants have led to a substantial savings in tuition for everyone. Tuition and grants alone, however, do not generate enough income to pay the salaries of our professional instructors. In addition to helping with fundraisers, parents may take part in our Work Credit program. At the beginning of the year, you will be provided with a list of jobs. These are ways you can help make events run more smoothly and help board members with fundraising activities. For each job that you complete, you will receive credit. Each term, there will be a $40.00 fundraising fee billed to each family. This fee will be refunded if that family takes part in either a fundraiser or our work credit program. Families are eligible to sign up for up to two work credits and strongly encouraged to participate in our Spring Fun Card Fundraiser.

CONCERT ATTIRE
Students should dress up for our Christmas and Spring recitals and for solo recitals. For our community performances (in the mall, etc.), students should wear their CCSA shirt and black pants or skirt. Tennis shoes and jeans are not acceptable.

SCHOLARSHIPS
A number of scholarships are available each year, depending on the level of our external funding. No scholarships are given for the first semester as we do not normally know the status of our MCACA (Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs) grant until late October. Scholarships are based on financial need as well as student's participation and progress; special consideration will also be given to families with more than one child in our program. Scholarships may be given to adult students if our scholarship funds permit. Unless previous arrangements have been made, scholarship applications will not be considered if fall tuition has not been paid in full.

PART-TIME STUDENTS
While it is strongly recommended that students enroll for weekly lessons, students may wish to take fewer lessons because of scheduling problems, driving distance, or financial concerns. Students who wish to enroll for lessons on a less-than-weekly basis will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, if there is space and at the discretion of the private instructor. Students enrolled in weekly lessons take priority over non-weekly students. As a result, non-weekly students may lose their time slot to a full-time student if there is need for the space. Lesson fees for part-time students will be prorated based on the number of lessons taken per term but part-time students will still be required to pay the full membership and fundraising fees.

SOLO RECITALS
Several solo recitals will be scheduled for the year. These take place on Sundays at 2:00. All students should perform at least twice each year. Recitals provide an opportunity for students who have polished a piece to take it to a higher level and learn about performing. Performances should be memorized unless stated otherwise by the individual instructor. Chamber pieces may also be presented.

A short rehearsal period is scheduled on the Friday prior to each recital. Students have an opportunity to rehearse their pieces one time only with the accompanist. Students who need more rehearsal time than this must make their own arrangements. It is the responsibility of the student to schedule and pay for these additional rehearsals with the accompanist. Students performing non-Suzuki repertoire must supply music for the accompanist at least two weeks prior to the recital to insure sufficient accompanist preparation.

Instructors have sign-up sheets. The last date to sign up for a recital is the Wednesday prior to the recital, NO EXCEPTIONS. This is to allow enough time for the accompanist to prepare and for the executive director to type and print the programs.

WINTER AND SPRING RECITALS
The CCSA holds two group recitals; one in the middle of December and one in the middle of May. The purpose of these recitals is to feature the work that each group class has done throughout the term and to feature the CCSA students as a whole. Every student will play on these recitals. There may be a rehearsal for all CCSA students the Friday prior to the recital. These dates are noted on the calendar that you received at the beginning of the year. Please see “Concert Attire” for appropriate dress. These rehearsals as well as the Winter and Spring recitals are mandatory.

OUTSIDE PERFORMANCES
As part of our community outreach and recruiting responsibilities, there are several performance opportunities outside of our regular recitals. At the beginning of the year you will be given a calendar that provides information for all of the scheduled performances, please read it carefully. Additionally, we are often asked to perform at events that come up throughout the year. You will be given plenty of advance notice for these events. Sign-up sheets will be available at least one week prior to the event. It is very important that as many students attend these performances as possible. Each student is required to play in at least two outside performances per year. Dress for these performances is a Suzuki shirt and dark pants or skirts.

KEWEENAW YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (KYSO)
Upon reaching Suzuki Book 3 or the equivalent, a student may be invited to audition for the Keweenaw Youth Symphony. Entry into this orchestra is based on an audition and is a privilege. While we encourage our students to perform in the community and with other artists, as a member of the CCSA and KYSO, the first obligation of the student is to play in one of the CCSA ensembles. Older students in these ensembles should set a good example for the younger students and will often be called upon to act as mentors. In order to grow and develop our orchestras as well as our program, it is important that students come to rehearsals on time and are prepared to rehearse. When a student reaches their senior year in high school (or 17 years of age), they may be invited to audition for the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra (KSO). Prior to their senior year in high school, or their 17th birthday, students not playing in the KYSO are not permitted to audition for the KSO.

INSTRUMENT RENTAL
The CCSA rents instruments at a minimal cost. The profits from rental do not all go to upkeep, but are a large source of our operating funds. Families renting CCSA instruments help with the maintenance of our instruments by cleaning them and by replacing broken strings. An additional $4.00 is added to the monthly rental of each instrument (violin, viola or cello) for the purpose of insuring the instrument against damage, loss or theft. There is a $50.00 deductible for each instance of loss, major damage or theft. This insurance does not cover instrument supplies such as strings, rosin or shoulder rests. In the event of instrument damage, the private instructor must be notified as soon as possible he or she will advise you as to how to proceed. Once the teacher is notified, it is up to the renter to make arrangements for the repairs NOT the private instructor. The CCSA will not be responsible for the cost of repairs if your private instructor was not notified.

BILLING
Tuition for the fall term along with instrument rental and membership fees is due by the end of September. Bills for the winter and spring terms will generally be sent the first week of each term and are due on the Friday of the fifth week of the term. There will be a $10 late fee if the bill is not paid two weeks from the end of the term. If you anticipate difficulties making these payments, it is your responsibility to contact the CCSA treasurer and work out a payment plan. You may not make adjustments to your bill without consulting the executive director and the treasurer. Our treasurer is Kelly Luck (487-7137; kluck@chartermi.net). 

Please note the following:
 - In the event that a bill is still past due after a term ends, the student will not be able to start lessons the next term.
 - Students who quit mid term are responsible for tuition two weeks from the date which CCSA receives written notice that the student will discontinue lessons. Written notice may be given to the instructor or sent to CCSA at P.O. Box 161, Houghton, MI 49931.

OTHER PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of a Suzuki parent go beyond getting students to lessons and concerts. Parents should be in attendance at private lessons and group classes, unless approved by the instructor. It is the responsibility of the parent to understand the assignments to learn how to best guide home practice. Parents of an older student, who has taken on the responsibility for his or her own practice, should keep in contact with the individual instructor. There are still many ways to assist an older student.

It is the parent's responsibility to make certain the Suzuki recordings are listened to at home on a daily basis. In addition, parents should make certain that the music in the home environment is not limited to the Suzuki recordings. A variety of good music should be played at home and your individual instructor can suggest quality recordings. Parents should also provide opportunities for their children to hear live music.

Parents are strongly encouraged to develop a better understanding of Talent Education. Dr. Suzuki' s book, Nurtured by Love provides a good introduction to the Talent Education movement, and there are many other books and resources available from a number of different suppliers.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIERS
Our instructors now have a number of supplies available for sale, such as strings and rosin.
Other sources are:

James North Luthier (906) 289-4225 jamnorth@comcast.net – Copper Harber, MI
Excellent instrument repair, adjustment and sales

Psarianos (800) 697 VIOL Troy, MI
Instrument rental, sales and repair

Quinn Violins (888) 521 2225; www.quinnviolins.com Minneapolis, MN
Best prices on strings and many other supplies with fast shipping; online shopping available

Shar Products (800) 248 SHAR; www.sharmusic.com - Ann Arbor, MI
Lots of books about Suzuki and large catalogue of supplies; online shopping available. Not recommended for instrument sales.

Web:  www.coppercountrysuzuki.org