Music School Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures
Admission Criteria
- Admission is open to individuals with documented functional vision impairments.
- Priority admission is given to individuals who are receiving, or who have received, vision rehabilitation services from the Lighthouse.
- Based on an assessment of needs and abilities by our clinical and musical staff, admission is provided without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation or veteran status.
- Admission to advanced classes and performance groups requires completion of prerequisite classes and/or an audition demonstrating the required level of knowledge and skill.
- The Comprehensive Music Program for Young People is now opening enrollment on a limited basis to students from the community who are sighted.
- Enrollment will be limited in order to maintain small groups for maximum teaching benefits.
- For fee information, contact the Music School at (212) 821-9660.
Registration
- You must register in person during the specified dates listed here. If you are unable to register during these times due to special circumstances, please contact the Music School at (212) 821-9660 prior to registration so that alternate arrangements may be made.
- If you are visually impaired and requesting a scholarship, you must contact our Music School Case Coordinator at (212) 821-9239, who will provide a financial assessment prior to enrollment.
- If you are visually impaired and not applying for a scholarship, you may proceed to register directly with the Music School.
- Completion of registration does not guarantee availability of instructors, private lessons or classes.
Fees and Payments
Fees are semester-based and determined by the type of course offered.
Please note that our fees listed in this catalog reflect a substantial tuition subsidy for those who are visually impaired.
The registration fee is $10 per semester (non-refundable). All students must pay the registration fee at the time of enrollment in order for your class/lesson requests to be processed. For families with more than one child enrolled, the registration fee is $15.
| Fall 2008(16 weeks)/Spring 2009 semester (17 weeks) | Cost to You |
|---|---|
| Individual lessons | $304/$323* |
| Group classes | $208/$221* |
| Performance ensembles
(if you're enrolled in individual lessons, one performance ensemble fee will be waived) |
$75 |
| Comprehensive Music Program for Young People | $295* |
*Through the generosity of Lighthouse International donors, all students who are visually impaired benefit from a tuition subsidy. Tuition packages are available upon request for students who are sighted.
Payment Procedure
- All fees must be paid in full by the eigth week of the semester. Payment plans may be negotiated with our Case Coordinator at the time of registration.
- Payment can be made by cash, check (payable to Lighthouse International) or credit card (we accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express).
- Payment can be made in person at the Music School or by mail.
- To ensure that your payment by mail is correctly processed:
- include check or money order only
- include the invoice stub
- use the enclosed pre-addressed return envelope (to Music School)
Please note: To avoid payment being misdirected to other Lighthouse departments, you must follow the procedure outlined above.
Cancellation Policy
The Music School may cancel classes if enrollment is insufficient, or if an instructor is unavailable. In the event of cancellation, registered students will be notified and given a full refund. If you choose to withdraw, a full refund will be made before the first class; 75% after the first class. There is no refund after the second class.
Make-up Lessons
All lessons must be paid for, whether taken or missed. Instructors are not required to make up lessons that are canceled by students. If an instructor cancels, a make-up lesson will be arranged.
Scholarships
Partial scholarships are available to individuals who:
- Have documented functional vision impairment.
- Verify financial eligibility based on family income and family size.
- Demonstrate a commitment to, and achievement of, instructional goals. Goals are agreed upon at the beginning of each semester by the student and instructor. Goal attainment is evaluated on the basis of progress, ability, diligence, commitment, attendance and performance.
Scholarship Eligibility and Procedure
- Eligibility is determined prior to your first semester of course work.
- Applications must be submitted to the Music School Case Coordinator, who can be reached at (212) 821-9239, prior to your initial semester registration, and are renewed annually, if eligible, prior to the fall semester.
- Applications are required only once per academic year.
Need-based Scholarships
- Scholarships are awarded for one lesson or class per semester. They are awarded on a financial need basis only.
- If you wish to take additional classes or indivual lessons, you must pay full fees for these, and are subject to administrative approval and instructor availability.
- If attendance and effort are not evident, or if course goals are not achieved, scholarships will be withdrawn and not renewed.
Scholarship Information
- Scholarship information is available from the Music School and/or Administrative Assistant.
- Our staff is available to consult with you on establishing goals and to help you select the courses best for you. To make an appointment, call (212) 821-9660.
Catherine Kramer Concert Series
Catherine Kramer was a long-time volunteer and friend of our Music School. A concert series in her name features the diverse talents of students, faculty, alumni and guest artists. Production of this concert series is supported in part by funds received by the C.L.C. Kramer Foundation. For information regarding specific dates, times and programs, call (212) 821-9660. Watch for our postcards announcing concert dates and events.
D'Agostino Performance Hour Series
In-house and public performances reflect your achievements as a musician and performer. This year, we will begin a new performance hour series, held each Wednesday afternoon of the semester. It will provide wonderful opportunities to try out new pieces, test recital and audition repertoire, and learn firsthand about the challenges of performance anxiety. Enrolled students, faculty, visiting guest artists and those who rent our studios on a regular basis will be eligible to perform.
With your instructor's recommendation, you will be required to participate in at least one recital during the semester. If you are enrolled in individual lessons and performance ensembles, you may also be asked to perform in recitals at the Lighthouse or other venues in the community. These performances are part of your performance training.
Lighthouse Music Studios
Use of our sound-treated music studios on the fourth floor is scheduled during business hours when staff members are available. (Please note that no food or beverages are allowed in the studios.)
If you are an enrolled student and wish to use a studio for practice, contact the Music School Administrative or Program Assistant to schedule time. Scheduling is granted by the Executive Director of the Music School on a space-availability basis. (Please note that studio space is available for only one hour at a time.)
Individual performers and non-profit organizations are invited to take advantage of our state-of-the-art facilities at highly competitive rental rates. See our online brochure at: lighthouse.org Contact the Music School rental space hotline at (212) 821-9711 or via e-mail at musicschool@lighthouse.org
The Music School Student Council: Make Your Voice Heard
Elected by Music School students to represent their interests, the Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. It reviews student and organizational issues, and offers recommendations to the Executive Director of the Music School and Lighthouse administration. Individual comments are welcome; contact the Council through the Music School at (212) 821-9660.
Members of Our Student Council for 2008 - 2009
| •Daniel Aronoff | •Donna Pharr | •Enid Bourne | •Maria Rios | •Fred Dalidowicz | •William Robinson | •Brian Maguire | •Joseph Russo | •Salvatore Moscato | •Lynnette Tatum | •Rosa Ramirez Pedulla, Chairperson |