Crookston Music Studio, LLC -- Harp Studio Policy 2009-2010

I am looking forward to another fun and challenging year with each of you. I can honestly say that I get so much enjoyment from seeing each of you progress and become better musicians and harpists. Together, it is our challenge to help you achieve your goals on the harp. There are many additional activities that will help you in achieving those goals. Examples of those activities would be:

· The DC Chapter of the AHS will sponsor a concert and harp ensemble experience on Labor Day weekend (students are encouraged to participate).

· Crookston Music Studio has scheduled Sue Richards to be a guest artist/instructor on October 17, 2009. Please reserve the date on your calendar. My students will pay a discounted fee for this workshop.

· Annual DC Harp Fest on Monday, December 28, 2009 in Kensington, MD.

· WAFHS annual concert in April 2010. Students are encouraged to play in the ensemble numbers.

· Two (or more) group lessons during the year to focus on selected topics.

Tuition Fees:

• New Student Monthly Fees: Students beginning lessons in September or later are considered new students. Tuition is based on the fee for 30 lessons to be given between September and May. Lessons are a minimum of 50 minutes in length and the monthly fee will be $150.00 due the first of each month. Late fee of $25.00 will be charged if received after the 10^th of each month.

• Continuing Student Monthly Fees: Current students who will take a minimum of 4 lessons between June 1 and August 31 are eligible for the continuing student rate. Tuition is based on the fee for 30 lessons to be given between September and May. Lessons are a minimum of 50 minutes in length and the monthly fee will be $135.00 due the first of each month. Late fee of $25.00 will be charged if received after the 10^th of each month.

• Individual Lesson Fees: The fee for all Students who are not utilizing the monthly payment plan is $50.00 per lesson.
• All Students Studio Activity Fee: There is an annual activity fee of $35.00 which is in addition to your first tuition payment in September. This fee will cover costs associated with rental of recital venues, guest artist fees, and other studio activities and administration.

Please note the following regarding lessons:

1. Original music must be purchased and used for student lessons. I find my books to be a great source of information, sight reading material, and wonderful memories. Music books in good condition that are no longer needed/wanted may be “recycled” at the studio (more info forthcoming on this option).
2. Students participating in the Virginia String Teachers (VASTA) Certificate program for harp are required to take weekly lessons. This will ensure that the necessary material can be covered and the student will be well prepared for the exam.
3. Half hour lessons will only be offered to students under the age of 8. The fee for half hour lessons will be $30.00. Upon the child’s 8^th birthday he or she will be required to take hourly lessons.
4. I require 24 hours or more notice if you will miss your scheduled lesson time. There is no tuition refund for missed lessons; however, at my discretion, I will arrange a makeup lesson as needed.
5. On occasion I may need to change a lesson time due to other commitments. I will give you as much notice as possible for such a cancellation and will arrange a makeup for the canceled lesson.
6. Students wishing to terminate lessons should provide me with one month advance notice.

Participation in Harp Studio Activities:

Students are expected to participate in studio recitals (two or three opportunities will be scheduled during the year). Additionally, there will be at least one guest artist workshop scheduled during the year. Students are strongly encouraged to join local and national harp organizations which will keep them informed of scholarship opportunities, concerts, and other harp activities. Please use the following links to obtain membership information for the groups you would like to join:

· www.wafhs.org The local lever/folk harp group - $15.00 per year beginning November 1^st.

· www.dcharp.org The local pedal harp group - $15.00 per year beginning September 1^st.

· www.harpsociety.org The National pedal harp group - $36 for 21 and younger, $56 for 22 and older. Membership year begins September 1^st.

Other Harp Links:

· www.harpcolumn.com Nice magazine with useful harp related information.

· www.vaharpcenter.com Local harp store near Richmond, VA. Excellent resource for music, harps (new and used), strings, and harp regulations.

· www.folkharp.com Harps, harp music, accessories (Mary Radspinner’s store).

· www.harpcenter.com Harps, harp music, accessories (Sylvia Woods’s store).

· www.harp.com Harps, harp music, accessories (Lyon & Healy’s site).

My Contact Information:

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. If you do not need an immediate response, then email is preferred over phone calls.

Address: Crookston Music Studio, LLC

12324 Oakwood Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192

Home Phone: 703-494-3350 Cell Phone: 703-269-8929

Home Email: davidtheharp@aol.com

Practice Agreement:

There is a definite correlation between the amount of practice and the rate of a student’s progress. I expect the following times to be used as a guide for minimal daily practice. Each full practice session should at minimum include scales, arpeggios, sight reading, etudes and other assigned pieces of music:

30 minutes for the young beginner (6-9 years old)

45 minutes for students 10-12 years old

1 hour for older students who are studying harp for their enrichment

2 hours or more for those students considering a career in music

Practice Agreement (This page must be completed, signed and brought to the first lesson in September):

There is a definite correlation between the amount of practice and the rate of a student’s progress. I expect the following times to be used as a guide for minimal daily practice. Each full practice session should at minimum include scales, arpeggios, sight reading, etudes and other assigned pieces of music:

30 minutes for the young beginner (6-9 years old)

45 minutes for students 10-12 years old

1 hour for older students who are studying harp for their enrichment

2 hours or more for those students considering a career in music

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I have read and agree to follow the guidelines outlined in the 2009-2010 Studio policy.

Student:__________________________________________________ Date:_________

Parent: __________________________________________________ Date:_________

Address:________________________________________________________________

Email(s):________________________________________________________________

Phone Number(s):_________________________________________________________