Student Policies

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Missed Lessons/Makeup Policy

Consistency in attendance is important to a student’s study of music. We ask that students make every effort to keep the scheduled lesson time. Due to scheduling restrictions involving space and teacher availability, rescheduled lessons for student cancellations should never be expected. Many teachers have very full schedules, which leave few opportunities for makeup lessons. Students/parents must bear that in mind if requesting a makeup.

Makeup lessons will be considered only for lessons missed due to 1) illness, 2) family emergency, or 3) advance notice of other conflicts. Makeups will not be offered for students who miss the lesson without giving prior notice to the teacher. For lessons to be made up for any reason, it must be done within the current session (fall, spring or summer), and not extended into a subsequent session.

1. ILLNESS
   We have dozens of students coming and going every day and want to make sure we share music, learning and laughter, not germs! Students should be fever and/or vomit-free for a minimum of 48 hours before attending a music lesson or class. Any students who have COVID or other contagious illnesses will be expected to cancel lessons until fully recovered. This also applies to household members who accompany students to and from lessons.
   At least a three-hour notice is required for the instructor to consider rescheduling due to illness.
2. FAMILY EMERGENCY
   This contingency is reserved for true emergencies only. Depending on the situation, the teacher reserves the right to determine whether a makeup lesson may be considered.
3. OTHER CONFLICTS
   Other conflicts may arise such as various pre-planned events, scheduled school activities, etc. At least a one-week notice is required for the teacher to consider rescheduling the lesson.

Computer lab sessions may be rescheduled depending on the situation, as with private lessons. Rescheduled computer lab sessions must fit within the established computer lab hours of operation.

Zoom or other online lessons are not to be used except in extenuating circumstances.

As a courtesy to the teacher we ask that students notify the teacher by the first day of registration if a decision has been reached to discontinue lessons. That provides the teacher sufficient notice to fill the lesson time with a new student.

If a teacher must cancel a lesson, every effort will be made to make it up at a mutually agreed-upon time.

Inclement Weather

Notification of university closures will be posted at: www.tcu.edu

In accordance with university policies, if TCU closes, then the Music Preparatory Division must comply with that mandate. All lessons and classes will be canceled, makeups are not required for weather closures.

TCU Driving Directions

Physical Address: 2800 South University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76109

Mailing Address: TCU Box 297500, Fort Worth, TX 76129

From I-30 exit University Drive and go south. TCU is south of the Fort Worth Zoo, just past the intersection with West Cantey Street.

From I-20 exit Hulen and go north. Turn right on Bellaire Street, which becomes Berry Street. Turn left on University Drive, then left on West Cantey.

TCU Parking

Music Prep. students attending classes at UCC, Jarvis or Walsh may park in the TCU reserved parking lot on the corner of West Cantey and Rogers Streets. It is on the west side of University Drive, directly behind University Christian Church. Vehicles must be parked in the designated Music Prep. spaces along the back fence during lesson or class time. Hang-tags will be provided, to be displayed on the rear-view mirror. Students attending lessons at Human Resources may use the visitor parking on the east side of the building.

Campus Locations

Music Prep. activities will be held in alternate locations for 2026-27.

1. University Christian Church; UCC is located at northwest corner of University/West Cantey intersection. Street address is 2720 South University Drive.
2. Walsh Center for Performing Arts, directly south of Ed Landreth Hall (the buildings are attached).
3. Jarvis Hall, which is directly south of the Landreth/Walsh complex.
4. TCU Human Resources on Berry St. Lessons will be held in the rear portion of the building on Merida Street. The street address is 3120 Merida St.

Student Progress

Our piano, instrumental and voice are expected practice six days weekly, or an equivalent amount.

Recommended daily practice is follows:

• 4 – 6 years: 20 minutes
• 7 – 9 years: 30 minutes
• 10 – 12 years: 45 minutes
• 13+ years: 60 minutes

Parental encouragement and support is needed for productive and consistent practice sessions. Both students and parent will be proud of the rapid progress made when sufficient daily practice becomes a habit. Students become more stimulated by music and more motivated to practice as they realize how much they can accomplish.

Recitals

Regular recital participation is recommended, with students normally playing in at least one recital per school semester. Most weeknight recitals will require a minimum of six students. Recital music may include no more than two memorized solo pieces and/or nonmemorized duets, with a five-minute limit per student. Students are always expected to remain present through the end of the recital. Adult recitals are held when there is a sufficient number of students who wish to participate.

Evaluations

Private students up through grade 12 will receive a written evaluation from the instructor at the end of each school year. Piano students will also be evaluated in person by a panel of instructors during the last week of each spring semester. This evaluation occurs in lieu of a lesson during that week. An unsatisfactory evaluation will jeopardize the student’s place in the program.

Cancellation Policy/Termination of Lessons

TCU Fall/Spring enrollment is for 16 weeks, and summer for eight weeks. Normally only new students may receive a prorated tuition amount if they begin lessons mid-session. Registration fees are nonrefundable and no refunds will be given after the session start date. Refunds will be considered only in exceptional circumstances with the approval of the Music Prep. Director. Lessons can be terminated due to insufficient preparation or excessive absences.

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Students and/or parents are always welcome to contact us with questions or concerns regarding lessons and instruction. Our goal is to work closely with all students to provide high quality music education.