Registration                

All Students
All students must be registered. Registration forms can be found in the Music Institute Catalog, at the Music Institute office (HVPA 260K) and on the Music Institute website at www.howardcc.edu/mac.  When the registration form is received in the office, the student will be assigned to a teacher.  The teacher will then contact the student directly to determine the start date and lesson length.  Tuition payment is due when lessons have been scheduled.  Tuistion payment can only be made at the Cashier's Office, either in person or may be mailed.  Lessons may not begin until payment has been received.  Teachers will be notified by MI office when lessons may begin.  Office hours will be expanded for the first two weeks of school, August 31 - September 15, to verify each student’s status with their assigned teacher.  Thereafter, office hours will be posted on the door and online.

• Students may register at any time during the year. 
• All students must fill out a registration form at the Music Institute office.
• Tuition is based on the number/length of the lessons and the teacher’s rate.  Lessons must be scheduled by sessions.  Each session is four weeks long.  There is a $10 fee for each session with a maximum of $80 during the period of one year.  Our year begins in September.
• All students must have a current Student Information Sheet on file at the MI office.  Notify MI of any changes with new Student Information Sheet found outside MI office.
• In signing the Registration Form, the Student agrees to abide by the Policies and Procedures of the Music Institute at HCC and to accept responsibility for all charges and fees that my be incurred.

New Students

Trial Lessons for New Students

• We offer to new students the option of choosing a 4-week trial period before committing to an extended lesson plan. 
  
• Music Institute Sessions

Tuition

Private Instruction:
Tuition is based on the instructor’s rate for either a 1/2 hour, 3/4 hour or one hour lesson multiplied by the number of lessons.  Tuition for a 1/2 hour private lesson ranges from $27.80 to $38.30.

Ensembles and Classes:
Ensembles coaching schedules for 2-3 students are arranged between the instructor and the students with a minimum of 8 hours per semester. 

Ensemble Tuition - 2-3 students—Coaches hourly rate, divided among students
                               4-8 students—$100.00 per hour, divided among students
                               9 and up—$200.00 per student, per semester

For tuition information for specific classes, please refer to the description in this catalog or call the Music Institute Office.

Payments

Application and registration fees are due before lessons, classes and ensembles can be scheduled.  Tuition payments are due before lessons, classes and ensembles can begin.   The Music Institute payments must be made at the Cashier's Office.  Payments for private lessosns can be made in full or by sessions with a one session minimum in order to begin lessons.   Payments for the next session must be made during the third week of the current session.  For example, payment for the second session (beginning 9/28-10/25) must be made during the week of October 12, 2008.  Ensembles must be paid for in full before the student may participate in the ensemble.  Multi-payments option is not available for ensembles. 

Refunds

If any class has insufficient enrollment, the Music Institute reserves the right to cancel the class and will refund all tuition. 

Notice of withdrawal from instruction and request for refunds must be made, in writing, to the Music Institute office for approval.  Verbal requests cannot be accepted.  Fees and materials’ costs are nonrefundable.

Refunds will be made according to the following plan:

• Notices/requests postmarked prior to first lesson/class – 100% refund
• Notices/requests postmarked prior to second lesson/class – 75% refund
• Notices/requests postmarked prior to third lesson/class – 50% refund
• Notices/requests postmarked after third lesson/class – No refund

Refund checks will be issued within 21 business days after the written request is received by the office.  For new students, this will apply after the four week trial period.

Absences/Tardiness

Regular attendance is very important for students to fully develop their musical abilities.  Students are charged for all lessons or classes for which they register, including those missed through student absence.  As a courtesy, students are expected to directly notify their teachers of any impending absence from lessons.  Instructors are not required to makeup lessons missed by students. 

Lessons canceled by the teacher will be rescheduled.  Lessons canceled due to weather or other emergency will be rescheduled.  The Music Institute follows school closing policies of Howard Community College.  HCC’s weather emergency closings will be aired on Baltimore and Washington television stations affiliated with the major networks and on area radio stations between 6 and 9 am.  If HCC classes are canceled anytime after the college opens, announcements will be aired in the same manner.  A recorded message will also be placed on the college’s main telephone number, 410-772-4800 and a message posted on the college homepage, www.howardcc.edu.

Tardy students cannot be guaranteed full lesson time.  Teachers must stay on schedule for subsequent students.

A weekly attendance report will be maintained in the Institute office by each teacher, detailing lesson times, lengths and any other pertinent details..  Each semester is followed by a makeup week. 

Change of Instructor

Our four week trial lesson period for beginning students allows both students and instructors ample opportunity to decide if they want to continue working together, or if the student wishes to continue lessons at all.  We strive to pair students and teachers together to achieve the best results, but we view the process as a professional obligation on the part of both the teacher and the client.

In other cases, if a change is desired, student/parents must first discuss this with the current teacher, and then the office must be notified, in writing.   Students desiring to change teachers must give one month’s notice – no exceptions.  Most teachers rely on their private teaching as their primary source of income and it is both unfair and unprofessional to end the association abruptly without proper notice.

Location

Howard Community College is located near the intersection of US Route 29 and MD Route 175.  The Music Institute is in the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Howard Community College campus.  Directions to Howard Community College can be found on the college website at www.howardcc.edu. 

Parking

Music Institute students may park in LOT I and LOT A.  Please be considerate of the handicapped students on campus.