AASPA POLICIES The Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, a not-for-profit education organization, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs or other school-administered programs.

The arts naturally foster personal discipline. All students are expected to exhibit respectful, attentive behavior towards directors, coaches, instructors and other musicians. AASPA reserves the right to dismiss students for non-adherence to policies. It is each student's and/or parent's responsibility to read and understand AASPA policies:

ATTENDANCE - Consistency is the key to excellence!

Classes, Ensembles, Camps & Workshops - AASPA does not offer make up classes or ensemble rehearsals missed by students.

Private Music Lessons - Students registered for individual instruction are allowed one excused absence per semester. In those cases, twenty- four hour notice must be given by the student to be offered a make-up lesson. If proper notice is not received, the lesson will be considered forfeited, and the student will be billed for the scheduled time. Students should call BOTH the school and the individual teacher. Lessons owed that are not taken by the end of the make-up week are forfeited unless the lessons were missed by the instructor or cancelled due to weather.

TARDINESS - Although sometimes it is impossible to arrive on time, please respect your instructors by making a habit of prompt arrival!

Classes, Ensembles, Camps & Workshops - Musicians in ensembles are expected to arrive early enough to be unpacked, warmed-up and seated to begin on time. In all cases, that means planning to arrive at least fifteen minutes BEFORE the rehearsal or class is scheduled to begin. Private Music Lessons - It is expected that students who are studying individually with an instructor will be on time and prepared for lessons. Teachers will allow ten minutes to pass from the scheduled start of an individual lesson, then it will be considered a forfeited lesson, and the student will be billed for the scheduled time. If a student is late for a lesson, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time.

WEATHER CLOSINGS - The message machine at the school (734) 995- 4625) and the School's website (www.aa-spa.org) will have the current status of classes and ensembles as of 2:00 PM with final information for that day. In general, AASPA follows weather cancellation decisions made by Ann Arbor Public Schools. DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF FOR A REHEARSAL OR LESSON IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IT IS TAKING PLACE!

Classes, Ensembles, Camps & Workshops - Large ensembles (e.g., orchestra, SCORE) will establish an e-mail communication tree for the purposes of last-minute rehearsal status; please provide the School with a viable e-mail address. Class or small ensemble instructors (e.g., jazz combos, Kindermusik) will reschedule one class that was cancelled because of weather conditions during the designated make-up week atthe end of each semester. If more than one class has been cancelled because of weather, the student will receive a pro-rated refund.

Private Music Lessons - If Ann Arbor Public Schools have closed because of inclement weather, private students should consider their lesson cancelled UNLESS it is mutually decided with the teacher to meet for the lesson; under some circumstances lessons can take place even when group activities are not practical. Students should discuss cancellations due to weather with their teacher directly as there may not be anyone answering the phone at the School. One private lesson cancellation due to the weather will be re- scheduled during the make-up week. If there are more cancellations than that and the instructor is unable to reschedule, a pro-rated refund or credit for the next semester will be applied.

SCHOOL PARTICIPATION POLICY - AASPA programs exist to enrich and support school programs. Unless an appropriate music program is not offered, AASPA school-age students are expected to enroll in an ensemble or music class at their academic school. Music teachers at each school will be informed of their students' enrollment in ensembles at AASPA.

STUDENT SAFETY & THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - The waiting area of the School is for the comfort of convenience of families during music instruction and supports a positive learning environment in the studio or classroom. Adult supervision is not provided for children left alone at the School. Do not drop off children who are sixth grade and younger without an adult. Do not drop off young students earlier than twenty minutes before the scheduled start of a lesson or class and promptly pick up your student at the scheduled end of a lesson or class. Younger siblings must be supervised while waiting and may not run in the building, play on the staircase or talk so loudly as to disturb the learning environment. We recommend that supervised younger siblings wait in the provided waiting area; it is distracting for them to wait in the studio during a sibling's lesson.

REGISTRATION & FINANCIAL INFO

Registrations are due by the second week of classes. At the end of the session, students continuing with private lessons must renew their registration by the end of the make-up week. Short renewal forms are available in the office. Some instructors offer lessons during weeks when public schools are on break, and if that adds lessons in addition to the fifteen lesson semester, that must be indicated on the initial registration form or renewal form. When renewing registrations for summer private lessons, you must take into account vacation or travel absences by either the student or the instructor, and work out the exact number of summer lessons to be taken. Summer lessons may be arranged with a substitute instructor by the student's primary instructor.

REGISTRATION - There are three easy ways you can register for AASPA programs: 1. Mail in the registration form with your payment for tuition no later than one week prior to the start of a class or ensemble. A personal consultation is required for private instruction and an audition is required for most ensembles, as noted. Payment can be by check or by Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.

2. Hand deliver the registration form and payment to the AASPA School Office at Concordia University. Please call before you come!

3. Phone (734) 995-4625 or fax (734) 995-7503 your form to the school ( ) to register with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.

REGISTRATION FEE - Each student pays $40 per academic year no matter what point in the year that they register. Subsequent family members pay only $25 to register.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE - Registration fees and full tuition payments are due at the beginning of each semester. Payment options are listed on the registration form. If necessary, cash or check payments can be arranged in three installments for 2% finance charge on all remaining balances. ALL BALANCES MUST BE SATISFIED BY THE CONCLUSION OF EACH SEMESTER AND BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER IF A STUDENT IS TO CONTINUE WITH LESSONS OR ENSEMBLES. AASPA reserves the right to dismiss students for non-payment of tuition or other outstanding invoices. Balances that are not paid past the conclusion of a semester may be referred to an outside collection agency. The returned check fee is $30. Credit card usage fee is $5.

EARLY BIRD ADVANTAGE - If you pay your Fall semester invoice in full before September 1, 2004, you may deduct $10.

ACCENT-PLUS DISCOUNT & CERTIFICATE - For each additional class or school offering the student registers for, total tuition may be reduced by 10% exluding the registration or retreat fees.

FAMILY ALLOWANCE - If two or more family members are enrolled, the less expensive invoice(s) will be reduced by 10%. After the first family member has paid the $40 registration fee, subsequent family members will pay a $25 registration fee.

WITHDRAWALS AND REFUNDS

Classes, Ensembles, Camps & Workshops - If a student withdraws from a CLASS or ENSEMBLE before the end of the second week of the semester by informing the school in writing, the pro-rated balance of the semester tuition fee will be refunded. No refunds will be given for withdrawals from classes or ensembles after the second week of the semester. The registration fee is non-refundable. AASPA reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment. In those cases, all fees will be refunded.

Private Music Lessons - If a student withdraws from PRIVATE LESSONS before week ten of the fifteen-week semester, fees will be refunded MINUS five additional forfeited lessons. If withdrawing after week ten, no refund will be due. The registration fee is non-refundable.