Lesson Policies
Lesson Policies
To save time during your first visit, download our student intake form click here.
To download our Lesson Policies form, click here.
Lesson Times:
Once a lesson time is established you have a standing appointment each week at your designated time. Because our instructors are performing musicians, there will be times that performances will mean shifts in the regular schedule. When this happens every effort will be made to accommodate you at a different time for that week. We feel very strongly that by performing we are bringing more experience and knowledge to our students, and that any small irregularities in the lesson schedule will be outweighed by these benefits.Missed Lessons:
Your lesson time is assigned just for you! You are paying for that time slot each week. Therefore, we cannot offer makeup lessons if you have a conflict. Our teachers work very hard, and asking them to reschedule every time a student has an outside event would cause them to essentially work for half of what they should be paid for the lesson. We hope you understand that this policy is to protect our teachers from becoming overworked, and our students receiving sub-par lessons because of an exhausted teacher! So, while you may, of course, miss a lesson, that lesson's fee will be forfeit. If something does come up, we would appreciate a call as soon as possible. In the event that the teacher is ill, you will be notified as soon as possible and the lesson will be rescheduled.Books:
Each student will need to purchase their own books for lessons. Your teacher will discuss with you which lesson book and supplementary materials may be best for you. We realize that many students have had lessons before and therefore own books already. In most cases, we are happy to work with the materials you already own. However, if new books are needed, you may purchase them through our store or find them elsewhere.Other Materials:
There are some materials that are necessary other than books. These will differ depending on the instrument the student is studying. Students taking piano will need: a metronome, a piano or keyboard with a working sustain pedal, a pencil for writing in their music, and a practice journal (we have our own preferred version) for records of homework to be done for the next week. Students taking classical guitar will need: a music stand, a practice journal, a pencil, and a footstool. A tuner is also strongly recommended. Students taking voice will need: a three ring binder, a practice journal, and a pencil. Also, especially for voice students, it is very beneficial to record lessons to listen to during the week. Often times the instructor will ask the student to make small shifts in their approach, which will alter their sound. However, these changes are not audible to the singers themselves as it is impossible to hear your own voice in any true sense while singing. The equipment need not be expensive or high-tech. An old tape recorder works very well, though there are options that attach to the original IPod that record at a very high quality that retail for 50-75 dollars.
The Lockport Conservatory of Music is located within Lockport's historic Metra station
