Northeast Iowa School of Music
Private Lesson Registration Info & Policies
This page pertains only to private lessons. Click here for information about group classes.
Welcome
Thank you for entrusting your music education to the Northeast Iowa School
of Music. We want this to be the most positive experience possible. Whether
you are planning to become a professional musician or taking lessons for
personal fulfillment, music can be a powerful force in life. That is why we
are here.

Important: By registering for lessons at NISOM, it is assumed you will
continue for the entire academic year (or the remainder thereof, if
registering after the first trimester begins). Your registration is
essentially a contract stating that you have reserved your teacher's time
during the year at that specific time period each week. Because it is
assumed that students will continue for the entire academic year, students
do not have to re-enroll between trimesters.
Registration
By registering
at NISOM, you are
agreeing to abide
by the policies and
adhere to the payment
dates. The full trimester tuition and registration
fee (when applicable) must be paid in order
to reserve your lesson
time(s). See Tuition Information for amounts.
Fall Registration
July 14: Scholarship applications due
July 21: Registration begins for current (summer) students
July 28: Registration opens to former students
Aug. 4: Registration opens to new students
Aug. 25: 1st trimester begins
No early registrations will be accepted
You can still register for summer lessons! The summer session is 10 weeks, June 9-Aug. 16. Students do not need to sign up for all 10 weeks. If you come to registration prepared with any dates the student will not attend due to vacations, etc, you will only be charged for those lessons you plan to attend. Tuition is $17.50 per 30 minute lesson. There will also be a $10 registration fee if you have not already paid the annual 2007-2008 registration fee. There are no lessons July 4; other schedules vary by instructor.
Returning
students: If
you have taken
lessons at NISOM
during the 2007-2008 school year, you
do not need
to complete a new
registration form. Be
sure to notify
us of any changes
of address, phone
number, or email.
New students: To
come prepared to
registration, be
sure to review our
policies and download
and complete a registration
form. You can
also review faculty
biographies. Also see Frequently Asked Questions.
Automatic
Withdrawals: If
you wish to utilize
automatic monthly
withdrawals, download
and complete the
Authorization Agreement
for ACH Debits
form. You
will also need
to submit a voided
check or deposit
slip in addition to the tution deposit and registration fee. If
you have used this
payment method
in the past and
your account information
has not changed,
you do not need
to fill out a new
form, but you will
need to register
in person to sign
and date your form
on file to re-authorize
these payments. See tuition information for more details about ACH. No automatic withdrawals for summer session.
Registration
by mail: If
you can not register
in person, mail
the completed forms
and tuition payment
to 2728 Asbury
Road, Suite 200, Dubuque,
IA 52001. Be
sure to include
a note with your
desired teacher
and lesson time,
as well as alternates
if your first choice
is not available. You
may call our office
for up-to-date
scheduling information. Your
registration will
be processed as
early as possible
after registration
has opened to you.
Registration
by phone: Registrations
will be accepted
over the phone
for returning students
if tuition is paid
using Visa or Mastercard. A
5% processing fee
will be added to
all credit card
payments. New
students may be
able to register
over the phone,
but a completed
registration form
must be received
within 10 days
to continue to
reserve the lesson
time. We
highly recommend
all new students
register in person
or via mail.
NOTE: Registration
is on a first-come,
first-served basis. Preference
will be given to in
person registrations. If
you are registering
over the phone during
peak registration times,
you may be asked to
call back at a later
time.
NISOM Policies
Attendance, Absences and Make-ups
Tuition reserves all lesson times during the trimester for a student regardless of student non-attendance, vacation, field trips, school music obligations, sports, etc. In the event of illness or family emergency, the student/parent must contact the office as early as possible, and in such cases, every attempt will be made to reschedule the lesson during make-up week or as the teacher’s schedule permits. Teachers may only be able to make up one lesson per trimester. All other absences are considered unexcused, but whenever possible we will work with you to find an alternate opening in the teacher’s schedule for that week. NISOM is not obligated to make up for student absences. Cases of extended illness will be handled on an individual basis. Any lesson missed due to teacher absence or inclement weather will be made up or refunded upon request at the end of the school year. In the event of teacher absence, NISOM reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher. No credits or refunds will be given for student absences.
Payment Options
Full tuition is due before the start of each trimester. Students/parents may pay with cash, check, or credit card, or have the option of making monthly payments through automatic bank withdrawal. Written notice is required one month in advance if automatic withdrawal needs to be stopped for any reason. See tuition schedule for more details.
Discontinuing lessons
If it is necessary for a student to withdraw, students/parents should pick up a Discontinuance Form at the office, fill it out, get the teacher’s signature, and return it to the office. This must be done one month in advance of withdrawal in order to receive any refund for the remainder of the trimester (or to stop the automatic withdrawals). No refunds will be given for those students withdrawing from lessons during the last four weeks of a trimester. Written notice is also required for students who wish to withdraw at the end of the 1st or 2nd trimester; you will otherwise be automatically billed for the following trimester. Forms are not necessary at the end of the 3rd trimester. Verbal notification of intent to withdraw is not acceptable.
Trial lessons
For those students who are just beginning and are unsure that they will like taking lessons, a four-week paid trial period is available. At the end of the trial period, the student must notify the office if they wish to continue lessons, at which time the remainder of tuition for that trimester will be due.
Inclement weather
Do not assume that if the schools are closed due to inclement weather, NISOM will be closed. We will make every attempt to make a decision as early in the day as possible. Notification via mass email will be sent to those who have supplied an email address on the registration form. If NISOM closes, we will also call Radio Dubuque and Cumulus to ask their radio stations to announce the closing. Please call the office if in doubt.
Injuries
If a student has an injury or a non-contagious medical problem that would temporarily prevent performing, we strongly encourage that the student's music education continue through the healing time using our MIDI resource stations. Teachers can work with students using various software to offer lessons in theory, composition, and/or listening skills until such time as regular performance lessons can resume. Please discuss this option with the office and your instructor before canceling these lessons.
Teachers
If you have no preference for a specific teacher, you will be assigned to a teacher best suited to your ability level, at the most convenient time possible for your schedule.
It is very important to all of us that your NISOM experience is a positive one. If you are having a problem with your teacher, please discuss this with your teacher first. If you cannot resolve the issue directly with your teacher, contact the Executive Director to discuss this matter in confidence. If you prefer not to discuss it with the Executive Director, please contact the Secretary of the Board. We will make it a priority to see that any problems are resolved and that you are reassigned in a timely manner.
|