Ongoing Registration
The academic calendar for Westminster Conservatory runs from September to June, totaling 34 weeks. At the extension sites, academic calendars may vary slightly. (Extension site lesson and class schedules are available at Locations & Directions.) Students registering for study at the Conservatory will be charged for the full academic year if they are beginning lessons or classes as of September 9, 2020. Students starting lessons or classes later than this date will be pro-rated for the remainder of the year and the student will receive a bill for the pro-rated number of lessons.
Payment Policy and Schedule
Families must pay in full when the first bill is due or make monthly payments with payment in full being received by the due dates listed below. (Those choosing to pay monthly will be assessed a 1.5% finance charge on the unpaid balance.) Families who do not make their monthly payments or who have not paid in full by the due date may not be able to continue their lessons at the Conservatory. There will be a $30 charge for all returned checks.
Payment Due Dates for Private Lessons and Classes
- Fall Term
- October 7, 2020 – Payment in full for fall term due or first of 3 monthly fall payments. Those choosing to pay monthly will be assessed a 1.5% finance charge on the unpaid balance.
- November 7, 2020 – Second fall monthly payment due.
- December 7, 2020 – FINAL PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR FALL TERM
- Spring Term
- February 5, 2021 - Payment in full for spring term due or first of 3 monthly spring payments. Those choosing to pay monthly will be assessed a 1.5% finance charge on the unpaid balance.
- March 5, 2021 – Second monthly payment due.
- April 5, 2021 – FINAL PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR SPRING TERM
Withdrawal Policy
All withdrawals must be submitted in writing (by mail, fax, or email) to the office. Non-attendance or verbal withdrawal to a faculty or staff member is not an official withdrawal.
Students withdrawing from Young Musician or Young Artist at any time forfeit the non-refundable deposit made toward the program.
If a student submits their request in writing prior to the fourth scheduled lesson, class, or rehearsal, they will be charged only for those lessons scheduled prior to receipt of their request. If the withdrawal is received less than 2 business days before the fourth lesson, class, or rehearsal, the student will be charged for that lesson.
If a student submits their request in writing after the fourth scheduled lesson, they will be charged for all lessons scheduled prior to receipt of their request. If the withdrawal is received less than 2 business days before the scheduled lesson, the student will be charged for that lesson as well. In addition, the student will be charged a penalty equal to the cost of 4 additional lessons.
If a student submits their request in writing after the fourth scheduled class, including Young Music Scholar, they will be charged the full tuition for the term.
If a student submits their request in writing after the fourth scheduled week of classes of Young Artist/Young Musician, they will be charged the full tuition for the year.
Spring Semester Withdrawal Details
The spring semester withdrawal deadline is January 9, 2021. Withdrawals are effective as of the end of the fall term.
Change Requests
Requests for changes in teacher, program of study, or lesson length must be received in the Conservatory office in writing prior to the fourth scheduled lesson or class. If the change request is received less than 2 business days before a scheduled lesson or class, the student will be charged for that lesson or class. Class changes may not be made after the fourth scheduled class. Students wishing to make changes for the spring term must do so by the spring semester withdrawal deadline of January 9, 2021.
Students enrolled in private instruction that are granted a change in teacher at any other time during the year will be charged a penalty equal to the cost of 4 additional lessons from the studio the student is leaving. All change requests must be submitted in writing to a Conservatory office.
Westminster Conservatory will honor all change requests if possible, based on availability. If the Conservatory cannot accommodate the requested change, the student may choose to continue the original course of study or withdraw according to the guidelines in the withdrawal policy.
Additional Lessons
Students may add extra lessons during the academic year as well as before or after the summer session with the permission of their teacher. Scheduling arrangements are made directly with the teacher. Students list the confirmed lesson dates and times on the “Additional Lessons” (green) form, obtain the teacher’s sign-off on the form, and then submit the form along with payment to the office.
Missed Lessons and Make-up Policy
Regular attendance at lessons, classes, and rehearsals is expected. Whenever possible, the student must notify the teacher in advance of any absences. Students are charged for all lessons, classes, and ensembles for which they register. Since the teacher has already reserved a weekly teaching time for each student, the teacher is not required to make up a lesson missed by the student for any reason, including illness, vacation, schedule conflict, etc.
Please note that students should not attend lessons, classes or rehearsals if they are ill or contagious. Teachers have the right to send students home if they determine that the student is ill. A make up will not be offered to the student.
If a teacher cancels a lesson/class or if the Conservatory closes for any reason, a make-up lesson/class will be offered. A maximum of 2 make-up options will be offered to the student for each cancelled lesson and 1 make-up option will be offered for each cancelled class. Credits will not be offered for make-up lessons refused by the family. In addition, a credit is not available for make-up lessons or classes that are agreed-upon and then missed by the student.
Exceptions to these policies will be made only in rare cases of extended illness or other emergency situations and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Waiting List
If a requested lesson or class is full, a student may choose to be on the waiting list. To be added to the waiting list, a registration form must be submitted listing the days and times the student is available. Students should include their credit card number on the registration form. The credit card will be charged with the registration fee and the appropriate deposit once the student is placed with a teacher. When an opening becomes available, it will be offered to the first student on the waiting list who indicated availability at the time of the opening. To remain on the waiting list for the following academic year, students must fill out a new registration form. A student cannot remain on the waiting list for a specific teacher if lessons have been arranged with another Conservatory teacher.
Discontinuance Policy
The Conservatory reserves the right to discontinue any student whose work or behavior is unsatisfactory; this includes frequent absences, tardiness, behavioral problems, lack of progress, or failure to abide by Conservatory policies. Students may also be discontinued if payment is past due. In such cases, a student will be responsible for all lessons or classes scheduled prior to the date the lessons or classes are discontinued by the Conservatory.
Class Cancellation Policy
The Conservatory reserves the right to cancel classes with insufficient enrollment. In the event of cancellation, a full refund will be issued.
Financial Aid
Westminster Conservatory offers financial aid toward tuition to qualifying families. Financial aid is determined on a sliding scale that considers family financial resources, the number of dependent children, the number of family members studying at the Conservatory, and the programs in which the student(s) are enrolled. Recipients must maintain reasonable progress and attendance and keep all payments current. Financial aid application forms are available at any Conservatory office or online.
Photography and Video Release
From time to time, Conservatory classes and events are photographed or videotaped for promotional purposes. These images may be used in social media, publicity-related, and informational materials for the Conservatory. Enrollment and/or participation in Conservatory programs and events—both those mentioned in this catalog and those that may arise during the course of the school year—constitutes permission granted for use of likeness in the above-mentioned manner.