Policies

Updated 8/8/2024

Tuition and Payment Plans 

Tuition for fall and spring semester may be paid in full or by payment plan and is due in advance of the first lesson or class. If using a payment plan, a credit card number must be held on file at UVMC. The credit card will be automatically charged on the payment plan’s due date.

Registrations that are not paid partially or in full before the first lesson or class will be charged a late fee of $35.

All payment for summer lessons and programs are due in full when you schedule your lesson(s). There are no refunds after the last day of spring semester for scheduled summer lessons.

Families with multiple members enrolled, or a student registering for more than one program, receive a discount of 10% off their total bill. Family and multiple class discounts cannot be combined. This discount does not apply to Music Together programs, certain ensembles, or any instruction totaling less than 8 hours.  Music Theory classes do not count as ‘second’ classes for students in individual lessons or the Suzuki Program.

Enrollment in individual and Suzuki lessons is on a semester basis and includes sixteen (16) weekly lesson times that are reserved by the teacher for the student. Lessons less than once per week are only available in limited circumstances, and all dates must be agreed upon before registration.

Tuition fees for individual lessons will be prorated for new students who enroll after the term has started. Tuition for group classes and ensembles cannot be prorated. 

Summer Camps

A full tuition payment is required to register and save a space in a summer camp. Summer camp tuition includes a non-refundable $35 registration fee. Families applying for tuition assistance for summer camp must submit their complete tuition assistance application along with the $35 registration fee to reserve a spot. Full payment of adjusted tuition is required within two weeks of the tuition assistance notification. For partnership programs that use another organization’s registration system, we defer to their posted registration policies

Absence/Attendance Policies 

UVMC is providing a relationship created through in-person, online, and asynchronous activities. Teaching in-person is our default context to help build community. Online lessons and asynchronous feedback and teaching content help provide continuity. In some studios, in extenuating circumstances, an online lesson may be available at a student’s regular lesson time.

Individual Lessons: Lessons canceled or missed by students for any reason are not eligible for make up, regardless of whether or not the student notifies the teacher or UVMC in advance.  If a student is unable to attend their regular lesson time in-person, faculty may be able to offer an online lesson, recorded content, assignments, or response to video at the faculty member’s discretion. Teachers are not required to wait more than 15 minutes for students late for their lesson. UVMC will not refund lessons missed by students. 

Lessons canceled by UVMC (e.g. for weather, faculty illness, etc.) will be made up during make-up week at the student’s regular lesson time or at a mutually convenient time for both student and faculty. 

Group Classes: Student absences in group classes or ensembles will not be refunded.  Make-ups may be available for some classes, and some teachers may be able to provide assignments, notes, or recordings. 

For UVMC closures, each class and ensemble will have a policy that may include online classes, make-ups, or asynchronous content. Please check on the cancellation policy for your class or ensemble and contact the office with any questions before registration.

Withdrawal/Refunds 

Notice of withdrawal and all requests for refunds must be made via email to info@uvmusic.org. Verbal notice or requests from students and parents must be accompanied by a written request. Families using a payment plan are still obligated to pay any remaining tuition due at time of withdrawal. 

Refunds can be made on the following basis: 

Refunds for Individual Lessons – Fall & Spring Terms 

One week before the first lesson: 100% of tuition payment. Before the sixth lesson: 50% of tuition payment. After the sixth lesson: no refund.

UVMC will not refund lessons missed by students. 

Refunds for Individual Lessons – Summer Term 

Before the first day of summer term: 100% of tuition payment. On/after the first day of summer term: no refund.

Refunds for Group Lessons and Ensembles 

Before the first scheduled class: 100% of tuition payment. After first scheduled class: no refund. Students can attend the first class of the semester as a trial at no cost with prior approval from the office and if space allows. 

Refunds for Summer Camps 

Notice of withdrawal and all requests for refunds must be made via email at info@uvmusic.org. Verbal notice or requests from students and parents cannot be accepted. Refunds can be made on the following basis: More than 6 weeks before start date: 100% of tuition payment. Between 3-6 weeks before start date: 50% of tuition payment. Less than 3 weeks before program start date: no refund. 

Workshops and Masterclasses
No refunds. 

If a group class or ensemble is not run due to low enrollment, a full refund will be made. UVMC does not refund the annual registration fee. Refunds may be made on request in extenuating circumstances. Such requests must be made in writing to info@uvmusic.org.

Minimum Registration for Classes and Ensembles 

Group classes and ensembles run based on meeting minimum registration. Group classes and ensembles typically meet for the first scheduled class regardless of pre-registration. Registration must meet minimum requirements by the second class in order for a class to run. If a class does not run, notification will be made to enrolled members before the second class, and a full refund will be made. 

Tuition Assistance 

Upper Valley Music Center believes that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, should have access to quality music education. Tuition assistance is offered to a student on the basis of need, availability of funds, and commitment to music study. In order to apply, please complete the tuition assistance application available at www.uvmusic.org/ta. 

Tuition Assistance applications must be completed during the registration process in order to be considered. A new application needs to be submitted every semester. Applications are reviewed monthly. When you are notified of an award, the remaining balance must be paid in full or by electing a payment plan within a week of notification. 

If you are applying for tuition assistance for individual lessons or the Suzuki program, as part of your application you must submit a copy of your most recently completed federal tax Form 1040 (first two pages) or other verification of income. All information is held in strict confidence. 

Emergency Closings 

For weather cancellation days, the UVMC typically follows the Lebanon School District snow day cancellation schedule, regardless of which district your child is in. If there are other reasons the district closes, such as facility issues, UVMC programs will continue as normal. If the Lebanon School District delays opening or closes early, UVMC may choose to stay open depending on conditions and programming needs. On a 2-hour delay schedule, UVMC will cancel programs beginning before 9:30 am. If there are any questions, please call UVMC at (603) 448-1642. 

Closing information will be posted on UVMC’s website, outgoing phone message, and emailed to enrolled students. To ensure you receive closing notices, please add info@uvmusic.org to your address book and remain subscribed to our email newsletter. Lessons canceled by UVMC due to weather will be made up if schedules allow, or may be offered online.  

Communications 

All students who register for a UVMC program (or their parent) will be added to UVMC’s mailing list to ensure that they receive critical office updates and weather closing notices. Please add info@uvmusic.org to your contact list to ensure that you receive these updates. Please note that if you unsubscribe from our mailing list, we cannot guarantee you will receive emergency closing information. 

Trial Lessons 

Individual Lessons: Students may take a trial lesson in order for the student and faculty member to determine a mutually good fit for further instruction. A trial lesson is a one-time, paid lesson with no further commitment. A registration fee is not charged for a trial lesson. 

Suzuki program: The Suzuki program encourages prospective students to observe lessons and group classes, but does not offer trial lessons. Observations may be arranged by contacting the Suzuki Program Coordinator at suzuki@uvmusic.org. 

Group classes: Students may attend the first class free of charge with advanced approval from the office, as space allows.

Lesson Etiquette 

In order to start on time, please come at least 5 minutes prior to your lesson time. Be sure all students have clean hands and faces, and have time to use the restroom, if needed.  If the student has siblings, please check with your teacher before bringing them along. In many lessons, they are welcome to come and observe, providing they are not a disturbance to the learning environment. 

During lessons, classes, and special events (concerts and recitals), we ask that students and families turn off all electronic devices and observe courteous and respectful behavior which includes staying seated and attending for the duration of recitals, and refraining from talking and phone use during instruction.

Parents and caregivers are responsible for picking up their child promptly at the end of the lesson. If a teacher or staff member is required to wait with your child, you will be billed at the regular lesson rate for any extra time. 

Changing Instructors 

If a student would like to change instructors (including to non-UVMC teachers), please discuss it with both teachers. If you have specific concerns you are unable to discuss with your current teacher, please contact the office at info@uvmusic.org.

Permission for Use of Photographs and Video 

Photographs and videos of registered students taken during UVMC classes and events are considered eligible for publication and public use, unless the student’s family submits a written request to the contrary at the time of registration. Please complete the form found at https://forms.gle/GgWee5sjoio23jWGA to opt out of photo/video use. All such student requests will be honored.

 

Parking 

Parking is available in UVMC’s unpaved parking lot behind the building and in public street parking. 

Please do not park at any time (including evenings and weekends) in the paved Carriage House parking lot behind the UVMC building, which belongs to our neighbors.  There is a good chance that you will be towed!

During our busiest hours, 2-7 pm, please use Lebanon street parking. This will ensure the UVMC lot is available for students with limited mobility and faculty who must park for long hours. Please follow all posted parking time limits and restrictions in street parking spaces. 

You can find detailed information about parking in downtown Lebanon, including a map online at
https://lebanonnh.gov/faq.aspx?qid=654. 

Health and Safety Policies 

Please see attached info sheet for health guidelines at UVMC, and visit our website for the full health policy. 

Summer Registration Policies

This policy refers to summer camps hosted at UVMC facilities. For partnership programs that use another organization’s registration system, we defer to their posted registration policies.

Summer Camps

A full tuition payment is required to register and save a space in a summer camp. Summer camp tuition includes a non-refundable $35 registration fee. Families applying for tuition assistance for summer camp must submit their complete tuition assistance application along with the $35 registration fee to reserve a spot. Full payment of adjusted tuition is required within two weeks of the tuition assistance notification.

Withdrawal/Refunds

Notice of withdrawal and all requests for refunds must be made to the Registrar in writing or via email. Verbal notice or requests from students and parents cannot be accepted. Refunds can be made on the following basis:
(updated 12/20/19)
More than 6 weeks before program start, 100% of tuition payment (less $35 registration fee)
Between 3-6 weeks before program start, 50% of tuition payment (less $35 registration fee)
Less than 3 weeks before program start, no refund

Summer Lessons

All payment for summer lessons and programs are due in full when you schedule your lesson(s). When you schedule your lessons, your teacher reserves that time in their schedule for you. There are no refunds after the last day of Spring Semester, June 19, for scheduled summer lessons.

All additional policies stated above also apply to Summer Camps.