| What
is the course schedule like? When can I start?
For
individual lessons, you can start anytime
depending on the availability. If you were
to start your course in the middle or end
of the month, fees will be pro-rated accordingly.
Thereafter, fees should be paid monthly
at the beginning of the month before the
15th or by term, or a penalty fee of $5
will be charged.
For
group classes, please enquire from the school.
Will
there be any trial lessons?
Yes.
You can arrange for a trial lesson which
has to be paid for at least 24 hours in
advance. There is no guarantee of a placement
after the trial lesson. The trial lesson
fee is non-refundable. It can however be
used to offset the month's fee if the student
is accepted and signs up immediately after
the trial lesson with the same teacher.
Do
I have to get the instrument for the trial
lesson?
No.
You can use the school's instrument for
the trial lesson at no extra cost. However,
for woodwind and brass instruments, we advise
you to have your own instrument due to hygiene
purposes.
What
is the youngest age to start music courses
in your school?
There
are music appreciation courses for babies
as young as 2 years old. In addition, we
have a Suzuki Baby Violin course for babies
as young as 2 ½ years old. Parents'
involvement and commitment is crucial as
parents are both pupils and teachers.
We also conduct violin, piano and cello
classes for 3.5 years old onwards. Students
are grouped according to age and maturity.
How
do I know if my child has the talent to
do music?
Every
newborn baby comes into the world with potential
abilities far exceeding those of any other
creature on earth. Dr Suzuki said, "All
children skillfully nurtured reach a high
educational level but such nurturing must
start from the day of birth."
How
fast will my child progress?
Man
is the product of his environment. A child
who grows up listening to music daily and
has large exposure to musical activities
like concerts will improve at a faster pace.
Supportive and understanding parents who
are actively involved in their children's
practice will also accelerate the child's
progress.
Do
students go through examinations?
Students
will be sent for examinations only when
it is beneficial for them, at the teacher's
discretion. A suitable age to start taking
examinations is at age 6. It is not necessary
to take every year and every grade.
What
are the qualifications of your teachers?
Our
teachers are mostly graduates with a degree
or a diploma in music. Moreover, all our
teachers have undergone a stringent audition
and interview for their performing abilities,
teaching skills and interactive personality.
Can
a child learn 2 or more instruments at the
same time?
Yes.
Many of our students study 2 instruments
concurrently. However, the number of instruments
a student should learn should depend on
his interests, schedule, available practice
times and parental support.
What
should I do if I want to terminate the course?
You
would have to give the school 4 weeks advanced
WRITTEN notice. You can send it by fax,
mail, e-mail or fill up a termination form
at the school.
Do
I need to pay for the school holidays and
public holidays?
Yes.
You will have 45 lessons in a year no matter
which day your lesson falls on. Therefore,
fees are to be paid monthly (by the 15th)
regardless of holidays. Please refer to
our Academic Calendar for more details.
Are
there any replacement classes for lessons
missed by students?
No.
However, if a lesson is missed by the teacher,
there will be a make up lesson or a relief
teacher will be arranged.
What
if I have to go on a holiday or work overseas
and miss lessons as a result?
In
the event of absence from lessons, you are
advised to terminate your course by giving
4 weeks written notice to the school. If
not, you will be required to pay for all
current or outstanding fees.
I
don't know how long my child's interest
will be sustained so I don't wish to invest
in an instrument yet. What's the cheapest
instrument I can get?
It
is crucial to have an instrument right from
the start as the progress of the student
depends entirely on practice. It is also
important to invest in an acceptable quality
instrument right from the start as it helps
to encourage the student's practice and
therefore help sustain the child's interest.
Parents' involvement and enthusiasm towards
their child's music education is another
factor that greatly affects the sustenance
of the child's interest.
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