Student Handbook
Please read this Handbook in order to understand the declaration you are making when you register at MCM. Thank you!
Student Handbook - Maryland Conservatory
of Music 2007/2008
701 E. Churchville Road / Bel Air, Maryland / 21014
Website: www.musicismagic.com
Email: info@musicismagic.com
Phone: 410-399-9900
Director's Welcome: It is a pleasure to be in our fifth year of operation as
an organization contributing to the arts in the greater Harford County region.
Our Main Academic Year runs from September 10, 2007 to June 7, 2008. Our student
population has grown toover 300 students and our ensemble and course offerings
have become quite diversified. We have entered into an exciting partnership
with Harford Community College. and as a result, some of our programs and recitals
are taking place at Joppa Hall on the campus of Harford Community College. We
are also actively working to establish and develop our Parents Association to
help with our annual fund raiser, Bugle Call on May 17, 2008, and our annual
showcase concert, “Music is Magic” scheduled for April 27, 2007.
Please check the calendar and mark down key dates including our five student
recital weekends and the “Guest ArtistSeries” featuring areas musicians like
Jonathan Carney of The Baltimore Symphony giving a Master Class for string players.
Additional events and activities (i.e. Community Performance, Guest Artist Series,
etc.) will be communicated to you through the monthly Newsletter and or postings
at the conservatory. We encourage input as we strive to operate with the most
efficiency, clarity, and completeness - please feel free to leave comments in
the “Comment Box” located on the wall just outside the office door. I look forward
to working with all of you as we continue to create an environment centered
around our PASSION for music.
- Duke Thompson, Director
Three Important Notes:
1). The conservatory will be closed Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break
as noted on the calendar (next page). There are thirty-six weeks during our
MAIN ACADEMIC YEAR. If you will be out of town for a recognized and observed
religious or civic holiday AND you provide written notice two weeks in advance,
the lesson will be made up. Classes and ensembles may observe some holidays
as noted on the activity's registration forms.
2). EXCHANGE PHONE NUMBERS WITH PRIVATE TEACHER: The office is not able to relay
communications between student and teacher with regards to all things related
to the private lesson such as missed lessons, rescheduled lessons, late lessons,
repertoire, rehearsals, re-auditions, etc.. You must contact your teacher directly
3). READ THIS HANDBOOK CAREFULLY: There are many policies and procedures designed
to make operations clear, logical, and safe. Everything in this handbook should
be considered policy.
Table of Contents
Calendar Page 2
Parking Page 3
Unexpected School Closings - -
Missed Lessons - -
Faculty Absences - -
Dress Code Page 4
Practicing - -
Group Activity - -
Auditions/Student Recitals Page 5
Accompanying - -
“Music is Magic” concert - -
Community Performance Page 6
Photographs and Recording - -
Assessment and Recognition - -
Student Progress - -
Additional General Policies Page 7
MCM Gift Shop - -
Administrative staff - -
Faculty Page 8
Student Accompanist Registration Page 9
Student Success Story Page 10
Calendar:
September 8 Open House: 1-4 pm
September 10 First Day of Main Academic Year 2007/2008
October 13: Faculty Fall Fest
October 27/28 STUDENT RECITALS; Times TBA
November 22-23 Closed for Thanksgiving
Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 MCM Musical “Remembering Uncle Scrooge”
December 21/22 STUDENT RECITALS; Times TBA
Dec. 23-Jan 2 Closed for Winter Break
January 3Conservatory reopens for lessons and classes
February 22/23 STUDENT RECITALS; Times TBA
March 17-24 Closed for Spring Break
April 18/19 STUDENT RECITALS; Times TBA
Music is Magic 2007, April 27 @ 3 pm John Carroll School
Preakness Party: May 17, 4-8 pmTBA
June 6,7 STUDENT RECITALS; Times TBA
June 7Last Day of Main Academic Year
June-August Summer Semester (Camps, Lessons, Workshops)
Parking
During the hours of 8 am to 2:30 pm, MCM has access to parking spaces within
the MCM carport area - these spaces are identified with yellow stripes instead
of the white spaces for John Carroll students. After 2:30 pm MCM has access
to white or yellow parking. Please park in marked spots only. Parking at Harford
Community College should follow college regulations and signage directives.
Unexpected School Closings
In some cases, weather or other situations may raise questions as to whether
Maryland Conservatory of Music will open (or remain open) for any given day.
We do not follow the decisions of area County Schools since MCM hours of operation
differ. Efforts will be made to communicate through radio and television, but
this is not always thorough. We will update messages on our telephone answering
system as readily as possible. All programs at Harford Communty College will
follow the decisions of Harford Community College for Continuing Education.
Missed Lessons
MCM teachers are active as performers and guest artists which is one of the
reasons they are such good teachers. There may be a week where the teacher has
a conflict in their schedule, which you would know about from your teacher at
the earliest possible time. If a student misses a lesson for a recognized religious
or civic holiday, AND they have given at least two weeks notice in writing to
the MCM Office, AND if this lesson is not agreed to be one of the “extra weeks”,
this lesson will be made up. Other lessons that are missed are not made up although
your teacher can choose to make up a missed lesson in extra-ordinary circumstances
(illness is normally not considered extra-ordinary) to a maximum of three for
the year (to be pro-rated for those who register after September 30). REMEMBER
TO EXCHANGE PHONE NUMBERS with your teacher so you can call them directly regarding
your private lessons (i.e. will be late, going to miss, etc.). MCM office will
not be able to relay messages to teachers
Faculty Absences
Planned: Known absences for activities like performances, workshops, etc. should
be communicated to the student first and MCM Office at the first knowledge.
Unplanned: Emergencies such as sudden illness, a death in the family, or unexpected
transportation difficulties should be communicated to students first and the
MCM Office second ASAP . (REMEMBER TO EXCHANGE NUMBERS AT FIRST LESSON)
Rescheduling of a lesson missed by faculty is the faculty member's responsibility
and should be coordinated directly with the student after insuring room availability
through the MCM Office asap. Principles in re-scheduling a lesson missed by
faculty member are: 1) try to avoid putting a make-up lesson with-in 48 hours
of another lesson, 2) avoid as much as possible giving a make-up through extending
other lessons 3) make up the lesson in the summer if mutually agreeable with
student/guardian. Make-up lessons can be scheduled during times the conservatory
is closed if it is pre-arranged with the conservatory.
Dress Code
Students are responsible to dress and present themselves in a way that is safe,
inoffensive, and non-disruptive. For performances, MCM students should wear
“Concert Attire” which most resembles clothing worn at church or at a wedding.
Practicing
It is so important to let the instrument/voice become an extension of the student's
creative and expressive personality. This can only be achieved through daily
practice that is done with purpose and concentration. We encourage students
to practice at the conservatory building (as rooms are available) especially
just before and after their private lesson. To insure a practice time, please
contact the conservatory ahead of time to confirm that a practice space is available
and to insure that conservatory staff will be in the building.
Private lessons
There are two options for private lessons at MCM. The heart of the MCM programs
is the Private Lessons Package (PLP) in which students take a private lesson
once a week along with a weekly group activity (see description in next heading).
In addition PLP students are elligible for community performance opportunities
(including “Music is Magic”), workshops, and master classes as they present
themselves during the year.
Students wishing to take private lessons only can do so in the program entitled
Lessons Only (LO). Students in this program are not elligible for student recitals,
community performance, or any of the programs listed under “Group Activity”.
Group Activity (Repertoire Class and Ensembles)
Every student in the Private Lessons Package will also be enrolled in a group
activity which will meet once each week. The options are Repertoire Class or
one of our ensembles.
Repertoire Class, students get the opportunity to try-out the music they are
working on in their private lessons during a group repertoire class. This is
highly recommended for those who work on a fair amount of recital repertoire.
Also there is exposure to ear-training, music history, and music theory. A regular
occurrence in these classes is the “Topic of the Week”; students are divided
into two teams: Amadeus is the team of students whose last name starts with
A-Mm and Mozart, the team of students whose last names start with Mo-Z; the
private teacher will often take a few minutes to preview the Topic of the Week
with the student in the private lesson.
Ensembles include Youth Jazz Ensemble, Youth Orchestra, Choir, Contemporary
Music Group, Guitar Ensemble. Some ensembles require a placement audition –
check with the office to find out these particulars.The ensembles are Youth
Choir, Adult Choir, Popular Music, Intermediate Orchestra, Youth Jazz Band,
Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble. Please contact the office to confirm
the days and times for these ensembles.
If a student would like to participate in two group activities (i.e. the Repertoire
Class and an ensemble OR two ensembles), this is contingent upon scheduling.
It should be noted that a second group activity carries a tuition fee that ranges
from $7 to $15 per contact hour. PLP students receive a 20% discount on their
second group activity.
Auditions/Student Recitals
There are five Student Recital weekends during Student Recital dates are listed
in the calendar (page 2). Auditions for these recitals take place during Rep
Class on the two weekends preceding the Student Recital. There will not be any
auditions given at times other than these four days. Audition results are posted
outside the office door on Monday at 5 pm the week of the recital. Recitals
will be scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday. Questions regarding recital
auditions and recital placements should be made directly to your private teacher.
Accompanying
Piano students who would like to register to be a student accompanist should
do so by speaking to their private teacher and fill out the Student Accompanist
Registration form at the back of this handbook.
Students who need an accompanist will be guided by their private teacher. The
private teacher will facilitate the coordination and acquisition of an accompanist
through one of four options:
1). Request a staff accompanist through the Staff Accompanist Request Form.
This requires an accompanist fee of $15 (for accompanying a work that is up
to five minutes in length). This fee is due with the request form and will be
refunded in the rare occasion of a staff member not being available to accompany.
The completed request forms must be submitted three weeks before the performance
(it is advised to aim for four weeks prior to allow time to provide any incomplete
information).
2). Request a student accompanist throught the Student Accompanist Request Form.
(Students who are interested in being considered as a student accompanist must
fill out the Student Accompanist Registration Form, which needs to be signed
by their private teacher) There is no fee if a student accompanist is approved
to do the accompanying request. The deadline for this form is 5 weeks prior
to the performance. If a student is not available, the request will normally
be treated as a “Staff Accompaniment Request”.
3). An outside accompanist can be used. The outside accompanist must participate
in the audition (and re-audition, if needed). Any compensation is between student
and accompanist. In this case, it is possible for the accompanist and student
attend a repertoire class prior to the auditions to assist with the preparation
process.
4). On occasion, some private teachers will accompany their student at the audition
and performance, but this is often not possible due to availability of the teacher
and or the need for the teacher to be in the audience for assessment.
“Music is Magic” concert
Each year, Maryland Conservatory of Music puts on a showcase concert in a large
venue in the community. Performers are chosen from students, faculty members,
and guests. This year's showcase will take place during the Spring (time/date/place
TBA). Students are invited to perform in this recital based on performances
at Student Recitals earlier in the year and from specific Music is Magic auditions
(these will take place one to two weeks prior to the concert date. It is important
to keep in mind that due to a certain theme, time restraints, and or for purposes
of diverse programming, not all students who audition will be able to participate
in Music is Magic. Students who are interested in being part of Music is Magic
should consult with their private teacher to plan a strategy for having a piece
or song ready for this event.
Community Performance
Maryland Conservatory of Music gets numerous requests by organizations in the
county to perform. We take advantage of these opportunities as much as we can.
Normally, the private teacher recommends students for whom they feel this would
be a positive experience. Students who are interested in being considered for
community performance should speak to their private teachers. Ensembles at MCM
also perform at Community Performance events as appropriate; if an ensemble
director would like to plan for their group to perform, they should contact
the Performance Coordinator.
Photographs and Recordings
If students would like a recording of their MCM performance they may request
this through the MCM Office. There is a $5 fee for this service. All photos
and recordings of students taken during MCM programs or events by MCM staff.volunteers
are the property of MCM and may be used for the promotion of the conservatory.
If the student (parent if the student is under 18) does not want their name
and or photo to be used, a written statement to this effect should be submitted
to the office.
Assessment/Recognition of Students
1). Private Lessons: Private teachers will assess attendance through the Private
Teaching Record form. Written comments on a student's work may be requested.
2). Classes, Ensembles, Workshops, Camps: Teachers of these activities can provide
a comment sheet at the end of the activity upon request.
3). Any student who demonstrates superior effort and achievement can be nominated
by their private teacher for Student of the Month - submissions for this honor
are due into the office by the 25th of the month for the upcoming month.
4). Student Highlights: If a student has received an award or recognition, MCM
would like to recognize this. The student's private teacher and or parent/guardian
should fill out and sign the “Student Success Story” form (at the back of this
handbook).
5). All students at MCM are expected to show progress. If a teacher feels a
student is not achieving and or participating at an acceptable pace, a conference
with the parent/guardian may be scheduled to strategize a plan for improvement.Additional
general policies and information
1. MCM reserves the right to withdraw a student for reasons that include lack
of effort/achievement, disciplinary problems, or non-payment of fees.
2. Student Fees: There will be a $45 fee assessed for any bounced checks or
any late payments.
3. MCM reserves the right to place minimum limits on classes and ensembles
4. FOOD or DRINK is permitted in the Community Room ONLY. The only exception
to this is for wind players and singers who are permitted to have bottled water
during their lessons if reccommended by their teacher – in these cases the water
bottles should only be opened in the studios and they should never be placed
on a piano.
5. The kitchen is for faculty and staff. Students are not permitted in the Kitchen
area.
6. The Main Performance Room is a restricted-use area. Approved use will be
determined by the director.and must always be under faculty/staff supervision.
only for use as determined by the director. This space is used for classes,
masterclasses, and ensembles that are approved by the director.
7. Maryland Conservatory of Music has a no-smoking policy that is consistent
with the policy for both John Carroll School and Harford Community College.
8. Any room that is found to be in unacceptable condition and or has evidence
of food or drink should be communicated to the MCM Office.
9. MCM office equipment (fax machine, copier, phone) is for faculty and staff
use that relates to MCM teaching and administration only.
10. MCM students should only be taught on the MCM campus. Any change to this,
including make-up lessons, should be approved by the Director.
11. Students are not permitted in kitchen or copy room unless accompanied by
staff.
MCM Gift Shop
MCM has and will have various items for sale that are dsplayed in the Gift Shop
Window in the Community Room. These items include faculty CDs, MCM shirts, and
CD cases. To purchase any item, please inquire at the office.
Student Accompanist Registration
Maryland Conservatory of Music - 2006/2007
Please Print Clearly
Student______________________ Student's phone #_________________ Teacher_____________________
Teacher's Phone # _________________Student's Lesson day/time_____________ Student's
Birthday _____/_____/_____Number of years of piano lessons ___ Accompanying
Experience ___Yes ___NoPrivate Teacher's Endorsement: The student named on this
form is able to accompany another student, given enough lead-time to prepare
the accompaniment, if I approve that the specific accompaniment is within the
student's skill level. I understand that I will be given the opportunity to
approve the ability of this student for any proposed accompaniment.
__________________________ Date______________
(Private teacher's signature)
Office Use Only ______________________________
(Please make a copy of this handbook form, fill it out, and submit it to the
office)
Student Success Story
Maryland Conservatory of Music - 2006/2007
Please Print Clearly
Student______________________ Student's phone #_________________
Teacher_____________________ Teacher's Phone # _________________
Describe the success story of the student: __________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitted by: ___________________ Parent___ Teacher___ Other__________
(describe)
Phone #_____________________ Email________________________
Signature_____________________ Date ______________________
Note: MCM strives to share success stories through our numerous communication
vehicles both internally and externally, however, due to space restraints and
deadlines, we may not be able to post every story we get.
Office Use Only ______________________________
(Please make a copy of this handbook form, fill it out, and submit it to the
office)