This webpage sets out the regular lesson terms and policies of Canary Music School Ltd (“the school”). It does not include the terms and policies of other types of lessons (including trial and extra lessons). 

By signing up for, arranging payment for, and attending a regular lesson organised by the school, students and their parents or guardians (for students under 18) indicate their acceptance of the policies set out on this webpage. On this webpage, the term "students & parents" refers to "students along with their parents or guardians (for students under 18)".

This webpage is not the sole source of our terms and policies; it should be read in conjunction with any further communications provided by the school, including emails and forms. We may change our terms and policies from time to time. Please refer to our websites and review our communications for the latest terms and policies.

Please review this information carefully and contact us if you have any questions. 

(Last updated: 1 September 2024) 

Teaching Philosophy 

Canary Music School is dedicated to providing high-quality instrumental, vocal and music lessons and workshops to students of all ages and levels. Our teachers are professionally trained musicians. 

Our main goal is to cultivate a profound appreciation for music, support students in reaching their potential, and guide them towards achieving their musical goals, whether for examination success, scholarship acquisition or personal enjoyment. 

Furthermore, we organise two student concerts each year to encourage students to share their music with friends and family. These opportunities enrich the learning experience, motivate students in instrumental and vocal learning, boost their self-confidence, and foster personal growth.

Regular Lesson 

Regular lessons are provided on a weekly or fortnightly basis in-person or online. They are scheduled at a regular time of each week (as mutually agreed between the school, students & parents before each term) according to our academic calendar. Our teachers will reserve this time slot for the students.

Our academic year consists of six terms which take into account half-term, standard school holidays, and bank holidays. For our term date, please refer to: https://www.canarymusicschool.co.uk/term-dates/ 

Details about regular lesson terms and policies are outlined below.

Lesson Formats

Below are examples of some lesson formats.

(a) Lessons at Student’s Home 

For the well-being and safety of our students and teachers, it is imperative that the learning environment of home visit lessons is safe and conducive to learning. 

Students & parents are responsible for ensuring that the area within the home where lessons are conducted is safe, secure and free from any potential hazards (e.g. exposed wires, slippery floors, etc.) The school and our teachers shall not be liable for any potential loss or damage arising from an unsafe home environment. 

Students & parents are also responsible for preparing and providing the necessary equipment and instruments required for the lessons. This includes ensuring that all equipment is safe, properly maintained, and in good working condition.

(b) Online Lessons

Students attending online lessons are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary equipment and internet connection. The school is not responsible for refunds due to poor internet connection during online lessons. If students & parents have any concern about their internet connection stability, they can book a trial lesson before committing to regular online lessons. 

Attendance and Punctuality 

Regular attendance is essential for making progress in learning music.

Students are responsible for attending their lessons at the specific lesson time reserved for them. Missed lessons, except under specific circumstances detailed under “Requests for Rescheduling by Students & Parents”, will not be refunded or rescheduled. 

Students must also arrive on time for their lessons. If a lesson is shortened due to a student's late arrival, or if a student needs to end the lesson early for any reason, we cannot reschedule or make up the missed time because our teachers typically have other students or commitments immediately afterward.

If students are more than 15 minutes late for an in-person or online lesson, teachers may consider the lesson forfeited and cancelled without refund and teachers have the right to leave the lesson location or online teaching platform.

Rescheduling Lessons

Requests for Rescheduling by Students & Parents

Regular lessons are crucial for music learning so we encourage our students to commit to their lesson schedules with the school. 

In the event of illness, family emergency or school events, students can reschedule or cancel one regular lesson per term provided that 48 hours advance notice is given to the school at info@canarymusicschool.co.uk. In such cases, we will try to schedule a makeup lesson. If a suitable time cannot be agreed upon between the school and the students, students will receive a refund of the missed lesson. 

If notice is not given in accordance with this term, the lessons cannot be rescheduled. It will be forfeited without refund. 

Further terms and policies about makeup lessons are detailed under “Makeup Lessons”.

Requests for Rescheduling by the School

While we strive to offer regular lessons, our teachers are busy professional musicians and may not be available on certain weeks due to other commitments like performance. 

If our teachers are unavailable to give lessons, students may choose to:

1. receive makeup lessons on another day and time; 

2. receive their lessons taught by a deputy teacher (subject to availability); or 

3. receive refunds for the paid lesson fee.

Makeup Lessons

Makeup lessons can only be scheduled according to the terms and policies outlined above. 

Makeup lessons are scheduled based on mutual agreement between students & parents and the school regarding the time, format (in-person or online), and location (if  applicable).

No refunds will be given for any differences in lesson format or arrangement between the original and makeup lessons. For instance, if an online makeup lesson is scheduled in substitution of a cancelled in-person lesson, no reimbursement will be given.

Students are responsible for attending their makeup lessons as scheduled. If they are unable to attend the scheduled makeup lesson, it cannot be rescheduled again and will be considered forfeited without refund.

Payments

Payment Time

Regular lesson fees are paid on or before the first day of each term. Before the start of each term, invoices will be emailed to students or parents (for students under 18). Upon receiving the invoice, payment must be made in full within 7 calendar days. 

Payments for regular lessons guarantee the student’s place and reserved lesson time slot at the school. If payment is not made on time, we and our teachers will not be able to provide lessons. Since our teachers usually have many students on the waiting list, late payment may result in the student losing their reserved regular lesson time slot. 

Payment Method

The school accepts payments through payment links. students & parents will need to provide their credit/debit card details which are processed by an external third party platform, Squareup Pte. Ltd. 

We endeavour to select secure payment services but shall not be liable for any losses or errors resulting from the use of this payment platform. Any payment issues and concerns must be addressed with the payment platform directly. Please review their terms carefully before making a payment.

Changes to Lesson Arrangements

Each student of the school is assigned a main teacher who is responsible for providing regular lessons and extra lessons to the student.

If students & parents want to change their regular lesson time, format (in-person or online), location (if applicable) or main teacher in the middle of a term, this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability. The school may not be able to accommodate all requests and cannot issue refunds for lessons that have already been paid.

If the school needs to make any changes in the lesson time, format or location or main teachers, the school will notify the students & parents as soon as possible. Changes will only be made if that is agreed by students & parents.

Communication

All communication between students & parents and the school, including requests for lesson rescheduling or cancellations (the relevant procedures are detailed below), should exclusively be conducted via email at info@canarymusicschool.co.uk

Students & parents should ensure their contact information is up-to-date and regularly monitor their emails for any communications from the school.

Alternative communication channels, such as WhatsApp and telephone, are not regularly monitored and thus may not ensure timely receipt by the school. Consequently, these methods do not fulfil the communication requirements set out in our terms and policies, including but not limited to requests for lesson rescheduling or cancellations.

Lesson Materials 

Tuition fees cover lesson time and other operational expenses, including concert venue hire and programs, but do not include the cost of music scores or other learning materials. While our teachers will try to provide links to free online sheet music, students are responsible to purchase their own music scores if it is not available. Students also have the responsibility to bring their lesson materials to the lessons. 

Examination, Concerts, Scholarship and Other Activities

Students interested in exams, concerts, competition, scholarships or other external music activities should discuss with their main teachers and the school. It is important to discuss with their main teachers to set realistic yet appropriately challenging goals for a rewarding experience. 

Students should email the school about their exam plan. Students are responsible to apply for exams and secure their preferred exam date. Students are responsible for all costs associated with exams, concerts, scholarship and other music activities. There may be application fees for signing up for regular student concerts organised by the school.

Our teachers work hard to support students achieving their musical goals, and our students usually achieve satisfactory results in exams. However, the school and our teachers cannot be held responsible if our students do not achieve the expected results in any exam or scholarship audition they have prepared for with the help of our teachers and/or the school.

Practice Guidelines

While our teachers try our best to support students in achieving their musical aspirations, regular and dedicated practice is essential for progress. Parental support is crucial, especially for younger students. Students with any concerns about progress should discuss with their main teachers and the school.

Health and Behaviour Concerns at Lessons

If a student is sick, ill, unwell, asleep, misbehaving, disruptive or physically threatening to others, including other students, our teachers or other parents/guardians, during a lesson, our teacher has the right to stop teaching them with immediate effect without a refund. If this behaviour continues, the school may permanently stop giving lessons to that student.

Termination

If students & parents decide to discontinue their lessons with the school, they must give at least 30 calendar days advance notice to the school by email. This allows the school to inform teachers of changes in teaching schedule and fill the students’ regular lesson slots with other students from the waiting list.

Students will continue receiving lessons they paid for during the 30-calendar-day notice period. Refunds are only issued for paid lessons beyond such period (if any). 

The school reserves the right to permanently stop giving lessons to the students with immediate effect if the students & parents repeatedly violate school policies (such as failure to pay fees on time).