The Rhode Island Philharmonic
Music School at WHEELER
Helpful Fall ’11 – Spring ’12 Registration Information
Below are materials for 2011-2012 private lesson registration and important information regarding the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School at Wheeler. Please read carefully. If you have additional questions or concerns please call Matthew Lynch at 401-248-7064 or by e-mail at mlynch@riphil.org.
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School will begin lessons at Wheeler on Monday, September 26. Lessons at Wheeler are available Mondays through Fridays from 3pm to 5:30pm only. The school has rolling admissions but once a student has enrolled they are committed to attend weekly lessons for the entire school year at Wheeler. Students who withdraw during the year forfeit their registration fee and tuition deposit.
SPORTS/ACTIVITIES POLICY – The Music School applauds children that are active in sports, clubs, and other valuable after-school activities. However, studying music is a long-term commitment and a disruption in the weekly routine of lessons and practice will affect your child’s progress. All absences due to sports/activity related conflicts will be considered unexcused absences. In order to reserve your time slot for resumption of lessons after the sports season or activity has ended all unexcused absences must be paid.
The Wheeler calendar for lessons is different than the Philharmonic Music School calendar at the Carter Center for Music Education. Each calendar is designed for the instruction schedule at each specific site.
How to Register:
1. Review the Philharmonic Music School’s General Policies at here.
2. Review the attached tuition and fees sheet (coming soon) to determine prices for lessons at Wheeler.
3. Returning students should download and fill out the 11-12 registration form by indicating your preferred days, times, and instructor. Preference for early afternoon lessons will be given to Wheeler lower school students first. Please list ALL available days and available time frames for lessons on the registration form. Scheduling is completed by the administrative staff at the Philharmonic not by teaching faculty. If we cannot accommodate a lesson time within the available days and time frames you provide and you are unable to switch to the Carter Center for Music Education, your registration fee and tuition deposit will be refunded.
4. New students should call Matthew Lynch, Music School Registrar at 401-248-7064 or by e-mail at mlynch@riphil.org before filling out the registration form. The Music School may recommend an informal interview and placement lesson first to assure assignment with an appropriate instructor.
5. If you are interested in taking lessons or enrolling in ensembles at the Carter Center for Music Education in East Providence INSTEAD of Wheeler please check “Central” (under preferred lesson site) on the Philharmonic Music School registration form. The Philharmonic Music School operates on a different calendar and subsequently has a different tuition structure which is outlined here.
6. Financial Aid is available for financially qualified families. Email Jane Gaudette, Business Manager at jgaudette@riphil.org for application forms, or download the forms.
7. Submit your completed registration form and tuition deposit via:
A. Mail to our Administrative offices
The Music School
667 Waterman Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914
B. Fax: 401-248-7071
C. In person at the Philharmonic Music School, Monday-Friday 12pm-4pm
(667 Waterman Ave, East Providence)
8. No phone registrations will be accepted.
9. Registration Fee & Tuition Deposits*:
A. 30 minute lessons - $26 registration fee + $103.50 tuition deposit = $129.50 deposit payment
B. 45 minute lessons - $26 registration fee + $155.25 tuition deposit = $181.25 deposit payment
C. 60 minute lessons - $26 registration fee + $207 tuition deposit = $233 deposit payment
D. Registration deposit requirement for families applying for financial aid = $30 registration fee
PLUS submission of completed financial aid application form.
(Tuition deposit amounts represent payment for the last 3 lessons of the year. If a student withdraws during the year, the registration fee and tuition deposit are forfeited.)
10. Parents will receive a registration confirmation letter detailing the lesson day(s) and time(s) in the mail. Parents will also receive an invoice and options for payment plans with their confirmation letter. Please read your confirmation letter carefully for the day of the week, time of day and the date when the first lesson will occur. Please allow 7 to 10 days for processing and scheduling of students. Registration forms cannot be processed without payment of the registration fee and tuition deposit.
Benefits of Enrollment
Free admittance to Friday Open Rehearsals - As part of enrollment in the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, either at Wheeler or other Music Schools locations, students receive a card permitting the student and one additional person to attend any or all 4 Philharmonic Friday Night Open Rehearsals. Please see “Deals for Students” on page 15 of the catalog for more information about the Open Rehearsal Series and other benefits of enrollment.
Music School Faculty at Wheeler:
Bear Connelly Guitar (Mondays & Thursdays, 3-5:30pm)
Jacqueline Devillers Recorder, Piano (Thurs, 3-5pm)
Catherine Thacker Piano
Nick Toscano Drums