Policies

Payment and Refunds

  • Fees are due the first week of lessons and ensemble rehearsals.  Fees may be paid in full for the semester, or in 2 installments. The first payment of installments is due before lessons begin.  A $30 late fee is applied after lessons begin.  Additionally, a $30 late fee is applied to all payments after the semester has ended.
  • No lessons will be given until payment is received.  
  • Payments may be made by check or online with a credit card.  
  • No refunds will issued after the first week of each semester.

Lesson Make-Up

There are 14 private lessons each semester (Fall and Spring).

  • Your teacher may elect to give up to 2 make-up lessons if at least 24 hours of notice is given for the absence.
  • You are responsible for scheduling any make-up lessons with your teacher.
  • Any lesson missed without 24-hour advance notice will be counted as given.
  • Teachers cannot be expected to make up more than 2 student absences of any kind.
  • If teachers need to reschedule a lesson, they will always make up that lesson. 
  • Please see your teacher for individual studio policies, such as a severe weather policy.

Expectations for orchestra, ensemble, and group class members

  • Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts
  • Arrive 10 minutes before start of rehearsal to get tuned, warmed up, and ready to play for each orchestra, ensemble, chamber, and group class.
  • All students participating in DUSS ensembles should be taking weekly private lessons, either from DUSS faculty or area teachers.

 Absences from regular rehearsals

  • All students must email conductors ahead of a projected absence from an orchestra rehearsal.  
  • The conductor has the discretion to individually hear students who have missed 3 or more rehearsals in a concert cycle to ensure they are ready to play in the concert. This applies to excused and unexcused absences.
  • The conductor has the discretion to make adjustments to a student’s concert participation or orchestra seating assignment if a student has 3 or more absences from rehearsals prior to a concert.
  • 2 tardy arrivals may be counted as an absence by the conductor.

Examples of excused absences

  • Illness. Please make sure students are free of a fever for 24 hrs without medication before attending rehearsals or concerts.
  • SAT testing, College audition or visit, Eastern Region Orchestra events. 

Mid-Year Auditions

  • DUSS may have mid-year auditions to allow for students to join during the year. Due to rehearsal space and balance issues, there may be a limit to the number of students that can participate in each ensemble, so openings will depend on the instrument.  
  • Please contact the DUSS staff assistant to find out more about auditions.

Concert Dress Code

The purpose for the dress code is so the audience will stay focused on the music during the performance and won't be distracted by individuals in the ensembles or orchestras.  The code has been made to create the best-looking and most uniform appearance at the lowest cost to families.  Therefore, if a musician comes to a concert in inappropriate attire, he or she may be asked to change before being allowed on stage.

  • Beginner Violin, Beginner Cello, Violin Choir and Cello Choir ensembles: Something dressy, any color.  Students should not wear jeans or flip flops for any performance.
  • Intermediate String Orchestra and Concert String Orchestra: White Top and Black bottom.
    • Women: wear solid white blouses and solid black skirts (length should rest below knee when sitting) or solid black slacks.  Black dress shoes.  Men: wear solid white shirts and black pants. Black socks and shoes.
  • Youth Symphony Concert Dress Code:  All Black
    • Women:  Black blouse and slacks, or black dress.  All blouses and dresses should have a sleeve (cap sleeve, 3/4 or long sleeve).  Slacks and skirts should be tea length or floor length.  Black dress shoes.
    • Men: Black dress shirt (i.e. collared, or nice buttoned shirt) and black slacks. Long black tie is optional.  All socks should be black and shoes should be black dress shoes. 
  • Chamber Music Concerts:  Concert black or black and white. Chamber groups may incorporate accent colors for performances.
  • Solo Recitals:  Students should dress nicely.  Any color is acceptable. 
  • Jewelry should be kept at a minimum.  No jeans, flip flops, or tennis shoes for any performance.