SCHOOL CALENDAR AND SEMESTERS:

● Fall Semester (2024): Sep 1 - Dec 21

● Spring Semester (2025): Jan 6 - Jun 15

● Summer Session (2025): Jun 16 - Aug 31

School-wide Holidays / Breaks:

● Thanksgiving Break: Nov 25 - Nov 30, 2024

● Winter Break: Dec 22 - Jan 5, 2025

● Spring Break: Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2025

● Summer Break: June 29 - July 5, 2025

SCHOOL CALENDAR AND SEMESTERS: 

The school year is structured into three main terms: Fall, Spring, and Summer. There are 47 instructional weeks per calendar year for each day (e.g., 47 Mondays, 47 Tuesdays, etc.). Lessons are scheduled Monday through Sunday.

• Students are required to keep their lesson schedule for the remainder of the semester.

• Changes to the assigned weekly music lesson schedule (day/time) are not allowed after the semester has begun.

ENROLLMENT PROCESS: 

• Enrollment can be completed by contacting admin@sonormusicschool.com. Parents will need to complete the enrollment via an online software platform after an account is set up for the student/family, where the history of payments, fees, attendance, etc., can all be monitored. Parents/Guardians will need to sign/agree to the School Policies and set up auto-payment. Lessons will start once the enrollment process is complete.

• A non-refundable Annual Registration fee of $90 per student is required at the time of registration.

• All new students—except total beginners—are required to take a short music theory placement test, included in the registration fee.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

• The intention to withdraw from lessons must first be communicated with the studio teacher and the Sonor’s music director to discuss modifications to lessons or curriculum depending on the issue.

• If withdrawal is still desired, the Family must notify the School in writing via email (admin@sonormusicschool.com) at least 30 days prior to the last lesson. Sonor will issue a final invoice for any leftover lessons. Withdrawing releases your spot and stops auto-pay on fons.com. You’ll receive a final invoice for any balance or extra lessons.

 TUITION AND FEES:

• Tuition is due on the 1st of the month, is charged by credit card, and is based on a monthly flat rate. Holidays and school breaks (see School Calendar section)  are not included.

• A late fee of $25 will be charged if payments are not received by the 7th of each month.

• The cost of the books, sheet music, lesson materials, school recitals, and other audition/test fees is not covered by the tuition fees.

• Please note: Sonor Music School reserves the right to adjust tuition rates with or without prior notice; however, we strive to provide at least 30 days’ notice whenever possible.

MAKEUP LESSON POLICY:

• Students are allowed to schedule two (2) makeup lessons per school year (one for the Fall semester and one for the Spring semester).

• No make-ups during summer session.

• A makeup lesson will be granted only if the lesson is canceled with at least 24 hours’ advance notice by emailing both the school and the teacher. 

  • Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice—including same-day illness—are not eligible for makeup lessons or tuition credit.

• Online lessons are available for students with mild symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose) but no fever, or for other family-related reasons.

  • The school and teacher must be informed within 24 hours of absence or by 12:00 PM (noon) on the lesson day to have the Online Lesson.

  • Online lessons are conducted at the same scheduled time as the regular in-person class to maintain progress.

• All makeup lessons must be taken within the semester the absence occurred; there is no rollover of makeup lessons.

• In case of a teacher’s absence, Sonor Music School may provide a substitute teacher or schedule a makeup lesson at the earliest availability of the original teacher.

• Eligible Circumstances for Makeup Lessons:

  • Illness or medical reasons. (doctor’s note required)

  • Unforeseen family emergency 

  • Known absences notified to the school at least 3 months in advance

• Ineligible Circumstances that  DO NOT qualify for make-up lessons:

  • School and social events (sports games, camps, trips, clubs, etc.)

  • Family events (vacations, trips, social gatherings) 

  • No-shows or last-minute/same-day cancellations

SCHOOL BREAKS: 

No lessons will be held during official school-wide breaks including Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring, and Summer—and you won’t be charged tuition for that time.

For all the details on Semester Dates and Break Schedules, please check the separate School Calendar and Break Schedule.

RECITALS, EXAMS, AND AUDITIONS:

1. Sonor Recitals: 

Sonor hosts two compulsory recitals annually. Recital fees are non-refundable ($60- $100/year) and collected at the time of registration.  Every Student is expected to perform at these events. 

• Level P-3:  $30

• Level 4  - 6: $40

• Level 7 - 10: $50

2. Sonor Music School’s Annual Theory and Ear Training Test:

This test is required for all students at Sonor and is optional for adult students. Only students taking the Certificate of Merit are exempt from our annual test. The fee is $15 per student, and it is approximately 15-30 minutes long. Date:  First week of May.

3. Certificate of Merit Test:

The test is conducted by the Music Teachers’ Association of California. Students can enroll in the exam only through a teacher who is a member of the MTAC. The registration period for the certificate test is September 1st - 30th. The registration fee varies, depending on the student’s level. Since the program requires teachers to handle registration, paperwork, and assist in conducting the exam, an additional fee of $150 per student is applicable. 

4. Auditions, Tests, Contests, and Other Events:
We provide various opportunities for our students to participate in our SONOR SOLO and DUET Festivals, and SONOR Piano Competition as well as other Local, National, and International music events such as the National Piano Guild Audition from the American College of Musicians, RCM, and ABRSM from the Royal School of Music, etc. Registration periods and fees vary: TBA