Sgammato Music Policies
Overview
Philosophy & Curriculum
Enrollment, Placement & Scheduling
Tuition & Billing
Attendance & Makeup Policy
Student Expectations
Parent Roles & Responsibilities
Dropoff, Pickup & Supervision
Media Release & Publicity
Technology & Supplemental Resources
Community Culture
Performances & Professional Opportunities
Cancellations & Goodbyes
1. Philosophy & Curriculum
Educational Philosophy
We don’t actually teach “music” - we teach life lessons through the metaphor of music.
Whether it’s learning self-discipline and time management by maintaining a consistent individual practice routine; inter-dependent responsibility and teamwork by playing in a band; determination and perseverance by conquering a fear of live performance; or interpersonal social skills by interacting with an eclectic array of artists in the community, eventually all students discover that we aren’t actually teaching music lessons at all - we’re preparing young people to be successful and productive in society by developing real-world skills.
We don’t “work” music - we play music
As with all things in life, this process is meant to be enjoyed. If it ever turns into something that’s not, we make the necessary adjustments to ensure that it remains a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. If the music ever stops being playful, a useful skill is to “hack your brain” to find out what motivates you, and use it to succeed. If it still feels like work after giving a focused and varied effort, all students are warmly encouraged to find something else that makes their soul sing.
Music is a language, and as such is an inherently shared experience.
While finding one’s sound and developing their individuality is a critical aspect of the art, music is ultimately meant to be a communal adventure. Forming a squad of homies, doing dope stuff and taking over the world is one of the most important aspects of what we offer here.
In a world of iPad Kids and paradoxical social media isolation, authentic live human interaction could accurately be described as an act of rebellion against a cold, computerized future. Find a squad, find your sound, and fight the good fight.
Above all else, this process encourages relentlessly unapologetic artistic expression.
Sing your song - whatever that may be. If you want to write a typical pop song, a cringey teenage angst ballad, or a literal song about cats, do it! Your weirdness is not only allowed but actively encouraged.
We welcome all ages, all genres, all proficiencies and all instruments.
The curriculum should always reflect the goals and ambitions of the student, and adapt and shift with them as they grow.
Customized Curriculum
Curriculum is developed collaboratively between student and teacher.
We discover what their “vibe” is, and then use their own musical preferences as the vehicle to teach them whatever musical concepts they need to learn to accomplish their unique objectives.
We show students what is possible; they determine the destination.
Individual artistry, ensemble cohesion, performance excellence, recording wizardry; songwriting and arranging, producing and mixing, recording and releasing, jamming and gigging; there are virtually limitless paths to explore along any musical journey, and our students always lead the way.
Musical interests, personal ambitions, learning style and long-term goals should always inform curriculum, and adapt to the inevitable changes associated with growing minds.
2. Enrollment, Placement & Scheduling
Administrative staff handle initial teacher placement.
Administrative staff establish the student's permanent weekly lesson time.
Teacher changes are always permitted, and actively encouraged when appropriate.
Placement decisions strongly consider personality, goals, instrument, teaching style, availability and student preference.
Once permanent placement is established, routine scheduling matters may generally be handled directly with the teacher.
Larger enrollment or placement changes should be directed to administration.
3. Tuition & Billing
Monthly Tuition
Tuition is automatically charged on the 1st of each month.
A valid payment card must remain on file.
Step Up / PEP
Sgammato Music is a Step Up Direct Provider.
Eligible families may reserve scholarship funds in advance.
Any tuition not covered by reserved funds by the billing date will be charged to the card on file.
Production Fees
Applicable production, showcase or event fees are non-refundable unless otherwise expressly stated.
Billing Questions
All billing matters, including enrollment changes and cancellations, should be directed to:
admin@sgammatomusic.com
Teachers do not have access to student billing, and are not responsible for any billing-related issues caused by failure to directly notify administrators.
4. Attendance & Makeup Policy
Student Absences
Students are guaranteed one makeup lesson per quarter for student-caused absences.
Consistent attendance is expected and is necessary for meaningful progress.
Additional accommodations may be made at the teacher's discretion but are not guaranteed.
Teacher Absences
100% of lessons missed because of teacher absence will be made up.
Communication
Known absences should be communicated as early as reasonably possible.
Repeated missed lessons may affect participation in bands, performances or other advanced opportunities.
5. Student Expectations
Students are expected to:
Clearly communicate their musical goals and ambitions.
Participate honestly in developing their curriculum.
Make a good-faith effort to follow teacher recommendations.
Arrive reasonably prepared for lessons and rehearsals.
Treat teachers, staff, fellow students, equipment and facilities respectfully.
Tell us when we need a vibe shift.
Develop increasing independence and personal responsibility over time.
6. Parent Roles & Responsibilities
Parents and guardians are expected to:
Read the damn emails.
Seriously. Read the emails!!
Maintain accurate contact information.
Communicate significant scheduling, educational or behavioral concerns.
Support reasonable practice and preparation expectations.
Respect student independence as it develops.
Help younger students manage materials, devices, schedules and transportation.
Understand applicable school policies and associated fees before enrolling in performances, bands and special programs.
For paid professional gigs, understand that one single instance of tardiness will result in a permanent ban on all future paid events. If you need help understanding why, read our PRO GIG RATIONALE
7. Dropoff, Pickup & Supervision
Arrival
Students should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled lesson unless other arrangements have been confirmed.
Pickup
Students should be picked up no more than 15 minutes after their scheduled lesson unless other arrangements have been confirmed.
Younger Students
Parents remain responsible for appropriate supervision outside the student's scheduled instructional time. Please understand that this is a fully equipped recording studio, and nobody wants to be responsible for replacing any of the expensive gear inside it!!
Lobby
Families and siblings are welcome to chill in the lobby while students are in lessons. The couches recline, the wifi is piping hot, the charging cables will disappear by the end of the week and be replaced soon (lol)
8. Media Release & Publicity
Sgammato Music regularly photographs, records and documents lessons, performances, rehearsals, events and student accomplishments.
Public Events
Many performances occur in public venues.
Photography and video by audience members, venues, media outlets and other third parties may occur outside Sgammato Music's control.
School Media
Content may be used for:
Social media
Website content
Promotional materials
Event recaps
Student spotlights
Educational or archival purposes
Opt-Outs
Families requesting exclusion from Sgammato Music-produced media should notify administration in writing.
Sgammato Music will make every reasonable effort to honor media opt-out requests, although absolute exclusion cannot be guaranteed at public events.
Student Contact
A core philosophy of the school is encouraging professionalism and personal responsibility. At a certain level of maturity, teachers will likely maintain direct communication with their students when it becomes necessary and appropriate to do so. E-mail is used as often as possible, but everyone must also acknowledge that Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids inevitably gravitate toward particular little squares on their technological rectangles, completely disregarding adjacent ones. They will tap one square to check notifications every 2 minutes, and never open the app *on the same device*!!
Teachers will take note of effective methods of information transmission, and default to the communication system most likely to elicit a response from their students.
That’s a lot of words to say we’re probably gonna have to text if e-mails prove ineffective.
9. Technology & Supplemental Resources
Students may be expected to maintain reasonable access to commonly used educational technology.
Music Streaming
Spotify is generally preferred, although comparable services may be used. Anyone is welcome to criticize Spotify, as long as they have a complete understanding of the barbaric processes that created the phone in their pocket. <3
Google Workspace
Students may use:
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Sheets
A Google-compatible account may therefore be required for certain programs.
Music Resources
Common resources may include:
Songsterr
Ultimate Guitar
MuseScore
YouTube
Teacher-created tutorials and reference materials
Apps
Students may be asked to maintain:
Tuner
Metronome
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Specific resources depend upon instrument, teacher and curriculum.
10. Community Culture
Fam = Fam
Sgammato Music is a collaborative musical cult community.
Students and families are expected to:
Support the homies.
Attend and participate in school events when reasonably possible.
Celebrate the accomplishments of other artists.
Treat other students as collaborators rather than competitors.
Avoid cliques, exclusionary behavior and hella unnecessary drama.
Contribute positively to the environment they benefit from.
See: The Three Things
[LINK]
11. Performances & Professional Opportunities
Participation in student showcases and other performance opportunities is based upon preparedness, reliability, attitude, experience and the requirements of the opportunity.
Student Showcases
Student performances are educational opportunities and may have individual prerequisites established for each event.
Production Fees
There are production fees based on the size and scope of the added visual and audio packages purchased for the event. Basic - $0 Production Fee
Standard - $26 Production Fee
Deluxe - $52 Production Fee
Premium - $104 Production Fee
Premium Plus - $126 Production Fee
HEY SELF PUT SOME PICTURE EXAMPLES HERE
Professional Opportunities
Paid performances are not guaranteed by enrollment.
Selection may consider:
Musicianship
Preparation
Professionalism
Reliability
Performance history
Repertoire
Stable lineup
EPK quality
Social media / promotional preparedness
Tenure and experience
Professional opportunities are merit-based and depend upon the needs of each event. Final booking decisions commonly rest with the venue or promoter, not with Sgammato Music.
12. Cancellations & Goodbyes
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to admin@sgammatomusic.com.
Verbal or written notice to a teacher does not constitute cancellation. Teachers do not manage billing, and neither they nor Sgammato Music are liable or responsible for any issues resulting from parental failure to notify administration.
Notice Requirement
A minimum of two weeks' written notice is required. This allows sufficient time to prepare final lesson curriculum for departure. It also allows admin to place incoming enrollments, and/or adjust existing students’ lesson to a more favorable timeslot. For bands, it’s especially important to allow sufficient time to find a suitable replacement, as coordinating 4-6 kiddos’s chaotic schedules usually requires divine intervention!
Sufficient notice is respectful, considerate, and objectively the morally correct behavior to exhibit.
Late Cancellation
Late notice may result in the applicable:
Inconsiderately Delayed Going Away Fee (IDGAF): $100
This is most definitely not a joke. We teach life lessons, and we teach all ages. This includes parents.
Any penalty fee that is collected as a supplemental educational tool to help modify inconsiderate parental behavior will be donated to a random 501(c)3 charity. This year’s charity is WMNF 88.5FM.
Administrative cancellation requests must be sent to:
