Eastman Pathways Student/Parent Handbook
Pathways is part of the William Warfield Partnership between the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester City School District. The following information is meant to guide students and parents in their educational experiences in the Eastman Community Music School (ECMS). By accepting your Pathways scholarship in the ECMS you have the same privileges and responsibilities as do all ECMS students and parents.
We hope you will take advantage of the world-renowned Sibley Music Library as well as attend some of the free concerts and recitals held at the Eastman School of Music.
Table of Contents
Student Commitment
Parents/Guardian Commitment and Responsibilities
Financial Information
Lesson Information
Calendar
Registration
Recital and Performance Requirements
Continued Eligibility - Evaluations, Grades, and Juries or Exams
Other Benefits of the Pathways Scholarship
Further Information
Student Commitment
It is expected that students will be diligent in their practice, lesson attendance, and overall commitment to this remarkable ESM/RCSD partnership program. These are the basic policies and expectations that you agree to when you accept your scholarship; they both ensure your individual progress and allow our program to run smoothly.
- Have regular access to an appropriate instrument and associated supplies for practice purposes
- Attend lessons or chorus weekly
- Come to lessons or chorus on time
- Bring music and instrument to lessons or chorus
- Practice diligently and show commitment to the program
- Chorus / ensemble students will attend all concerts
- Fulfill all performance requirements. See section on Recital and Performance Requirements.
- Fulfill the expectations of their private teachers at Eastman
- Maintain good academic standing in both RCSD and ECMS lessons and courses
Parents/Guardians Commitment and Responsibilities
- Help the student complete an annual Eastman Pathways registration form.
- Submit family financial information (a copy of the most recent year’s income tax form with Adjusted Gross Income) in March. Student must be listed as a dependent. If most recent year’s information is not available, the previous year’s AGI is accepted when completing the application. It is expected that the most recent year’s AGI will be submitted by the orientation meeting in June. The scholarship cannot be posted to a student's account without this information, which means the student's parents would be responsible for paying full tuition or any related late fees accrued until the current AGI is submitted.
- Ensure the student’s instrument is kept in good repair.
- Pay a $20 annual registration fee plus any tuition not covered by the Eastman Pathways Scholarship.
- Pay required fee of up to $25.00 per semester for theory texts or worksheets.
- Provide transportation to and from lessons and concerts.
- Help the student purchase music and/or instrumental supplies as requested by the Eastman Community Music School teacher. (Please notify the program coordinator if this is a hardship.)
- Attend the annual orientation program in the spring with the student.
- Support the student’s musical progress by attending his or her performances at Eastman whenever possible, and by taking them to other free Eastman concerts.
- Notify the Eastman Community Music School teacher of any problems that may be impeding the student’s musical progress.
- Ensure that the student notifies the Eastman Community Music School teacher in advance of any absence.
- Notify the ECMS office of address or phone changes.
Financial Information
What the Scholarship Includes
- Scholarships in Eastman Pathways are either full or partial tuition awards (based on our sliding scale) for weekly 30-minute private lessons.
- All entering students who will receive private or buddy lessons will focus on their instrument in order to demonstrate that they have a strong performance foundation.
- When the student achieves an ECMS curricular level 3 at the annual jury, he/she will be eligible to begin a theory class at no additional cost. Entering students who demonstrate instrumental skills commensurate with the ECMS curricular level 3 will be eligible to take a theory class in addition to the private lesson at no additional cost.
- Pathways will support students who qualify through a 2-year diploma; courses taken in addition to this will be the financial resposnibility of the student's family.
- Tuition must be paid for any additional courses beyond the one included with the scholarship and beyond the 2-year diploma requirements as well as for lessons of longer length.
- Students who take private lessons and audition for ECMS premiere ensembles and are accepted will receive this ensemble class at no additional cost as is the policy for any ECMS student. These ensembles include the eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra, Eastman Youth Chamber soloists, Flute choir and others.
- Also, because Eastman Children's Chorus is bundled with theory for all ECMS students, chorus students will have a theory regardless of the level 3 ruling.
- It is anticipated that shcolarships will be continued for future semesters for interested students; however, all students will need to re-apply for scholarship assistance each March for the following academic year. Scholarships cannot be awarded without all information including a copy of the current IRS tax form.
Textbook Fee
There will be a fee of up to $25.00 per semester for theory books depending on course taken. There is a duplicating fee of up to $25.00 per semester for courses for which there are no texts.
Billing
- All Pathways students’ parent or guardian will receive bills at the beginning of each semester even if you have a full scholarship.
- If the scholarship is for full tuition, the “balance due” at the bottom should read $0.00. The only fee a full tuition scholarship recipient must pay is an annual $20.00 registration fee and the cost of the textbook, if required for the theory class. The registration fee is due at the orientation session.
- If the scholarship is for partial tuition assistance, the balance will read the amount due after the scholarship has been subtracted. The partial tuition scholarship recipient must also pay the annual $20.00 registration fee and the cost of the textbook if required.
- If the scholarship recipient elects to register for a course in addition those offered through the scholarship, the bill would indicate a fee for such class. Click here for tuition rates.
- If the recipient elects to increase lesson time beyond the individual award, the bill would indicate the additional fee.
- Payments may be made one of 3 ways: 1) by sending a check or Visa/Mastercard/Discover card number via mail using the self-addressed envelopes provided with each bill; 2) personally delivering a check or credit card to the ECMS office; or 3) by faxing a signed "Credit Card Authorization" form (provided with each bill) to ECMS at 274-1005. The ECMS office cannot accept credit card payments over the phone.
- If you have any questions about billing or feel that you have an error on your statement, call the ECMS office (274-1400) for clarification.
Lesson Information
Schedule
- ECMS lessons will begin the first Wednesday after Labor Day and will continue through the second Saturday in June.
- Lessons will be offered for a full academic year, 34 weeks.
- Students will be assigned to available ECMS Faculty.
- Private lesson times will be arranged by the first week of September. Private instructors contact the student to set-up a mutually agreeable time.
- Notify the ECMS office with any changes in your phone number or address in order for the private teacher and the office to be able to contact you as needed.
Missed Lessons
- Students are expected to notify the private and/or theory teacher in advance of any absence. Please call your teacher directly, or if there is no studio phone, during office hours call the ECMS office at 274-1400.
- Unexcused absences (absences not reported in advance) will be reported through the Progress Report to the parent, RCSD Music Teacher, and the coordinator of partnership.
- Should a third unexcused absence occur, the Pathways scholarship will be revoked.
Lesson Make-up Policy
- Some teachers offer make-up lessons under certain circumstances, but they are not obligated to do so.
- Teachers are not required to make up lesson time missed as a result of tardiness.
- If a teacher is absent from a lesson, a make-up will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.
- For more specific information, see Registration and Policies.
Curriculum
- Each instrument being taught in ECMS has a curriculum that is used as a guide against which the student can measure his or her progress through the various levels of performance skills and repertory.
- In order to remain eligible for the scholarship, students must show significant progress through the prescribed curriculum.
Calendar
- Please refer to the ECMS calendar on our website then scroll down for other dates specific to the Pathways program.
- Classes are held on all Mondays including those designated as holidays such as Columbus Day and Martin Luther King Day, but not on Memorial Day.
- We teach on several RCSD holidays including Superintendent’s Conference Days. Please refer to the ECMS Schedule and mark your calendars appropriately. Do not assume RCSD holidays are holidays for Eastman.
Registration
- In addition to completing the annual Pathways Application in March, every Pathways student must also complete the standard ECMS “Application/Registration for Study” form at the annual Orientation meeting.
- Please complete all pertinent questions as directed, including birth date and preferred lesson times.
- If at any time during the academic year you have a change of address or home/work phone, please advise the ECMS office at 274-1400.
Recital and Performance Requirements
- All students taking private lessons are to perform annually on at least one regularly scheduled Saturday ECMS student recital or private teacher’s Studio Recital. First year students should try to perform in February at the second Pathways recital.
- There are three categories of recitals: Pre-College, General and Advanced. There is an appropriate level recital for each student. Recitals are normally held in Howard Hanson Hall or in Kilbourn Hall.
- Participation in one or both of the annual January MCSMA Solo Festival (resulting in possible All-County participation) or the May Eastman In-House NYSSMA Solo Festival is requried of all students in private lessons with the exception of 1st year students whose teachers concur. Students performing at NYSSMA levels 6 are encouraged to attend an All State site (resulting in possible Area-All State participation). RCSD music teachers must register students for the MCSMA and NYSSMA festivals.
- SOTA music program expects Pathways students to prepare for both festivals. Ask your SOTA teacher for clarification.
- All Pathways students must participate in the April All-City Band/Chorus, String or High School Choral Concert. RCSD music teachers must register students for these events.
Continued Eligibility - Evaluations, Grades, Juries or Exams
- Each year students must earn the continuation of their scholarship. The Eastman Community Music School reserves the right, upon evaluation by the ECMS teacher, to place on probation or dismiss students who have consistently displayed a lack of cooperation, interest and/or progress through curricular levels.
- SOTA students must be registered as music majors in order to ensure compatible scheduling for ensemble participation.
- In order to monitor student progress and maintain communication with parents and RCSD Music Teachers, a Mid-Year Evaluation will be given at the end of the first semester. The Mid-Year Evaluation is a preliminary indication of the ECMS teacher’s recommendation for the renewal of the student scholarship for the following year.
- Evaluations will be shared with the student, parent and RCSD music teacher.
- When annually applying for a Pathways Scholarship, each student must receive a positive recommendation from both the ECMS (via the Mid-Year Evaluation and Jury) and RCSD teacher in order to continue in the program. At any time, should a student participate in behavior or activity that is not in keeping with Eastman Pathways standards and the school Principal or music teacher cannot recommend the student for continuation in Pathways, the scholarship will be revoked.
- Students must be in good RCSD academic standing:
- Maintain a 2.0 average
- Participate/be in good standing in the school music program
- Not fail any class
- Parents must sign a Grade Sharing Consent Form for the RCSD to share academic grades with the Pathways Administrator.
- RCSD grades will be checked after marking periods. If the student receives below a 2.0 or has a grade(s) that does not meet qualifications, the student will be placed on academic probation by the RCSD Executive Director of the Visual and Performing Arts. The student will have until the end of that academic year to meet the grade requirements above. If the GPA or grade is not raised by the last report card in June, or if a grade or GPA falls below the academic stipulation above at the last report card, the scholarship will be
- Students must perform in his/her home school music ensemble on the instrument or voice studied at ECMS. In the case of piano or strings where no ensemble exists, students will be required to perform on a different instrument or sing in the available school ensemble or fulfill another music service for their RCSD school.
Other Benefits of the Pathways Scholarship
Mentoring
Carrol Frangipane, who taught public school music for over 30 years, is our experienced Pathways Mentor. Mrs. Frangipane is contacted when a Pathways student has been reported falling behind in class work, missing lessons, coming consistently late or unprepared for lessons, or finding it difficult to adjust to our rigorous curriculum. She works with the student and parent to help find solutions to problems.
Accompanists
- To encourage all of our students to participate in recitals each year, each student is granted two rehearsal coupons per semester (valued at $30.00 per semester).
- Each coupon covers a rehearsal up to 30 minutes with any accompanist on the ECMS list. Coupons are available in the ECMS office, 3rd floor, Messinger Hall, 10 Gibbs Street.
- Please refer to the accompanist policy found in the ECMS catalog for specifics.
- The use of the accompanist for additional rehearsals at Eastman, as well as performances outside and not affiliated with, the Eastman School (e.g., NYSSMA), is the financial responsibility of the parent/student.
College Information Session
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Learn about the various careers in music at our annual college information session with Ruth Cahn, Director or Music Horizons.
Courses
- ECMS offers many enriching music courses including theory, history, class piano as well as a wide selection of ensembles. The wide variety of theory classes are organized in sequential manner to enable students to engage more fully in their musical experience at Eastman.
- Once qualified to enroll, ECMS offers an array of enriching music courses at no extra cost. (See What's Included in the Scholarship for clarification.)
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Chorus Students
Please note that all Eastman Children's Chorus students are required to take a theory/musicianship class along with chorus.
Pre-College Diploma
- Qualified students who are motivated and interested may take classes offered through the pathways Scholarship that may lead toward one of our Diplomas. Diplomas are awarded in June at the ECMS Commencement Ceremony upon completion of all requirements listed in the Diploma brochure. A student must receive a B or higher in all required classes and lessons to be eligible.
- See Diplomas and Certificates for complete information
Academic Advising
- Dr. Howard Potter, Associate Dean of the community and Continuing Education and Dr. Margaret Henry, Chair of Music Theory and Composition, are ECMS Academic Advisers.
- Students may make appointments with Dr. Potter anytime or with Dr. Henry during the annual advising period to determine over-all progress in the curriculum and/or a diploma sequence.
Further Information
The ECMS Staff is happy to answer your questions. You may also visit the ECMS website, www.esm.rochester.edu/community, for complete information on all programs offered through the community Music School.
Other policy questions may be directed to:
- Jan Angus, Program Coordinator Eastman Pathways,
Eastman Community Music School: 274-1960 email: jangus@esm.rochester.edu - Deborah Harloff, RCSD Director of the Arts,
Rochester City School District: 262-8939 ext 2221 email: Deborah.Harloff@rcsdk12.org - Pricsilla Brown, Pathways Liaison with RCSD,
288-3130, x 1112 email: Priscilla.Brown@rcsdk12.org - ECMS Office: 274-1400, community@esm.rochester.edu