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 you become part of ECMS and 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
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 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 an optional class in addition to the private lesson at no additional cost.
- Pathways will financially support qualified students' work toward a 2-year diploma; courses taken in addition to this will be the financial responsibility 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 class regardless of the level 3 ruling.
- It is anticipated that scholarships 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.
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 on time
- Bring music and instrument to lessons or chorus
- Practice daily; come prepared to lessons
- Chorus & ensemble students will participate in all concerts
- Fulfill all performance requirements. See section on Recital and Performance Requirements.
- Fulfill the expectations of their private teachers at Eastman
Parents/Guardians Commitment and Responsibilities
- Help the student complete an annual Eastman Pathways registration form
- Ensure the student’s instrument is kept in good repair
- Pay $20 annual registration fee plus any tuition not covered by the Eastman Pathways Scholarship
- Pay required fee of up to $25 per semester for theory materials for class
- Purchase music and/or instrumental supplies as requested by the ECMS teacher (Please let the program coordinator know if this is a hardship.)
- Provide transportation to and from lessons and concerts
- Attend the annual orientation program in the spring with the student
- Support the student’s musical progress by attending recitals or concerts on which the student participates
- Notify ECMS teachers in advance of any student absence
- Notify the ECMS office of address or phone changes.
- Let the ECMS teacher know of any problems that may be impeding the student’s musical progress.
Financial Information
There will be a fee of up to $25 per semester for theory books or duplicating fee depending on course taken.
Parents must 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 on the form as a dependent. If the 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 audition date, usually about May 1. 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.
Billing
- Parents or guardians of Pathways students will receive bills at the beginning of each semester even if you have a full scholarship.
- All accepted Pathways students must pay an annual $20 registration fee and the cost of a textbook. If the fee has not been paid at the Orientation, it will be listed on the bill.
- Students taking a theory class will be charged a theory materials fee of up to $25 depending on the course taken.
- If the scholarship is for full tuition, the "balance due" at the bottom should read $0.00.
- If the scholarship is for partial tuition assistance, the balance due will be the amount due after the scholarship has been subtracted.
- If the scholarship recipient elects to register for a course in addition to the one offered through the scholarship, the bill will indicate a fee for such class.
- If the student elects to increase lesson time beyond the 30-minute 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 first full week 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 will contact the student. Efforts will be made to meet students' schedules, however it will be necessary to first accommodate teachers' existing schedules.
- Please notify both your private teachers and ECMS office with any address or phone changes in order for them to be able to contact you.
Missed Lessons
- Students are expected to notify the private and/or class teacher 24 hours in advance of any absence. Please call your teacher directly. If there is no cell or studio phone, call the ECMS office at 274-1400. By calling in advance you may be able to reschedule your lesson for a different day.
- Unexcused absences (absences not reported in advance) will be reported through the Progress Report to the parent, RCSD Music Teacher, and the coordinator of Pathways.
- If a student has three unexcused absences, 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.
- Missed classes can be made-up by attending alternate sections of the same class with permission of the instructor.
Curriculum
- Each instrument being taught in ECMS has a curriculum that is used as a guide for the student to 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 Calendars and Schedules on our ECMS website then scroll down for dates specific to the Pathways and ECMS holidays.
- 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.
- ECMS teaches 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.
- There are three categories of recitals: Youth, General and Advanced. There is an appropriate level recital for each student. Recitals are held in Howard Hanson Hall, Hatch Hall, Messinger Hall. or 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 required of all students in private lessons with the exception of 1st year students whose teachers concur. Students performing at NYSSMA level 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 ECMS reserves the right, upon evaluation by the student's ECMS teacher, to place a student 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 at school 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 and parent.
- In addition, a performance jury or exam is given to all students in private lessons at the end of each academic year. It is expected that through annual exams students will show progress through the curricular levels.
- 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. If a student participates at any time in behavior or activity that is not in keeping with Eastman Pathways standards and the school Principal or music teacher can no longer recommend the student for continuation, 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 Coordinator.
- 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 on the last report card, the scholarship will be
- At the ECMS first marking period, student receiving an ECMS grade of C or lower will be placed on ECMS probation. If the lesson grade is not raised by the end of the year, the scholarship will not be renewed. If the class grade is not raised, the student will not be eligible for a class the following year.
- 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, being 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.
First Niagra's "Mentoring Matters": Recommended students are paired with an Eastman Collegiate student of like instrument. Various Saturday student workshops are offered.
Accompanists
- To encourage all of our students to participate in recitals each year, each student is granted two accompanist 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 website for specifics.
- The use of the accompanist for additional rehearsals and performances outside and not affiliated with Eastman (e.g., NYSSMA), are the financial responsibility of the parent/student.
College Information Session
- In the fall, learn about the various careers in music at our annual college information session with Ruth Cahn, Director or Music Horizons.
Courses
- Once qualified to enroll, ECMS offers one music course at no extra cost. (See What the Scholarship Includes for clarification.)
- 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.
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Chorus Students
Please note that all 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 that may lead toward the ECMS Diploma.
- Any student interested in working towards a Diploma must declare their intent with the ECMNS office staff. The office witll then keep track of your progress.
- Diplomas are awarded in June at the ECMS Commencement Ceremony upon completion of all requirements listed in the Diploma brochure.
- See Diplomas and Certificates for complete information
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
- Courtney Johnson, Pathways Liaison with RCSD,
288-3130, x 1113 email: Courtney.Johnson@rcsdk12.org
- ECMS Office: 274-1400, community@esm.rochester.edu
Last updated: June 13, 2011