YOUNG BAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM – Description and Policies

Welcome to the Young Band Development Program! As our private lesson students begin to reach a certain skill level on their instruments, the next natural step is to seek out ways to apply their newfound skills and knowledge. As most students step into the realm of playing with others, they find that being able to play an instrument is only the tip of the iceberg when being in a band. The YBDP was created in order to focus on all the aspects of being in a band, from forming it, to rehearsing it, to performing it. Most students are surprised how so much of the process involves the development of communication, administrative, and business skills. The YBDP exists to develop a foundation in each of these realms.

DESCRIPTION
The YBDP is for young musicians who already have a strong foundation on their instrument, not for beginners. If the student has no experience and is what we consider a “beginner,” he/she must first join private lessons so that a foundation of reading skills, listening skills, and technical skills can be built.

It is STRONGLY recommended that students continue private lessons in addition to the program, because program rehearsals generally focus on a broader picture of playing with other musicians, communicating with others, learning and nurturing leadership skills, preparing for performances, and performing. One on one attention to technique and other valuable foundational skills is limited in this program. BRMS retains the right to assess, over time, the skills of the individuals in the program, and to suggest he/she move back to private lessons for a period of time if we find that the student is having trouble keeping up with the skill requirements of the band.

PLACING THE STUDENTS
The Young Band Development Program puts students who are CLOSE TO the same skill level together to begin learning how to play as a group. It is hard to place all students at the exact same skill level in groups. Each group should only have 1 drummer, 1 bass player, 1 keyboard player, and no more than 2 guitarists and singers. This is to give each student the opportunity to play ALL songs with his/her band. This being said, without a huge pool of young musicians on all instruments signing up to be in the YBDP, skill levels within each group will vary. However, it is our mission to match musicians as closely as possible, to show the musicians how to capitalize on various strengths in order to overcome weaknesses, and for the stronger musicians to empower the weaker musicians.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Rehearsals are twice a month for two hours with an instructor. Extra rehearsals may be called as an event approaches, but extra rehearsals called by the kids OUTSIDE of regularly scheduled rehearsals (with parents helping to coordinate) are strongly encouraged. Taking on this task will further strengthen social and musical relationships with the kids and will help to foster a since of community among the parents.

THE PROCESS IS WHAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON
Regardless of how great the bands turn out, and how many shows they play, and whether or not the become ROCK STARS, the focus of this program is more about developing skills that are essential for success in life no matter what your kids end up doing in life. This program, as with every thing in life, is a work in progress that will require constant development, assessment, and refinement. We ask that you fully understand and respect this idea, and that you support us in a way that exhibits patience and flexibility.

GROUPS CHOSEN TO PERFORM AT EVENTS
Groups chosen to perform at events are at the sole discretion of BRMS. As the program grows, and the number of bands grows, it will become virtually impossible to get every band to perform at every event. BRMS instructors agree to assign bands in a method that is fair and that will not show favoritism to any one band. However, parents must agree upon enrolling their child into the program to trust the decisions made by BRMS as they pertain to choosing particular bands for particular performances. Parents who take a negative approach to questioning why their kid’s band was not chosen for any performance may be asked to remove their child from the program. We encourage constructive criticism of the program and we ask that you voice all concerns to help us improve the efficiency of our program, but we will not tolerate negative intrusion or behavior consistent with the label “Stage Parents.”

THE YBDP SHOWCASE FACILITY AND SOUTH CAMPUS USAGE
Both campuses are used for instructional purposes and our mid-city campus will be used as a performance venue. With prior set up and consent from an administrator, we will grant limited use of our facilities for the students to set up outside rehearsals if they do not have the means to do so at any band member’s home. However, it is important to note that time slot openings at our facilities are extremely limited, and that extra rehearsals must be scheduled during regular working hours for our administrative staff.

PARENT OBSERVATIONS
We welcome the occasional observation by parents. We encourage parents to check out the progress of the band. We also welcome the parents to stay the full two hours in our designated area if the parents so choose in a non-intrusive manner. Many of our parents bring work to do, or arts and crafts to work on while they wait for the rehearsal to be over. However, we will not tolerate constant interruptions by parents who become over zealous and wish to “jump in” to the educational process. By agreeing to do business with BRMS, and upon entering the Young Band Development Program, you are agreeing to step back and allow us to implement, assess, and refine our educational methods, strategies, and procedures without interruption.

TUITION
For students already enrolled in private lessons at BRMS, tuition is a flat rate of $45 per month in addition to the private lesson flat rate.
For students who are only enrolled in the YBDP, tuition is a flat rate of $80 per month.

PAYMENTS
Payments are for the entire month and are to be made in advance by the 10th of each month.

NO SHOWS AND VACATION DAYS
You have agreed to a standing appointment with your band, which has been set in advance. Although your presence is vital to the success and consistent improvement of the band, we understand that things may come up that conflict with regularly scheduled band rehearsals. However, our policy is that when you miss, it is a miss on your part and you are still held accountable for the entire month’s tuition.

All returned checks require immediate cash replacement plus a $30 charge to cover all bank service charges and NSF fees. Student may be dropped from the program after 2 returned checks.

A $10 LATE FEE WIIL BE ENFORCED IF PAYMENTS ARE NOT RECEIVED BY THE 10th OF EACH MONTH!