TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR Music LESSONS AT BRING THE NOISE DRUM ACADEMY AS OF TERM 1 & 2, 2024/2025
The following Terms and Conditions apply to all session agreements made between Bring The Noise Music Academy, its musicians and the parents / carers of “the musician” (meaning student) and includes references to Bring The Noise (BTN).
The Terms and Conditions described below may seem relatively strict but they have been made to be as fair as possible for both client and provider. As BTN is a social enterprise that functions with minimal margins, such lines in the sand have had to be drawn and are not a reflection of how awesome the majority of the BTN Family is. They are a reflection of the small margin of people that have taken advantage and never paid for services rendered that jeopardize the livelihood of this business. BTN tries to approach each individual case in good faith with an open ear in hopes that you will also approach BTN in the same manner. There will be times that the terms and conditions are more in favour of BTN but there are other times that they are more in favour of the parent/caregiver and musician.
1. TERM DATES
1a. Session weeks at BTN roughly adhere to the British Columbian
Educational School Terms. However, there are occasional differences and our
dates are sent out well in advance.
1b. At all times it is the responsibility of the musician and caregivers to be aware of the first and last dates of the year at BTN.
2. COMMUNICATIONS
2a. All correspondence is sent out to the musician/caregivers by Teacher Zone, email or phone. If this causes a problem, please let Zac Gauthier know via email at: www.btndrumacademy@gmail.com
2b. It is the responsibility of the musician/caregivers to make BTN aware of any changes to their contact details. BTN will not be held responsible for any missed communications, late / overdue payments, missed sessions, etc. if this is due to incorrect contact information.
3. TIMETABLING OF SESSiONS
3a. The musician/caregivers will be informed of the session day, time and the date of their first session before their session commences through the Teacher Zone app, by phone, in person or by email. BTN will aim to confirm all the session details by email, but does not guarantee that this will be the case if it deems sufficient confirmation has been provided by other means.
3b. Site-based sessions - if the agreed session times or days need to be changed, the musician/caregivers will be contacted as far in advance as possible.
4. Attendance & ABSENCES
Session times are standing appointments; a musician’s session time is reserved fort hem and their group each week, and it is their responsibility to attend.
Parents/Guardians should commit to a time at the academy that they are confident in.
*However, please be assured that your tuition pays for far more than the time spent during a session, should you miss a scheduled session day.
4a. Group Sessions –
4.a.i. No catch-up sessions or credits will be provided for an individual's absence from a group session at Bring The Noise Drum Academy. This includes giving any amount of heads up. We cannot provide make up sessions for any reason. With that said, we will definitely take time to create custom assignments for the musician to work on at home so that progress can continue.
4.a.ii. Where a BTN Coach is not able to run a session, due to illness or a vehicle / mechanical failure, We will arrange for either a substitute coach OR for the missed session to be caught up at a time that suits the affected group and will endeavour to notify the families of the catch up session.
4.a.iii. If a musician is unable to join their session, due to illness or for any other reason. The coach will provide material that can be worked on from home so that progress can still be made.
4.b. It is only by managerial discretion that customer credit is placed on a families account to the value of a missed session. Customer credit is not transferable for money but will be used at the earliest convenience - usually the next month’s fees.
4.b.i. If BTN cancels any sessions due to events out of its control, customer credit may be given at the discretion of BTN management.
4.c. If a musician is absent for more than three weeks due to medical reasons, a credit may be given, at the discretion of BTN management.
5. DURATION OF THE sESSiON AGREEMENT - ONGOING
5a. The session agreement between BTN and the musician is a rolling agreement that continues into each new month.
5b. The musicians are billed monthly until a cancellation notice is received, as discussed below.
6. CANCELLING THE session AGREEMENT
6a. If the musician wishes to cancel the session agreement with BTN, formal notice must be received by BTN Management at least two weeks prior to the intended last session. It is highly recommended that musicians finish strong. If cancellations have to happen, BTN recommends term end dates instead of middle of the road cancellations.
6b. Verbal notice given to the coach will not be acted upon and is not considered sufficient unless confirmed in writing to BTN main office by the musician.
6c. Exceptions on medical grounds may be made to this as decided by BTN management.
6d. No refund or credit will be given for any cancellations part way through a fixed length programme.
6e. If BTN has to cancel a lesson agreement it will endeavour to give two weeks’ notice to the musician. Any sessions remaining after the sessions end date will be credited to the musicians account if payment has already been made.
6f. If, in exceptional circumstances, BTN has to cancel the musicians sessions due to damage of BTN property or harassment of BTN staff by the musician, this may be done with no notice and no credit or refund for any outstanding sessions.
7. PAYMENTS
7a. BTN runs an automated credit monthly subscription.
7b. If for some reason, credit/debit is not possible, CASH payments are the only other option and are to be made in person on the 1st of the month.
8. TUITION FEES & ACCOUNTING
8a. The musician is billed on an automated monthly system like any other monthly subscription.
8a.i. A yearly, non-refundable $50.00 per musician registration fee is due prior to starting sessions with BTN.
8b. Full payment must be received before the new term starts, be it through the automated system or in cash.
8c. Penalties for late payments will be applied as per the below.
9. PENALTIES
9a. Overdue accounts can accrue penalties of $25 when overdue for 28 days and $15 for every following 14 day period.
9.a.i. LATE PAYMENT Penalties will be added to accounts that are 28 days in arrears. If the account remains overdue, further penalties will be added every 14 days.
9.a.ii. The student is responsible for any and all charges that their bank may levy for rejecting any payment to BTN.
9b. BTN does reserve the right to temporarily and fully suspend musicians from sessions with unpaid term fees during term time. A temporary suspension means that BTN will keep the session time slot available for the musician in the hopes that payment will be made. A full suspension means that BTN has the right to fill the musicians session time slot with another musician from the waitlist.
9c. Debt Collection details.
9.c.i. Payments more than 30 days in arrear may be handed over to Credit Consultants Group B.C Ltd for debt collection.
9.c.ii. BTN will attempt numerous contacts prior to resorting to this unfortunate measure. 9.c.iii. All costs incurred for sending an account for debt collection are added to the musicians outstanding balance.
10. PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING
10.a. BTN may use film or still photographs of musicians for appropriate promotional purposes.
10.b. You (or your parent/guardians if you are under 18 years of age) must inform BTN in writing at any time if you will not allow the use of such images.
11. CHANGES TO THE TERMS & CONDITIONS
11.a. The Terms and Conditions described above are agreed to upon enrolment and may be changed at any point by BTN without providing notice to the pupil. A copy of the Terms and Conditions will always be available on the website and may be emailed to the student/caregivers on request.
12. PERFORMANCES
12.a. Academy recitals and performances offer musicians a great sense of accomplishment and pride for their hard work. They also help them learn the importance of setting and achieving goals through project based learning and will allow musicians to grow in self-confidence as they perform together before an audience.
12.b. Our academy recitals are not intended to be an “overly stressful” experience, but an event to share the music that has been learned with family and friends.
12.c. Recitals are typically scheduled for end of year in June.
Time and date of recitals will be announced in enough time for families to plan their schedules for the events.
13. CONTACT DETAILS
For all general enquiries: btndrumacademy@gmail.com
For all absence notifications: please utilize BTN’s software program, Opus1 or email us at btn.jamie@gmail.com
Bring The Noise Drum Academy is located at 1265 Ellis St in Kelowna BC.
FAQ’S
The Academy roughly adheres to the BC school districts schedule. Upon becoming a musician with BTN, you will receive the studio calendar for breaks and days off.
What if the weather is brutal and we can’t make it? In the event of impassible snow and ice during the winter months, the coach will spend the session time creating a custom assignment for the musicians to work on at home that will support continued progress. No lessons will be made up due to the weather.
What about unforeseen emergencies? In the case of emergencies if musicians are not able to attend sessions at the academy, the coach will again spend the session time creating custom assignments to work on at home.
How much practice is my child supposed to do at home?
When you enroll with BTN, you agree to participate in consistent, weekly practice on the your instrument so that individual progress can be made. This ensures that as a group, we grow together and build solid community!
As a parent or guardian, what can I do to best support the drummer in our family? We encourage all parents and guardians to be a positive, healthy role model for building long lasting habits such as weekly practice. BTN will make sure that budding musicians have engaging music and healthy relationships inside the sessions, at a proper level that they will enjoy learning. We completely understand that there will be weeks that “life” will happen, and drum practice will not get done. It’s more about seeing a general overall, forward momentum in each session, and so much of that takes place in at-home time on the drum pad and drum set.
What do I get with my monthly subscription to BTN Music Academy?
TUITION RESERVES YOUR WEEKLY SESSION TIME SLOT & ACADEMY MEMBERSHIP. It also covers the cost of, but not limited to, the following:
Session planning, preparation/supplies and selection of music for musicians in training.
Paid memberships that BTN belongs to, which are invaluable educational resources.
Music learning software, apps and technology investments used in sessions.
Cleaning and sanitizing products for the academy.
Instrument maintenance/purchase of instruments.
Recitals: Coach’s time and preparation for and at all events.
Community gatherings.
Academy taxes, insurance and overall academy upkeep.
Coach’s experience and continued education
…. And MUCH more!