Registration Policies

Private Lessons and Music Therapy Sessions will run September 9th, 2026 - June 14th, 2027 according to the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar.

Students who pay in full at the time of registration are committing to the full academic year of 34 lessons. All other students are enrolled on a monthly basis with a fixed monthly payment deducted automatically via bank draft or credit card.

All lessons and monthly charges will continue based on the academic calendar unless written notice of withdrawal is received by the NCMS Office by the last day of the month.

NCMS reserves the right to transfer all live lessons to a remote format temporarily due to weather or permanently depending on the associated risk factors at any given time.

NCMS asks that all notification of absences or tardies for all lessons are sent directly to the Main Office by e-mail, phone, or MakeMusic Studio (FONS) message. This message will be relayed to the teacher by the Main Office in a timely manner.

• Regular and punctual attendance is expected at all scheduled lessons.

• NCMS allows only three (3) make-up lessons per academic year, due to an excused student absence. An absence is considered excused if the NCMS office is notified by email, phone call, or via Fons messenger no later than 24 hours prior to the start time of the scheduled lesson. Only excused absences are eligible for a makeup lesson.

• Failure to provide cancellation notice at least 24 hours prior to the time of the scheduled lesson is considered a 'No Show' for the lesson and will not be eligible for a make up lesson.

• Students should NOT attend lessons when sick. In the event of illness, the instructor and the student may opt to use Zoom to complete their lesson.

• A make-up lesson shall be typically scheduled during the predetermined makeup weeks defined by the school calendar. In addition, the student and the instructor may schedule a makeup lesson at an alternate mutually convenient time.

• All lessons must be made up by the last day of the academic year (note make up lesson weeks via the NCMS Academic Calendar) for which the student was registered.

• When private lessons are cancelled by the instructors, the office will notify all affected students immediately. A make-up lesson will be offered at the next available mutually convenient time. In addition, the school reserves the right to use a substitute instructor.

• Note: No make-ups or refunds are given in the summer semester.

Students of the Nashua Community Music School may rent instruments directly from NCMS for an additional fee of $20 per month. Instruments must be returned upon withdrawal. If the instrument is not returned within 30 days of the final lesson date, NCMS will charge the card on file an additional fee of $300.

Most string instrument rentals are processed with our partner Bridges & Bows. Violin, violas, & cellos come in different sizes. New string students are recommended to be sized by their teacher at their first lesson. Once you know your student’s size, please fill out this form here. And your instrument will be delivered to NCMS in time for your second lesson.

• The initial $99 payment for Private Lessons & Music Therapy is nonrefundable in all cases.

• Students who pay monthly for Private Music Lessons and Music Therapy may withdraw by submitting written notice by the end of the month to the NCMS Main Office at info@nahsuacms.org. All charges scheduled on the 15th on the next month and forward will be stopped upon receipt.

• Students who Paid in Full are not eligible for withdrawals or refunds.

• Students enrolled in Group Programs may withdraw up until seven (7) days prior to the first class with full refund. No refunds will be given to students for group programs, regardless of the status of their payment plan, once classes have begun.

• Withdrawals due to medical or family emergencies are exceptions to this policy and should be sent in writing to the Executive Director lindsay.rinaldi@nashuacms.org for approval. Requests will be considered jointly by the Executive Director and the NCMS Executive Board of Directors, as necessary. A response to all requests will be received within 2 weeks of the submission.

• We encourage students who experience recurring time conflicts to take advantage of our flexible scheduling and lesson share options, please see Flexible Scheduling for All Students.

NCMS offers flexible scheduling for all students. This means that if a recurring conflict arises, students may permanently switch their lesson time to an alternate available lesson time at any point throughout the academic year. This policy allows students to commit to taking lessons throughout the full academic year, but not necessarily to the time slot or lesson initially selected. Weekly adjustments for 1 time conflicts are not permitted, unless special exceptions are made by the individual instructor.

NCMS offers the opportunity to share your lessons with another member in your immediate household. If a recurring time conflict arises and an alternate lesson time is not available or does not fit the student’s intended schedule, the remaining lessons may be permanently transferred to an alternate member of the same household for immediate use. All billing will continue as regularly scheduled, regardless of the transfer.

Refunds or make-ups are not given for withdrawals from group classes, ensembles or summer camps unless the course is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment or program cancellation by NCMS.

NOTE: No make-ups or refunds are given in the summer semester. Please plan your summer classes/camps carefully.

All minors who wish to enter and exit the building without parental supervision must fill out a permission slip with the Main Office.

Summer Camps: Only parents, family and friends listed on the Camper Health Form will be authorized to pick-up the camper. The adult must present a photo ID when picking up the camper.

When the facility is closed due to inclement weather, all in person private lessons will be transferred to a remote format or offered an alternative makeup time, depending on the instructor.

Cancellation of classes or lessons due to weather will be:

• posted on social media

• announced on WMUR channel 9 in NH and on the WMUR website

• posted on the Home Page of the NCMS website

• found on our voicemail.

• All students and those accompanying them are expected to behave in an appropriate manner.

• Any individual who disrupts the peace, or causes any damage to property will be asked to leave at the discretion of the Executive Director or appropriate staff member present. They will be allowed to return at the discretion of the Executive Director. If it is decided that the person is not welcome back, no refund will be given.

Upon registration you agree to the following Photo/Video Policy:

Photos and videos of music school activities are occasionally taken. In all cases, NCMS reserves the right to use all photos and videos of music school activities in printed and or digital marketing materials, on our website, or on social media.

If you or your child does not wish to be photographed or recorded, please opt out by submitting your preference in writing to the main office via info@nashuacms.org.

If you or a member of your household has tested positive for COVID, please do not attend any music school activities.

Necessary adjustments to all programming may occur at any time depending on recommendations by the CDC, the actions of the Nashua Public Schools, and the status of the overall health climate in NH.

NCMS reserves the right to adjust our mask policy at any time to best protect our students and teachers. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.