Thank you for your interest in the Fox River Academy!

Although classes, private lessons and performances may be scheduled from mornings until late evenings seven days a week, our front desk may be closed during these hours.

The Academy office is open six days a week (Monday through Saturday), with hours:

Monday through Friday from 12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Saturday from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Inquiries, questions, and payments by phone may be done to our main telephone number (630-551-4321).

Email inquiries and correspondence may be sent to info@foxriveracademy.com.

Correspondence and payments may be mailed to: Fox River Academy of Music and Art, 26 W. Van Buren Street, Oswego, Illinois 60543.

We enjoy having the opportunity to develop relationships with all of our customers and work very hard to accommodate our students and their families in the best way that we can. Although our small business office may become a bit overwhelmed at specific times of the year, our students are very important to us, and we will strive to contact each student as soon as we can, and devote the time and attention each customer’s inquiry or question requires.

Instrumental or vocal study can be a very rewarding, exciting, and fulfilling experience.

If this is your first time studying an instrument, it is important to remember that music study requires not only a strong interest and appreciation for music, but also a time commitment to regular practice that extends beyond the weekly session you have with your teacher. Consistent practice will help you achieve regular progress, and also instill confidence (in areas such as performance). It is also important that practice be done on an instrument in favorable condition. Instruments in disrepair or out of tune can affect student development in areas of ear training, technique, and overall execution.

If you need a recommendation for purchasing, renting, or repairing an instrument, please consult your instructor.

Learning to play an instrument is a gradual process that involves many months (and years!) of regular practice and study. It is an art form that is both personal and group-involved, and is very fulfilling and rewarding. Music study is also something one can do at any age, and can continue through the rest of one’s life. Every individual possesses gifts in many areas, and music is no exception. Students all have strengths in different areas of music—perhaps you are an “ear” player, or have an aptitude for technique or sight-reading…whatever the case may be, your teacher is customizing your music study to help enhance your natural talents, and also to assist you in focusing on areas that may need more attention.

Because of factors such as natural ability, experience, and age, your music study may involve using different materials than another student beginning lessons at the same time, and may advance at a different pace. Certain instruments require students to focus on certain techniques prior to working on large-scale pieces or ensemble repertoire. So be patient—you may not be working on a Mozart Sonata in the first few months of study, but you’re definitely on your way towards developing your own unique musical talent.

Please feel free to communicate with your instructor if you have questions on specific aspects of your musical curriculum.

Twice each year, our music students participate in our Evaluated Performance program.

Evaluations provide the opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to receive valuable input regarding student progress on their instrument. Instead of having their regular lesson, students sign out a specified evaluation date and time on our evaluation schedule sheets (usually found in our waiting room beginning in April and October). For their evaluation, students perform one exercise/warm up, one sight-reading or rhythm excerpt, and one selection of music for a panel of teachers. Teachers then evaluate the student’s performance on a number of factors, such as technical agility and execution, memorization, pitch and rhythmic accuracy, and musicality (dynamics, appropriate tempo) and fill out a student evaluation form with this information. Students receive a First, Second, or Third Place ranking to acknowledge their participation and hard work, which is handed back or emailed to the student/family. Additionally, a copy of the completed forms will be provided to the student’s teacher, for the teacher to review. The performance evaluation takes place of your regularly scheduled lesson for the week.

The Fox River Academy is recognized as a Founding School in the State of Illinois for the Royal Conservatory Music Program. As part of the music program, students have the chance to be evaluated by an official adjudicator (selected by Royal Conservatory staff) and participate in a nationally recognized standard that offers students opportunities from music scholarships to national awards and performance opportunities. The program is rigorous yet allows students to develop at their own pace, effectively accommodating many types of learners and age levels. We are thrilled to incorporate the Royal Conservatory’s program as part of the Fox River Academy! For more information, please contact our main office or visit their website by visiting https://www.rcmusic.com/.

In addition to private music study, the Fox River Academy has several opportunities for students to explore areas of music performance. Several of our instructors have Performance Groups or Ensembles built directly into their curriculum (to take place of a private lesson for that week) as a way to expose students to group repertoire or performance. String students have the option of participation in our weekly Suzuki Group program. Some instructors have ensembles that are audition-only for students interested in studying and performing in groups (such as our Rock Ensembles). The Academy arranges for these groups to participate in various public performances, as well as regular recitals.

Students have several opportunities for recital performance at the Academy. Once a year, we have a full academy Winter Recital (usually in February) for all students. Over several weekends, students may sign out a recital time that is convenient for their schedule. Sometimes teachers designate a specific date and time for their students to participate. Smaller performances may be held on campus; for larger groups, the Academy arranges for an outside location to accommodate the larger number of students and audience members. Several of our instructors also arrange for other instrument-specific recitals periodically over the course of the year, and may include opportunities for other types of performances (such as accompanists or chamber players). Formal recital opportunities incorporate a $5 charge per participant.

The Fox River Academy is also active in community service through music performances and art events. Various venues (from coffee houses to fundraiser events) are available for students to sign-up and perform. Students may also earn community service hours for participating. Community service opportunities are free for participating students.

Students begin their enrollment by filling out our Student Registration Paperwork and Policy and Guidelines. It is also required that a deposit (equaling the amount of student’s first lesson) be made with our office before the student’s first lesson is scheduled to take place, in order to hold the student’s slot. Student date and time slots are not guaranteed until lesson deposit is received by Fox River Academy office staff. NOTE: Date/time slots MUST be directly confirmed with our office staff by phone or email before any time slot is reserved.

Students have the option to schedule one lesson (trial) with a particular teacher. Trial lesson charges are billed according to the duration of the scheduled lesson (30, 45, or 60 minutes), and the rate of their designated instructor. After the student’s trial lesson has taken place, the student determines whether or not they wish to continue, with payment towards the remaining quarter balance (by either in full or auto pay arrangement) due in order to hold the student’s time slot. Students need to contact our office before their next scheduled lesson (up to at least 24 hours before) to confirm full enrollment. Failure to do so will result in removal from the teacher’s schedule and may be returned to a teacher’s waiting list. After confirmation, students are enrolled from their start date (initial lesson) through the end of the quarter they started in.

Tuition invoices are generated approximately 3-4 weeks before the beginning of each quarter (four times a year), or at the start of student’s enrollment at the Academy. Your invoice for each quarter indicates the type of class or lessons enrolled, the number of lessons/classes scheduled for the upcoming (or current) quarter, and when applicable, any tuition discounts or adjustments. If there are any adjustments, credits, or an outstanding balance, an Account Statement is generated showing balances/credits along with any payments made to the Academy towards balance due.

Tuition adjustments/credits are made at the end of the quarter they occurred in, and are reflected in the proceeding quarter’s invoice/statement. If at any time you notice a discrepancy on your account statement, please contact our office staff, so that we can make sure any required changes are entered in your records.

In order to confirm registration/continuation of lessons/class enrollment, payment towards tuition is due before the first week of each quarter or class. For private lesson tuition, payments may be made (1) in full for the quarter by cash, check, or credit, (2) be divided into three payments through signing up for our auto pay option, debited on the first of each month, or (3) paid yearly (cash/check/credit) with a 10% discount off the total. Students beginning lessons during a particular quarter will be pro- rated for the remainder of the quarter, with the first payment due the week of student’s first lesson.

Student accounts must be paid in full by the conclusion of the current quarter they are enrolled in to be current and in order to be re-enrolled for the next quarter. If special circumstances exist that interfere with completion of tuition payment, students must contact our office at (630) 551-4321 before the completion of the current quarter in order to make payment arrangements.

Accounts that do not submit payment before the first week of class will be charged a $25.00 late fee, and will enter a two-week probationary period. Accounts that are due past the conclusion of the probationary period without payment arrangement to our office will be considered delinquent and lessons suspended until account is brought to current status. Upon returning to regular enrollment status, accounts that are temporarily suspended are not guaranteed same date/time slots previously held.

Once continuation is confirmed, students are enrolled and billed for quarterly or designated class duration. As a courtesy to our continuing students, lesson slots are held and are “rolled over” into future quarters; unless the student has notified the Academy office (see “Discontinuation of Lessons” below), students are automatically re-enrolled in the next quarter with the same teacher, date, and time at the quarter’s conclusion (excepting special arrangements from teacher, or transitions requiring specific schedule changes such as between Spring/Summer and Summer/Fall Quarter). Although reservation of a specific time slot is automatically done from quarter to quarter, full confirmation of enrollment must be completed by submittal of tuition payment to the Fox River Academy office (see “Registration and Tuition Payment” above).

Several of our students choose to participate in their lessons through virtual learning; these students may attend their lessons in this format either on a periodic or consistent basis. By arranging and confirming your online lesson appointment through the Fox River Academy’s main office or your teacher directly, you are agreeing to be present for your music lesson with your teacher at the specified date and time. Occasionally, there may be issues with streaming, sound, and visual quality, or other technically related issues during a student’s lesson time; we ask that students, their families, and teachers be flexible and fair in working with the format of online learning. The Fox River Academy primarily uses Zoom Meetings for our virtual lessons- however, our studio and its instructors utilize multiple methods (including but not limited to Skype, Google Duo, Facetime) for Online Learning and any option may be employed should families and teachers prefer another way to conduct their online lessons. In addition to their weekly lesson, teachers and students may choose to incorporate other vehicles of online instruction to enhance their student’s learning experience, such as pre-made videos, sound recordings, and other avenues.

Current FRAMA policies concerning cancellations, no-shows, and makeup lessons will also apply to mutually arranged online lesson appointments. Our FRAMA office has requested to teachers that they exercise flexibility in scheduling when concerning possible make-up lessons with students. If lessons must be discontinued, the two weeks notice period (from the last scheduled lesson appointment) remains in effect for virtual as well as in-person lessons.

The Academy office is open six days a week (Monday through Saturday).

Monday – Friday 12:00-6:00pm

Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm

NOTE: Special holiday hours may exist for Winter Break, Spring Break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, etc. Our campus may be open on Sundays for special events, seminars, and recitals.

Inquiries, questions, and payments by phone may be done to our main telephone number (630-551-4321). You may contact Office Manager Tamara after hours at 630-779-8703. Email inquiries and correspondence may be sent to tam@foxriveracademy.com. Correspondence and payments may be mailed to: Fox River Academy of Music and Art, 26 W. Van Buren St, Oswego, Illinois 60543. Although classes, private lessons and performances may be scheduled from mornings until late evenings seven days a week, our main office may not be open during hours of general operation.

We enjoy having the opportunity to develop relationships with all of our customers and work very hard to accommodate our students and their families in the best way that we can. Although our business office may become a bit overwhelmed at specific times of the year, our students and their families are very important to us. We will strive to contact each student as soon as we can, and devote the time and attention each customer’s inquiry or question requires.

The Fox River Academy is a safe and comfortable learning environment where every student should feel confident enough to explore their potential and perform their best. We encourage students to respect and show courtesy to other students and teachers, and have a no-tolerance policy of bullying, discrimination, or other destructive behavior between students, their families, and teachers. If a problem arises, the Academy will address the situation accordingly; further investigation may result in immediate termination of student enrollment. Additionally, the Fox River Academy and its instructors pledge to protect our students, and report suspected abuse or neglect (physical, mental mistreatment) through the Illinois Mandated Reporting system with DCFS.

Problems with excessive lack of attendance, lack of practice or lesson preparation, or inappropriate or disrespectful behavior towards other students and teachers will be addressed directly with the student and their family, by issuing communication outlining the specific areas where improvement is expected and providing means of contact to discuss further. At the conclusion of the quarter, the student’s performance and effort will be reviewed by their teacher, and a decision made regarding student status (removal from probation, termination of enrollment).

When a student cancels a private lesson with a teacher, they may make up any missed or cancelled classes by signing up for a Performance Clinic, which takes place once a month on selected Saturdays. For the Performance Clinic, students perform a work (or a section of a piece) they are currently studying in their private lessons, and receive coaching on various performance techniques. Performance Clinic sessions are available throughout the year, and students are more than welcome to choose any designated Saturday that is most convenient for their schedule. Many students find this class to be greatly constructive, especially before a recital or performance. Performance sign-up sheets are on bulletin board in the Academy waiting area or electronically available– feel free to call our office for dates and availability (we usually have the Performance Dates for the current quarter posted). If low attendance is predicted for a specific month, the Academy will call all students on the Friday before a scheduled clinic to cancel and sign-up student for a future class. NOTE: student-cancelled or missed lessons not arranged to be made up (either by attending a Performance Clinic or by other special arrangements through the teacher) CANNOT be credited or deducted from student tuition.

Because number of students designated to participate in each of our group classes (in order to ensure optimal instruction) is limited, students needing to cancel a date for a group class (such as for an Art Class, Theory Class, etc.) will not be able to schedule a make-up for the missed session. Teacher-cancelled group lessons will either be rescheduled with a make-up date, or credited to student’s tuition.

When a teacher cancels a lesson, the teacher will attempt to schedule an alternate date and time for the missed session. Any teacher cancellations that cannot be made up WILL be credited to student tuition in the following quarter. If you receive your tuition invoice for the next quarter, and a teacher cancellation meant to be credited is not reflected in your statement, please notify the Academy office so we will investigate and make any adjustments necessary.

The Fox River Academy will announce any switch to virtual learning (and campus closing) due to adverse weather conditions on or after 10:00 A.M. the day of transition. This information may be found by calling the Academy directly; any closings will be recorded on the voicemail of our answering system message and also be posted on the front page of our website and/or on social media. In addition, teachers may directly contact their student(s) and suggest switching to an online/virtual format for lessons if the instructor or student is sick or otherwise have been advised not to be around other people due to illness.

If a student wishes to discontinue lessons with a teacher, it is required that they notify the Academy office (along with their teacher) at least two weeks prior to the date and time of their last lesson. Students not notifying the Academy office of intention to discontinuing lessons will be charged for two weeks’ tuition from the first date of non- attendance or notification. If a student does not show up for a scheduled lesson, and fails to contact our office staff regarding their student status, the student’s lesson slot will be held for two weeks of “no-shows” (no appearance, no call) and then removed from the teacher’s schedule. Per Academy policy, student accounts will be charged for the two weeks of non-attendance.

Students wishing to discontinue lessons at the end of a particular quarter must notify our Academy office at least two weeks prior to the conclusion of that particular quarter. Failure to notify our office of discontinuing lessons will result in student accounts being charged from the date of student notification to our office staff, or for the two weeks into the next quarter. The Fox River Academy does not issue tuition refunds unless there are discrepancies due to teacher or administration error (teacher cancellations, etc.).

Any changes to the Fox River Academy policies, programs, and guidelines will be issued in writing to our students at least 30 days prior to implementation of changes. By initially signing our policy sheet, student consents to current Academy policies and agrees to any future amendments/changes (following the 30-day period).

Because of the high number of children in person on our campus each week, the Fox River Academy has chosen to adopt the CDC guidelines for COVID-19 exposure protocols. Any future changes/adaptations made to this policy (or to the policy of the CDC) will be provided in writing to our student body through email.

The Fox River Academy follows the current guidelines for mask-wearing as outlined by the CDC and the local Health Department (LHD).