Early Childhood Attendance*___________

The Early Childhood Department is dedicated to providing as much continuity as possible for students. In the event of student absence, it may be feasible to attend class at a different day or time (depending on available space) and at the discretion of WMS/DMS. Repeated absence without prior notification will result in discontinuance without refund. Make-up classes can only be arranged through your teacher on an individual basis.

If the teacher is ill, WMS/DMS will make every attempt not to cancel the class, but find a substitute instead. Any class missed due to teacher absence will be made up.


Make-up Lessons & Classes*___________

Make-up lessons: Teachers will offer two alternatives for make-up days before lessons are forfeited.

• All make-up lessons are arranged through the instructor.
• All make-up lessons for student illness will be forfeited upon early withdrawal.
• Two missed lessons without prior notification may result in discontinuance without refund.

Make-up classes: Make-up classes will be offered only in the event of teacher cancellation or emergency school closing.


School Closing Due to Inclement Weather___________

If it should become necessary to close the school on a regularly scheduled school day, the Wilmington Branch will post announcements on local radio and TV stations, including WILM 1450 AM, WDEL 1150 AM, WSTW 93.7 FM, WJBR 99.5 FM, KYW 1060 AM and FOX TV 29. For Milford Branch information, tune to WBOC Channel 16, EAGLE 97.7 FM or WGMD 92.7 FM. Lessons, ensembles or classes missed due to school closing will be made up whenever possible. Arrangements will be communicated to students once classes or lessons can resume.


Payment Schedule & Billing___________

Enrollment for classes and ensembles is for the complete school year or as indicated in the class descriptions. Private instruction enrollment is for the entire school year (36 weeks). Payment for each quarter/semester is expected prior to the start of the quarter/semester. Bills are generated by the Business Office on a periodic schedule. Questions regarding billing or current account information should be directed to the Business Office. Tuition rates and any related materials charges are detailed in this Information Guide. Each student is assessed a $75.00 nonrefundable deposit, which is applicable toward all payments due, including the registration fee ($35.00 for the first student; $25.00 for a second student in the same family). Please note: ALL RETURNED CHECKS WILL BE ASSESSED A $25.00 FEE WITHOUT EXCEPTION.


Financial Assistance___________

WMS/DMS administers a financial assistance program intended for families who have restricted financial circumstances. Financial Aid Application Forms are available at the Wilmington or Milford Branch front desks or from the Business Office. The preferred due date for completed Financial Aid Application Forms, with the required supporting documentation, is June 30. Financial aid is applicable to summer and fall enrollment. Families requesting aid must submit a Financial Aid Application Form with supporting documentation for any year in which aid is being requested, even if they have received aid in the past.

Financial assistance is awarded subject to availability of funds. Awards are based on need as documented by the WMS/DMS Financial Aid Application Forms, accompanied by an income tax statement, W-2 form or the last three consecutive paychecks for both parents or guardians, presented at the time of application. Based upon criteria covered on the application form, requests for financial assistance are scored by the Business Office and approved by the President/CEO. Based upon the scoring, award amounts are allocated within the available and budgeted resources of the school. Financial assistance is applied to the student’s bill each quarter/semester, resulting in a reduced fee for lessons/classes actually attended by the student.


Refunds/Discontinuance Policy___________

Should discontinuance be elected by the student/family for any reason, advance written notice is required to process any applicable refund. A completed and signed Discontinuance Form must be on file at WMS/DMS. Forms are available from the Wilmington and Milford Branch front desks. A notice to the teacher is not sufficient. WMS/DMS may impose discontinuance upon any student in the event of excessive absence or excessive late payments. In such a case, the complete balance due as well as any late fees shall be payable in full.

• Enrollment is for the length of the program as stipulated in the descriptions. Discontinuance without penalty only occurs between the fall and spring semesters and requires advance written notice to WMS/DMS before the beginning of the second semester.
• Students ceasing private lessons or classes prior to the end of the fall semester (1st and 2nd quarters) or spring semester (3rd and 4th quarters) are still liable for the full semester’s tuition fees.
• All make-up lessons for student illness will be forfeited upon early withdrawal.
• No refunds are given for class/ensemble tuition after the start of the first class or ensemble.
• No refunds are given for materials fees, registration fees or the $75.00 non-refundable deposit.
• Discontinuance imposed by WMS/DMS for poor attendance is not subject to any refund, and balance due for the semester shall remain payable.
• Early Childhood enrollment is for an entire school year, unless written notice is given in advance of the first class of the semester. There are no refunds for materials fees, registration fees or deposits. There are no refunds for class tuition after the start of the first class.
• Temporary discontinuance may be elected if a student should miss three or more consecutive lessons due to an extreme case of illness (e.g., broken bone). The Registrar or Milford Branch Office Manager must be informed of the exact dates of absence before the temporary discontinuance begins. Notice to the teacher is not sufficient. All tuition fees are paid in full for all missed lessons. The teacher is obligated to make up half of the missed lessons.

Instrument Rental___________

WMS/DMS has a limited supply of rental instruments with availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are responsible for maintenance of instruments (e.g., string and reed replacement, cleaning) and any repair costs due to damage. Rental fee is $40.00 per 9-week quarter.


Piano/Keyboard Instrument Requirements___________

The piano faculty strongly recommends that every WMS/DMS piano student have regular access to a standard and well-maintained acoustic piano. Important reasons for this include the need for students to have a closer physical connection to their sound production, as well as the fact that most lessons and performances inside and outside WMS/DMS take place on acoustic pianos. If families of beginning/elementary piano students already own a digital piano and are unable to afford an acoustic piano, their digital piano must meet the following minimum specifications:

• Piano keyboard must have 88 keys with graded action to reproduce the key weight and dynamic range of an acoustic piano.
• Voicing must contain the “Grand Piano” setting and be stereo sampled.
• Keyboard should have an ample stand to allow a proper sitting position and have functioning pedals to offer the damper and una corda (soft pedal) options.
• Parents must make plans to acquire an acoustic piano within one to two years of the student’s initiation of piano study at WMS/DMS.

All questions and concerns should be directed to the Wilmington Branch Registrar or the Milford Branch Office Manager and prospective piano instructor.


Special Needs/Disabilities___________

WMS/DMS serves people with special needs and developmental or physical disabilities. When registering, those with special needs or circumstances are asked to volunteer pertinent information so that the best placement can be made for the student. WMS/DMS facilities are ADA compliant, and an elevator permits easy access to the second floor of the Wilmington Branch.


Photo Releases___________

WMS/DMS reserves the right and permission to publish any photographs/images taken at The Wilmington Music School/Delaware Music School or at off-site WMS/DMS functions. People enrolled at or employed by WMS/DMS must sign a photo release form (included in registration/employment packets), which provides permission to use photos/images and releases all claims with respect to copyright ownership and publications, including any claim for compensation related to use of the materials. Photos/images may be used in print, electronic or video format, including but not limited to newsletters, brochures, flyers, press releases, advertising, the annual info guide, the school’s website and other promotional materials.



*Credits in place of a make-up lesson or class will be offered at the sole discretion of WMS/DMS.