School Calendar, Fees & FAQs

Download 2026-2027 Fall Semester Calendar

Our academic year is divided into three semesters, two 15-week semesters, Fall and Spring, and a flexible summer session and new students can enroll throughout the year. We encourage students to enroll for the full year to gain the most benefit from their instruction.

REGISTRATION

Individual lessons are offered in violin, viola, cello, bass, classical/jazz piano, classical/acoustic/electric guitar, ukulele, flute, trumpet, voice, percussion, composition, electric bass and music theory. New students should create an account on our website.  Returning students should complete a re-enrollment form. When your lesson time and length have been established with a faculty member, you will receive an invoice. Your payment option choice should be specific prior to invoicing. A non-refundable registration fee of $50 will be applied to your first invoice.

PLACEMENT OF NEW STUDENTS
We put a great deal of thought into finding the right teacher for each student and are very proud of our accomplished, professional faculty. All our teachers are practicing musicians highly trained in their field. Assignment of newly registered students for private lessons is based on instrument preference and teacher availability. A meeting or phone conversation with the Executive Director or Operations Director to review options can assist in making the right placement for each student. 

PAYMENT (see Fees drop-down for more information)

All payments are made to Bay Chamber. Payment arrangements must be completed in advance of any lesson, coaching, or class. Faculty members do not accept payment from students for lessons. Registration obligates the student to pay tuition. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Please choose a payment option at the time of registration. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard or Discover (credit or debit); personal check or money order to be made payable to Bay Chamber.

• Option #1 - Full Payment: 100% due within 30 days of the invoice date. Save $20.00 a semester by paying in full!

• Option # 2 - Multi-payment plan: Four payments per semester charged automatically to a credit or debit card in Fall or Spring. The authorized payer must submit a valid Visa, MasterCard or Discover card. Fall semester payment schedule: October 15, November 15, December 15, January 15. Spring semester payment schedule: February 15, March 15, April 15, May 15. There is a $5.00 per month fee to participate in a payment plan.

• Scholarship applicants:  Scholarship applications must be completed annually and include a copy of most recent IRS Form 1040.  Scholarships must be completed prior to commencement of lessons and are not retroactive.

• Summer term only: We require payment in full when registering for 3 lessons (minimum). If registering for more than 3 lessons, summer tuition can be paid on a credit card in 2 installments (July 15th and Aug 15th ) to be arranged with office.

PRIVATE LESSONS: FULLY ENROLLED
15 weeks: Summer & Fall 2026 or Spring 2027

30 minutes: $49
45 minutes: $59
60 minutes: $69
90 minutes: $99

Summer lessons – minimum of 3 at the above rates

PRIVATE LESSONS: PARTIALLY ENROLLED
Less than 15 weeks: Summer & Fall 2026 or Spring 2027

30 minutes: $55
45 minutes: $65
60 minutes: $75
90 minutes: $105

Suzuki Violin Program (You must be fully enrolled to participate in this program)

30 minutes: $54
45 minutes: $64
60 minutes: $74

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE COACHING

Chamber Ensembles meet weekly for fall and spring semesters.

Students Fully Enrolled in Private Lessons: $175 per semester

Students Partially Enrolled or Not Enrolled in Private Lessons: $35 per session

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

The Bay Chamber Jazz Ensemble meets weekly throughout the school year. For students fully enrolled in private instruction, the Jazz Ensemble is $195 for a 13-week session. For all others, tuition for the Jazz Ensemble is $260 for a 13-week session.

OTHER GROUP CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Bay Chamber is proud to offer a range of group classes including Youth Choir, Ukulele Ensemble, Recording 101 and many others. Payment in full for classes is due at the start of each semester and scholarships do not apply. Please click here to see our current offerings.

RECITALS

Students enrolled in private lessons and chamber music have the opportunity to participate in recitals that happen at the end of the Fall and Spring Semesters.

We have a generous scholarship program and try to meet the financial needs of all our students. Financial aid is granted to students on the basis of family need and availability of funds. Scholarship awards for individual instruction do not apply to group classes. Those receiving financial assistance are not eligible for additional discounts. Please email Susan Morrison for a scholarship application: susan.m@baychamber.org.

WITHDRAWAL

Please note that we hire our instructors on an annual basis, according to registrations received. When a student enrolls in our program, we require commitment from the student. If a student withdraws at any time after they have a confirmed schedule, the $50 enrollment fee is not refundable, and students are responsible for the remaining tuition. Notice of withdrawal must be submitted to our Operations Director, Susan Morrison.

REFUNDS

No refunds are given for lessons, classes or ensemble tuition after the start of the first class or rehearsal. Enrollment fees are non-refundable and payment plan option will proceed as if you are enrolled.

LATE TUITION PAYMENT

Non-payment of tuition in accordance with the terms outlined under the Payment section of these policies will result in late fee of $25 per month, loss of scholarship awards or discounts, and the possibility of suspension of lessons. Re-enrollment or new registrations will not be processed until past due balances are paid in full. Bay Chamber reserves the right to suspend or discontinue instruction of any student who is delinquent in fulfilling their financial obligation.

MISSED LESSONS

The official policy for the music school is that student absences will not be made up. Students are charged for all lessons for which they register, including those missed through student absence. Make-up lessons are offered solely at the discretion of the teacher for student absences. The teacher may choose to offer a make-up that works for their schedule. If the student cannot come on the make-up days offered, the student foregoes the opportunity for the lesson to be made up. For teacher absences we offer two make-up weeks built into the semester schedule. If the student cannot come on any of the make-up days, they forego their opportunity for make-ups. 

All teacher absences or cancellations by Bay Chamber due to teacher obligations, teacher illness, weather or emergencies will be made-up during the times faculty make available or during the school make up weeks at the end of each semester.  

SCHOOL CANCELLATION

Bay Chamber follows the cancellation and vacation dates of Five Town CSD/MSAD #28, the Camden-Rockport school system. Weather-related lesson cancellations will be on our website and on social media. Weather-related cancellations will be made up before the end of the semester.

• If Five Town CSD/MSAD #28 is closed at the start of the school day, then Bay Chamber will be closed.

• If Five Town CSD/MSAD # 28 has a late arrival, Bay Chamber will operate on a normal schedule.

• If Five Town CSD/MSAD # 28 announces early release by 11:00 a.m., Bay Chamber will contact students if classes or rehearsals are cancelled.

In the event of an inordinate number of weather cancellations, we may offer scheduled vacation days and alternative weekdays to accommodate the makeup lessons.

INSUFFICIENT CLASS ENROLLMENT/CANCELLATION

If any class has insufficient enrollment, we reserve the right to cancel the course or to offer the class with an adjusted tuition rate, length and/or number of class meetings. If a class is cancelled, refunds will be issued within 30 business days.

CHANGE OF INSTRUCTOR

Bay Chamber’s method of assigning a private instructor is designed to make the best possible match before studies begin. If a change is desired, however, a student/parent must first contact Josie Davis.

PHOTO AND RECORDING POLICY

Bay Chamber reserves the right and may give permission to its photographer or outside media, to photograph classes, programs, and participants at all our facilities and properties. Please be aware that these photos are for promotional purposes and may be used in future publications and media communications. A photo release form is located on the Registration Form. Please clearly indicate if you do not give your consent.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Bay Chamber Music School students are occasionally offered complimentary or discounted tickets to various performances presented by Bay Chamber Concerts. Notification of complimentary tickets is usually done by email. Be sure the office has a current email for your family so you won’t miss out.

STUDENT CONCERTS/RECITALS

An integral part of music study is the opportunity for performance. Recitals are offered to private instruction students several times throughout the year. Recitals and concerts for the year are listed on the Music School Calendar.

BUILDING RULES

Bay Chamber Music School has sound-proof rehearsal studios and several excellent pianos. There is a lounge area for students to wait for lessons. When students are not in their lesson or class, they are the responsibility of their parents or caregivers. To ensure your child's safety, please be sure to pick them up promptly after lesson/class. Children waiting in the hallway or lobby before and/or after their lesson/class cannot be supervised by Bay Chamber staff. Children are under supervision during their instruction time only. Neither teachers nor administrative staff are responsible for supervising children outside of teaching times.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School is committed to a supportive and inclusive culture. We do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, or any other status protected by local, state or federal laws.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Bay Chamber upholds the highest standards of mutual respect and inclusivity. All Music School family members, students, faculty and staff are expected to be respectful and considerate. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.