Student and Parent Policies
Updated: August 10, 2026

Organization

The Walton Music Institute offers private instruction for band students at Walton High School, Dickerson Middle School, and Dodgen Middle School. The Music Institute is designed to provide quality private instruction that is convenient and comfortable for our students and families. Lessons are held at Walton High School with highly qualified musicians who specialize on their instruments.

Message to Students and Parents

Since 1975, the Walton Band has built a tradition of excellence in both concert and marching band. One area that has helped build strong Walton bands over the years has been private instruction.

Private study on an instrument is one of the fastest ways to achieve individual improvement. It allows a professional musician to hear the student play on a weekly basis and provide individualized instruction focused on the student's specific strengths and areas for growth.

Through private study, students develop stronger fundamentals, increased confidence, personal discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for music. Private lessons can also help students prepare for auditions including District Honor Band, All-State, college admissions, and scholarships.

Disclaimer

The Walton Music Institute is designed to serve students who are not currently studying privately. It is not intended to encourage students to leave their current private instructors and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to change teachers. There are many excellent private instructors in the area who provide high-quality instruction.

Lesson Fees and Payments

Lesson fees are:

• $25 one-time registration fee
• $40 per 30-minute lesson
• $65 per 60-minute lesson

The Walton Music Institute school year includes 15 lessons during the fall semester and 15 lessons during the spring semester.

Families enroll in an installment payment plan during registration. The initial payment is due at registration, and remaining payments will be processed automatically according to the payment schedule provided during registration.

Lesson dates and payment schedules are available on the WMI page.

Payments that are declined or remain unpaid after the scheduled payment date may be subject to a $25 late fee. Accounts must be current before lessons continue.

Billing and Payment Schedule

WMI payments are processed through the Walton Band website using the installment payment plan selected during registration.

Families may view their payment schedule and account information through their Walton Band account. Questions regarding payments should be directed to treasurer@waltonband.org.

Credits will only be issued when an instructor cancels a lesson and is unable to provide a make-up lesson. Credits will be applied during the final month of each academic semester (December and May).

Absence From Lessons

Once a lesson time has been assigned, all communication regarding absences and make-up lessons should be directed to the assigned lesson instructor, not the band directors.

Once assigned a lesson time on the official WMI calendar, students are expected to attend. A no-show or no-call absence is considered an unexcused absence. Students who need to miss a lesson should contact their instructor at least 24 hours in advance and should schedule a make-up lesson at that time.

Contacting a director does not excuse an absence from a lesson. Students who are sick should notify their lesson teacher as soon as possible.

Students and parents are responsible for obtaining their private teacher's phone number and email so communication can be made easily. Notice of school events should be provided directly to the private lesson teacher. Private lesson instructors are not employees of CCSD and may not be aware of school events, trips, or special schedules.

Lessons are charged according to the scheduled lesson dates. An absence does not change the monthly payment amount.

Make-Up Lessons

Make-up lessons for missed lessons should be completed as soon as possible, preferably within the same month as the missed lesson. Families should communicate directly with the instructor to schedule the make-up lesson.

No make-up lessons will be scheduled for missed lessons that are unexcused.

Commitment and Lesson Discontinuance

Students and parents should be aware that private study takes patience and effort over a period of time. We ask that students and parents commit to the private lesson program for the entire school year.

If students wish to discontinue lessons, they may do so at any time provided they give both the instructor and WMI written notice of intent to discontinue at least one month before stopping lessons. Families are responsible for all fees through that notice period.