Academy of Music | Instructor Expectations

Code of Conduct

The Mikado Academy of Music was established and is operated to provide quality musical education in a Christian and professional environment for the members and guests of Mikado Baptist Church and surrounding community. Accepting a position as an instructor in the Academy of Music automatically implies agreement to abide by the policies of the Academy. A Christian and professional environment requires that instructors present and support Christian and professional examples of dress, behavior, and citizenship. All instructors are asked to behave in such a way that protects the Academy from unfavorable comments or questions by either parents, staff members, or the community at large.

All instructors, both male and female, will be expected to dress professionally (business casual). All members will be expected to dress in a manner that protects the Academy and the teacher from unfavorable questions and comments.

Contractual Agreement

All instructors in the Mikado Academy of Music will be presented with a contract listing all requirements and expectations placed upon the instructor. The contract will include the salary to be paid to the instructor for the contract period as well as details concerning the termination of the contract by either the instructor or the Academy. All instructors will be required to sign and abide by a doctrinal statement of faith in addition to their contract. Both documents must be completed and signed before any lesson can be taught in the Academy. Instructors under contract with the Mikado Academy of Music will be requested to teach exclusively for the Academy. No instructor shall teach privately or for any other institution without prior approval from the Academy Director. Instructors are further requested to agree not to solicit students from the Academy roll in the event of the instructor’s resignation from the Academy.

Student Fees & Attendance

When a student completes the registration process, he/she will be assigned to an instructor. The student may not begin classes until the Academy office notifies you that the registration process has been completed. Any lessons taught prior to this notification will not be paid to the instructor.

All attendance sheets are due on the 10th and 25th of each month. Please make sure your attendance sheets are filled out accurately before turning them in. Due to our accounting procedures, failure to submit your time sheet by the days listed above may result in a forwarding of your payment to the next pay period (approximately 15 days).

In the event that an instructor terminates his/her affiliation with the Mikado Academy of Music, his or her students will be assigned to another Academy instructor.

Payment

Each instructor will be compensated based on experience, credentials, and/or formal training. Checks will be direct deposited on the 15th and 30th/31st of each month.

General Policies

1. Teachers will be prompt in starting and ending lessons.
2. Students will be met at the glass doors in the lobby of the Family Life Center. These doors may stay locked before, during and after teaching.
3. Lessons will be given in rooms that can be observed through a window or open door.
4. Teachers should strive to maintain contact with parents concerning the child’s progress and should give their phone number in writing to each student’s parent.
5. One of our objectives is to train future church musicians. Whenever possible, students should be exposed to sacred repertoire. They may be encouraged to share in Sunday or Wednesday evening worship services at Mikado Baptist Church or with their own congregations.
6. Lessons or make-ups will not be scheduled on Sunday or during regularly scheduled church services, events, or programming times.
7. Make-up lessons should be given during or at the end of each semester, not carrying over to the next session.
8. When a teacher misses a lesson, that lesson will be made up. When a student misses a lesson, prior notice is required. Under these circumstances, the teacher will make up one lesson per student per semester.
9. A teacher should notify the director if his/her regular teaching schedule changes or if he/she must miss a regularly scheduled teaching day due to illness or personal reasons. He/she should make the director aware of the days and times of make-up lessons as well.
10. Mikado Academy of Music does not condone photocopying of copyrighted music.
11. Students are expected to perform at the end-of-semester recitals and should plan to remain for the entire recital. (Adults are not required, but are strongly encouraged to participate.)
12. Teaching during the summer session is optional. If a teacher chooses to teach during the summer, his/her students have the option of taking lessons; however, taking the lessons is also optional, and students/parents should not be penalized in any way for choosing not to study (see “Summer Sessions Procedures”).
13. Teachers are responsible for procuring a key to his/her teaching room. After each teaching day, teachers should make sure doors are secure, air conditioning, heating and lights are turned off, and the room is restored to the condition in which it was found.
14. Teachers should notify the director of any problems with facilities, instruments, students, parents or scheduling.

Recital Procedures for Teachers

1. Teachers should be prompt in giving recital lists to the director. (These are usually requested about two weeks before the recitals.) Recital lists should include student’s name (correct spelling), title of piece, and composer and/or arranger for each student.
2. Teachers should choose pieces that highlight the student’s work, progress, and current level of proficiency. Standard literature is preferred.
3. All piano and vocal solos will be memorized. Encourage students to have memory secure at least two weeks before the recital.
4. Duets are acceptable, and should be between students or student and instructor. Duets may or may not be from memory.
5. Students should be instructed in proper performance etiquette. Students should walk to the stage, perform their piece, bow, and gracefully exit the stage area. All students are required to attend the rehearsal for the recital.
6. Please ask students to be at their recital location at least 15 minutes before the recital is to begin. Teachers should arrive 25 minutes before their recital times to be available to help line up their students, etc., if necessary.
7. Encourage parents of students to consider arranging a sitter for their small children since it is difficult for little ones to stay still and quiet for the duration of a recital.
8. The director must be notified in advance if any student in a studio will not play in a recital. He/she will then arrange for that student to perform on another studio’s recital or at an alternate time.