FAQ

You will find below all the answers to your questions by clicking on each item.

Our school and classes

Is the model of music education used in the Tchaïkovsky Music School the same as the one used in Russian and Ukrainian music schools ?

Absolutely, our school uses the classical Russian method. Our method is identical to that used in Russian and Ukrainian music schools. Moreover, some of our teachers are graduates from Russia and Ukraine. As for the teachers who have studied in Europe, they are also familiar with the Russian method.

For extra information, visit our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Russian method’ section.

Does the pupil have to enrol in the music theory class before learning how to play an instrument? Does s/he have to take music theory lessons while he is learning how to play an instrument? If not, why isn’t it required? And what does the learning of music theory consists in?

With our method, the pupil does not have to take music theory lessons either before or after his/her instrument lessons.

However, our method differs from the Suzuki method according to which the pupil does not learn music theory. In our educational system, the pupil does not have to take music theory lessons that last several hours every week in addition to instrument lessons.

With our method, each teacher gives necessary and useful information about music theory as well as exercises during the instrument lesson.

However, if the pupil wishes to take music theory lessons in addition to his/her instrument lessons, s/he can certainly do it in our school. We provide music theory lessons for all levels every week. The frequency of our music theory lessons are of one hour per week but the courses are extremely intensive. By the end of the school year, the pupil will have learned all which needs to be learned during a typical school year of music theory (as a reminder, in an academy of music, the music theory lessons are of 3 hours/week)

Lessons intended for very small children: initiation to music, music theater, psycho-motor skills in music –what are the differences between these lessons?

Initiation to music, music theater and psycho motor skills lessons are intended for very small children aged between 3 and 6 years old.

These lessons aim to help children develop a taste for music.

Here are the differences:

Initiation to music:

this course refers to the child’s “first steps” in music. The children learn different rhythms, different instruments, they hear stories through instruments, songs, they learn some notes, etc. The child really makes his/her first steps and is trained to get ready for the instrument or singing private lessons.

Music theater:

The children prepare little music shows that they will perform on stage during two concerts given by the pupils of the music school (in December and June).

Psycho-motor skills:

The psycho-motor rhythmic gymnastics enables pre-school children to develop their musical creativity and has numerous advantage : the children learn to associate movement with music, this training improves emotional reactivity, the children get used to physical exercise, the children gain interest in the regular support of the body and in the graceful execution of movements.

Regarding the group lessons, how many pupils can each group have ?
We accept up to 10-15 children  (the number of pupils depends on the classroom in which the course will be given).
Do you provide piano, violin, flute and guitar group lessons?
No, we don’t. Using the traditional Russian teaching method, we encourage one who is eager to learn how to play an instrument or how to sing to attend one-on-one classes. We do provide semi-collective courses (two pupils per course) but for this type of class the pupils are required to come in already-formed pairs. The school will not help you find other people who would like to join you for classes. 
My 7-year-old daughter has already taken piano lessons for 2 years in another music school. Is it still possible to take lessons in your school?
Absolutely, yes. You just have to fill in the registration form (in WORD format) that you will find on our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Registration’ section and to e-mail it to us. We will also ask you to let us know the class schedule that would suit you best.
What is the class schedule of group and private lessons?

You will find the complete information on our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Rates’ section.

The exact schedule of the lessons is in this section. Regarding the private or semi-collective lessons, you can choose the day that suits you best. Our 20 teachers teach classes from Monday up to and including Sunday. It is always possible to arrange the most suitable class schedule for the private lessons that the pupils wish to have.

I have two children. Would it be possible to enroll them in private lessons with different teachers while arranging the same class schedule?
Yes, it would be possible. You can always contact us to know more about our availability.
May I rent instruments from the Tchaikovsky Music School? Do you provide music sheets for the pupils?

The Tchaïkovsky Music School does not offer this option. However, on our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘useful addresses’ section,  you will find information on musical instrument stores such as Azzatto, Maene, etc. where a leasing-purchase agreement is possible. It is also possible to simply buy or rent instruments.

We do not have any shop selling music sheets within our school. The only music pieces that we have are pieces from particular composers that are imposed by our program or are part of exercise books.

These music pieces can be bought in the school secretariat. The prices correspond to the standard shop prices.

In our music school, there is no library either, and copying music sheets is forbidden.

Do you have workshops for children during school holiday?
Yes, we do. We organize workshops during All saints, Carnival, Easter and Summer Holidays. All info here.

Workshops consist in developing your child’s interest in music and have one or several music instruments as a central theme.

You can send us an e-mail for further information: info@e-m-t.be 

Fares, length, stop or change

How long is a collective lesson?
A collective lesson lasts 45 minutes/week. 
How long are individual and semi-collective lessons?
The parent or adult student can choose: 45 minutes, 1 hour or 1 hour and a half. For beginners aged less than 10, we recommend 30 minutes. For very little ones, less than 6 years old, a 15-minute lesson is possible.

It also is possible to have a trial lesson (with no commitment) and to ask for the teacher’s opinion.

Lessons can be held once or twice a week, depending on our availability and the parent’s wish.

When can a pupil stop taking lessons?

A pupil can decides to stop taking lessons at the school whenever during the school year. S/he must inform the secretariat and the teacher by e-mail at least 24 hours before the lesson the pupil wishes to give up and preferably before the beginning of a new period.

At the end of each two-month period, the accounts proceed to regularization. If parents have transferred a sum that exceeds the cost of the given classes, this sum will be repaid within 7 days on the bank account indicated in the registration form.

What should I do if, during the ongoing school year, I want to swap my instrument for another instrument? Or what to do if I wish to modify my class schedule? Is it possible ?

It is certainly possible. In our music school, the pupil can stop attending classes whenever during the year and s/he can start when s/he wants to. However, the will to leave the school must be signaled in writing (by e-mail) to the secretariat and to the instrument teacher at least 24 hours before the lesson.

If the pupil wants to keep taking lessons with the same teacher but desires to change only his/her class schedule, s/he will have to directly contact the teacher and arrange a new schedule with the teacher.

What are the applicable prices to take lessons?
You will find the detailed information relating to the prices on our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Rates’ section. 
Why do I have to pay a flat fee if I know in advance that I will miss a lesson during the period?

All the lessons  at the Tchaïkovsky Music School must be paid each two-month period according to the flat fee system. Pupils or parents cannot estimate in advance the exact number of classes that will be held. This is one of the terms of enrollment in the Tchaikovsky Music School.

At the end of each two-month period, the School Administration sends you the dates that were registered during the period and you have several days to check them out.

If you pay too many lessons in advance, they will be deducted from the next period invoice. If you or your child stops taking classes, not attended classes will be reimbursed.

For more information, visit our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Registration at the school’ section, chapter 3  ‘Methods of payment’.

Why do I have to pay for administrative fees?
As any other school, the Tchaikovsky Music School asks for administrative fees of 30 euros. This is used for insurance and administration.

It is compulsory and non negotiable, and confirms you enrollment in the school.

Exams, concerts and certificate

Does the school organize exams?
Yes, there are three sessions:

One in December and one in June during which pupils must play compulsory music pieces as well as chosen ones.

One in March for scales (technical exam).

What happens if I do not want to take any exams but need a certificate?

In order to obtain a certificate, it is necessary to take two exams during the school year. Without exams, the pupil will not obtain a certificate.

For more information, visit our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Registration at the music school’section.

Can all the pupils of the Tchaikovsky music school who take private and semi-collective lessons take part in the school concerts?
All the pupils at Tchaïkovsky who have taken the compulsory exams before the concert can take part in the concert.
Are small children from collective classes allowed to take part in concerts?
All children can take part in concerts. The first part of the concert for collective classes is always from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the concerts are always scheduled on Sunday.

Absences

If my child fell ill and could not attend a private or semi-collective lesson, will I be entitled to a refund for this lesson?
The lesson is not taken into account only if parents or pupils inform the teacher and School Administration minimum 24 hours before the beginning of the scheduled class.

You will find all the information on this matter on our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Registration’ section, chapter 3 : ‘Methods of payment’.

If my child fell ill and could not attend a group lesson, will I be entitled to a refund for this lesson ?

No, there is no refund whatsoever for the group lessons the pupil has missed.

You will find all the information on this matter on our website www.e-m-t.be in the ‘Registration’ section, chapter 3 : ‘Methods of payment’.

If I or my child cannot attend an individual or semi-collective lesson?

In that case, you must inform the teacher and the School Administration minimum 24 hours before the beginning of the class. Otherwise, the Administration shall consider it as given.

If I already know in advance that I will not be at some individual/semi-collective lessons, what should I do?

As soon as you know that you will be absent (for different purposes, such as holidays, business trip, school trip, etc.) you should warn the administration and you teacher. The lesson will be deducted from the next invoice only if you warn in time, 24 hours before the beginning of the lesson.

If I already know in advance that my child will not be at some collective lessons, what should I do?

Collective lessons are not refundable.

However, you may ask the administration to catch up the missed lesson by coming on another day. Collective lessons are given everyday except on Thursdays.