Registration

Click here to download our registration form. Print the form, fill it out, and either mail or fax it (see below).

Mail your completed registration form with payment to New School of Music, 25 Lowell Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

In person, drop off your registration form with payment to the NSM office during office hours (M-F 9-5, or summers 9-3). After office hours, please use the dropbox in the lobby if the office is empty.

Fax registration forms to (617) 864-7318 (for payments by credit card only).

Call our office at (617) 492-8105 during office hours to register with a credit card.

Payment

Full payment for the term must be made prior to the first lesson or class. We accept cash, checks (made out to "New School of Music "), money orders, and credit cards . There is a $10 charge for checks returned for insufficient funds.

New private lessons students are often encouraged to take a trial lesson with a teacher before commiting to an entire term. Payment is taken in advance for this single lesson only, with no registration fee charged until ongoing lessons are decided upon.

Students entering after the start of a semester will be charged on a pro-rated basis.

A 10% discount is available for senior citizens (65 and older).

For private lessons, instructors may not teach students who have not paid prior to the first lesson. Payment must be received in advance of all lessons. Except during the summer months, lessons are paid for in 17-week terms, and not in smaller numbers (unless for a  trial lesson). Exceptions to full terms may be made only with the permission of the instructor.

Registration Fees

Annual registration fee (non-refundable): $30 per person, $45 per family. Covers enrollment from September through August. If you register for the Summer Term only, the registration fee is $15.

Refunds

Private instruction: 80% of the unused tuition if notice of withdrawal is given to the NSM office before the fourth lesson of the term.

Classes or ensembles: No refunds will be given for classes or ensembles since fees are based on a minimum enrollment.

Payment Plans

If you feel that your financial situation requires a special payment plan, please call the office and speak with the school manager. Arrangements must be made prior to the first lesson. There is a $20 charge for payment plans, and a credit card is required for payments beyond the initial deposit.  Payment plan fees and registration fees are waived for need-based scholarship students.

Need-based Scholarships

Due to the generosity of our donors, financial assistance based on need is available through the Nicholas Van Slyck Scholarship Fund. Please call the office for more information, or click here to print an application. Aid awards are made on a first-come-first serve basis throughout the year, and are awarded to cover a percentage of tuition fees on a sliding basis determined by income, family size, and other individual circumstances. There are no application deadlines, but funds are limited and early applicants receive greater consideration. All applications must include complete copies of the most recent year's tax return filings, including all tax schedules filed.

Make-Up Policy

Only one make-up lesson per term will be given for private lessons missed by the student. The teacher or NSM office must be notified by 10 a.m. on the day of the lesson in order to qualify for a make-up. Late notice of student absence, or no-show situations will not qualify for a make-up. No refunds or credit to the next term will be made for missed lessons. All teacher absences will be made up. Music Together students are allowed two make-up classes per term to be arranged with the office. Space in these classes is limited, so please call (617) 492-8105 to reserve make-up space in Music Together classes.

Weather Cancellations

On weekdays during the school year, NSM follows the Cambridge Public School closings and delays regarding inclement weather, and remains closed when the public schools are. In the event of a late-day or weekend storm outside of public school hours, you may obtain information about cancellations by calling the NSM office at (617) 492-8105 after 8:00 am. There will be a recorded message if the school is closed. Instructors may also make an individual decision to cancel classes due to bad weather, in which case you will receive a call from the NSM office or from the instructor directly.

Security & Caregivers Policy

Please note that it is the expressed policy of NSM that a parent or caregiver must accompany students under the age of 18 at all times while in the building or on school grounds prior to or following a scheduled class or lesson. NSM assumes no liability for students before or following a scheduled class or lesson.

Use of Photography

From time to time, NSM may take photographs of classes, lessons, recitals and events for use in our on-line and print materials and in grant applications. It is our policy to not include the names of children in any captions. If you would like us to not use any images of yourself or a family member, please let us know in writing or by email, at info@cambridgemusic.org.