School Policies

Admission:

The Indian Classical Music School of Columbia (ICMSC) proudly supports an inclusive and diverse community. It is fully committed to providing access to our programs for students of all races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, and nationalities. Prior experience with Indian classical music is not mandatory, and we extend a warm welcome to all individuals who desire to learn Indian classical vocal music guided by their pace of learning. While the depth of our music is deeply rooted in Indian tradition, it is essential to note that there is no requirement for any specific knowledge of Indian cultures, religions, or languages. Our primary goal is to encourage a comprehensive understanding of Indian classical music in a way that transcends cultural barriers.

To maintain a constructive, nurturing, and positive learning atmosphere, we uphold the following principles:

  • Commitment and Zeal: Students must exhibit passion, dedication, and commitment to learning Indian classical vocal music. This commitment includes a direct investment of time for practicing the taught music independently, outside of class hours.

  • Respect and Humility: Respect and humility towards the music, instructor, peers, and musical instruments are cornerstone values of our institution, mirroring Indian learning traditions. Any disrespect, such as entering the teaching area with shoes on, improper handling of musical instruments, use of cell phones or other electronic devices, consuming food or gum during class, etc., is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Musical instruments used in the teaching process are to be treated with utmost reverence, as they serve as tools for transmitting invaluable knowledge to future generations.

  • Equal Opportunity for Advancement: Our commitment to equality ensures that all students, regardless of age, professional background, or previous achievement levels, receive equal chances for progression. Grading will be carried out objectively, adhering strictly to the standards set by the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya organization. We endeavor to provide ample and appropriate opportunities for all students to foster their skills and interests in Indian classical vocal music.

By maintaining this policy, ICMSC ensures a harmonious environment that supports the vibrant learning of Indian classical music.

Fee Payment:

  • Payment Deadline and Late Payment Surcharge: The student will have ten days to settle the invoice total once the school electronically transmits an invoice to the student. After ten days, the Administrator will issue a new invoice to the student with a late payment surcharge of 10% of the monthly fee. There are no exceptions to this rule.

  • Invoice Discrepancies: In the event of any perceived discrepancies or errors on the invoice, the student must notify the school Administrator within the initial 10-day payment period. We encourage prompt communication to resolve any concerns or errors swiftly.

  • Automatic Payment Option: We offer an auto-pay service for your convenience. If interested, please express your desire to set up this service by contacting our Administrator via email or WhatsApp.

  • Fee Structure: Fees will progressively increase as the student transitions from Level 1 to Level 2 and subsequently to Level 3. For specific details on the cost structure of these different academic levels, kindly refer to our website's 'Academic Information' section.

  • Payment Methods: We accept payments via various methods, including credit cards, cash, check, and electronic transfer for your convenience.

  • Registration Fee: A one-time registration fee is applicable upon student admission. Please note that only one registration fee per household is required, regardless of the number of students from the same home.

  • Family Discount: We appreciate the value of family and offer a family discount of 20% for each additional family member residing at the same address.

Online Access:

We use Google Classroom to provide online learning resources. To access those resources, it is necessary for students to access Google Classroom either on their computers or on their portable devices. The Google Classroom app is available for free, to download in both the iOS and Android app stores. We will provide the link to the classroom once a student purchases their first package. 

Please note: Classroom access is only available as long as the student continues to attend classes at ICMSC.