The Tuition-free Conservatory meets for 26 Saturdays during the school year, starting in early October and ending in late April or early May. Students come to Merit for 3 ½ to 5 ½ hours each Saturday. The times of the conservatory vary, depending on the student’s class placement.

There is a $90 non-refundable registration fee that must be paid at the beginning of the program. Each student must also meet a $150 minimum fundraising requirement. Many students meet their fundraising requirement during Performathon.