Thursday 9 September 2010
Instrumental Tuition
Many parents would like their sons and daughters to learn other instruments or to have additional singing lessons. The following list indicates what is currently taught by peripatetic instrumental instructors during the day or immediately after School. Be aware that the cost of these lessons is not included in your school fees and varies from teacher to teacher as the instructors are self-employed. Parents are invoiced separately by the individual teachers.
|
Music Tuition |
Usual starting year: |
Notes |
|
Brass |
L5 |
Tuition available in Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone and Tuba. |
|
Guitar |
L5 |
Tuition is available for finger-style and/or plectrum techniques. Students must own or have access to a suitable guitar for lessons and home use. A Spanish (classical) guitar is ideal for learning finger-style and/or plectrum, and is practical in other ways. The guitar tutor is happy to offer advice to prospective students (parents) regarding the purchase of a suitable instrument. However, other types of guitar already owned (e.g. electric) can be used in lessons. |
|
Percussion |
L6 |
All pupils taking percussion lessons must learn Drum Kit, Glockenspiel, Xylophone and all untuned percussion. |
|
Piano/Keyboard |
L3 |
It is important to have a piano or keyboard at home. |
|
Strings |
L3 |
Tuition available in Violin, Viola and Cello. |
|
Voice |
L7 |
|
|
Woodwind |
L5 |
Tuition available in Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon. |
Please note that the starting age for instruments depends on the child and at the discretion of the instrumental instructor.
Learning an instrument involves commitment, so if you are considering whether you would like your son or daughter to learn another instrument, please consider the following points:
• It is important that those wanting to learn a new instrument have a sincere desire to play it and have sufficient practice time scheduled into their week. If your child is finding the recorder quite tricky, or is reluctant to practice, it would be unwise for them to consider learning another instrument.
• Instrumental and singing lessons take place during the school day and are usually planned using a rota system. Pupils come out of class for their lessons and those receiving instrumental tuition need to be responsible enough to catch up with any class work that they miss and to find out about any homework that has been set.
• Your son or daughter also needs to be organised enough to look at notice boards to check the times and location of their music lessons. At present these are posted on the Music Instrumental Tuition Board which is located in the Foyer on the left hand side as you come through the main glass doors.
• In the Lower School, pupils receiving instrumental lessons would normally be expected to participate in at least one of the groups or orchestras described below.
Some instruments belonging to School are available free of charge for use in these lessons.