VISS - MUSIC ACADEMY Instrumental Lesson Program

Transcription

1 VISS - MUSIC ACADEMY Instrumental Lesson Program Victoria International School P.O. Box Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Website:

2 Welcome to the VISS Music Academy VISS is "alive with the sound of Music" and pupils enjoying themselves. We strongly believe that all pupils should have fun, express themselves creatively and learn about the fascinating world of Music. We deliver classroom curriculum lessons to all students from Prep Grade 10, as well as offering individual instrumental lessons and a wide variety of co-curricular music activities to all VISS students. This brochure is designed to answer the various questions you may have about the instrumental lesson program. Please read carefully and should you have any queries, contact Ms. Anne, Director of Music Academy at: stearns.anne@viss.ae. VISS Music Academy Facilities This stunning facility consists of: 500 seat theatre 4 tutorial rooms for the instrumental lessons 2 class rooms Keyboard lab 2 Ensemble rehearsal rooms ICT suite Recording Studio Dance Studio Who will teach my child? The Music Academy instrumental team are professional and experienced music teachers, from across the world, who are qualified in their specialist instrument to degree level. Ms Viktoriya: piano Mr Frank: flute Ms Alison: clarinet & saxophone Mr Lubo: All Brass lessons Mr Lee: drum kit Mr Lee: electric guitar & bass guitar Mr Alex: classical guitar Ms Sofiya: violin

3 Why should my child learn to play a musical instrument? As well as being fun, playing music can significantly impact on your child s overall development and academic achievement. Scientific research (Kraus et al, Northwestern University, USA) has proven that playing an instrument is the best exercise for your child s brain - like running a cerebral marathon! It improves students reasoning skills and maths skills. It develops fine motor skills, creativity and emotional balance. It promotes self-discipline and motivation within the child so Students reach higher academic achievement and lowers the drop-out rate All of which provides positive, significant and long lasting benefits. For further information watch the short video from TED talks/ YouTube: - How playing an instrument benefits your brain - Anita Collins What Instruments can my child learn to play? Choosing an instrument can be a very hard decision. We suggest you and your child listen to and research various instruments before you make the decision. The Music Academy staff are available to offer advice on what instrument may best suit your child. We have also suggested starting ages for the instruments, as the age and size of the child is a key issue when selecting the right instrument. Instrument Starting Age from: Piano Grade 1* Violin Grade 1* Guitar Grade 1* Recorder Grade 3 Flute Grade 3 Clarinet Grade 3 Saxophone Grade 3 Drum kit Grade 3 Trumpet Grade 4 Trombone Grade 4 French horn Grade 4 Baritone Grade 4 Electric Guitar Grade 6 Bass Guitar Grade 6 *Please note that instrument lessons are available to Prep students in Term 2, after consultation. How many lessons will my child get? All instrument lessons are taught on an individual basis. 30 minutes for all Primary School students 40 minutes for all Secondary School students. Instrument lessons are offered on a termly basis. This year, Term 1 & 2 will have 10 lessons and Term 3 will have only 7 lessons, due to the timing of Ramadan, so there is a total of 27 lessons over the year.

4 When will these lessons be? The lessons are between 8.00am and 4.00pm. Students will be withdrawn from their classes to attend instrumental lessons. Lessons are on a rotating timetable, to ensure that students are not repeatedly missing the same class and to minimize the impact on their learning. How do I register? Application forms are available on the school website, Accounts Department at Gate 1, Middle School Office at Gate 6 or Primary School Office at Gate 4. The deadline for Instrument lesson fees are: Term 1: Sunday, 18 th September 2016 Term 2: Sunday, 15 th January 2017 Term 3: Sunday, 9 th April 2017 There are now 3 ways to register: 1. Register at Accounts department, Gate 1. You need to fill in the application form, with cash payments. 2. Register for instrument lessons and other music co-curriculum activities in the Sports Community: Term 1: Tuesday, 6 th September 2016 ( pm and pm) Term 2: Tuesday, 10 th January 2016 ( pm and pm) Term 3: Tuesday, 11 th April 2016 ( pm and pm) 3. Register at Parent Teacher Interviews with Mr Jon (Primary School) and Mr Lee (Secondary School) How much do these lessons cost? Instrumental lesson fees can be paid, in advance of the term, in cash or an electronic payment. PRIMARY SCHOOL SECONDARY SCHOOL Individual Lessons per term 1,250 AED Individual Lesson per term 1,675 AED How Do I pay? Cash Payments paid directly: Accounts Department (Gate No 1). Or Account Name: VISS Bank Name: Sharjah Islamic Bank, Sharjah, UAE Account Number: IBAN: AE SWIFT: NBSHAEAS The student s full name and ID number should be stated on the transfer instructions. The transfer confirmation and notification, including grade and instrument, must faxed to VISS accounts department, fax number or ed to finance@viss.ae. How do I know my child has been accepted onto the program? To be accepted onto the program, students must display a willingness, enthusiasm and commitment to learning their chosen instrument. Once your payment has been processed, it is sent to Ms Anne. Where appropriate, Ms Anne will assess to see if your child is ready for lessons, taking advice from Grade level leaders. She will write to confirm your child is on the program and give contact details to your instrument teacher. Your instrument teacher will contact you to organize your child s first lesson and to give advice on purchasing an instrument.

5 Do I need to purchase an instrument? It is a condition of enrolment that students should have the relevant instrument for home practice and use in the lessons. The purchasing of instruments will need to be organised by the parents. We strongly recommend that you do not buy an instrument before you have received a letter of acceptance AND before you talk to your child s teacher, who will assist you in determining the size of instrument, brand, supplier and the likely cost of appropriate instrument. What happens if my child misses a lesson? If a child misses a lesson due to absence/illness, without the instrument teacher receiving an ed notice 48 hours in advance, then the teacher is not required to make up these lessons. If a child misses a lesson due to a school activity and the instrument teacher has received an ed notice 48 hours in advance by the parent, then this lesson will be made up. If the teacher is ill or absent, they are responsible for making up the lesson. What happens if my child wants to stop lessons? Stopping lessons can only take effect at the end of each term. Notification must be ed by the parent to both the instrumental teacher and Ms Anne at least one month before the end of term. This policy is required to ensure the school can continue to employ and retain skilled freelance teachers. Will I be able to get a refund? Generally, there are no refunds, once the lessons have started, except if a child has been assessed and found not ready for instrument lessons. VISS reserves the right to terminate lessons, should a student behave inappropriately or frequently miss lessons and the fees will not be refunded. Where will we find information about our lesson times? The timetable for each term is organized by the instrument teacher and ed to parents in advance. This should be in place by week 2. It is the responsibility of the parent to contact the teacher by 48 hours before the lesson to inform him/her of any changes to the timetable. VISS cannot guarantee that this lesson change is possible. All instrument lesson timetables are displayed in the foyer of the Music Academy. How can I support my child at home? Read the practice diary after every lesson, to know what is expected of your child. Please support and encourage your child to maintain a regular practice schedule. A Student is expected to practice their instrument for: Beginner: Intermediate: Advanced: At least 15 minutes, three times per week. At least 30 minutes, three times per week. At least 30 minutes, every day. Can my child take an exam? At VISS Music Academy, students are able to enter the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music instrumental examinations (ABRSM exams). This exam board has a world-wide reputation amongst musicians and educational authorities for excellence.

6 What else does VISS Music Academy offer? Co-curriculum Activities: All are free of charge and available to all students. These activities will be finalized before the first week of term, displayed around the school. Parents may enroll for these activities in the first week along and at Parents evening. Every student who has lessons at VISS must be involved in at least one of the ensembles or choirs. Ensemble and choir rehearsals are held: Primary School Activities: pm in the Prep Music Room Secondary School Activities: pm in the Music Academy. Whole School Activities: pm in the Music Academy. VISS Secondary School: Supertonics!, Beatnix, Rock Band, Razzmajazz & Secondary School Production VISS Primary School: Choir, Rhythmical Madness, Ukulele Grooves & Grade 5 Production. VISS Whole School: Guitar Ensemble Are there any performing opportunities? There are many opportunities to perform either as a soloist or as part of an ensemble or choir, in the informal setting of the Music Maker s Concert or the more formal events like Concerts and School Productions. Who do I contact, if I have an issue? Instrument Teacher: Please contact the teacher regarding any concerns over your child s progress, instrument, music or changes to lesson times. This can be done either by or through the Practice Diary (where information regarding what to practice that week, lesson times or messages for home are written). Music Director: All other queries should be made via to Ms. Anne Stearns, Director of Music at stearns.anne@viss.ae.