INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL TUITION GENERAL INFORMATION AND FEES 2014 Learning a musical instrument is an enjoyable and rewarding endeavour. It is also a long-term process which requires consistent application. To be successful, girls need to be well organised, regular in lesson attendance and prepared to practise daily at home. Girls should normally commit themselves to lessons until the end of each academic year. The minimum enrolment time for tuition is one semester. All players of orchestral and band instruments are expected to take part in the College performing ensembles when they reach an appropriate level of expertise. All singing students must be involved in one of the College choral groups. All communications concerning music tuition should be directed to Mr Graeme Quinn, Director of Music. Suitable Starting Ages These guidelines are based on physical development and, in some cases, the concentration and maturity required to cope successfully with the demands of the instruments. Violin, Viola, Cello, Recorder, Piano Year 2 Double Bass, Flute Year 3 Clarinet, Trumpet, Guitar, Percussion Year 4 Saxophone, Bagpipes, French Horn Year 5 Oboe, Trombone, Bassoon Year 6 Electric Bass Guitar Year 7 Singing Year 8 Parents of any Year 1 girls interested in beginning lessons will need initially to consult with the Junior School Music Coordinator, followed by discussion with the class teacher. Tuition Fees and Parent Accounts Instrumental and vocal staff teach 16 lessons in Semester 1 and 15 lessons in Semester 2. Lessons are normally 30 minutes long. Fees for 2014 will be $500 for Semester 1 and $470 for Semester 2 Year 10 12 students will receive a smaller number of lessons in Term 4 due to examinations. A few advanced students may be given the opportunity to take 45 minute lessons on parent request, only if it is possible to place part of this tuition out of class time.
In the above cases, or for students who begin lessons part way through a semester, the semester s fee will be calculated on a pro rata basis. An account is sent to parents each semester for tuition fees, instrument hire (where applicable) and costs of sheet music where the College has purchased this for the student. Fees are billed at the start of each semester. Ceasing Tuition Instrumental lessons will be assumed to continue from year to year without the need for further application forms to be signed by parents. Any adjustment to fee structures will be advertised in College publications in advance of the new school year. The onus is on parents to notify the Director of Music of the intention to cease lessons. Notice for ceasing tuition must be given in writing before the end of the previous semester. Otherwise parents will be billed for the new semester. The only exit points for ceasing tuition within any year are the ends of Semester 1 and Semester 2. No refunds will be given for ceasing tuition within any semester block. Missed Lessons Policy Lessons missed through illness, student forgetfulness or extended family holidays cannot be made up. If an instrumental teacher is ill, the lesson will normally be made up within that semester. If this is impossible, the parent account will be credited for that lesson. Rotation of Lesson Times Instrumental lessons are normally provided on a rotating lesson timetable so that students are not absent from school lessons at the same time each week. In the Senior School, every effort is made to comply with special requests regarding set lesson times or out of school lessons, but preference must be given to girls in Years 11 and 12. Theory of Music Instruction is offered in AMEB Grades 1 5 to students who have had at least 12 months tuition on an instrument. Tuition is in small classes after school and girls are given weekly homework. Theory classes are not available to girls below Year 6. Prior to this, the basics of music theory are adequately covered in the classroom music program. The cost of theory lessons is $300 per semester. AMEB Examination Fees These are notified on AMEB application forms issued by the instrumental teachers and are payable at the time of entry. In some cases there may be an extra charge if it is necessary to contract external accompanists to play for students exams.
New Applications student information In the case of new applications from girls who have had some previous experience in the instrument, a note attached to the form with some brief background information will be helpful in placing the student with an appropriate teacher. Hiring of Instruments Instruments available for hire through the College are listed below, together with the corresponding fee. Parents must fill in an Application for Instrument Hire. The instrument hire fee will appear on parent accounts each semester, along with music tuition fees and sheet music costs. Current Hiring Fees per semester Violin $170 Flute $180 Trumpet $180 Viola $170 Oboe $180 Trombone $180 Cello $200 Bassoon $180 French Horn $200 Double Bass $200 Clarinet $180 Bass Guitar* $200 Saxophone $280 Bagpipes $180 Scottish Drums $180 *(Includes a small practice amplifier) Note: Most instruments are sourced from an outside supplier and we are required to pay in advance by the semester. Instruments no longer required for hire must be returned before the end of the semester or extra fees must be charged.
APPLICATION FOR INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL TUITION Name of Student: Year level in 2014: Address: Telephone number: (H) (M) Please indicate the tuition/hire required by placing a tick in the appropriate sections INSTRUMENT TUITION HIRE Bagpipes Bass Guitar *2 Bassoon Cello Clarinet Double Bass Drum Kit and Percussion Flute Guitar Harpsichord Horn Oboe Piano Recorder Saxophone Scottish Drums Singing *1 Trombone Trumpet Viola Violin THEORY OF MUSIC *NOTE 1. Individual singing lessons are not offered below Year 7and it s strongly recommended that students taking them have a background in music reading from concurrent instrument studies. All vocal students must also be members of a College choir in order to reinforce and practise the concepts taught in lessons. 2. Electric Bass is an ensemble instrument appropriate to girls in Middle and Senior Schools interested in playing in jazz and popular styles in the College bands. Hire of a bass guitar will also include a small practice amplifier to use with it in the home.
APPLICATION FOR INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL TUITION cont.. I, (parent s name), have read the information regarding music tuition. I accept the conditions stated in the instrumental teaching policy and hereby make application for my daughter s tuition as indicated above. I understand that this agreement will be ongoing from year to year until I notify the College of my intention to cease lessons before the end of a semester. Forms for ceasing tuition are available from the Performing Arts Office. I understand that tuition fees may be adjusted from year to year but any such changes will be advertised in College publications in advance of each new school year. Date: Parent signature: The application forms for lessons and/or instrument hire should be returned to the Director of Music, Mr Graeme Quinn, through the Junior School Office, Barr Smith Reception or the Performing Arts Office, or posted to the College. Please note that students currently learning in 2013 don t need to complete an application form for 2014. New applications for 2014 should be received by Friday, 6 December 2013.
APPLICATION FOR INSTRUMENT HIRE Instrument hire is available to students who are involved in the Instrumental Tuition Program and to students taking Music as a curricular subject. Name of Student: Year level in 2014: Instruments: (1) (2) I wish to apply for instrument hire. I understand that the minimum hire period is one semester. N.B. Instruments no longer required for hire must be returned directly to the Director of Music, and signed in by the end of semester or an extra semester s fee will be charged. Instruments remain the responsibility of the hirer until returned and signed in. It is also understood that I am responsible for the replacement or repair of the instrument if it is lost or damaged. (Parents are advised to consider extending their personal contents insurance policies to cover the hired instrument.) I agree to the conditions for notification of withdrawal from hiring and agree to return any hire instrument in good condition. Name of Parent: Parent Signature: Date: