Chances are, if you visit the Junior School on most days, the sound of music-making will ring out to greet you. Under the guidance of the Head of Music, each pupil is given the chance to listen to and make music. Children who show particular musical flair are encouraged to pursue this gift and share it with others for mutual enjoyment and benefit.

In Preparatory class all children begin recorder lessons and in Junior 1 children learn to play the ukulele. Children in Junior 2 take advantage of woodwind, strings or brass taster lessons, tutored by peripatetic music teachers. The opportunity is extended into Junior 3 should pupils wish to continue to benefit from specialist individual or small group instrument tuition.

A high point of the year is the annual Junior School Musical held in June, providing an opportunity for Junior pupils to take to the stage. These are high quality productions and combine, acting, singing and dancing together with stagecraft.

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Music Lessons

Availability of tuition

Tuition is currently given on the following instruments by visiting peripatetic teachers:

Piano	Trumpet
Organ (approx grade V standard piano required)	Trombone, Euphonium, French Horn, Tenor Horn
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass	Drum kit
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone	Singing
Classical guitar	Cornet, Flugelhorn

Tuition can be arranged for any instrument, but please discuss obscure options with the Director of Music.  Group tuition may be available for some instruments, especially drum kit and percussion.

Lesson arrangements

Students normally receive 30 lessons during the academic year.

Cost and billing arrangements

Lessons are charged at a pro-rata hourly rate, which is reviewed annually.  The charge for instrumental lessons is added to the School invoice in advance, prior to the start of each term; peripatetic teachers do not bill parents directly. 

• Where a pupil is absent due to a clash with another School commitment and it is known at least a week in advance, the lesson will be rearranged, if possible, with no extra cost passed onto parents. 
• In cases of absence due to occasional sickness or a last minute clash with another School commitment, the peripatetic teacher should attempt to rearrange the lesson.  If this proves impossible, the peripatetic teacher is still able to charge the School for the lesson and therefore the School will pass this charge on to parent. 
• Where a pupil simply forgets to keep an appointment for a scheduled lesson, the peripatetic teacher will charge the School for this lesson. 

Notice period

Half a term’s notice should be given in writing to the Director of Music if tuition is to cease; otherwise, half the term’s fees will be due.

Reporting on progress

Students receive a written report on their musical progression once a year which is enclosed with their full reports for academic subjects.

Instrument hire

The School has a few instruments which can be hired out under certain circumstances. Individual arrangements should be made with the Director of Music  The maximum period of hire would normally be one term.  Parents and students are responsible for damage to, or loss of, a musical instrument belonging to the School.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that parents take out insurance for their children’s instruments as they are not covered by the school’s insurance.

Management

All aspects of instrumental tuition, including any problems or issues that may arise, should be discussed with the Director of Music in the first instance.  Peripatetic teachers will be delighted to discuss all aspects of students’ musical progress with parents.