Instrumental Tuition

It has been proven that if pupils learn to play an instrument whilst in primary school, they are much more likely to continue to play as they get older. In addition to this, if they enter the Senior School and are already able to play a band instrument, they will have immediate access to the varied and busy extra-curricular timetable run by the Music Department. There are many benefits to learning to play a musical instrument and these have been widely documented. Pupil’s have access to a wealth of opportunities and skills that are transferable to other areas of school life. As well as developing social skills and self-confidence, learning to play an instrument can also help with concentration, listening and communication.

We currently offer instrumental lessons on all of the following instruments:

  • Woodwind – flute, clarinet, saxophone
  • Brass – cornet, trumpet, trombone
  • Strings
  • Percussion – drum kit
  • Piano
  • Voice
  • Guitar – electric and acoustic

You would need to provide an instrument for your son or daughter to begin to learn on, although you would not need to purchase an instrument in the first instance. There are some excellent hire-purchase deals which start from around £20 per month and details of these are available at most music shops including Reidy’s of Blackburn and Time and Tune Music Shop, which is very close to the school.

Lessons will last for 25 minutes and there will be 30 lessons per academic year. Lessons are taught on a one to one basis. Instrumental lessons are timetabled at a different time each week so that pupils can come out of a different class each time. Most pupils have little difficulty in catching up on missed work and many parents find music lessons at school are easier to organise than evening lessons.

All pupils must be Year 3 or above and instrumental lessons will take place in either the Senior School Music Department in the Brooklands building for Year 7 to 13 pupils and students, or in Primary Phase for pupils in Years 3 to 6. Drum lessons and vocal lessons will only take place in Brooklands.

The cost of lessons is £125 per term. This will be charged to your Scopay account at the beginning of each term. If lessons have to be terminated it is necessary to give a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice in writing to the Bursar, or pay £62.50 in lieu of notice. I am sure you will appreciate that the peripatetic staff require as much notice as possible to allow for changes to lesson planning and income.

There is already a very high demand for instrumental lessons and there is a possibility that not all pupils will be able to have lessons on their first choice of instrument straight away. To help with the planning and administration and to ensure that your son or daughter will be able to start their lessons promptly, please complete the page attached and return to the Subject Coordinator of Music at your earliest convenience. If your son or daughter already receives instrumental tuition at QEGS, this will continue automatically each September unless a letter terminating the lessons is received by the end of the school term.

Please click here to download our Instrumental Tuition Application form.