BEGINNER BAND PROGRAM - An introduction Background The 2015 Beginner Band has been a tremendous success. We are looking to extend this through to the new students who will form next year s Beginner Band. The Beginner Band is designed for boys who have little or no musical experience. They will be taught everything they need to know to be successful performers, with their first concert scheduled for the end of Term 1. We have found that boys learning as members of a musical ensemble are much more successful than those who participate only in Single Studies lessons. With a curriculum that co-ordinates group band lessons with individual lessons, they will get the best of both approaches to their learning. This program is not compulsory, but we would encourage all families to strongly consider this unique learning opportunity. Curriculum All boys will receive a copy of the book Accent on Achievement. This contains a series of graded exercises that will enable boys to progress from their first notes to full band arrangements with minimal difficulties. All boys will learn common exercises right from the start, rather than waiting for months or even years before joining a band. Participation Participation in the Beginner Band Program will be entirely voluntary. This will be an accelerated program and as such will require a higher practice level than normal music classes. Boys will be required to practice a minimum of 80 minutes a week. Should boys fall behind due to a lack of practice, they may be requested to discontinue Band studies. The Beginner Band is open to boys starting Year 4 and Year 5 in 2016. Boys entering Year 6 are encouraged to enrol in Single Studies lessons and will be eligible for the Junior Band, once they have completed their first Tutor book. Cost Cost of enrolment will be $33.50 per ½ hour weekly, individual tuition lesson. Instrumental Hire will be $85.00 / $125.00 for Saxophones per Term and the cost of a Tutor book. (See attached Forms) Boys will also be issued with a USB with all required mp3 files for approximately $8.00. Costs including additional music and ensemble tuition will be covered by PAC. Instrument Choice In order to have a successful Concert Band, it is important to have a balanced instrumentation. Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate instrument selections by students, some negotiation may be necessary. The prime goal will always be to match the best instrument to each student s particular talents. If a compromise cannot be met, boys always have the option to undertake individual lessons outside the Band Program.
Required Commitment This course runs for a full year but there is no requirement to participate for the full 12 months. We have an outstanding retention rate but we realise that Beginner Band may not be right for every boy. Students may leave the Band at the end of each term as long as notice is given to the Tutor and the Music Department by the end of that term. Please not that due to the limited numbers of places available on bass guitar, all boys playing this instrument will be expected to participate for the full year. Application Forms To enroll in the 2015 Beginner Band, please return the attached forms by Friday, November 20. Boys may still submit forms after this date; however, those submitting forms on time will have first choice in instrument preference. If the number of boys submitting forms before the cut-off date exceeds the positions allocated for band, allocation will be in consultation with parents, class teachers as well as referring to each student s profile. Please note that we will only issue boys their second, third or fourth preference instrument after consultation and agreement with both the boy and his parents/caregivers. Please return attached application forms (last two pages) to your current Class Teacher or direct to the Music Office. Conclusion 2016 promises to be an exciting year for the Prince Alfred College Band Program. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email or mobile phone, as detailed below. Yours sincerely, Mr. Andrew Newhouse Director of Music Performance / Director of Bands Prince Alfred College Email anewhouse@pac.edu.au
BEGINNER BAND PROGRAM SINGLE STUDIES MUSIC TUITION 2016 Parents are asked to read the following information, carefully. Do not return the first three pages - please keep these for your information Return page 5 only. Please make a copy of the completed Enrolment / Instrument Hire form for your records. SINGLE STUDIES FOR BEGINNER BAND Boys electing the Beginner Band Program are required to enroll in Single Studies tuition, which will provide them with the skills and technique necessary to play in the Band. Students will receive a 30 minutes lesson with their Single Studies teacher in addition to the 1 hour rehearsal in Band. CONDITIONS OF TUITION Cost per half-hour weekly lesson in 2016 will be $33.50 (plus GST where applicable). An account is sent to parents each term for tuition fees directly from the instrumental teacher. Fees are payable in advance. Instrument Hire (where applicable) and other smaller costs, such as diaries, reeds etc are charged through the school Account. Prep school students will have lessons at a fixed time arranged in consultation with their class teacher. Missed Lessons: Parents are not charged for lessons missed through camps, excursions etc listed in the College Calendar. Lessons missed through student s forgetting lessons, or where a Single Studies teacher was not notified of a student s illness will not be made up. Instrumental teachers are under no obligation to make up lessons missed, but will attempt to do so providing prior notice has been given, and subject to other students and teachers not being inconvenienced. Notifying Absences: If a student is absent through illness on the day of a Single Studies lesson, please phone or SMS the Instrumental teacher directly. This will often enable Instrumental teachers to reorganise timetables in advance. Ceasing tuition: Boys are not obligated to complete the full year in Beginner Band but a minimum of one Term s notice in writing is required from parents before ceasing lessons. Please address this Notice to Withdraw to (1) the Director of Music and (2) to the Single Studies Music Tutor. Please not that due to the limited numbers of places available on bass guitar, all boys playing this instrument will be expected to participate for the full year.
HIRE CONTRACT - 2016 Instruments available for hire through PAC are listed below, together with the corresponding fee per Term. The instrument hire fee will be billed each term, via the student s School account. Please complete and return this form to the Music Office, where it will be kept on file. Instrument Hiring Fee, cost per Term Cost Replacement Value * (Per Term) (For Insurance Purposes) Flute $ 85 $ 798 Clarinet $ 85 $ 765 Saxophone - Alto $125 $1895 Trumpet $ 85 $1095 pbone/trombone (1) $ 50 $ 220 Percussion Kit $ 45 $ 450 Bass Guitar Not available via school * Purchased through the school (1) Trombone/pBone cost to hire is for 1 st year only, hire will then revert to regular hire costs instrument is to be returned to the Music Office at the end of 1 st year, where a standard trombone will be issued (if available). All instruments are maintained in good working order by the school. Instruments not available for hire through the school are to be hired via external sources and are to be organised by the Hirer. External hire costs may vary to those charged by PAC. HIRE CONDITIONS 1. The hiring continues into each term until such time as the hirer notifies the Music Department that hiring is to cease, at which time the instrument must be returned to the Music Department Office and signed off by the Music Secretary. DO NOT return the instrument to anywhere in the school other than the Music Office - the Hirer is solely responsible for the instrument. Hire charges will continue to occur until it is officially checked in and signed off as returned. 2. If not continuing to hire the following year, instruments must be returned to the Music Office before the end of Term 4. 3. The musical instrument is not covered for loss, theft or damage whilst it is on hire to you. The hirer is responsible for any loss or damage that occurs. Insurance against such loss or damage is the responsibility of the hirer please quote the above replacement value to your Insurance Broker. 4. Repairs and servicing required through normal use will be paid by the school, however, the hirer will be charged for any repairs due to negligence, misuse, or abuse of the instrument. Repairs to school instruments must not be undertaken without prior permission from the school. 5. Instruments which need repair should be returned to the Music Department - please allow 1 week for standard repairs to be effected. Where possible, the school will supply another instrument until the hired instrument is repaired and returned. 6. The school retains the right to terminate the Hire Agreement at any time. 7. Accessories for string, brass and woodwind instrument (diaries, strings, reeds etc) are available from the Music Office and will be charged to your school account. Andrew Newhouse, Director of Music Performance
BEGINNER BAND 16 BEGINNER BAND PROGRAM SINGLE STUDIES MUSIC TUITION APPLICATION 2016 The following details are required for the Single Studies Tutor (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY) Name of Student Year Level/Class (in 2016) Title (eg Mr/Mrs) & Name of Parent Guardian Billing Address Postcode Telephone Number Mobile Email Address Please indicate your first 4 Instrument preferences, by placing the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 alongside the instruments listed, below Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Percussion PREFERENCE 1 4 HIRE REQUIRED (Circle One) Tutor Allocated *** OFFICE USE ONLY *** Instrument Number Issued Date Issued Date Returned Form Stamped Form Photocopied Tutor Notified Instrument Required Instrument Issued Entered in Red Folder Entered on Computer Confirmation Letter Percussion students will require a Percussion kit (both a snare and glockenspiel). Bass Guitars are not available to hire via the school, outside hire will be required. Please note Instruments are not always available to hire from the school; in this instance, external hire will need to be organised by the Hirer. External hire costs may vary slightly to those at PAC. To ensure a balanced band, boys may not necessarily be assured of their 1st preference. If we need to look at 2nd, 3rd or 4th preferences, we will consult with both students and parents, before a decision is made. Please return this form by Friday, November 20. I, Parent/Guardian s Name (please print) have read the information regarding music tuition and instrument hire and hereby make application for my son s tuition, as indicated on this application form. Signature: Date: