Linton Village College Instrumental Music a Passion For Life June 2015
Instrumental Music A Passion for Life Written by Christopher Charlesworth Director of Music, Linton Village College June 2015
Instrumental Music Tuition At Linton Village College we are delighted that your son/daughter has expressed a desire to learn to play a musical instrument and hope that they continue to pursue this interest in music not just whilst at the College, but throughout their lifetime. Why learn? The benefits of learning to play need hardly be spelled out, but please allow mention of just a few: Music will hopefully become a passion for life. how many times have you yourself said, "I wish I had had the opportunity to learn whilst at school"? Perhaps it could even lead to a career the music industry is vast. Learning to play will alert a quickening of the perceptive faculties through exercises, particularly in concentration; it encourages correct breathing and good posture; and it is, like any other language, a vehicle for self expression and self discipline. Group music making is a social activity which not only encourages working together as a single body, but also fosters qualities of leadership. As an active and creative hobby, it stimulates both imagination and aesthetic appreciation. What We Will Provide We undertake to provide tuition for your son/daughter on a weekly basis for 30 weeks each year. During longer terms students may receive more than 10 lessons during that term, but will only be charged for 10. Over the course of the year, however, they will receive 30. This opportunity may be taken either during the school day or after school hours. When the instrumental music teacher is absent, replacement lessons will be provided to students; this should ensure that 30 lessons are offered each academic year. However, if a student is absent from his/her lesson, a refund cannot be made unless a full week s notice of absence is given to the relevant instrumental music teacher.
The Tuition Instruments are taught either individually over a period of 30 minutes each week or in pairs over a 40 minute time period. By opting for paired tuition students may benefit from learning to play with a friend of a similar standard and occasionally may even benefit by receiving an individual 40 minute lesson if their friend is absent. On this basis, if regular practice is undertaken during the week, progress will be fast. Keyboard, piano and singing lessons are taught on an individual basis. Students learning to play these instruments are only offered 30 minute individual lessons. Instrumental music teachers undertake to maintain a register of attendance and will inform the Director of Music of any absentees. If a student misses two lessons during the term, the instrumental music teacher will contact their parents to discuss the matter. Where students miss academic lessons, it is their responsibility to catch up on the work and to do the homework given. Reports Formal progress reports will be written by instrumental music teachers annually; they undertake to keep full records of their students' progress and homework on a weekly basis. The Cost of Tuition Tuition is payable termly in advance. instrumental teacher. Students will be billed by their allocated From time to time instrumental music teachers will ask students to purchase specific music books; the responsibility to obtain these is that of the student. Instrumental teachers will bear in mind the cost of the music and fully utilise it both economically and educationally.
Examinations As a part of tuition, instrumental music teachers will fully prepare their pupils for examinations. Classes in theory of music and accompaniment practice will be offered during lunch times or after school by the Music department; the actual days will be published termly. Instrumental music teachers may invite students to take graded music examinations in their instrument. The final decision as to whether or not to take these lies between the instrumental teacher, the student and his/her parents/guardians. Examinations are held at Linton Village College periodically and piano accompaniment is offered to all candidates. However, a small additional fee is levied to cover the cost of supply teaching. Where a student has been invited to join an ensemble and has declined, the department reserves the right to refuse accompanying that person in any examination; an accompanist fee would then be payable. Equipment Occasionally there may be an instrument available at school which may be hired by a student. In the vast majority of cases, however, students are responsible for obtaining their own musical instrument. Advice on rental or purchase is willingly given by the Director of Music or by the Instrumental Music Teacher concerned. Opportunities exist for students either to rent a musical instrument for a term or to purchase outright. We are able to offer large discounts upon purchase. Parents are also able to take advantage of the Assisted Purchasing Scheme which enables them to buy musical instruments through the school without paying VAT. Further details may be sought from the Director of Music.
Insurance Insurance of instruments is crucial. Our instrumental store cupboard is situated in the middle of the music block. It is locked at 4pm and secured through an alarmed system and there is supervised access during the day. However, we cannot accept responsibility for instruments lost or damaged whilst on College premises and HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you insure the instrument as a special item on your home contents policy. There are specialist musical instrument insurance companies; please ask the Director of Music for further information. Please make sure that details of your child s name and tutor group are kept in or on the music case. Practice If students are to make progress on their chosen instrument it is essential that they practise on a regular basis. At the commencement of tuition, students should aim to practice for at least 10 minutes every day, rising to 30 minutes at about Grade 5 Level. As they progress up the grades, they will need to work for longer sessions, maintaining the daily ritual. Little and often is the secret of success. Ensemble Membership When they are ready, your son/daughter will be invited to participate in a musical ensemble. Rehearsal times for these vary, but each ensemble rehearses weekly at the same time. Linton Village College boasts a large number of musical ensembles including a school wind band, an orchestra, woodwind and brass ensembles, chamber groups and choirs. If they are asked to join an ensemble, students must be prepared to participate and to rehearse on a regular basis. A refusal to join ensembles may result in the termination of their instrumental music tuition upon College premises. Naturally, they will be expected to perform with that ensemble in concerts. A student's exemption from a concert should be requested in writing by their parent/guardian.
Methods of Payment Parents will be billed for tuition directly in advance either at the end or at the commencement of each term; bills should be paid promptly by the date stated on the invoice. Registration Fee This is paid annually and enables the music department to purchase music for extracurricular use and pay instrumental music teachers to run ensembles. Termination of Tuition If a student decides to terminate tuition on their instrument, a letter must be forwarded to the appropriate instrumental music teacher before the end of the half term for which they are currently paying, otherwise parents will be liable to pay for tuition for the following term. If students terminate their tuition mid-way through the year, a further charge may be levied by the instrumental teacher for the cost of lessons already received but for which a charge has not been levied. [In either case teachers must be given a clear half term s notice of termination.] Finally We do hope that your son/daughter will enjoy learning to play their chosen instrument. If we can ever be of any assistance to you, or if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Music at the College. College telephone number: 01223 891233 ext.322 Email: christopher.charlesworth@lvc.org
Cost of Tuition September 2015 Strings/Guitar/Brass/ Woodwind/Drums 147.00 10 x 30 minutes individual Strings/Guitar/Brass/ Woodwind/Drums 98.00 10 x 40 minutes shared Piano/Keyboard/Singing 147.00 10 x 30 minutes individual
Name Gavin Bowyer B Mus (Hons) Instrumental Music Teachers Instrument Taught Brass Christopher Charlesworth, BA (Hons), FTCL, LGSM Clarinet Jen Dobson BA (Hons) Piano Rachel Godsill MA ARCM Singing Hannah Horton B Mus (Hons), PG Dip, Adv PG Dip Clarinet, Saxophone & Bassoon Helen Juckes B Mus (Hons) Oboe Gil Matthews Guitar Peter O Connor GRNCM Dip MCOS (Dist) Flute Richard Partridge MM B(Mus) BSc Upper Strings & Ukulele Louis Thorne BSc (Hons) Guitar Andy Vellacott DTLLS Drumkit Victoria Vellacott Piano