Music Tuition in the Prep School

Children in the Prep School have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of musical instruments. We currently offer Piano, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Violin, Harp, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Mini Bassoon,Voice, Saxophone, Drum Kit and Orchestral Percussion. Many of these instruments are available for hire from the school at a very reasonable cost. In addition, practice sessions can be arranged before and after school.

Please take the time to read the Instrumental Lessons Contract. If you are happy with the Conditions of Tuition please complete the information below.

In order for your child to make good progress with their instrument, it is important that they practice regularly. Their individual teacher will be able to advise them on expectations of time to be spent practising, but regular practice between lessons is essential. As children progress we hope they will feel confident to play in our termly instrumental concerts, to join the orchestra, or sing in the choir. Orchestral instrumentalists are encouraged to join an instrumental group as soon as the tutor feels the child is ready, sometime during the first year of tuition. The majority of these sessions are held before school.

Most children begin instrumental tuition at the beginning of Year 3, following a subsidised series of Taster lessons in Year 2, as part of the school music curriculum. Tuition in piano or strings can sometimes be started in KS1, following a consultation with me and a discussion with the class teacher. However, if older children would like to start playing, it is never too late to start and Taster lessons can be arranged at any time throughout the Prep School.

I hope your child has many successful years of learning their instrument. Please do not hesitate to contact me at avesn@lingfieldcollege.co.uk if you would like to discuss instrumental tuition.

 

Miss N Aves

Head of Prep School Music

1. The part-time instrumental/vocal specialists are not employees of the school. Nonetheless, the basic administration of their work at Lingfield College is undertaken by the school.

2. All requests for instrumental/vocal tuition should be made by letter to me. Whenever possible, a pupil will be allocated to a teacher immediately. The first term is regarded as a trial period at the end of which a pupil may stop or the teacher may recommend that he/she stops.

3. Following the trial period, a full term’s notice of intention to stop lessons is required in writing, or the fees should be paid in lieu of such notice. If payment is not made by half term the outstanding amount will be added to your school account and lessons the following term will not resume until the account is settled.

4. The responsibility of providing tuition remains with us. Any change of instrumental teacher does not allow a further probationary period.

5.Please do not buy an instrument before a pupil has tried one with the teacher. Advice will be given on makes and sizes (if appropriate) and on the initial hiring of an instrument.

6. The teacher will bill directly for lessons in the first half of term, to be paid by half term (£230 per term from September 2025). A total of 30 lessons will be given during the year and 10 will be charged for each term, though in practice the number given may vary from term to term (12 in the longer Autumn Term and 9 in each of the others is a common pattern).

7. Registers are kept by staff and reasons for absence noted. Should a member of staff be absent for any reason, lessons will either be re-allocated or refunded by the end of the school year. Should a pupil miss a lesson, this will be charged as usual by the teacher. Genuine reasons for absence may result in lesson re-allocation if space is available. Parents/pupils should give the teacher one week’s notice should an absence be anticipated (e.g. School trip/ fixture). Children should not re-arrange their own lessons between themselves.  Parents should send a message to the Music Department via the office regarding absence or dental/doctor’s appointments as soon as possible and definitely by 8.45am on the morning.

8. All the music staff encourage positive personal contact between themselves and parents. Each child is issued with a blue practice book in their first lesson which is used as a communication log.  Lost books will be replaced for a small fee which will be added to your school bill.  There is an annual Parents’ Evening and reports are issued twice a year. Instrumental teachers are happy to discuss progress/problems either by telephone or at a mutually convenient time in school. 

9. Graded examinations are routinely entered when the pupil is considered ready. These examinations should not be regarded as a necessity or a requirement for progress, but either as a benchmark to ascertain the stage reached or a goal to be achieved. Entry is made via the school and the exams are usually held on-site towards the end of each term. The fee (as set by the Board) and any accompanist’s fee will normally be collected via the school bill.