Instrumental & Vocal Tuition
The School provides free individual instrumental or vocal tuition for students in the Gifted & Talented Music (G&T) program. General Music (GM) students who were learning through the Instrumental Music School Services (IMSS) Program at primary school continue to have group lessons.
If a student is learning from a private teacher they may not learn the same instrument from an IMSS teacher. This is to avoid conflicts of interest in teaching methodology. A student may, however, learn an instrument privately and play in a school ensemble after audition, at the discretion of the ensemble director, as stated on the Instrumental Music School Services website.
Churchlands offers a scholarship to study piano with up to two students per year being beneficiaries. This scholarship is up to the value of $4000. This is offered through the annual G&T application process.
Most students continue to use their own instrument unless advised to obtain one of better quality by their teacher. In the case of very large instruments such as the double bass, the school sometimes has extra instruments available for students to use.
Lessons occur on a rotating timetable to minimise the impact on other classes. Students are expected to practise each day and to record this in their Music Practice Journal.
Students will be required to have music and books for their instrument, which parents must purchase.
Each student receiving instrumental/vocal lessons must:
- Attend all scheduled lessons
- Maintain a Music Practice Journal indicating the amount of practice completed and signed by the parent/guardian
- Bring the Music Practice Journal to the lesson
- Meet all requirements set by the teacher
Students sometimes find that their instrumental lessons conflict with in-class assessments in other subjects. It is important for them not to miss any assessments, and it is their responsibility to arrange a lesson swap with another student if possible and then inform their instrumental teacher. Students are usually given ample notice of assessments, so they should have plenty of time to arrange a swap. A music lesson is never an acceptable excuse for missing a scheduled assessment assuming at least a week's notice has been provided by the classroom teacher.
