It is very important for student progress that all band students have regular instrument lessons. It is a mandatory requirement for all students in the music program to have a 30 minute lesson every week during term time (except for recorders). Without lessons children will be unable to master their instrument which will undermine their enjoyment of the band experience and impede the progress of others.

These private lessons cover:

• How to read music (not to be confused with the ability to play by ear)

• How to play their instrument (how to hold it, correct embouchure, breathing, etc.) 

Your child should enjoy their music lessons and playing their chosen instrument. Naturally, the level of enjoyment and satisfaction each child gains depends, to a certain extent, on their progression and commitment to regular practice.

Please take your band music to your lessons.

Note: students in the Recorder Ensemble are not required to have private lessons.

Lesson options

There are 2 options to organising music lessons:

1. Organise lessons through Key Music Australia as either:

   • Group lessons (cheaper, small groups of the same instrument)

   • Private lessons (individual lessons)

These lessons are managed and organised by Key Music Australia. They will be scheduled before or after school, and at school for convenience. Exact timings will be determined once student numbers are known. For more information, please see the Key Music band enrolment page.

2. Organise a private tutor directly.
   Should you choose to organise a private tutor directly, it is your responsibility to organise and pay for lessons directly with individual instrument tutors. We recommend organising lessons with teachers at the end of the year as spots for the following year can be limited. Experienced teachers generally have a music degree or a significant number of years teaching experience, whereas student teachers are generally still studying music or are relatively new to teaching. An individual half hour lesson can cost between $30-$50.