Individual Instrumental Lessons – Terms & Conditions
Student and Parent Guidelines & Expectations
- Getting to your lesson and being prepared
1.1 Primary students will be collected and returned by their teacher unless other arrangements have been made by their teacher. Secondary students are responsible themselves for attending their lesson on time as per the timetable, or at another time arranged with their teacher. Secondary students will NOT be collected by their teacher.
1.2 Failure to attend the lesson for no reason or, without prior notice, will mean that that lesson will be lost and NOT be made up. Timetables are found on the Music Office Window and in the Instrumental Music Area. If unsure about your timetable, please see Mr Andrew Horneman. It is the responsibility of the parents to notify the Instrumental Coordinator of their tutor teachers if their child is away sick or on an excursion and will miss a scheduled lesson.
1.3 Being prepared for your lesson means coming to the lesson with all books and instrument where required, and all other necessary items for that lesson, as arranged with your teacher, such as CDs, Drum Sticks etc. (Put books and equipment in school bag the night before and have instrument ready by the door). Being prepared also means having practiced at home as
advised by your teacher (See below).
1.4 Failure to be prepared will mean that the lesson may be a repetition of the previous lesson and therefore progress will be slowed. - Practise
Regular practise is the key to success and enjoyment when learning a musical instrument and will give meaning to what has been covered in the lesson with your teacher. Here are some points that may help:
2.1 Regular practise means everyday (This is not always possible but minimum 5 times a week is a good goal to aim for)
2.2 Practise as soon as possible after your lesson, as this will ensure that all that was covered in that lesson will be reinforced and not forgotten and can be built upon in the practises throughout the week. (Aim for that evening, or the following day.)
2.3 Build practise into your daily schedule and work on having a set routine. Set goals for each practise. This could include, technical exercise followed by sight reading, then work on learning a part of a new piece, and perhaps play over older pieces that you love or that need going over. Please speak with your teacher if you are having difficulty practising.
Do not merely fit practise in when you have time or when you feel like it, make it a part of your daily activities.
2.4 Recommended practise times for instrumental students:
‘Grades’ refer to AMEB examination grade levels and not year level at school
| Beginner | 10 – 15 minutes per day |
| Preliminary & First Grade | 30 minutes per day |
| Second & Third Grade | 40 minutes per day |
| Fourth & Fifth Grade | 60 – 80 minutes per day |
| Sixth, Seventh & Eighth Grade | 90 minutes and over |
(These are recommended times and will not perfectly suit every situation. Please discuss practice issues with your teacher in order to optimise your practice time.)
- Fees and Payments
3.1 Fees for lessons are as follows:
Prep to Year 2 students will receive a 20-minute lesson weekly at $26.20 per lesson (30 minute lessons may also be given at this level as determined by the teacher and in consultation with the parents).
Generally speaking, Year 3 to Year 9 students will receive a 30-minute lesson weekly at $38.50 per lesson.
It is recommended that students studying an instrument beyond Year 9 receive lessons of a minimum 45-minute length.
(45-minute lesson – $57.50) This will allow the teacher and student time to cover all aspects of music learning at a more intensive level. Please discuss with your Instrumental Teacher or Mr Andrew Horneman if you are unsure about the most
appropriate lesson length for your child.
3.2 Payment of fees: Lessons for the term and books purchased on your behalf will be invoiced prior to the commencement of the term and be payable by the end of week 1 or as directed on the invoice. Please inform Mr Horneman by phone or email (music@ncc.vic.edu.au) immediately, if there is a problem with payment so that a solution can be found.
3.3 Failure to pay within this time, or to discuss the issues with Mr Horneman, will lead to suspension of lessons until payment or an alternative arrangement has been made. These suspended lessons will NOT be made up.
3.4 Fees are subject to change each year to reflect standard instrumental teaching rates as set out by the Victorian Music Teachers Association. Please visit www.vmta.org.au for reference.
3.5 Please be aware that lesson payments will be made through the College accounts office and not through the Instrumental Co-ordinator. - Missed Lessons and Absences
4.1 If student is unable to attend the lesson, 24 hours notice must be given via email to the Music Coordinator or the lesson will still be charged for and no makeup lesson will be given.
4.2 In the case of illness on the morning of a lesson, Mr Horneman must be notified before school via email.
4.3 In the case that a student must go home early due to illness or other reason on the day of their lesson, the student or parent must inform the instrumental music teacher in their teaching studio prior to going home.
4.4 Student or parent must advise their instrumental music teacher or Mr Horneman well in advance if possible, of any upcoming excursions, special events, tests or anything that may interfere with the scheduled lesson time so that alternative arrangements may be made.
4.5 Other than long-term illness or family holiday, (the latter requiring at least 4 weeks’ prior notice), absences will be paid for and no lesson will be “made up” when a student is absent without prior notice.
4.6 Where a teacher is absent, the missed lesson will be made up at an agreed time. Where this is not possible the fee for that lesson will be credited to the next term. Where THIS is not possible, a full refund for that lesson will be made to the parent
- Discontinuation
5.1 Enrolment in the Instrumental Music Program is ongoing. Enrolment in the next term is always presumed. Automatically renewing from term to term and year to year.
5.2 After consultation between parents, teacher and/or Mr Horneman, a student may discontinue lessons. Notification must be made in writing to Mr Horneman no less than 4 weeks before the end of term. Lessons will then cease at the end of that term. Should the student not attend these lessons, in accordance with the guidelines, no refund will be made.
5.3 If written notification of discontinuation of lessons is not received, including at the end of the year, it is assumed that the student is continue their enrolment in the Music Program for the following term or year and will be invoiced and expected to pay accordingly.
Please read these guidelines thoroughly and keep for future reference. You will need to sign the enrolment form, indicating that you have read, understood and will endeavor to adhere to the above guidelines.
Group Instrumental Lessons
Student and Parent Guidelines & Expectations
- Getting to your group lesson and being prepared
1.1 Primary students will be collected and returned by their teacher unless other arrangements have been made by their teacher. Secondary students are responsible for attending their lesson on time as per the timetable, or at another time arranged with their teacher. Secondary students will NOT be collected by their teacher.
1.2 Failure to attend the lesson for no reason or, without prior notice, will mean that that lesson will be lost and NOT be made up. Timetables are emailed to parents as a digital link at the beginning of each Term and are available digitally. If unsure about your timetable, please see Mr Andrew Horneman. It is the responsibility of the parents to notify the Instrumental Coordinator or
their tutor/teacher if their child is away sick or on an excursion and will miss a scheduled lesson.
1.3 Being prepared for your lesson means coming to the lesson with all books and instrument where required, and all other necessary items for that lesson, as arranged with your teacher, such as CDs, Drum Sticks etc. (Put books and equipment in school bag the night before and have instrument ready by the door). Being prepared also means having practiced at home as advised by
your teacher (See below).
1.4 Failure to be prepared will mean that the lesson may be a repetition of the previous lesson and therefore progress will be slowed.
- Practice
Regular practice is the key to success and enjoyment when learning a musical instrument and will give meaning to what has been covered in the lesson with your teacher. Here are some points that may help:
2.1 Regular practice means everyday (This is not always possible but minimum 5 times a week is a good goal to aim for)
2.2 Practice as soon as possible after your lesson, as this will ensure that all that was covered in that lesson will be reinforced and not forgotten and can be built upon in the practices throughout the week. (Aim for that evening, or the following day.)
2.3 Build practice into your daily schedule and work on having a set routine. Set goals for each practice.
This could include, technical exercise followed by sight reading, then work on learning a part of a new piece, and perhaps play over older pieces that you love or that need going over. Please speak with your teacher if you are having difficulty practising. Do not merely fit practice in when you have time or when you feel like it, make it a part of your daily activities.
2.4 Recommended practice times for instrumental students:
New students — 30 minutes per day
(This is a recommended time and will not perfectly suit every situation.)
Please discuss practice issues with your teacher in order to optimise your practice time.
- Fees and Payments
3.1 Fees for lessons are as follows:
New Prep to Year 12 students will receive a 30-minute lesson weekly at $20.00 per lesson. This reduced price for group lessons is only available for one Semester. It is recommended that students enroll in individual lessons after having completed one semester of group lessons.
3.2 Payment of fees: Lessons for the term and books purchased on your behalf will be invoiced prior to the commencement of the term and be payable by the end of week 1 or as directed on the invoice. Please inform Mr Horneman by phone or email (music@ncc.vic.edu.au) immediately, if there is a problem with payment so that a solution
can be found.
3.3 Failure to pay within this time, or to discuss the issues with Mr Horneman, will lead to suspension of lessons until payment or an alternative arrangement has been made. These suspended lessons will NOT be made up.
3.4 Fees are subject to change each year to reflect standard instrumental teaching rates as set out by the Victorian Music Teachers Association. Please visit www.vmta.org.au for reference.
3.5 Please be aware that lesson payments will be made through the College Accounts Office and not through the Instrumental Co-ordinator.
- Missed Lessons and Absences
4.1 If student is unable to attend the lesson, the lesson will still go ahead with remaining students in group and will not be refunded.
4.2 Student or parent must advise their instrumental music teacher or Mr Horneman well in advance if possible, of any upcoming excursions, special events, tests or anything that may interfere with the scheduled lesson time so that alternative arrangements may be made.
4.3 Other than long-term illness, absences will be paid for and no lesson will be “made up” when a student is absent without prior notice.
4.4 Where a teacher is absent, the missed lesson will be made up at an agreed time. Where this is not possible the fee for that lesson will be credited to the next term. Where THIS is not possible, a full refund for that lesson will be made to the parent.
- Discontinuation
5.1 Enrolment in the Instrumental Music Program is ongoing. Enrolment in the next term is always presumed. Automatically renewing from term to term and year to year.
5.2 After consultation between parents, teacher and/or Mr Horneman, a student may discontinue lessons. Notification must be made in writing to Mr Horneman no less than 4 weeks before the end of term. Lessons will then cease at the end of that term. Should the student not attend these lessons, in accordance with the guidelines, no refund will be made.
5.3 If written notification of discontinuation of lessons is not received, including at the end of the year, it is assumed that the student is continue their enrolment in the Music Program for the following term and will be invoiced and expected to pay accordingly.
Loan Of College Instruments
Compulsory Senior Primary Class Band Program
The following conditions apply to all instruments that are loaned to students by the College for use in the Year 6 Band Program.
- All reasonable care must be taken to ensure that the instrument is not lost, stolen or broken.
- Payment for necessary repairs due to damage caused through negligence or misuse is the responsibility of parents.
- College owned instruments that are lent to students are insured within College precincts only.
- No person other than the student loaning the instrument is allowed to play or handle the instrument.
- On no account must a student or any other person attempt repairs or adjustments to the instrument.
- Any damage or defect to the instrument must be brought to the attention of the Band Program teacher immediately.
With payment for Instrument Loan for the Year 6 Band Program, Parents agree to the following terms:
I give permission for my child to loan the above mentioned instrument. I understand that I am totally responsible for the care and maintenance of that instrument once it has been issued to my child, as these instruments are not covered by school insurance when not on school premises. In the case of damage or breakage, I authorize any repairs needed to be organised by the school and charged to my account. I understand that the instruments are checked before being issued to ensure they are in good condition.
Secondary Opt-In Concert & Jazz Band Program
The following conditions apply to all instruments that are loaned to students by the College for use in the Secondary Opt-In Concert & Jazz Band Programs.
- All reasonable care must be taken to ensure that the instrument is not lost, stolen or broken.
- Payment for necessary repairs due to damage caused through negligence or misuse is the responsibility of parents.
- College owned instruments that are lent to students are insured within College precincts only.
- No person other than the student loaning the instrument is allowed to play or handle the instrument.
- On no account must a student or any other person attempt repairs or adjustments to the instrument.
- Any damage or defect to the instrument must be brought to the attention of the Band Program teacher immediately.
With payment for Instrument Loan for the Secondary Opt-In Concert & Jazz Band Program, Parents agree to the following terms:
I give permission for my child to loan the above mentioned instrument. I understand that I am totally responsible for the care and maintenance of that instrument once it has been issued to my child, as these instruments are not covered by school insurance when not on school premises. In the case of damage or breakage, I authorize any repairs needed to be organised by the school and charged to my account. I understand that the instruments are checked before being issued to ensure they are in good condition.
Individual or Group Instrumental Music Lessons (Instrument Loan)
The following conditions apply to all instruments that are loaned to students by the College for use in Instrumental Music Lesson Programs.
- All reasonable care must be taken to ensure that the instrument is not lost, stolen or broken.
- Payment for necessary repairs due to damage caused through negligence or misuse is the responsibility of parents.
- College owned instruments that are lent to students are insured within College precincts only.
- No person other than the student loaning the instrument is allowed to play or handle the instrument.
- On no account must a student or any other person attempt repairs or adjustments to the instrument.
- Any damage or defect to the instrument must be brought to the attention of the Music Coordinator or the Instrumental Music Tutor immediately.
With payment for Instrument Loan, Parents agree to the following terms:
I give permission for my child to loan the above mentioned instrument. I understand that I am totally responsible for the care and maintenance of that instrument once it has been issued to my child, as these instruments are not covered by school insurance when not on school premises. In the case of damage or breakage, I authorize any repairs needed to be organised by the school and charged to my account. I understand that the instruments are checked before being issued to ensure they are in good condition.