Music Lessons

Individual Music Lessons – Primary (Years 3-6)

Many Primary boys enjoy learning a musical instrument at Edgecliff. The School has a specialised music teaching staff offering tuition on the following instruments, many of which are available to hire:

• Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
• Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
• Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
• Piano
• Classical Guitar
• Percussion (Orchestral)

All of the music teachers at the School are professional musicians at the top of their field, as well as being highly experienced educators.

Applications

If you would like your son to learn a musical instrument at the School, please fill out the application form, which can be found on the Parent Portal, or Music Lesson Application

Completed forms should be sent to the attention of Mrs Carter at the Edgecliff Music Office.

Lesson Times

We rotate lessons throughout the school day, with lessons lasting thirty minutes. We strive to ensure boys will not miss the same academic lesson two weeks running. Where boys learn two instruments through School, wherever possible we will schedule one of their instrumental lessons outside school hours. Please note this is not guaranteed, and is subject to the teachers’ availability.

Once enrolled in instrumental lessons at Edgecliff, your son will be automatically enrolled for every year he is at the School; you do not need to re-apply. Should your son wish to discontinue studies in an instrument through the School, we ask you to adhere to the School’s one-term notice policy.

Parents Attending Music Lessons

Parents should contact the instrumental teacher to request permission to attend, and only do so if the teacher is happy for this to occur.

Parents should not interrupt the teacher during the lesson, to give instruction to their son. We are happy for notes to be taken on how to help him with his practice at home. As a guide, we recommend attending two lessons per term only, unless the teacher asks for more.

Parents should not record the lesson or take any photos unless permission is sought from the teacher, and should only do so for the purposes of supporting their son with practice at home in reviewing key information from the lesson.

Instrumental Music for Infants (Years K-2)

To boys in Years K-2 we offer individual lessons in violin, viola, cello and piano.

When Infants start an instrument, we try to schedule their lesson at the same time each week. This helps the boys get used to the rhythm of music lessons. It also gives parents the opportunity to attend lessons. Parental involvement helps boys to back up tuition with home practice.

All Infants boys who learn violin, viola or cello take part in Infants Strings, an ensemble which takes place during the school day on Wednesdays. Infants Strings performs on Edgecliff Day and at the Infants Concert in November. Parents do not attend this group lesson.

The more advanced boys in Years 1 and 2 are chosen for Harwin Strings by the Director of Strings, Mr Nicholas Parry. This group meets on Monday at 7.45 am.

The Importance of Practice

Mastering new skills takes time and practice. The best progress is made on an instrument when boys practice for a short time each day.

Every boy who learns an instrument has a Music Record Book (Gold Book) in which the teacher writes the practice instructions for the week. Parents are required to sign this book each week to confirm that their son has completed his practice.

A Guide to Good Practice (please share with your son)

• Be organised. Arrive on time for your lesson and make sure you have your music and instrument with you.
• Listen to your teacher and practise the things you work on in your lesson.
• Remember to read your teacher’s instructions in your Gold Book.
• Practice makes perfect: regular home practice will help you to make the best possible progress and will increase your enjoyment of music.

Fees for Instrumental Lessons

Boys receive 30 lessons a year and should commit to a year of lessons.

Music fees are payable twice a year and are charged to your school account. The fees for 2025 are below.

If your son receives 30 lessons before the end of the school year, and his tutor is available, you may elect to have extra lessons, which will be billed to your account.

Instrument Hire

The following musical instruments are available to hire from the School:

• Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
• Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
• Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
• Xylophone

Instrument hire forms are available from the Music Office.

Hire fees are $66.25 per term and are charged to your School account.

When allocating instruments, priority is given to boys starting an instrument.

After a boy has been learning an instrument for a year, it is advisable to consider buying an instrument. This has been shown to be a great motivator for progress.

Lesson and hire charges are subject to change.

Labels

Hired instruments must be labelled with the boy’s name, year and the Edgecliff Preparatory School phone number. Labels will be given to boys by music staff.

Repairs and Damage

If an instrument is damaged please do not try to repair it yourself. Bring it to the Music Office where the damage can be assessed. Maintenance costs are to be met by the School but parents are responsible for the cost of any damage to school instruments. Please read the Instrument Hire form carefully before signing it to see the costs for which you are responsible.

Ensembles

There are many opportunities to participate in the musical life of the School through ensembles, orchestra, recitals, group lessons, choirs and chamber music groups.

When a boy has reached a satisfactory standard on the instrument he learns at school, he is expected to take part in a group. All ensembles are graded so that boys work and perform at a level appropriate to their ability.

Places in advanced ensembles are determined by the Director of Music and offered by audition. Boys who learn an instrument outside school are welcome. As boys progress, they will be invited to be in the School Orchestra.

Places are offered with the understanding that a year’s commitment is expected from all boys, whether they learn in or outside school.

ENSEMBLES AT EDGECLIFF IN 2025

Tours

School Orchestra boys can audition to take part in the Sydney Grammar School Combined Preparatory Schools’ tour. In the past we have visited Singapore, New Zealand and Perth, and in 2025 we will be travelling to Hong Kong. There is a Grammar/Ascham weekend in March each year.

Commitment to Ensembles

All boys who learn an instrument at School are expected to be in a music ensemble, unless they are a beginner and are not ready for this. Boys who learn piano can join one of the Choirs in Year 4, 5 and 6, or speak to Mr Scotland (Head of Percussion) about opportunities in the orchestral percussion ensembles.

Morning rehearsals generally begin at 7.30 am and afternoon rehearsals at 3.00 pm. Boys are expected to arrive 10 minutes beforehand to unpack and tune.

Lunchtime rehearsals usually start at 12.30 pm. Boys eat their lunch at 12.20 pm outside the rehearsal room with the conductor supervising. There are some recess ensembles. Monday rehearsals after school start at 3.20 pm (due to sport).

Ensembles Auditions for Boys who Learn Outside the School

We encourage boys who learn an instrument outside the School to join ensembles. At the start of the year, Mr Parry (Head of Strings), Dr Busan (Head of Winds) and Mr Scotland (Head of Percussion) will hear all new boys to the School play in order to appropriately place them, and any boy who learns an instrument outside School should also attend these sessions. Please contact the Music Office to book an appointment for your son.

To arrange an audition please email edgecliffmusic@sydgram.nsw.edu.au

Procedures for Missed Lessons and Rehearsals

Missed Lessons

Teachers are required to give 30 lessons a year, and you pay for 30 lessons a year. The School year is approximately 36 weeks, which gives a buffer to allow for lessons to be missed for school events and unforeseen circumstances.

If your son misses a lesson due to an excursion, an assessment or the absence of a teacher, the teacher does not necessarily need to make up the lesson because the number of lessons given is counted across the whole year.

In the event of illness or injury, if 24 hours’ notice to the School Office and the Music Office is given, teachers will find an alternative time to give your son his lesson.

If you email the School office, please put in a note asking them to notify the Music Department.

If the Headmaster grants leave and your son has a music lesson, separate notification to the Music Department is required.

If your son fails to attend his lesson it will be counted as having been given.

If he is sick on the day of his lesson and notice has not been given, teachers are not expected to make that lesson up unless they can fit it into their busy schedule.

Missed Rehearsals

If a boy cannot attend an ensemble rehearsal, an explanation to the Director of Music or conductor is essential, particularly if the rehearsal is before or after school.

Please email the Music Office or ring 02 9366 0114. You may also email the School Office and ask them to pass on the message. This is very important so that we know where your son is before or after school.

Discontinuing Lessons

Discontinuation forms are available in the Music Office.

Before you submit a discontinuation form, please email or speak to your son’s instrumental music teacher.

We require one term’s notice for the discontinuation of instrumental lessons. However, subject to approval by the Director of Music, a discontinuation form can be received by Week 5 of the current term for discontinuation at the end of term.

If discontinuing lessons at the end of a year, written notice may be given any time before the end of Term 4.

For enquiries please phone the Music Department on 9366 0114 or email edgecliffmusic@sydgram.nsw.edu.au