Why should my child learn music?
Music and the arts are key to a well-rounded education, over the past decade, research has proven that there are multiple benefits in young students learning music.

Not only does music improve a child’s self-confidence, self-discipline and team work skills but studies have shown that school’s with a strong focus on music education have seen students gaining higher results in both literacy and numeracy tests. Not only does music study provide for these essential personal qualities, but also helps to encourage group dynamics, physical development, a sense of personal, group and community achievement and mental coordination.

Mary MacKillop College offers students the option of receiving specialised tuition on a musical instrument. Students receive lessons from a fully qualified music teacher during school time in either an individual or small group context.

The following instruments are available for tutoring:

• Voice (limited spaces)
• Piano
• Guitar (limited spaces)
• Bass Guitar
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Saxophone
• Flute
• Clarinet
• Drums & Percussion

Lessons

Lessons are 30 minutes in length, although students in senior school have the option of longer lessons upon request, and are scheduled on a weekly basis. Whenever available, Instrumental Music lessons are held on the same day each week.

Lesson Options

30 Minute Group Lesson – 2-3 students

30 Minute Paired Lesson – 2 students

30 Minute Individual Lesson

Lesson Fees

As Music Tuition is an optional elective aspect of the Music Program, music fees are billed separately from the College’s Tuition Fees.

 The current Music Lesson fees are:

30 minute group music instrumental lesson – $18

7 – 30 minute paired vocal lesson – $22

30 Minute Individual Lesson – $30-37

Fees for Music Tuition are paid upon invoicing by the chosen teacher for lessons. The teacher will invoice families directly and fees are to be paid to the account options nominated by teacher. Fees range from $18-$37 dependent on individual teacher fees.

These fees are in accordance with The Victorian Music Teachers Association rates for 2017.

Invoices are given dependent on how each teacher processes their invoices. This will either be in advance at beginning of term OR at end of term.

How do I sign up?

• Please fill in the music lesson form (available from the College office) and read through the terms and conditions provided.
• Once your form has been handed to the Instrumental Music Facilitator Ms Elly Poletti, you will receive your lesson timetable via your school email.
• Lesson timetables will be available on SIMON portal.

What happens after I have signed up?

• You will attend a weekly lesson with your music tutor.
• All students who have lessons at Mary MacKillop College are to join the required music ensemble dependent on your instrument. This is compulsory and is of a great benefit to your development as a musician to be playing with other students.
• Performances – throughout the year you will be given the opportunity to perform at different events run by the music department. When you have been given these performance dates, it is vital you place these in your diary.

Do I have to buy my own instrument?

Mary MacKillop College offers a range of instruments that can be available to hire. If you do not wish to buy your own instrument, you can contact the Instrumental Music Facilitator, Ms Elly Poletti, who will inform you of hire costs of the selected instrument your child wishes to learn.

If you do wish to buy you own instrument, please speak to your child’s instrumental teacher for advice on prices, commitment and where to look.

Requirements

Each student is required to bring the following to each of their music lessons and band rehearsals:

Practice diary (given to you by your teacher)
Pencil
Music/Method book
Manuscript book
Instrument
School Diary

Terms and Conditions:

Student Commitment

Students are expected to practice regularly:

Specific guidelines will be given by their Instrumental Tutors
As a general rule, students should be completing at least 20 minutes each day, at least 5 times per week.

Students will care and take responsibility for their instruments when on campus.
Students will attend lessons punctually and with all necessary instruments, books and equipment.
All students learning an instrument are required to be a member of at least one College Ensemble respective of their chosen instrument.

These include:

• The Choir
• The Junior Band
• The Guitar Ensemble

These will involve attending a weekly rehearsal either at lunchtime, or after school.

Students are expected to be a part of all concerts, eisteddfods, camps, excursions and other activities that their ensembles take part in. Mary MacKillop College will ensure that appropriate notification is given of upcoming events outside of school hours.
We ask that students complete one full semester of tuition once enrolled in the program. A student may withdraw from the program after that period, but must provide Mary MacKillop College with four school-weeks written notice, signed by both themselves and their parent.

Parent/ Guardian Commitment:

Fees must be paid by the due date, which is generally 21 days after issue.
The Instrumental lesson fees are billed & payable separately from the Mary MacKillop College Tuition Fees.

Student and Teacher Absences:

Lessons cancelled by an Instrumental Music Tutor will be made up.
If a student is unable to attend a scheduled music lesson for any reason (including sport and school events), the Music Coordinator must be notified.

A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required for planned absences, including school events,
In the case of an emergency/sudden illness, the Music Coordinator must be notified as soon as possible.
Where prior notice of illness (e.g. the morning of a lesson) is given, lessons will be made up.
When no notice of absence is given, or students forget to attend their lesson, the lesson will be billed for. It is the responsibility of the student to attend the lesson, not the Instrumental Music Tutor to find the student.

College Conditions:

Mary MacKillop College reserves the right to vary the instruments offered according to student demand. The College brings in specialist tutors of these instruments and must maintain an adequate workflow for these tutors.

Where the number of students selecting group lessons does not meet the minimum number for the lesson type (e.g. only one student selects the paired vocal lesson option), students will be allocated into the lesson type in order of form return. Any excess enrolments will be required to pay the single lesson fee.