INSTRUMENTAL LESSIONS
Trinity Grammar School is renowned for its encouragement of music. The Music Department has one of the most dynamic and impressive Performance programmes both in New South Wales and Australia and, in terms of student participation, is one of the most comprehensive.

The foundation for the instrumental programme is laid in Year 2 at the Prep and Year 4 in the Junior School with a thorough introduction to the strings given to all boys in group lessons. Woodwind, brass and percussion are introduced in Years 4/5 through an instrumental training programme. A further opportunity is given in Year 7 to join the training programme in which boys with little or no experience of a musical instrument may engage in private tuition and participate in either the Junior Band or a String Ensemble. It is expected, at some stage during each boy’s time at Trinity, that he will learn to play a musical instrument.

The programme of private instrumental tuition is co-ordinated between the three campuses. Eight full time instrumental staff and over twenty part time teachers are employed across the sites. The individual expertise and experience of each of our instrumental teachers has ensured a high standard of tuition. Boys receiving private tuition usually have their lessons during school time.

Some instruments are available for hire at Strathfield and at Summer Hill.

TIMETABLES FOR LESSONS
Instrumental Teachers will give a minimum of sixteen half-hour lessons during the course of a semester. However, generally the number of lessons will reflect the number of weeks in each term.

Teachers will issue a full term’s lesson timetable at the beginning of each term to enable students to have prior knowledge of their commitment regarding lessons. At Summer Hill the times for all students will rotate on a weekly basis so that no student regularly misses the same school lesson. Fixed lesson times will apply in the Preparatory School.

It is the responsibility of both parents and students to consult the lesson timetable and to know when the first lesson is scheduled. It is not the responsibility of teachers to collect students from their classrooms.

Students who wish to change their lesson time because of a clash with excursions or exams must contact the teacher personally to make new arrangements. If possible, this contact should be made a week in advance; students not doing so will be charged for the missed lesson.

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCE
The Instrumental Teacher personally, or in an emergency the Music Department, must be contacted prior to the commencement of the school day if a student is to be absent from school for any reason (illness, family reasons, etc.) If this is not done, the lesson will be charged and not made up.

In the Senior School, the Music Department Secretary can be contacted on 9581-6042 or 9581-6000.
For students at the Preparatory School the contact number is 9642-8655.

Lessons missed through the absence of a teacher will be made up, or a fee credit given when this is not possible.

Lessons missed through forgetfulness on the part of the student will be charged and not made up.

Punctuality is important to the successful operation of the Instrumental Tuition Programme. Students who are habitually late or frequently miss lessons for frivolous reasons may be removed from the programme. Students must sign in at the Music Reception before their lesson begins.

CANCELLATION
It should be clearly understood by all parents and students that enrolment for instrumental lessons is for one year unless extenuating circumstances apply. Requests for cancellation of enrolment should be made directly to the Director of Music (Performance) or Director of Preparatory School Music. Notice in writing will then be required four weeks prior to the end of the term or semester.

CHANGING INSTRUMENTS
This can be arranged during any term for lessons to start at the beginning of the next term. A term’s notice is required if a student is changing from one instrumental teacher to another. Please contact the Director of Music, Director of Preparatory School Music or the Co-ordinator of Junior School Music if you wish to request a change of instrument.

MUSIC DIARY
At the commencement of each year, all students in the Instrumental Music Programme will be given a Music Diary. These are available from the Music Department office. Apart from the week’s homework, this book provides the means of communication between the teacher, the student and parents. Parents are asked to sign this book on a weekly basis.

Staff, students and parents should note the following:
Practice times must be written in the Music Diary by students. This will be checked by the teacher at the following lesson. It is important that parents read the Music Diary in order to monitor the student’s practice and progress, as well as the number of lessons attended.

Students must bring the Music Diary to lessons.

STUDIO CONCERTS
During each Semester all the instrumental teachers offer their students the opportunity to perform in studio concerts. These concerts are held to provide opportunities for students to perform as a Soloist, whatever their level of ability. In these concerts parents and friends are invited to hear student performances in a relaxed, comfortable and friendly environment. They also provide a good contact point for teachers and parents to discuss expectations and student progress.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2011