Thank you for the applications for individual Music and LAMDA lessons received to date; tuition will commence during the second week of term from Monday 13 September. The teacher concerned will contact you in the next few days to confirm the day of the first lesson. Lessons are charged at £17.50 per half hour individual lesson. Please can all parents return the invoice payment and the completed ‘new pupils’ Teacher/Parent contract and Privacy Statement to the teacher by the first lesson date at the very latest. Please note that Lesson Timetables will be drawn up within College this term and will take into account the staggered timing of lunches; I shall issue these to parents during next week.
The most important change that has been made this summer is the move to creating a Music and LAMDA teaching area on the Upper Pugin Corridor (on the top floor - above the Heads of House and Learning Support). Most lessons will be taught in rooms S16, 17, 19, 20 and 21. The exception being drums (continue to be taught in M16 Drum Room); cello (to be taught in M7) and Mr Prior's guitar pupils (to be taught in M7 or the Studio).
On a musical note, I would appreciate it if you could encourage some practise at home before the initial lesson and ask your child to bring along a piece of music to play to their teacher (this helps establish positive relationships between pupil and teacher as the pupil is ‘in charge’ of their own learning and lessons can then progress from such a meeting of minds). All musical instruments must be clearly named on both the case (try a strong suitcase label or dog tag) and instrument, if possible, and then stored safely either in the pupil’s locker or music storage shelves on Upper Pugin first thing in the morning. Guitars and cellos are very vulnerable to accidents if placed in the Bus ‘hold’, I would recommend that guitars/cellos are brought to school in a hard shell or very padded case. These can be purchased either online or from a local music store and will be a sound investment. NB. Instruments must NOT be left around school at any time.
With regard to COVID-19 guidance all Music and LAMDA pupils must have a copy of their own study work and bring it to lessons each week. A strong folder (with plastic inserts) and bag for sheet music (where required) is a necessary part of school equipment. Sheet music should be kept flat in a music bag – not inside the instrument case where they become misshapen; some bags are available to purchase from the school shop or can easily be purchased online.
Also, all brass and woodwind players will be required to use a moisture guard for their instruments. These have been ordered for new pupils who are taking lessons in school and will be handed out to pupils as soon as possible. If you are still in need of a moisture guard then please do contact me as soon as possible so that a further order can be made.
If you have not yet arranged music or LAMDA lessons and are interested in individual tuition for your child, then please can you contact me either by email at felicitycoulson@princethorpe.co.uk or by my direct phone line on 01926 634268.
Felicity Coulson
Peripatetic Music Co-ordinator
