Students have instrumental tuition as part of their timetabled music classes. The tuition is free.
In all other year levels, instrumental and vocal tuition are specialist enrichment programs that are provided on a fee for service basis.
What sort of music lesson?
Lessons can be individual (private), shared (with one or two students) or group (with four or more students). Parents should seek advice from music staff to determine which is more suitable for their child. The type of lesson is a significant factor but greater progress is determined by the effective regular practice routine set for work between lessons.
Most keyboard lessons (including piano) are individual (private) only.
Individual and shared lessons
Individual lessons can provide both flexibility in accommodating the interests and strengths of the student, and clarity in executing a set examination curriculum. Shared lessons provide the students with peer support, though continuity can fluctuate when one of the students is not able to attend the weekly lesson. Shared lessons work well when the students become friends and have a similar preference in the way they learn.
For students in Middle and Senior School instrumental and vocal lessons are 45 minutes. Advanced students at IB, VCE or AMEB level 3 standard should request lessons of 60 minutes.
The duration of the lesson listed above is the recommended duration. It allows teachers to structure lessons to include warm-up routines, hearing progress in technical work and section of set works, teaching new material or concepts and ending the lesson with performing something known. This provides a good structure for a home practice routine.
The lessons can be individual or shared and each has a different fee structure.
Group Lessons
Carey Music School is able to bring instrumental tuition to more students in an efficient and cost effective way through group lessons.
Group teaching on a regular basis has great benefits, particularly at the beginner levels. Lessons have four or more students together using the same instrument or from the same family of instruments.
Group lessons provide a valuable balance between the personal contact with a specialist teacher and employing group dynamics in a positive way to motivate and stimulate students to develop skills in music making. Students learn that it is important to keep up with the others in the group and to practice regularly. Material for group lessons may come from the solo repertoire but could also come from the group, chamber or large group repertoire. It is the musical challenge that is important.
Tuition that is free of charge
Some parts of the instrumental and vocal tuition program are provided free of charge through programs such as the Introductory Band, Choir and Orchestra.
At Year 7 the full Band, Choir and Orchestra Program is offered for the whole year. These programs allow students to try out, and allow parents to gauge their child's potential progress on a particular instrument. The aim is to enable all students to continue their learning in the normal program once the introductory program is finished.
Music Theory, Musicianship and Music Craft
Tuition can be elected for individual or shared lessons in music theory, musicianship and music craft to serve three purposes:
- Theory/musicianship and music craft classes, particularly for students needing the pre-requisites of the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) Practical examinations, for example AMEB Grade 8 Practical prerequisite is a credit in AMEB Grade 4 Theory or Musicianship.
- The aural comprehension, analysis and general knowledge specified in the practical AMEB examinations.
- Additional specialised preparation for VCE and IB music studies. It is highly recommended that students intending to do VCE or IB Music should be at AMEB Grade 5 Musicianship level (or equivalent) before starting the subject.
