Students will receive tuition for 30 minutes per week (within normal class time), attend school band practice for 60 minutes per fortnight (times to be advised), and practice at home several days per week. Your instrumental teachers are very supportive but will expect students to attend practice at home to continue to progress. If extra practice at home is required, the student will be expected to apply themselves to meet their learning goals.

Before accepting a place in the program, students and their parents should carefully consider the commitment required to learn instrumental music, particularly in a clash with other interests such as sports, ballet, or PEAC classes. If IMSS lessons clash with another extra-curricular activity, IMSS must be considered a priority. Overcommitment in several activities and making competing demands on student time are big factors in student drop-out from instrumental music in the first two to three years. The time of IMSS lessons is determined by the Department of Education, not individual schools.

Instrumental teachers can also advise on what instrument brand is the preferred choice. the teachers’ emails were included in the handout sent out on Friday 7th February.

Students involved in Instrumental Music must attend band practice once a week to develop their skills and learn to play with a group. Band practice will be held on Wednesday at lunchtime (1:20 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.). In Term One, only Year Six students attend band practice. From Term Two, students from Years Five and Six attend practice weekly.

Specialists from Instrumental Music School Services (IMSS) provide lessons. Students are instructed once a week for thirty minutes in groups of five.

The IMSS timetable has just been finalised.

The IMMS instrumental program commences in Term 1, Week 2 (Monday- Guitar. Wednesday- Flute & Clarinet, Thursday-Brass)

  • Guitar Instrumental Teacher: Mrs Tammy de Wind
    • Class times – Every Monday; After School Care Room
    • (Year 6) 11:05-11:35am- (Year 6 students need to be released 5 minutes earlier to collect music stands)
    • (Year 5) 11:35am-12:05pm
  • Flute & Clarinet Instrumental Teacher: Mrs Penny Hall
    • Class times – Every Wednesday; Drama Room
    • (Yr5 Flute) 11:25am-11:55am- (Year 5 students must be released 5 minutes earlier to collect music stands)
    • (Yr6 Flute) 11:55am-12:25pm
    • (Yr5 Clarinet) 12:25pm-12:55pm
    • (Yr 6 Clarinet) 1:50pm-2:20pm
  • Brass Instrumental Teacher: Mrs Michelle Wilde
    • Class times – Every Thursday; After School Care Room
    • (Year 5) 12:05pm-12:35pm – (Year 5 students need to be released 5 minutes earlier to collect music stands)
    • (Year 6) 12:35pm to 1:05pm

Classical guitar students must supply their instruments at the commencement of tuition.  Parents of students playing other instruments are encouraged to obtain their child’s instrument right from the start of tuition. This is a sound financial decision for those who can afford it, saving a significant amount of the purchase price in the longer term.  It is strongly recommended that you wait until instrumental teachers have advised you on appropriate instruments before purchasing. Successful applicants will be provided with a shopping list.

Loans of department-owned flutes, clarinets, trumpets, and trombones are available (on request through your child’s school) for the first year if required. Cellos are available for two years, and baritones and double basses are available for participation.  Parents must pay a non-refundable instrumental charge of $110 to the School before taking possession of a Department-owned instrument.  This amount covers depreciation, routine maintenance and repairs.  It does not cover wilful damage, negligence or loss, for which parents will generally be liable.

Year 5 2025 Loan Agreement Form

General Information About Purchasing Instruments

Information for Brass Information for Clarinet Information for Classical Guitar Information for Flute