JUNIOR SCHOOL MUSIC A Practical Guide
to Instrumental & Vocal Lessons
S T R I N G S
Christmas music percussion collaboration showcases creativity individual LAMDA
C o r e l l i
brass ensemble orchestra guitar j a z z
nativity cathedral
Rossini
Vivaldi
ABRSM
w o o d w i n d
Trinity
peripatetic
Mince Pie Concert
choirs singing j o y
Ice Cream Concert fun tours l e s s o n s
community performance
Strawberries & Cream Concert
Welcome to The Portsmouth Grammar Junior School's guide to instrumental and vocal lessons!
This guide aims to support you and your child as they embark on the exciting journey of learning a musical instrument.
In conjunction with the PGS Music Department website, which outlines the schedule of concerts, masterclasses, trips, and rehearsals, this guide offers valuable insights into the vibrant and varied musical life of our school. With many performances and musical ensembles, there are abundant opportunities for students to immerse themselves in music.
The educational benefits of learning an instrument and participating in ensembles extend far beyond the realm of music. They are well-documented and recognised by universities, not only through UCAS points but also in personal statements and interviews. However, the rewards of musical education are manifold, enriching students' lives both during their school years and well into the future.
Should you have any questions or wish to discuss your child’s musical progress, please do not hesitate to reach out to me (i.webber@pgs.org.uk).
Mr Ian Webber Director of Junior School Music
Essential Information: Lessons
Free Instrumental Schemes
Learning an instrument can begin on piano from Year 1 and on other instruments from Year 2 onwards. For most children, our free instrumental trial schemes are the best place to start learning. There are 3 excellent schemes where lessons are organised in small groups. For each scheme children are supplied with a school instrument and music. There are 10 thirty-minute lessons where the pupils will be able to trial learning the following instruments:
Year 2 Strings – Violin, cello, double bass
Year 3 Brass – Trumpet, trombone
Year 4 Woodwind – Clarinet, flute, oboe
If a child would like to continue after the free scheme and pay for lessons, they are simply organised with the same teacher. In the first term of learning an instrument a pupil may stop by half term with no further cost; however, once this term is complete then a full term’s notice is required.
Instrumental Lessons
Instrumental lessons are offered on a wide range of instruments from Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) and members of the teaching staff. Please complete this form to apply for a music lesson.
All Visiting Music Teachers are self-employed and the contract for lessons is directly between you and the VMT. These guidelines have been drawn up in consultation with all VMTs.
Lesson length
Paid lessons last thirty minutes and are taught on a one-to-one basis. In some cases, it may be beneficial for pupils to receive a longer lesson, in which case the instrumental/vocal teacher will contact parents directly.
Cost of lessons
From September 2024 lessons will cost £210 per term. This is for thirty lessons per year with an average of ten lessons per term, which may fluctuate depending on the individual term length. Owing to school timetable constraints, in some terms it is not always possible to achieve ten lessons, but the Visiting Music Teachers will always ensure that a total of thirty is taught during an academic school year. Payment should be made to the Visiting Music Teacher, who will invoice you directly after lessons have commenced. Please ensure that invoices are settled within seven days as this is our VMTs’ source of income.
Notice to discontinue lessons
Please note that a full term’s notice in writing addressed to the VMT (and copied to the Director of Music so we can keep our records up to date) is needed if you wish your child to discontinue lessons. For example, if your child is in Year 3 and wishes to discontinue lessons at the end of the Spring term, notice must be given by the first day of the Spring Term to give a full term’s notice.
Continuation of lessons from Junior School to Senior School
If your child is in Year 6 and continuing into Year 7 at PGS, instrumental tuition with their same instrumental teacher will automatically continue into the next academic year unless the required notice is given. Therefore, if you wish to stop instrumental lessons at the end of Year 6, then notice must be given by the first day of the Summer Term.
Additional Teachers
For reasons of professional courtesy and to prevent conflicting teaching methods, your child should only be taught by one teacher. If additional lessons are given on your child’s instrument by other teachers out of school, the VMT reserves the right to cancel lessons immediately. Any outstanding fees will be forfeited.
Missed Music Lessons
If a pupil is unable to attend a lesson, parents should advise their teacher as soon as possible, and at least 24 hours before the lesson. In this way, it is often possible to re-schedule the lesson.
Any scheduled lesson which is not attended will incur the full charge unless the music teacher is
responsible for cancelling the lesson. The school informs all VMTs of events listed in the Red Book; however, it is the responsibility of the pupil or parent to inform the teacher of other times when they are unavailable to be taught of which the teacher cannot reasonably be expected to be aware.
Attending music lessons
In the Infants the VMTs escort pupils to and from the practice rooms. In the Juniors it is the responsibility of the pupil to remember to attend instrumental lessons. Form teachers will display the lesson times, but to help with independence, we strongly advise all children to wear a watch (not a smart watch) with an alarm, so that lesson times can be met. If a child does not arrive for a lesson then the VMT will go and search for the child.
If the Visiting Music Teacher is absent for any reason, then the music lesson will be re-scheduled.
If a pupil suffers a major illness or injury which results in the pupil being unable to play for a period more than three weeks, the agreement is frozen and no charge will be made for lessons following the first lesson after the injury or illness, provided that the VMT has been informed. Since the first lesson after the injury would have been scheduled before the injury, there is a charge for this lesson.
Lesson times
Times of lessons (usually on a rotating timetable) and any changes will be communicated on SOCS. The School Policy on Instrumental Music Lessons states that pupils should not, except in exceptional circumstances, be prevented from attending an instrumental music lesson. If this occurs, please inform the Director of Music who will investigate further.
Appropriate Physical Contact in Lessons
Occasionally, appropriate physical contact may be considered helpful in instrumental music teaching. This may include helping pupils to adopt the correct hand position or arm movement.
In all instances, the Visiting Music Teacher will clearly explain to the pupil the reason for this contact and ask their permission.
If at any stage pupils or parents have concerns, then they are encouraged to contact the Director of Music or a member of the Senior Management Team.
Ensembles & Concerts
Ensembles
Making music with others is a deeply fulfilling aspect of musical education. It not only motivates students but also fosters the development of a diverse array of musical skills. Moreover, aural skills, which are fundamental for any musician, are most effectively honed through regular group singing sessions.
There is a wide range of ensembles at PGJS and we strongly encourage all pupils to get involved. These range from small chamber groups of only three or four pupils, up to the largest ensembles which number over 30.
Please encourage your child to take part in a group. If they are not sure which group is for them or has an idea for another group that they think we should start up, please let the Director of Music know.
Commitment is an essential part of being in an ensemble. Aside from being an important attribute, commitment of ensemble members is necessary to allow ensembles to function and for all pupils to find the experience enjoyable and rewarding.
Performing in concerts
Performing is an experience like no other, and children who have the chance to take part benefit in so many ways. Each year there are many performance opportunities. Children can play in their form music lessons, in House meetings and School assemblies. There are also concerts where groups and soloists can play. Parents are most welcome to attend our concerts which are advertised in the Red Book.
Except in exceptional circumstances, pupils and parents are expected to stay for the duration of a concert in which they are involved, to support their fellow performers and as a matter of courtesy. We would also ask that parents who are attending stay for the duration of a concert.
Music Week is a celebration of all our Junior School music. We encourage every pupil to participate in a week of performances to their peers during their form music lessons and to our parents at the celebration concert in St Thomas’ Cathedral.
Performing abroad
The Junior School Brass Band tours biennially, performing on concert stages throughout Europe. Together with our Senior School musicians the tours have successfully enabled children of all ages to play in a wide range of different venues, enjoy a varied choice of excursions and perform in a welcoming environment in front of new audiences. Most of our Brass Band players start on our free scheme in Year 3 and continue into the Senior School.
Music Examinations
For most pupils, Associated Board, London College and Trinity Laban exams are a useful goal and we should like to encourage pupils to prepare for these where they are appropriate.
Exam entry
Pupils are entered for examinations by their instrumental teachers, following advice and recommendations by their instrumental teacher. If a pupil learns outside school, they should always feel able to enter at school if this makes life easier. An entry form will be opened on the Department website and completed by parents. The entry cost will be added to the school bill and parents will be notified by email when these forms are ‘live’.
Frequency of exams
There are usually three sessions in the school each academic year, in late-November, late-March and in late June / early July.
The dates for examinations are listed in the Red Book.
Accompaniment
Accompaniment for an exam is currently offered at no extra charge and will be arranged by your child’s instrumental teacher.
Withdrawal from an exam
Entry to an exam is always subject to satisfactory progress and the pupil may be withdrawn at any time upon the advice of both the instrumental teacher and the Director of Music. Such advice will have been given in writing or by phone to the parent and will only occur as a last resort. Pupils and parents will be advised about concerns in advance. In such circumstance the examination fee would be forfeited.
Please be aware that if a pupil withdraws from an exam, the fee is only partially refundable on presentation of a doctor’s note. Whilst it may be in the best interests of the pupil not to take an exam and fail it, they will not necessarily be given a refund. This is one reason why the parent, teacher and candidate should be confident of the future success in an exam at the time of entry.
Advice
All music teachers are happy to give advice about preparing for practical music exams. Additionally, the ABRSM has published full information about its procedures, which is available on the website.
Practice
For your child to make progress on their instrument, it is essential that regular practice occurs; this should be daily.
Practice: ensures growth entails making mistakes leads to new experiences increases self-efficacy and self-confidence provides more structure to our life leads to greater humility and patience
Short regular focused practice periods are the most effective. Every individual is different and concentration spans vary so finding the right balance for your child is important. Your child’s instrumental teacher will be able to help advise, but as a general guideline, aim for 10 minutes 5 or 6 days a week for beginners up to grade 1, increasing by 10 minutes per grade. Find a suitable time to practice (ideally the same time each day) – it may be worth splitting practice into two shorter periods within a day. Practice smarter so that sessions focus on solving individual issues rather than simply playing through complete pieces all the time. There will be occasions when time is short and practice is difficult to fit in some days, but even 5 minutes is valuable as playing a musical instrument is as much about muscle memory as it is about training the brain. Additional advice can be found on the Music Department website. Regularity of training is the key to developing this.
Reporting on Progress
If you have any queries regarding your child’s progress, we recommend contacting their VMT in the first instance. Every VMT has a Portsmouth Grammar School email address, which is the teachers initial followed by their surname. For example: i.webber@pgs.org.uk.
Parents should always feel able to contact the instrumental teacher to discuss any specific areas of concern throughout the year. Any such concern is usually best addressed promptly.
Many VMTs use a practice notebook to summarise lesson content, progress and targets for the coming week. This can also be a useful means of communicating with your child’s music teacher and a way of keeping up to date with your child’s musical development.
Care of Instruments
Instruments, Cases and Sheet Music
Please make sure that instrument cases, sheet music folders and other sundry items are fully named, otherwise this makes it difficult for us to track which instrument belongs to whom. It also discourages borrowing of other people’s instruments, which is against the school rules.
Insurance
Parents are liable for any loss or damage to instruments (owned or borrowed) and so are strongly recommended to explore whether their child’s instrument is covered by their existing household insurance, or whether specialist insurance is required. Specialist insurers include: Allianz Cornhill Musical Insurance (0870 240 0303) www.musical-insurance.co.uk and E & L Insurance (0870 742 3710) www.eandl.co.uk
Missing instruments
If an instrument cannot be found, please contact your child’s Form teacher, who will advise the Director of Music but who will also help the pupil to find the instrument at the time of asking. In most cases, the instrument is found soon afterwards. If the instrument is not found within 24 hours, a member of staff will also spend some time looking for the instrument and will need to know the following things: if the instrument is named the colour of the case the serial number of the instrument, if known distinguishing marks the last time the instrument was seen where the instrument was last seen
HIRE OF SCHOOL INSTRUMENTS
If available, it may be possible to hire a school instrument. A hire form is available from the Music Administrator. The termly charges for this are as follows:
Violin, viola, clarinet, flute, guitar, trumpet - £30.00
Cello, double bass, saxophone, tuba, trombone, horn, euphonium, bass guitar plus amp - £40.00
Bassoon - £45.00
