Programme Information

Students in Grades 2 to 12 have the opportunity to learn a wide range of instruments within the Instrumental Teaching Programme (ITP). 

Lessons on the following instruments are available each season. Students sign up for lessons throughout the year. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Lesson schedules

Lessons happen at many different times of the day, and run in alignment with our activity seasons. We try to be as flexible as possible, but have a number of guidelines and criteria that inform our policy and practice. 

Typically lessons are scheduled as follows:

Grade 2–5

• during morning break, lunch time, or after school 

• during regular class time and not during single-subject classes such as languages, P.E., art, or music

Grade 6–12

• at lunch time (lasting no longer than 5 minutes into the class after lunch)

• in a non-contact period

• after school

Please try to avoid a clash between an ITP lesson and an activity. We realise this may be difficult in Season 1. Please update the Music and Activities Office if there is a relevant change.

Junior School Students (Grades 2 - 5) may wait in the music department foyer before and/or after their lesson until the 4:30 bus.

Practice routines

Students are required to keep a Practice Diary, which is used by the instrumental teacher each lesson. Students are expected to practise regularly and to keep a record of their daily practice times. Parents are also requested to sign the book regularly to ensure they are well informed about their child’s progress.

Instrument provision

Please note that students learning piano, percussion, drums, tuba, or double bass can use school instruments for their ITP lesson. If you have applied for lessons on a brass, string or woodwind instrument, you can purchase through our recommended vendors: Accent Music, Swee Lee Music, Maestro Guitars, Music Essentials and Synwin, or ask in the Music office regarding vendors. Students taking lessons on other instruments must either rent or purchase an instrument. Privately owned instruments should be covered by the owner’s insurance. UWCSEA East will not be held liable for any damage, loss or theft that may occur on campus.

It is essential that students taking piano lessons have a piano at home for practice.

Privately owned instruments should be covered under the owner’s insurance. UWCSEA cannot be held liable for any damage, loss or theft occurring on campus.

School Instrument Use Policy

The College offers a variety of instruments for student use. In some instances as described below there is an instrument hire fee of $90 per Season ($360 in total for the academic year) inclusive of GST and administrative charges. All instruments must be returned at the end of the academic year for cleaning and repairs. 

• ITP Lessons

  • Available for hire ($90/season): flute, dizi, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, bass guitar

  • Not available for hire: percussion, drum set, piano

• Beginning Band & Beginning Orchestra Activities

  • Instruments provided free of charge: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, violin, viola, cello, double bass

• Infant Strings Programme

  • Available for hire ($40/season included in activity fee): violin, cello

• Non-Beginning Activities

  • Available for hire ($90/season): Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Violin, Viola, Cello

  • Instruments provided free of charge: Oboe, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba, Double Bass

*Scholarships available depending on changing instrumental needs

Examinations

Students are encouraged to enter for Trinity or ABRSM examinations. At present, there are two examining sessions, in June and December. Please consult your ITP teacher for details.

Ensembles and performance opportunities

All ITP students are strongly recommended to participate in both Music Activities and Service. Information is available on the College portal via www.uwcsea.edu.sg. 

The Music Department runs lunchtime and after school ensembles which culminate in concerts, recitals and other performances during the year. These provide ITP students the opportunity to perform together, develop essential skills, and consolidate learning.

Fee schedule

The cost per 30-minute lesson is:

• individual $61.60

• paired $33 per student

Advanced students (higher exam grades and IBDP) may opt for one one-hour or two half-hour lessons (per week) at $123.20.

All fees include GST and administrative charges, and are billed by the College each Season. Lessons will not proceed in the event of non-payment.

Billing

Invoices are issued directly by the College at the beginning of each season. All ITP lesson fees and instrument hire fees will be collected by the College. Billing of ITP lessons and instrument hire will be by Seasons.

Lesson attendance

Genuine illness (when the student is off school), dress rehearsals or curricular school trips are legitimate reasons for non-attendance provided a notice of at least 24 hours is given to the ITP Teacher. Excessive homework, social reasons, non-UWCSEA trips (eg family holidays taken in season time), routine medical appointments (except in the case of an emergency), rescheduled quizzes and assessments are not legitimate reasons for missing lessons, and on these occasions, no make-up lesson will be offered.

If absence is unavoidable, the teacher will try to schedule a make-up lesson if one is available. Make-up lessons are not possible for paired lessons. Students on suspended timetable for internal examinations must arrange to reschedule their lessons. Grade 10 and 12 students must inform their teacher if they wish to continue lessons in Season 3. A lesson cancelled by a teacher will always be made up or credited to next season’s bill. 

Termination of lessons

Termination/transfer of lessons can only take effect at the end of each season. Notification must be emailed by the parent to both the instrumental teacher and the ITP Coordinator at least one month before the end of the season.