FAQ

Tim Lautzenheiser Speaks on the Brain and Music

How Playing an Instrument Benefits Your Brain

The Value of Music Education - Children's Music Workshop

Concert Band, String Ensembles and Choirs are offered for appropriate levels and ages.  An important part of ensemble contribution is performance.  This includes concerts at Shalom College, the local Eisteddfod, and other opportunities within the community. Students are also supported should they wish to enter the Eisteddfod as a soloist or in small groups.  There are music workshops organized by staff.  External examinations are also available to all students. 

St Mary's offers lessons in private and small group formats.  Group lessons are provided for most students in age and level appropriate groups.  Private lessons cater to piano and drum kit students and to instrumental students requiring extension or remediation.

If you would like to adjust your student's enrolment, please complete the form here.

Yes!

Instrumental lessons can begin at any time during their schooling.  Please contact us so that we can immediately provide your child with orientation of the facilities, a lesson timetable and an instrument.  Let’s get started!

A music lesson is always on a designated day and time (i.e. Thursday at 9:25am)

Lessons are 30 minutes long.

Yes.

It is the expectation of all ensemble directors that your child must be enrolled in music lessons either at the school or with a reputable local teacher.  Choir is the exception as it is available to all students at the school.

Students are placed in level and age appropriate ensembles. 

All rehearsals are held in the Music Classroom. 

All rehearsals take place before academic school hours, between 7:45 am – 8:30 am.  It is the expectation of all ensemble directors that students arrive at 7:45 am so as to be ready and prepared to rehearse at 8:00 am. 

Yes.  Yes.  Yes! 

Apart from holidays, ensemble rehearsals are always on.  Even when the school calendar is full with excursions, camps, appointments, performances, etc…, ensemble rehearsals are always on.  Unless a specific effort has been made to inform you and your child otherwise by the ensemble directors, ensemble rehearsals are always on.     

In primary school we suggest that students focus on learning one instrument through our instrumental music program. This allows students to progress and build upon their skills. If students were learning multiple instruments, they need to attend more than one music lesson per week during academic time.  They also need to be able to adequately practice consistently on both instruments. This requires a strong commitment to the program and exceptional organizational skills.

Yes. 

Most instruments that are taught at the school can be hired for a fee per term.

Please consult your child’s instrumental music teacher so they can appropriately guide you towards your best option.  More often than not, you can purchase a superior used instrument at a similar cost to a “new” sub-standard instrument. 

All minor repairs can be made on site by one of the instrumental teachers at no cost.  More substantial repairs need to be sent to a reputable repairer.  Hired instruments are regularly serviced through the school whereas privately owned instruments are the students’ responsibility.  Parents are encouraged to seek advice from their child's instrumental teacher about reputable repairers. 

Encouraging your child to practise at home is where it starts.  Having the patience to listen to them struggle is the hardest part, especially at the beginning!  Attend their concerts and performances (staying to the end) and develop an open dialogue with the instrumental music teachers. 

Practise.  Consistent, focused and purposeful practise.  But don’t worry, we’re not talking about 4 hours every day!   Consistency is the key.  

Length of Practise Session Frequency of Practise Session

Year 3 - 10 minutes 3 times per week

Year 4 - 10 minutes 4 times per week

Year 5 - 15 minutes 4 times per week

Year 6 - 20 minutes 4 times per week

You should always contact the music teacher first if you have a question or concerns about your child's music lessons.  Regular communication with your child's music teacher through email or phone is always encouraged. 

When enrolling your child into the instrumental music program to commence at the beginning of the year, you have the opportunity to order a music polo shirt while completing the enrolment form. Should your child need a new shirt an order will be placed in early term 1, please complete the order form here .

The shirt will cost $45 or less depending on the size of the order. You will be notified of the price and invoiced through Parent Lounge. Once the invoice has been paid students will be able to take them home.

If you require a shirt during the year, please see our administration team to purchase any remaining shirts available.

Students wear their music polo shirt for performances, workshops and excursions along with their school shorts and skorts. Many students proudly wear their music polo shirt on their lesson day throughout the term. 

Please complete the Withdrawal from Instrumental Music Form and return any instruments or music owned by St Mary's to the school office. As a courtesy please also email the relevant teacher to inform them of your child's departure from the program.