GENERAL INFORMATION

Instruments

Unless they already own an instrument, students will be supplied with school instruments. These are used in class and then taken home to practice. It is the student’s and parent’s responsibility to ensure that the instruments are safe and secure at all times. When problems do occur, students should notify their teachers immediately so that necessary repairs can be organised.

Storage

At school, students are to store their instruments in the lockers provided by the Music Department on the day that they have their music lesson. At the end of the music lesson, instruments should be taken home for practice.

Ranard, Tuba and Double Bass students may keep their instruments at home and play on a school instrument in school.

Some students may possess their own instrument, in which case the school will provide a locker for safekeeping while the instrument is in school.

Maintenance Fee

While there is no rental fee for the instruments, we do charge a termly maintenance fee of 600 Baht to cover routine repairs, replacement reeds, strings and so on. This is charged to the termly activities account through the School Office. This fee is not charged to those who use their own instrument.

Tuition Texts

Concert Band, String Ensemble and Classical guitar students use a published ensemble method text, which they will need to purchase at the school shop. This text remains the property of the student and will need to be brought to each session.

Timetable

Students meet for 80-minutes each week during the normal school day. Four tutor groups are timetabled together for these 80-minutes. The lessons are in the Arts Centre music rooms.

Leaving Students

When students leave during the academic year they will be expected to return their instrument to the Secondary School Music Department in good working order.

Reporting

Students’ progress is regularly monitored and conveyed to parents in the form of termly progress reports and grades.

Students will be expected to practise the skills learnt at school, so that they progress individually and also so that the ensemble develops at a healthy rate of progress. This is to be viewed as homework for music. Initially, a minimum of 30 minutes a week needs to be completed, as in other school subjects. After the first few weeks the expectation will be for four or five times a week for 15-20 minutes at a time. This need not be a burden or a chore, as it is different from work in other subject areas, making a nice change.

Practice involves going over what has been learned in class, trying to improve the sound produced and the accurate reading and rendition of the music. It also involves developing a self-critical faculty, so that if a particular area needs attention, e.g. a particular technical problem or a particularly difficult bar, the student spends a little time practising and improving just that area. Interest, enthusiasm and commitment to regular practice are important.

Parental Help

Parents can help in advising good times to set aside for music practice and in giving positive praise and encouragement. Music achievement requires effort over a period of time, with often the improvement being incremental and quite slow. The time at school in the ensemble class is limited, so regular practice is absolutely essential for any real progress. With strong parental support, playing music will become a natural part of your child’s life.