BSAK
INSTRUMENTAL HANDBOOK
INSTRUMENTAL TUITION
The BSAK Music Department provides a dynamic and enriching musical education, offering students extensive opportunities to develop their skills, creativity, and passion for music at every level.
Supported by a dedicated team of 16 full-time professional musicians, the department delivers highquality one-to-one instrumental tuition, alongside solo and ensemble performance opportunities for over 550 students across the school.
Based on the second floor of the Phase 4 Building, students benefit from bespoke instrumental lessons, which are delivered during the school day and carefully scheduled on a rotational basis to minimise disruption to curriculum learning
Through concerts, productions, competitions, and community events, the Music Department plays a central role in school life, celebrating musical excellence while fostering participation, creativity, and engagement at every level
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
We encourage parents to use the Parent Portal for all enquiries, as this enables us to respond as efficiently as possible.
Through the portal, you can complete an Interest Form for your child, which will directly notify the Instrumental Team To access this form, please navigate to the ‘Music’ folder and select ‘Music Enquiries’.
Please note that a separate interest form must be completed for each child wishing to learn an instrument.
TRIAL LESSONS
All new students are offered a complimentary trial lesson as an introduction to our instrumental tuition, with no obligation to continue thereafter.
Following the trial, if the teacher, student, and parents agree to proceed, a formal offer and contract will be issued to parents outlining the tuition fees and, where applicable, instrument hire charges.
These will take effect from the date of the first scheduled lesson
SCHEDULING OF LESSONS
Instrumental lesson timetables are added to students’ Google Calendars one week in advance to support effective organisation and scheduling. In addition, weekly reminders are sent to both parents and students ahead of the upcoming lessons as a further prompt
Parents also have the option to synchronise instrumental lessons and CCA clubs with their personal device calendars, providing a convenient point of reference for ongoing planning
GETTING TO AND FROM LESSONS
• Students in Years 2–4 will be collected by their instrumental teacher for all lessons.
• Students in Years 5–6 will be collected for their first lesson only and will then be encouraged to attend subsequent lessons independently.
• Students in Years 7–13 are expected to attend their lessons independently.
COST OF LESSONS
Group (Subject to instrument suitability and availability)
Instrumental Hire Fee – 285.00 AED per term. *Guitars and keyboards are not available for hire
A Piano Service Fee of AED 55 per term (invoiced as a piano tuning fee) is applied to support the ongoing tuning and maintenance of pianos across the department, ensuring all students benefit from well-maintained instruments of the highest standard.
TUITION OFFERINGS
We provide high-quality instrumental and vocal tuition across a broad range of instruments, including:
• Woodwind: Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Recorder, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon
• Brass: Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Baritone, Tuba, Eb Horn
• Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
• Guitar: Classical, Acoustic, Plectrum Steel, Electric, Bass
• Singing: Classical, Music Theatre, Rock and Pop
• Keyboard: Piano
• Drums and Percussion: Drum Kit, Orchestral Percussion
INSTRUMENTAL INVOICING
Instrumental invoices are issued by our School Accounts Department following the complimentary trial lesson and successful completion of a signed instrumental contract
All invoices are issued at the beginning of each term and reflect the allocated number of lessons scheduled for that period Any necessary adjustments are reconciled at the end of each term to ensure accuracy and transparency across all accounts.
Please note that students are unable to continue into the following term where outstanding balances remain unpaid.
In the event of school events, teacher absence, or scheduled holidays, lessons will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time or credited where appropriate Where a student is absent due to an unauthorised absence, the lesson is still deemed to have been delivered, as teaching staff were available as scheduled
CO-CURRICULAR & ENRICHMENT
CLUBS
In addition to our individual instrumental lessons, students have the opportunity to take part in a diverse range of co-curricular ensembles and music clubs designed to enrich their learning experience. These ensembles provide the perfect platform to extend musical skills, develop confidence, and build ensemble performance skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Some ensembles are invitation only, with our specialist teachers providing tailored guidance to ensure each student is placed in the most appropriate group for their development Details of all ensembles can be viewed via SOCS on the Parent Portal, alongside other school activities and enrichment opportunities.
EXTERNAL EXAMINIATIONS
Our school is aligned with a range of leading examination boards, including ABRSM, Trinity College London Rock & Pop, and MTB examination syllabi. This allows us to tailor progression routes to each student’s individual strengths, and learning style, ensuring a more personalised and engaging musical journey
Through these established examination boards, students are supported in developing strong technical foundations, musical understanding, and performance confidence, with clear milestones that encourage consistent progress and achievement.
