INSTRUMENT LESSONS

Otago Girls’ High School offers a great opportunity for students to learn to play an instrument from a specialised tutor. For 2024 Music lessons will be available for the following instruments:

Ukulele, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, French Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Classical and Contemporary Piano.

There are also Singing lessons and Vocal groups and various instrumental ensembles available.

If you are taking a funded lesson through the Government Itinerant Scheme it is expected that you will take part in a school Music activity or group. Please also note students not taking Music as a timetable subject will be required to pay a $30 contribution fee per term for these subsidised lessons.

INSTRUMENT HIRE

There is a range of instruments available to hire from the school. These are distributed by the instrument teacher at the first lesson or else by Mr Shields to the individual students. If you wish to hire an instrument you will need to see Mr Shields as soon as possible. You will be invoiced for the hire of the instrument. You will need to hand in a signed hire form available from the Music Department with payment to the school office before the date of your first lesson. Lessons will begin early in February. You will need then to take the receipt to Mr Shields to be given your instrument.

Hire is unavailable for drums, guitars and keyboards. Students will be required to purchase their own drum sticks and guitar picks.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Piano, Drum, Guitar and Bass Guitar students should have access to an instrument outside of school with which to practice.

Some Brass, String and Woodwind instruments are available to hire through the school at the cost of $150 for the year. Others may be hired from outside organisations.

Through the user pays scheme the price of lessons varies as to whether it is a small group or on an individual basis (up to $30 per 1/2 hour lesson).

Some group lessons are subsidised through the Government Itinerant Scheme. This scheme includes lessons for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Cornet, French Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass.

Students not taking Music as a subject will be required to pay a $30 contribution fee per term for these subsidised lessons.

Lessons are held during school time and last approximately 25-30 minutes. Students studying for NCEA Music have priority for lessons and lesson times.

Lessons will be in groups of 2-5 pupils or on an individual basis. Students in groups will be matched up with pupils of similar ability where possible.

Students hiring instruments from the school are responsible for looking after the instrument and are liable for its replacement if lost or stolen.

Students are expected to practice at least 5 times a week. Students are to be polite and treat the Itinerant Music Teachers with respect at all times.

Where possible, lesson times will rotate so those students do not miss the same classes each week.