AN
OVERVIEW
OF
INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC LESSONS
AT
OAK FARM JUNIOR SCHOOL
Here at Oak Farm Juniors we encourage children to experience a rounded
education.
Apart from the pure enjoyment of learning to play an instrument well, and the
sense of personal satisfaction achieved by completing a newly learnt piece of
music, learning an instrument as a child, is beneficial to all aspects of learning;
enhancing maths, reading, comprehension, memory, physical co-ordination,
perseverance, self-discipline, listening skills, concentration and team work. The
list goes on, not to mention the “feel good” factor!
Scholarships for future education and even UCAS points are possible for
children who excel in an instrument.
The opportunities to learn a musical instrument at Oak Farm Junior School are
increasing; not only in the variety of instruments, but also in the number of
lessons now available.
For this reason we feel it is sensible to create an information booklet for you to
keep for reference; both now and in the future.
Please look for the instrument header that your child is interested in, and in
some cases perhaps even yourself! Then complete the reply slip.
Please note some spaces, depending on instrument, are first come first served,
and a waiting list will then be created.
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BAND PRACTICE
An exciting, and recent, addition to our after school clubs.
Children have the opportunity to learn an up-beat song using a number of instruments
featured in a modern band including keyboards, string, brass, woodwind instrument.
Your child will improve in their ability in working as a group, but there may also be solo
opportunities. It doesn’t matter if your child already plays any instrument or not; these
classes add benefit and a different perspective to children who already play an instrument
and give a whole new experience to those that do not.
Band practice focuses not only on musicianship and a better understanding of rhythm, but is
also immensely confidence building and, ultimately, great fun! Songs chosen are exciting
and contemporary and a performance is given to the school and students’ parents at the
end of the term.
Band practice takes place every Thursday for 1 hour; 3.30 – 4.30pm and is led by Mr
Stergiou and Simon Brett, our 2 freelance guitar and drum teachers.
Spaces need to be booked before the 11th December.
The 10 week term costs £100 and cheques are payable to Mr G Stergiou.
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BRASS
Did you Know?… Steve Tyler can play the Trumpet, Aretha Franklin can play the Tuba, Nelly
Furtado can play the Trombone and both Ewan McGregor and Samuel L Jackson can play the
French Horn!
The Hillingdon Music Service provide these weekly lessons.
Your child will be assessed on their ability and size; brass instruments range in primary
school from a small cornet, a trombone and even to a large euphonium!
Children will be given an instrument by the Music Service for which a small rental fee is
included in the termly charge. Lessons take place during the school afternoon.
Hillingdon Music Service rates are extremely economical compared to private tutor fees and
depending on income/benefits can be even less.
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CELLO
…Charlie Chaplin, Prince Charles, Christopher Walken , Rosamund Pike, Emily Blunt and
Richard Armitage to name a few can all play the Cello!...
The Hillingdon Music Service provide these weekly lessons.
Your child will be assessed for size – junior cellos are used for primary age children. These
lessons are held during the school afternoon.
Hillingdon Music Service rates are extremely economical compared to private tutor fees and
depending on income/benefits can be even less.
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DRUMS
Drum lessons are available after school on Thursday and Friday.
Our freelance drum teacher, Simon Brett, has been with us for a number of years and
teaches not only the drum kit but also, if requested, will focus on snare, percussion and
samba.
There are a selection of lesson slots available from groups to 1:1. The cost of these lessons,
which are at a greatly reduced rate compared to private tuition, are;
Groups:
£35 for 5 weeks
£70 for 10 weeks.
1:1
£45 for 5 weeks
£80 for 10 weeks
Payments are direct to Simon Brett with cheques payable to ZIGABAN
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GUITAR
These lessons are taught by Mr Stergiou our freelance guitar teacher. Lessons take place
every afternoon during school and can be on the ACOUSTIC, ELECTRIC, BASS or CLASSICAL
guitar.
ELECTRIC AND BASS GUITAR LESSONS;
It would be beneficial to your child’s learning to have their own ELECTRIC or BASS guitar to
enable practise and progression. We have a number that are available to use in school for
the lesson but unfortunately they cannot be hired.
ACOUSTIC AND CLASSICAL;
Again it would be beneficial to the child’s learning to have their own guitar if learning on an
ACOUSTIC or for CLASSICAL lessons, however, we do have a number in school for a small
termly rental fee if you do not have your own, which can be taken home.
Lessons are grouped according to ability and choice of guitar (you must state clearly on the
reply slip which guitar your child wishes to learn), and lessons take place in half hourly slots
throughout every school afternoon.
Termly fees, which are at a greatly reduced rate compared to private tuition, are usually for
11-12 weeks and cheques are made payable to Oak Farm Junior school.
All children will need a guitar book and tuner; all available at a small charge through the
school.
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KEYBOARD / PIANO
The Hillingdon Music Service provide these lessons which are taught by the same teacher on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Children can choose, and will also be advised by the teacher, whether they will learn on a
keyboard or piano – obviously through progression and aptitude children move from one to
the other in time if they wish.
It is advisable to have a keyboard at home for regular practise – unfortunately, at this time,
the Music Service do not provide a rental opportunity for this instrument.
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THEORY AND HARMONY CLASSES
To improve your child’s musicianship and develop further their understanding and
confidence in their instrument, Mr Stergiou is offering termly classes.
Children will have a greater understanding of beats and measures; combining more intricate
rhythms, as well as enhancing, among other aspects, what works well together in the
structure (plan) of music.
Depending on the amount of interest, classes may be after school or during the school
afternoon.
Learning to play an instrument does involve physical co-ordination but also relies upon a
developing knowledge of theory; which may also develop your child’s mathematical
confidence.
Half hour lessons cost £40 for 10 weeks. Cheques made payable to Mr Stergiou.
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UKULELE
This popular instrument is manageable by most!
We offer an after school club open to adults as well as their children. It encourages
confidence and a sense of team work/ community when learning together with your child
on such a fun instrument!
Sessions are an hour long on a Tuesday 3.30 – 4.30pm.
You will need your own ukulele, however it doesn’t need to cost the earth and can be in any
size you wish; soprano, tenor, concert, baritone and even bass – electric or
acoustic…banjoleles – a cross between a banjo and a ukulele - have even appeared at our
club!!
Costs for this group are £2 per child or £3 with a ukulele playing adult per week. Cheques
are payable to Oak Farm Junior School.
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VIOLIN
These lessons are provided on a Friday afternoon by the Hillingdon Music Service.
Your child will be assessed for size of violin required and these instruments can be hired
through their usual terms.
Hillingdon Music Service rates are extremely economical compared to private tutor fees and
depending on income/benefits can be even less.
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WOODWIND
Clarinet players you may have heard of; Julia Roberts, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg.
Saxophone players you may have heard of; Tom Selleck, Lionel Ritchie, David Bowie.
These lessons are provided by the Hillingdon Music Service. Your child will be assessed and
advised on whether they are best suited to the clarinet or saxophone.
Lessons take place on a Friday afternoon, and instruments are hired from the Music Service.
Hillingdon Music Service rates are extremely economical compared to private tutor fees and
depending on income/benefits can be even less.
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EXTRA IMPORTANT INFORMATION
 All children learning an instrument are expected to bring books, extra
equipment and their instrument to their weekly lessons.
 Children are expected to attend their lesson on time – highlighted
timetables are in their classrooms.
 Children are encouraged to practise at home for a more rewarding and
successful experience.
 Children showing progression, learning an instrument with Hillingdon
Music Service, may be invited to take a graded exam or join the junior
bands/orchestras that are run by the Music Service.
 Children learning an instrument with our freelance teachers may be
given the option to sit a graded exam.
 All children are encouraged to play, when at a suitable level, during
school assemblies; whether as a solo or small groups.
 All children in years 4, 5 and 6 are invited and expected to take part in
the school’s Instrumental Concert Evening.
 In the event of an instrumental lesson being missed, lessons may be
made up according to the HMS or Oak Farm policy; depending on who
has provided the lesson;
Hillingdon Music Service state that only if a teacher is absent themselves
or they have had advance warning of the school being closed will lessons
be made up within that child’s academic year.
Oak Farm state that if the freelance teacher is absent, the school is
closed during term time or the child is on an “educational school trip”
lessons will be made up during that current term.
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We hope from reading this booklet your child is keen to learn an instrument.
Please fill in the appropriate section of the attached reply slip; with enclosed
cheque where fees and payee are stated.
Hillingdon Music Service will send payment and registration forms to you
directly after your child has had an assessment in that particular instrument.
Guitar fees will be on a more detailed letter, given when this instrument is
requested.
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REPLY SLIP
For The attention of Mrs Stonely
Child’s name………………………………………………………………………………………………
Class………………………………….
I have read and understood the Instrumental Booklet and would like my child to participate
in;
Please TICK the box/boxes of your choice;
Band Practise including cheque £100 made payable; MR STERGIOU
Brass
Cello
Drum including cheque –please refer to booklet made payable; ZIGABAN
Guitar –
Acoustic
Classical
Electric
Bass
We have/ We do not have our own guitar
Keyboard/Piano
Theory and Harmony Classes including cheque £40 made payable; MR STERGIOU
Ukulele including cheque £20 or £30 made payable; Oak Farm Junior School
Violin
Woodwind
Signed……………………………………………………………………………………………………Parent/Guardian
Date…………………………………….