Diana Springford – IP Co-ordinator

Changes to IP and Opportunities for Private Instrumental Lessons in 2017

The Primary Instrumental Program (IP) combines small group instrumental tuition with symphonic ensemble playing and the chance to experience chamber music and jazz combo playing. It is a fantastic introduction to Instrumental music for students in Years 3-6 and partners with our classroom Music program to give our students a wonderfully rich music education in their Primary years.

By including IP in our Primary Music program we build the foundations for a thriving culture of instrumental music throughout the High School. For a small school we have a huge number of music ensembles, and this is in part due to the success of the IP in introducing students to instrumental music. Many IP students also have private instrumental lessons with their tutor, since the small group and ensemble focus of IP is greatly enhanced by the one-on-one apprenticeship-style of pedagogy that is the traditional way of developing a refined instrumental technique. If you remember the wonderful performances by the High School student ensembles in the Music Camp and Festival of Music concerts in Terms 2 and 3, they reflect the level of attainment possible by students who have transitioned from IP to participate in weekly private instrumental lessons, often with the same tutor they have had for IP.

In 2017 IP will be split over two days. Students in Years 3 and 4 will have IP on Tuesdays and those in Years 5 and 6 will have IP on Wednesdays. This will have a number of benefits for IP students, and one is to free up time around our IP tutors’ schedules so that our tutors have time to take on more private instrumental students. We are very pleased to be able to offer the opportunity for Primary students to have private instrumental lessons in conjunction with their IP and Classroom Music Programs as private instrumental lessons offer the most effective path to refined stylistic and technical mastery of any instrument. Some students make the transition to private lessons when they enter Year 7, but the most successful students often start earlier, when they are still involved in the IP, so as to develop their technique and stylistic awareness earlier in their learning journey.

In Term 4 we encourage all IP students to consider whether they would like to take their playing to the next level by having private instrumental lessons. Tutors will be having conversations with their students to ensure they are aware of this opportunity. If parents are interested in this possibility, the Emanuel School Private Music Tuition Enrolment Form and the Private Instrumental Tuition policy can be found at: tinyurl.com/PrivateTuitionEnrolment 

If you have any further questions, please contact Diana Springford (IP Co-ordinator) at dspringford@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au