Beech Hyde Primary School
We are delighted to be teaching brass and singing lessons in Beech Hyde Primary School, as well as running a new after school recorder club starting after half term in February. The music ensemble will be back in the Summer Term! We have great fun learning exciting music and take part in the termly musical assemblies at school.
The following individual music lessons will take place during the school day at Beech Hyde:
- Brass (cornet, trumpet, French Horn & trombone) with Matt Eckland
- Voice (musical theatre & classical) with Katie Curnow
Who will teach me?
Katie Curnow is an experienced and compassionate singing teacher who has worked with children of all ages for many years. She creates a warm, encouraging environment where every student is supported as an individual and guided to reach their full potential. Classically trained at the Royal College of Music, Katie teaches a wide range of styles and offers ABRSM Classical and Musical Theatre syllabuses, as well as RSL Rock School. She enjoys inspiring pupils through varied musical genres and helping them discover their confidence and joy in singing.
Matt Eckland studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and performs regularly with the Bavarian Strollers. He is an extremely experienced brass tutor.
Our tutors only teach the instruments that they are qualified to play and have an enhanced DBS and safeguarding training. They will teach you, encourage your performing, advance your technical skills and, if appropriate, enter you for graded exams and performance opportunities.
What do I need?
Students need to bring an instrument and lots of enthusiasm to their lessons. If you need an instrument please call us to discuss your options on 01582 713333. You can rent an instrument from us at Musicale here.
What age can I start?
We recommend starting individual music lessons at 7 years old when children are ready to focus, absorb the information and have an understanding of practice at home and caring for their instrument.
How do I start lessons?
Click on the Sign Up To Lessons and fill in our new student form. We will then be in touch with available lesson times. When you sign-up you are enrolling for lessons with Musicale which will continue every term until you choose to stop lessons. If you wish to stop, we require half a term’s notice.
You will be sent a log in to Teachworks, our music school parent portal, to access times and dates of scheduled lessons and ensembles, lesson notes from the tutor and see your family profile.
There are ten 20 minute lessons a term.
Little by little build up the habit of playing your instrument. Five minutes daily for beginners, then 10 minutes per grade daily is usually a good indication of a well-practiced student.
What if I miss a lesson?
If a student misses a lesson the tutor has no obligation to make it up and it is usually forfeited. However, we understand that sometimes students are ill or have extenuating circumstances and tutors try to be flexible. Please contact your tutor directly with at least 48 hours’ notice about a student’s future lesson absence and they will try to offer an alternative time, this may include an online option. Please note, whilst every effort is made to accommodate changes, rescheduled lessons are not guaranteed as tutors have tight schedules and external working commitments.
If a lesson is cancelled by the tutor or Musicale the student will be offered another lesson time (face to face or online). Where rescheduling has not been possible, the student will be offered a credit note on their account.
How do I pay?
Lessons cost £173 per term. Invoices are emailed out automatically before the start of each term or shortly after you have been sent confirmation of your lessons if you are a new starter. These will include details about the payment options and we recommend signing up to a direct debit.
If you wish to stop lessons you must give half a term’s notice in writing via email or pay half a term’s fees in lieu. For all invoice queries please contact accounts@musicale.co.uk
We are passionate about every child being given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and we have a fantastic relationship with both The James Marshall Foundation and the Harpenden Music Foundation. These incredible local charities provide grants to individual students living in Harpenden and the surrounding villages where financial commitment for music lessons is a barrier. For more information please email grants@jamesmarshallfoundation.co.uk or if you are an advanced student head to harpendenmusicfoundation.org/apply/