Here are some ideas about how you can learn music.
We lay a foundation at home of informal music education (singing, clapping, playing on piano & recorder, listening to music).
Young Children
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Aotea Youth Symphony puts on fun concerts every year which are excellent for younger children. Cost is usually $5.
After Hours Schools Music Programme (NZ wide)
At 7 years old children can join this programme, which is usually at an intermediate school. Ask around your local support group to find the nearest programme to you, or the Ministry of Education (who funds the teacher’s wages), has a list of schools.
These are economical and tuition is usually in groups of 3 or more. The quality of teaching is variable and your child’s progress and enjoyment depends a lot on the other students in the class.
We paid $70 to $110 per year for instrument hire, and $80 for tuition/admin fee per year for the first child, and $50 for others in the same family. (Kedgley Intermediate School, Papatoetoe, 2011).
Different schools offer tuition in different instruments, so if you are set on learning the cello, you might have to travel a bit!
High School Level Music Tuition
Time to be very creative so you can play without paying an arm and a leg!
Our eldest started learning the violin when she was 13 by watching her younger sister’s Intermediate class (she was too old to enrol), and made good progress. Eventually the teacher allowed her to join the class because she was so keen.
We asked at our local high school about access to their specialist teachers (itinerant music programme). For a couple of years we were in clover, and at one stage had 5 children taking individual lessons in Piano, viola, violin, cello and clarinet at our local school. The school charged us fees of $20 per student, per term. We supported the school music department by participating in their regular school music concerts.
Currently (2011) we have children going to 3 different high schools for lessons or orchestra:
1 Our two girls (13 and 16) learn viola and cello at a girls’ school, with a good music department, and they play in 2 school orchestras. (Free, after audition).
2 One son (14) plays bassoon in another high school orchestra (free, after audition).
3 He also learns clarinet at the local high school ($20 per term). Another son (8 year old) learns violin at this school too, and 2 of his siblings help make up numbers for a string group.
We pay for private bassoon and piano lessons for 3 children. We find fortnightly lessons work well for us, because it’s half the price, and the children can get in twice as much practise between lessons!
Community Music Groups
We belong to the Otahuhu & District Pipe Band (bagpipes). For an annual family membership we gain cheap & friendly tuition on bagpipes. We have 6 people in our family learning this year (Group discount!!). Snare & tenor drum tuition is also available. Suitable for age 8+
We have 5 children in the Manukau Youth Orchestra. Entry by audition, cost is $6 per child, per year. We hire a viola, cello and bassoon for $50 a year each.
One son plays cornet in the local Salvation Army Church brass band. Instrument on free loan, and band tuition is free.
Two children have joined the Viola Society and Double Reed Society. These give them extra playing opportunities, tuition and enthusiastic fellowship.
Family
We attend as many free concerts as we can. In Auckland we enjoy:
Cornwall Park on Sun afternoons
Music in Parks – Auckland Council
Auckland Symphony Orchestra
Manukau City Concert Band, Academy of Strings
Thursdays at 7 (All Saint’s church, Howick)
Manukau Youth Orchestra (MYO)
You may spot advertisements for free concerts in your area from your local paper, or ask at your local Citizen’s Advice about community Orchestras.
Thoughts on Choosing an Instrument
Giving your child life long love of playing music often starts with making a good choice for their first instrument. Every child can learn to play an instrument, but some instruments are more suitable for beginners in terms of cost and difficulty.
Take a bit of time to research the “personalities” of different instruments. An outgoing child might love to play a brass instrument. A child who has a mathematical bent and prefers a solitary instrument might like the piano (but can you afford to buy a piano and keep it tuned?). Some children just love to blow, and others prefer the feeling of strumming or bowing. Do you want to play for others to sing along – maybe first you should try the guitar.
Do you really want to play in an orchestra? If so, then maybe choose an instrument which is in higher demand – Eg the entry level for flute players is a lot higher than that of violin players (an orchestra only needs 2 flutes, but many strings!).
Also, consider what your taste in music is. If your husband can’t stand the thought of beginners on the violin, you might have to promise to practise when he’s not at home (as we did!).
Before you make a commitment to enrol in a class or buy an instrument, try a few out first! Ask family, or friends or at a local music school. Borrow an instrument if you can, and be aware of maintenance costs (servicing, paying for strings, or reeds or valve oil for example).
Jillian Wilson
Otahuhu, Auckland
