INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS 2026-27
Scholarship “We encourage the growth of intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, innovation and habits of learning within a scholarly community through inspirational subject specialists who provoke and stretch the students’ minds and inculcate a lifelong love of learning.”
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to this short guide to instrumental and vocal lessons at the RGS. This is designed for students and parents alike as they start upon the rewarding experience that is learning a musical instrument. All students are actively encouraged to learn a musical instrument or have singing lessons, either as a beginner or to continue studies already begun at their previous school. The Director of Music, Mr Orchard, is always happy to speak to students and their parents to discuss instrumental or vocal tuition. Specific enquiries can also be addressed directly with the Head of Keyboard (Mrs Newman), Head of Strings (Mr Chambers) and Head of Woodwind and Brass (Ms Howells).
INDIVIDUAL MUSIC LESSONS Music lessons are available at the School for students on all orchestral instruments and on piano, jazz piano, organ, saxophone, singing, drums and both classical and electric guitar. Weekly thirty-minute lessons are provided by visiting specialist instrumental teachers - a current list of staff can be found at the end of this booklet. Lessons operate on a rotating basis so that a different academic lesson is missed each week. This system ensures that students do not miss the same subject too frequently. Students are also not taught during their games sessions. Out of school times (i.e. before school, lunchtime and after school) are very limited and reserved in the first instance for students in the Fifth Form and Upper Sixth who are preparing for major public examinations. Music timetables are displayed on the notice boards in the Music Department and in the New Building. It is the responsibility of students to check their timetables regularly, as changes may have been made. Lesson times are also available online via SOCS, where both parents and students can view them. Additionally, some instrumental teachers may email students directly with their weekly lesson times. Out of courtesy, students should advise their instrumental teacher at least 24 hours in advance if they need to miss a lesson.
ADDITIONAL TEACHERS For reasons of professional courtesy, and to prevent conflicting teaching methods, it is advisable that your child should only be taught by one teacher on each instrument. Please do get in touch with the Head of Music if this is likely to cause problems, and we are more than happy to discuss a way forward.
PRACTICE Students receiving music tuition are encouraged to practise regularly in their own time. Regular practice is essential for good progress, and students should be aware that this commitment extends beyond their weekly lesson. The Music School is open daily from 8.00am to 5.30pm, and students are welcome to use any available practice room during these hours.
REPORTING There is an opportunity to meet your child’s instrumental teacher in the first half of the Lent Term each year. Professional work permitting, academic staff may be available to attend this to meet with you. These normally take place online at a mutually convenient time. If you have any queries regarding your child’s progress we recommend contacting your child’s instrumental teacher in the first instance. Academic staff are always happy to be contacted informally at other times to discuss any problems that might arise.
BEYOND THE LESSON
The main purpose of learning to play an instrument, apart from the personal satisfaction of achieving some degree of proficiency, must be to make music with other people. This can be hugely motivational and develop important musical skills. There is a large variety of ensembles and performance opportunities available to students of all levels of ability. These provide essential opportunities for all students who express a wish to do so to participate in music-making together. Many of these activities are provided free of charge. There are also a number of competitions throughout the year in which students can compete for their respective School Houses.
Commitment is an essential part of being in an ensemble. It is a necessary requirement for all ensembles to function and for every student to find the experience rewarding. Students are expected to attend all applicable rehearsals and relevant concerts. In the event of a clash with another activity, it is the responsibility of the student to talk to the member of staff in charge, or the Director of Music. A solution will nearly always be possible and staff do all they can to prevent students from feeling torn between different activities.
SINGING Singing is an important part of school life and is a necessary skill for all musicians. We strongly encourage all students learning an instrument to sing in one of the many choirs that the department runs.
ABRSM PRACTICAL AND THEORY EXAMS The School can enter students for their ABRSM practical and theoretical examinations. These take place towards the end of each term. Dates for these examinations can be found in the Music Department Calendar or online. • Grade 5 Theory classes are provided at lunchtime for a small additional charge. • Aural classes for each of the grades are provided in the second half of each term.
FEES The standard rate for lessons in 2026-27 is £27.00 for a 30-minute session. Students typically receive thirty lessons throughout the academic year; however, additional lessons can be requested and will be charged accordingly. Instrumental lessons taught by our Head of Keyboard, Mrs Newman, or our Head of Strings, Mr Chambers, are subject to VAT. The fees for lessons with them will be included in your termly invoice. Lesson rates vary between teachers, as most of our instrumental teachers are self-employed Visiting Music Teachers. Each teacher will invoice you directly once lessons have begun; please settle invoices promptly, as lesson fees are their primary source of income.
ABSENCE If a student is unable to attend their lesson, they should advise their instrumental teacher as soon as possible, and at least 24 hours in advance. In this way, it is often possible to re-schedule the lesson. Any scheduled lesson which is not attended will incur the full charge unless the instrumental teacher is responsible for cancelling the lesson. Students or parents must notify the instrumental teacher of any further periods of unavailability that the teacher could not reasonably be expected to anticipate. Visiting Music Teacher work at the School on a freelance basis and specifically allocate their time to the RGS across the academic year, often turning down other guaranteed work. Their teaching here may form only a part of a broader schedule involving travelling to and from other schools. Therefore it may often be difficult to rearrange a lesson at short notice.
COMMUNICATION WITH VISITING MUSIC TEACHERS Visiting Music Teachers will communicate with students by school email, including reminders about lesson times and other arrangements.
NOTICE REQUIREMENTS To discontinue instrumental lessons, written notice must be given to the relevant instrumental music teacher at least one full term in advance. In lieu of notice, a full term’s fees may be paid instead. In exceptional circumstances, and with the agreement of all parties, notice may be given at other points in the year. Parents of students in the Fifth or Upper Sixth Form should note that instrumental tuition continues during the Trinity Term examination period unless alternative arrangements have been agreed directly with their instrumental music teacher. Written notice to suspend or terminate lessons during this period must be given by the start of the Lent Term.
INSTRUMENT LOCKERS AND STORAGE Instruments may be stored securely in the lockers in School Room, located downstairs in the Old Building. Please ensure all instrument cases are clearly labelled on the outside with your child’s name, so they can be identified if moved or misplaced.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT STAFF Sam Orchard
Director of Music
Pande Shahov
Assistant Director of Music and Head of Academic Music
Lydia Dupont
Academic Music Teacher
Peter White
Academic Music Teacher
Sally Doyle
Music Department Administrator
Jan Newman
Head of Keyboard / Piano
Martyn Croston
Jazz Piano
Jill Farrow
Piano
Maureen Galea
Piano
Nao Maebayashi
Piano
Dale Chambers
Head of Strings / Violin & Viola
Walija Chew
Cello
Caroline Harding
Double Bass
Catherine Lett
Violin
Ben Rogerson
Cello
Roy Rashbrook
Singing
MUSIC DEPARTMENT STAFF Karen Howells
Head of Woodwind and Brass/Saxophone
Chris Brewster
Trombone
Karen Brewster
Oboe
Andrea Charles
Flute
Peter Mankarious
Trumpet
Christopher Newport
French Horn
Elliot Phelps
Trumpet
Jonathan Price
Bassoon
Julian Wheeler
Clarinet
Peter Howe
Classical Guitar
Russell Jarrett
Classical Guitar
Dave Locke
Electric Guitar
Thomas Moulard
Electric Guitar
Myer Rosen
Classical Guitar
Claire Hasted
Percussion
James Morley
Percussion