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Musica Kirklees Frequently Asked Questions
Musica Kirklees office details
9 Beast Market
Huddersfield
HD1 1QF
We are open during term time Monday to Friday 9.00am-4.30pm. During school holidays office open times will vary.
Tel: 01484 426426
Fax: 01484 480490
Email: [email protected]
What is the application process?
Where and when will lessons take place?
How many lessons will I/my child receive?
Is it possible for adults to have lessons?
Is it possible for adults to attend a centre?
Do I need to buy any music books/additional accessories?
How do I find out about my child’s progress?
I/my child already receive lessons but would like to change the lesson option. How can I do this?
My child is transferring schools. What will happen?
My child is leaving high school/college at the end of the academic year. What will happen?
Is there any help for families in receipt of benefits?
Are there any groups or ensembles my child can attend?
My child does not have lessons with Musica Kirklees. Can they join a centre?
How can I cancel lessons and/or centre membership?
What happens if I/my child does not receive the guaranteed minimum of 30 lessons?
What happens if the teacher is ill?
What happens if the teacher is ill long term?
How do I make a complaint to Musica Kirklees?
What do I/my child need for the first lesson?
I/my child is having lessons but would like to learn another instrument. Is that possible?
Where can I find information about paying by Direct Debit?
Tuition is available for a wide range of instruments, including:
Woodwind – Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Recorder.
Brass – Trumpet, Cornet, Tenor Horn, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba.
Strings – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.
Guitar – Classical Guitar (nylon strung), Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar (steel strung), Ukulele.
Piano and Electric Keyboard.
Percussion – Snare Drum, Drum Kit, Tuned Percussion.
Voice
What is the application process?
There are different forms for different lesson types so please make sure that you complete the appropriate form.
Please return the completed form to the Musica Kirklees office (click here for application forms).
If lessons are not immediately available you will be added to our waiting list and contacted when there is a space.
Where and when will lessons take place?
For school age children attending most Kirklees schools lessons take place in school and during school hours where possible.
In high schools, Musica Kirklees staff will where possible try to teach pupils on a rota basis to avoid missing the same class every week.
For children and adults, there are also ‘Central Classes’ where lessons are taught outside of school hours. These are based at our five centres or other agreed venues. If you would like to apply for lessons to take place at Central Classes please mark this on your Application Form or call the Musica Kirklees office for more details.
For children who attend non-Kirklees schools or schools/colleges that do not make provision for Musica Kirklees tutors to visit, lessons would have to take place at a Central Class.
Musica Kirklees is unable to organise lessons at the student’s home.
How many lessons will I/my child receive?
Musica Kirklees aim to deliver 33 lessons per full academic year (3 full terms), with a guaranteed minimum of 30.
My child appears on the school register for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - is it possible to have lessons?
Yes. Music can be a way of engaging with students with SEND whilst developing confidence and self-esteem. Please give details of any SEND where requested on the Application Form and note any requirements that the teacher will need to be made aware of.
Is it possible for adults to have lessons?
Adults are welcome to apply for lessons. Adult prices apply to all pupils who have completed school year 13. Adults are taught outside of school hours at one of our ‘Central Classes’ which are based at local centres, schools or other agreed venues. Please download the Adult Application Form from our website for details of lesson options and prices or contact the Musica Kirklees office.
Is it possible for adults to attend a centre?
Adults are welcome to attend our centres. Please click here for centre details. Prices can be viewed by downloading the Centre Registration Form from our website.
An invoice for fees, once we know that lessons are to start, will be sent to you in the post. There are a few different ways to pay:
Cash – please bring cash directly to the Musica Kirklees office. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE POST.
Credit/debit card – payment can be made online via the Musica Kirklees website (www.musicakirklees.org), at the Musica Kirklees office or over the telephone on 01484 426426.
Cheque – made payable to ‘Musica Kirklees’ and sent to the Musica Kirklees office.
Direct Debit – you will need to request an application form from the Musica Kirklees office. Payment is made in three monthly instalments per term. Direct Debits can only be set up if the form is submitted before the start of a new term. Click here for more information.
Please do not make payments directly to tutors as all monies have to be processed by the Musica Kirklees office.
When first starting lessons it is not always necessary to buy an instrument. Musica Kirklees and its centres have a small stock of instruments which can be loaned to pupils on a first-come-first-served basis. There is a small administration fee for the loan, and parents/carers are responsible for the care and maintenance/servicing of instruments and any fees this may incur. Loans may last as long as a pupil is receiving Option A, B, C or D tuition for that instrument with Musica Kirklees. Please email [email protected] if you require further information.
Please note Musica Kirklees do not loan Electric, Classical, Bass or Acoustic Guitars, Ukuleles, Keyboards, Pianos or Percussion Instruments.
It is useful to know that Violins, Violas, Double Basses, Cellos and Guitars are available in different sizes so they are proportionally correct for smaller or younger children.
Instruments are also available on loan from some music shops.
Do I need to buy any music books/additional accessories?
You will be expected to buy music books and any additional accessories (i.e. valve oil for brass instruments, reeds for woodwind instruments, drumsticks for percussion instruments and rosin for stringed instruments etc). Tutors will write down the titles of books you will need to purchase in your Music Diary. Books, sheet music and additional accessories cannot be purchased or borrowed from Musica Kirklees.
How do I find out about my child’s progress?
Music Diaries – these are issued when your child starts lessons. Students are issued with a new Music Diary at the start of every academic year. The Music Diary is used to record week by week progress. The tutor may also write notes to you in the Music Diary or the titles of books/additional accessories you will need to purchase. If parents/carers would like to speak with the tutor, this should be requested via the diary.
Annual Reports – you will receive a progress report at the end of each academic year.
What happens if I choose Option A or Option B lessons but there are no pupils to share the lessons with?
Option A pupils will receive group lessons of 2 for 20 minutes or 3 for 30 minutes where possible. Option B pupils should receive shared lessons of 2 for 30 minutes or an individual lesson of 15 minutes. Where lesson sharing is not viable or the gap between pupils’ ability would mean that sharing lessons would not be beneficial for all parties concerned, Option A pupils will receive 10 minute individual lessons and Option B pupils will receive 15 minute individual lessons.
I/my child already receive lessons but would like to change the lesson option. How can I do this?
Please download a Lesson Application Form from this website for details of lesson option packages.
If you would like to change to a shorter lesson or choose a lower priced option, please contact the Musica Kirklees office and your requested change would probably take effect from the start of the following term.
If you would like to change to a higher priced option, you will need to complete a Lesson Application Form or email [email protected]. The tutor will contact you when they are able to accommodate the change.
My child is transferring schools. What will happen?
Pupils transferring schools at the end of the academic year will automatically be timetabled for lessons at their new school unless you write to Musica Kirklees giving notice to cancel lessons. Please see your Terms and Conditions for details of the cancellation procedure or refer to the FAQ ‘How can I cancel lessons and/or centre membership?’
If moving to a non-Kirklees school or a school/college that does not make provision for Musica Kirklees tutors to visit, lessons have to take place at a Central Class. Pupils who have completed year 13 will be charged at a different rate (please see Lesson Application Forms on our website for details).
My child is leaving high school/college at the end of the academic year. What will happen?
Lessons will be timetabled at one of our central classes unless Musica Kirklees receive written notice of cancellation (please see the FAQ ‘How can I cancel lessons and/or centre membership?’ for more information on Musica Kirklees’s cancellation procedure). Once pupils have completed year 13 they will be subject to adult lesson charges.
Is there any help for families in receipt of benefits?
Kirklees Priority Passport holders are entitled to discounts on both lessons and Centre Registration fees (please note we do not accept Kirklees Access Passports):
£20.00 discount per term for ‘minority instrument’ lessons.
£30.00 discount per term on all other lessons.
Free Centre Registration.
To apply for a Kirklees Priority Passport or to find out more please call 01484 234056 or visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/passport
You will be asked to email a photo of your Kirklees Priority Passport to [email protected] or bring it to the Musica Kirklees office in person in order to qualify for the discount.
Are there any groups or ensembles my child can attend?
There are 5 regional centres that rehearse on a weekly basis during term time. There are lots of different groups for musicians of all abilities and interests. There are choirs, rock bands, orchestras, wind bands, string groups, ukulele clubs, drumming groups and much more! Your child’s tutor will let them know when they are ready to join; this is usually within the first year of lessons. From an early stage playing in an ensemble, band or other musical group is a vital part of the music education process.
Please visit the ‘Music Centres’ and ‘Central Ensembles’ areas of our website for a list of centre locations, groups and rehearsal times.
If you/your child join a centre group, you will need to complete a Centre Registration Form which can be downloaded from our website.
My child does not have lessons with Musica Kirklees. Can they join a centre?
YES! You do not have to be receiving lessons with Musica Kirklees to join our centres! Please visit the ‘Musica Centres’ and ‘Central Ensembles’ area of our website for a list of locations, groups and rehearsal times. Everyone who attends a centre group will need to complete the Centre Registration Form.
How can I cancel lessons and/or centre membership?
Please make sure you include the following information in cancellation correspondence:
Name of pupil.
School/centre where lessons take place.
Details of lessons being cancelled, and/or if attending centre, which ensembles you will/will not continue to attend.
Your Payer Reference.
Details of Musica Kirklees loan instrument (where applicable).
To Cancel Centre Membership
Notice is not required to cancel Centre Membership however you will need to inform the Musica Kirklees of when you intend to stop attending.
To Cancel Lessons
If you are offered the chance to start lessons but no longer want them, please contact the Musica Kirklees office immediately. The office must be notified before the lessons are due to start otherwise fees will be charged.
Once lessons have started, a pupil can only withdraw from lessons at the end of a term.
Advance written notice of cancellation must be sent directly to the Musica Kirklees office (i.e. a letter, fax or email to [email protected]). The Musica Kirklees office will not accept a telephone call as notice of cancellation. Replies will not be sent to letters unless a stamped address envelope is enclosed.
Written notice must be received at the Musica Kirklees office by:
1 November to terminate lessons at the end of the Autumn Term (December).
15 February to terminate lessons at the end of the Spring Term (March).
1 June to terminate lessons at the end of the Summer Term (July).
If written notice is not received before these dates, but is given before the end of the relevant term, a fee in lieu of notice of 35% of the fee for the full term will be charged. Payment of this fee does not entitle the pupil to any further lessons. Please note that once a new term has started then full payment for that term is required.
Important Information for GCSE and A-Level Students
It is possible for pupils in years 11 and 13, when taking GCSE or A-Level examinations, to finish or suspend tuition at the Summer half term break. Advance written notice of cancellations must be received at the Musica Kirklees office by 15 February, and a maximum of 27 lessons will be available during the academic year, with 25 lessons as the guaranteed minimum available. It must be made clear in the letter/email/fax if the pupil intends to resume lessons at the beginning of the Autumn term.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless written notice is received by 15 February, it will be assumed that pupils wish to continue with lessons for the full Summer term.
What happens if I/my child does not receive the guaranteed minimum of 30 lessons?
If the teacher has not been available to deliver the guaranteed minimum of 30 lessons (or proportion of depending on how many terms the student has been charged for), a credit will be placed on your account in the Summer holidays. This will then appear on your Autumn Term’s invoice.
What happens if the teacher is ill?
If lessons take place in school and your teacher is ill, the Musica Kirklees office will contact each school on that morning concerned to ask them to pass a message onto the students to inform them the teacher is ill. A text message will also be sent to parents/carers if a mobile telephone number has been provided. If lessons take place at a central class, every effort will be made to contact the parent/carer/adult pupil by text message or by calling your home or mobile telephone. Please note this will not be counted as part of your guaranteed minimum of 30 lessons.
What happens if the teacher is ill long term?
If a teacher is absent from work long term, Musica Kirklees will try to arrange for a cover teacher. If this is the case, details will be sent to you in writing.
How do I make a complaint to Musica Kirklees?
If you wish to make a complaint, this must be made in writing by post to the Musica Kirklees address or by emailing [email protected]. This will then be investigated by the Quality Assurance Manager.
What do I/my child need for the first lesson?
It is not essential to have an instrument, equipment or any music books for your first lesson. New pupils will be issued with a Music Diary and the teacher will be able to answer any questions they may have. Books and an instrument will be needed for the next lesson, and the teacher will advise you of what to purchase via the Music Diary.
Most instruments are suitable for all ages. If you/your child started lessons and the instrument they had chosen to learn was unsuitable, the teacher would advise you of an appropriate alternative.
Please see How can I get an instrument? for details of Musica Kirklees loan instruments.
I/my child would like to learn to play an instrument but don’t know which to choose. What should I do?
We've put together some handy instrument guides to help you choose the right instrument for you/your child - click here.
The first thing to decide will be which family of instruments you/your child is interested in. Musica Kirklees teachers are able to offer tuition in the following families:
Brass, Guitar (Classical Guitar/Ukulele), Woodwind, Percussion, Upper Strings (Violin/Viola), Lower Strings (Cello/Double Bass), Music Technology (Electric Guitar/Electric Bass/Acoustic Guitar) and Voice – please refer to the instruments section of the website for further information.
You can watch musicians by searching online video sharing websites and this should help you identify the different qualities of these instruments.
Most instruments are suitable for all ages. If your child started lessons and the instrument they had chosen to learn was unsuitable, the teacher would advise you of an appropriate alternative.
Musica Kirklees are unable to offer individual taster sessions or allow pupils to test instruments for hygiene reasons.
I/my child is having lessons but would like to learn another instrument. Is that possible?
Yes! You can apply for tuition in as many different instruments as you like. You will receive separate lessons for each instrument with a specialist teacher.
If you would like to change instrument (i.e. you would like to stop receiving tuition for one instrument and start tuition in another), you will have to give written notice to cancel your current tuition as per Musica Kirklees’s Terms and Conditions, and submit a new lesson application form for the new lessons you would like.
Please note that it may not be possible to swap immediately as you may need a different teacher for the new tuition. If you are changing to an instrument in the same family and therefore will stay with the same teacher (e.g. from a Trombone to a Cornet, or an Electric Keyboard to Piano) an immediate change should be possible providing the Musica Kirklees office is informed.
Where can I find information about paying by Direct Debit?
Please download our Direct Debit information sheet by clicking here.
