Instrumental & Vocal Lessons
How private music lessons work at St Mary's: instruments offered, tutors, $38 per 30-minute lesson billed per term, instrument hire at $220 a year, enrolment, the lesson timetable rotation, withdrawal notice and practice expectations.
Around 260 students learn an instrument or voice at school through our visiting tutor program. Lessons are one-to-one, take place during the school day in the Music Centre practice rooms, and are billed to your family fee account each term. This page covers everything you need to know before enrolling, and the rules that apply once your child is learning.
Instruments and tutors
| Instrument | Tutor(s) | Minimum starting year |
|---|---|---|
| Piano | Mrs Helen Zhao, Mr Andrew Ferris | Year 1 (Prep by discussion) |
| Guitar (acoustic, electric, bass) | Mr Marcus Reid | Year 3 |
| Violin & viola | Ms Yuki Tanaka | Year 1 (Prep by discussion) |
| Cello | Mr Sebastian Kohl | Year 1 (Prep by discussion) |
| Flute | Ms Lucy Bramwell | Year 3 |
| Clarinet | Mr Peter Halloran | Year 3 |
| Saxophone | Mr Peter Halloran | Year 5 |
| Trumpet | Mr Dominic Fahey | Year 3 |
| Trombone | Mr Dominic Fahey | Year 3 |
| Drums & percussion | Mr Ash Cooper | Year 3 |
| Voice | Mrs Anne-Marie Fowler, Ms Carla Mendes | Year 4 |
Tutors are experienced professional musicians and teachers, hold a current Working with Children Check and have completed the College's child safety induction.
Cost
- $38 per 30-minute individual lesson, billed per term in advance to your family fee account. Terms contain 8–10 lessons, so a term's lessons cost between $304 and $380.
- A 45-minute lesson ($57) is available for VCE Music students and by tutor recommendation.
- Lessons missed by the student are not refunded or made up; lessons missed by the tutor are always made up or credited.
- Lessons cancelled because of a whole-school event (for example a carnival or camp) are credited at the end of term.
Instrument hire
Flute, clarinet, alto saxophone (limited numbers), trumpet, trombone, and violin and cello in fractional sizes are available for hire at $220 per year, billed with school fees. Complete the Instrument Hire Agreement (attached to the enrolment form). Families are responsible for reasonable care; damage beyond normal wear is charged at repair cost. Most families hire for the first one to two years before buying — tutors are happy to advise on purchasing.
How to enrol
- Complete the Instrumental Music Enrolment Form, available from the Music Office, the Junior or Senior Office, or under Parent Portal > Forms.
- Return it to the Music Office or email it to music@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au.
- Mrs Sanders will confirm a place and start date, usually within a week. Where a tutor's list is full your child is placed on a waiting list and you are told the likely wait.
- Enrolments are accepted at any time, and lessons are billed pro rata for a partial term.
The lesson timetable
Lessons are 30 minutes and rotate through the school timetable so that a student does not miss the same class every week. The timetable for the following week is published on the Learning Hub and pinned on the Music Centre noticeboard every Friday. Junior lessons rotate too, and class teachers have a copy. Students are responsible for checking their time, arriving promptly and catching up on any class work missed; Senior students should tell their teacher before leaving class.
Lessons on Wednesday afternoons for Senior students finish by the 2:45pm early dismissal.
Withdrawing from lessons
To withdraw, email written notice to the Music Office by the last day of the term before you wish to stop (one full term's notice). Without notice the following term's lessons are billed in full, as tutors are contracted on the basis of confirmed numbers. Changing instrument or tutor is arranged with Mrs Sanders and does not require notice.
Practice expectations
Regular practice is what makes lessons worthwhile. Tutors set weekly goals in the student's practice diary, which parents sign each week.
| Stage | Recommended practice |
|---|---|
| Beginners (first year) | 10–15 minutes, five days a week |
| Years 5–6 | 20 minutes, five days a week |
| Years 7–10 | 30 minutes, five to six days a week |
| VCE Music | 45–60 minutes daily |
Practice rooms P1–P6 in the Music Centre can be booked by Senior students at lunchtime through the Music Office.
What to bring to every lesson
- Instrument (in its case, named) and any accessories: reeds, rosin, sticks, a music stand at home
- Lesson books and repertoire set by the tutor
- Practice diary
Ensembles and exams
Students learning an orchestral, band or string instrument are expected to join the relevant ensemble once ready; see Ensembles. AMEB or ANZCA examinations are optional and arranged by the tutor with your consent; exam fees are billed separately. Many students instead perform at the twice-yearly Soirée evenings in the Recital Room (next: Thursday 12 November 2026, 6:00pm).
Questions
Contact Mrs Julie Sanders, Music Administrator, on (03) 9555 0130 or music@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au. The Music Office is open 8:00am–4:00pm on school days. For fee queries see Fees & Payments.