Musical Explorations

The New School offers a range of lessons and courses for children and young people from the age of 3, encouraging active involvement in all aspects of music, from listening to performing to composing. Private and group lessons in a variety of classical, traditional, jazz, popular and world instruments are offered, as well as a substantial pre-instrumental (early childhood) programme, group courses and travelling workshops. Private, Partner & Group Lessons. Although children’s natural responsiveness to – and appreciation of – music can and should be encouraged from birth, instrumental tuition should not be given until a child has the concentration for lessons and a genuine desire to learn an instrument. For this reason, lessons in such instruments as piano, violin and guitar do not generally begin before the age of 6 or 7, and lessons in brass and wind instruments not until several years later. Singing lessons can start at any age, although it is not advisable to start technical work on the voice before the age of 15. Weekly private lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30- or 45-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for three or four students. For best results, it is recommended that children starting partner or group lessons be no more than two years apart in age.