Music at Kimbolton

Pupils can take advantage of the expert tuition offered by our team of visiting specialists, with lessons on all orchestral and band instruments available, as well as piano, organ, guitar (acoustic and electric), drums, percussion and voice. Many pupils joining the Senior School who have previously received tuition elsewhere opt for lessons with us so that their music is integrated in the normal school day.

For many pupils, the move to the Senior School is an ideal time to begin learning an instrument, although others may prefer to take a little time to settle into their new routine before taking on the extra commitment of music lessons. This is not a problem as instrumental lessons can start at any point in the academic year. If a pupil is unsure exactly which instrument they would like to learn, the Music staff can help your child choose and a come-and-try session can easily be arranged.

To help with the initial start-up of learning an instrument, the Music Department has a wide range of instruments available for hire. Ordinarily this would be for just the first year as, if all goes well, we would then expect you to purchase an instrument. Please note, however, that we cannot hire out pianos or guitars.

Music lessons are 40 minutes long and take place weekly in one of the practice rooms in the Music School. The majority of pupils are taught during normal lessons on a rotational basis to ensure that the same portion of an academic lesson is not missed each week. Music tutors arrange timings with their pupils each week, and pupils then contact their subject tutors for permission to be excused. Wherever possible, pupils who learn more than one instrument are taught each additional instrument outside of academic lessons such that a pupil never misses more than 40 minutes of academic lessons in a single week.

Progress in any instrument needs daily practice. The best way is to provide support and encouragement at home to establish a structured approach to regular practice; we would suggest ten to fifteen minutes each day at the start, which could then be adjusted accordingly as your child’s stamina and ability grow.

Most of our tutors only visit the School on certain days. All visiting music tutors have a School email address, which can be found in the Parent Portal on Engage or by contacting the Music Administrator. Alternatively, you can use your child’s Practice Diary to convey messages to your child’s tutor.

You will receive a written report from your child’s instrumental tutor. This will give you information about how your child is progressing on their instrument and the things that they should try to improve.

Should you ever wish music lessons to discontinue, there is a notice period (as set out in the terms and conditions provided at the outset of lessons) and you must confirm your intentions in writing.

To start lessons, contact the Music Administrator for more information and complete a Music Lesson Request form in the Daybook section of the Engage Parent Portal.

Exhibition awards are invariably offered to pupils prepared and entered for exams by the School who gain a merit or distinction at Grade 5 and above. An award entitles the pupil to four terms of music tuition paid for by the School.

Terms and conditions apply.

Music lessons are logged on Engage the week before each lesson; Engage will then automatically send a notification to pupils.

Parents will also be able to view these lesson times through the Parent Portal. Timetables are also published on the noticeboard at the top of the staircase in the Music School.

Music tutors make every effort to avoid timetabling music lessons with a known calendared event. If pupils are aware of any potential clashes, it is vital that they tell their music tutor(s) as early as possible.

Pupils whose lesson is timetabled to coincide with morning or afternoon registration are able to register in the Music School before their lesson commences.

We actively encourage every pupil that learns a musical instrument (whether in School or out of School) to play in one of the many ensembles offered. The Music staff and/or a pupil’s instrumental tutor will happily discuss the options available.

Most instruments are sensitive to heat and humidity and should not be left out on the bag racks. We ask that all instruments brought into School are clearly marked with the child’s name using a luggage label and are stored in the Instrument Store Room on the first floor of the Music School.

Whilst the Instrument Store Room is the safest place to leave instruments, the School cannot be held responsible for damage to or loss of musical instruments: please, therefore, ensure that you take out adequate instrument insurance. There are companies that specialise in instrument insurance, and some home insurance companies have it as an option, too.