Whether your child is embarking on their musical education or continuing on from primary school or private lessons, we can support & grow their interest in music during their time at MESC.

Our current list of available instruments includes piano, guitar, drums, voice, clarinet & ukulele, with more instruments coming soon and lesson structures from private or shared to full class programs for certain instruments. This enables us to offer a variety of price ranges to suit all budgets.

Our music teachers insist on using a theory based curriculum or teaching method, which means that there is a focus on reading music, not just playing. Music theory is an incredibly important, yet sadly often overlooked, part of musical education and integral in forming a solid foundation in any students understanding of music.

As well as our instrumental lessons we are building our music community by starting ensembles and bands made up of eager & enthusiastic young musicians, who rehearse at lunchtimes with a view to performing at school functions, inter-school meets & competitions.

Learning an instrument is recognised as having academic advantages & benefits to students from increases in learning capacity, problem solving & maths skills, to written & verbal communication, self esteem, socialisation, collaboration and so on. MESC’s music department is extremely well equipped with an extensive range of instruments and technology including a fully functional recording studio, PA & performance systems, scores of acoustic & electric guitars, multiple pianos, keyboards, drum kits, and many orchestral instruments as well.

With all lessons and teacher contact integrated into Compass, we are striving to deliver highly organised, dependable & quality musical education to our students, and we would love your child to be involved.

The Enrolment Process

Upon application, we will contact parents to discuss prior experience, assess musical level and advise availability. Wherever possible, all lessons are given on a rotating timetable, so that the lessons take place at a different time each week. This means a student will usually miss only two periods of a particular lesson each term. In negotiation with the Director of Music and the relevant instrumental teacher, it may be possible to reschedule lessons out of normal class time (i.e. at recess or lunchtime). Year 11 and 12 students are given priority when allocating lessons.

Lesson and Levy

For practical tuition, a minimum of 38 sessions per year are provided. Levies for these will be invoiced via the family statement. Where a student does not receive a scheduled lesson due to the teacher’s absence for any reason, the teacher will make arrangements for a make-up lesson to be given later in the semester. Lessons will show on your Compass schedule

Group Lesson: $200/semester (N/A drums)

Shared Lesson (max. 3): $345/semester (N/A drums)

Private Lesson: $600/semester

Hire of Instrument

We have a large range of instruments for hire at a cost of $150 per year / per instrument

Conditions of enrolment

Where a student misses a lesson, a make-up lesson will be given only in the following cases:

· When the student requests a change to accommodate other school activities such as tests, excursions and sporting commitments, provided you give your music teacher 48 hours’ notice.

· Where the parent is aware their son/daughter will be absent from school on the day of the lesson, provided you give your music teacher or the College 48 hours’ notice.

· Where the student is ill on the day of the lesson and the parents notify the school by 8.15am and request cancellation of the music lesson.

· Application forms/enrolment levy and payment must be received before your student can commence his/her music lessons (unless alternative arrangements have been made specifically for Instrumental Music lessons with the General Office).

· Other than for illness as set out above, make up lessons will not be given unless at least 48 hours prior notice of absence is given. Contact will be made via Compass to parents informing them of missed lessons without prior notification, lateness and failure to bring the correct resources to the lesson.

Weekly Procedure

Student – Students are to bring their electronic device (iPad) to access resources to every instrumental or vocal lesson.

The Next Lesson – During each lesson, students must check on the date and time of their next lesson and check that it is scheduled in Compass. Students must also check their student email prior to the day of their music lesson just in case the lesson time has been changed. Students who arrive late to lessons should not expect to have this time made up.

Changing Lesson Times – If a music lesson is timetabled to clash with a test in a particular subject, this will become evident from proper use of Compass. Students are to consult their music teacher in advance (i.e. not less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled music lesson). Students must not swap lesson times with other students.

Leaving Class to attend a music lesson – Students are expected to go promptly to and from music lessons. Students must ensure they see the respective subject teacher for the commencement (or remaining) minutes of that particular period.

Storage of Instruments at School – All instruments should be neatly stored in the Music Department’s allocated storage room while they are at school. Instruments should not be left on top or next to lockers. Student names and a contact number are to be clearly marked on the instrument case.

Instrumental Music Exams - Students will have the opportunity, and are encouraged to further their instrumental studies through external music examinations (AMEB, CPA, etc.). The fee for these exams is not included in the Music Tuition account.

One month’s written notice must be given to the Director of Music if tuition is to be terminated, i.e. if not continuing tuition for the second block of 15 lessons, notice must be given in Week 5 of Term 2. Levies will not be refunded for students who withdraw prior to the conclusion of the semester.

*Notice for withdrawal from Instrumental Music Lessons for Semester two must be given by Friday 6th June 2025.

To continue or begin Private Instrumental Music lessons please complete the attached form. Payments are made on a semester basis, by the indicated due dates.

Please note. Where it is not possible to place a student in the nominated lesson type, the College will contact the parent.

To enrol please phone our instrumental music supplier (DSE Music Tuition) on 0416 586 483