Instrumental Tuition
Boston Grammar School is able to offer its students a high quality music experience via the Lincolnshire Music Service (part of the Education and Cultural Services division at Lincolnshire County Council).
The service includes:
- High quality tuition on a full range of orchestral and band instruments.
- A team of qualified and experienced staff for whom ongoing training is provided and standards monitored.
- Specialist group and individual teaching from beginner to diploma levels.
- Support for music in the national curriculum and the performing and other aspects of GCSE/A-level music examinations.
- Area and whole-county ensembles for young people with high standards of performance in concerts around the county.
- Examination entries each year via service tutors with national certificating organisations.
- Access to the Instrumental Purchase Scheme offering substantial reductions and advice for students and their parents/carers in buying new instruments.
The service will enable students to:
- Acquire a worthwhile skill, providing a life-long interest for all and a career for some.
- Participate with others in group situations and concerts, fostering teamwork and the satisfaction of hard work leading to success and personal fulfilment.
- Improve social respect, sharing and communication skills.
- Develop self-confidence and personal presentation.
- Have access to instruments on a loan basis prior to purchasing their own.
The Lincolnshire Music Service expects pupils to attend lessons and rehearsals regularly and punctually, to practice daily between lessons and take part in ensembles at school, music centre and county level where appropriate.
The Lincolnshire Music Service offers lessons on flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba, euphonium, percussion/drums, violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, guitar and keyboard. Vocal lessons are also available.
Register for Instrumental Tuition
In order to book instrumental tuition, you will need to register directly with Speed Admin here:
Follow the link and register your child by:
- Selecting the school your child attends
- Selecting the instrument you would like them to learn
- Select the duration of the lesson required
- Select instrument hire if necessary
- Apply for a tuition voucher if your child is eligible for subsidised lessons
Once you have registered, your child will be assigned an available tutor by Lincolnshire Music Service and you will be notified of the relevant details via email.
Provision of Instruments
Instruments are usually available from Lincolnshire Music Service at a hire charge substantially lower than commercial equivalents.
If the student is provided with an instrument, they are expected to care for it whilst it is on loan. Instruments should be clearly labelled with their name, registration form and telephone number. Students are expected to practise regularly (practice rooms can be used within the Music Department) and, except in exceptional circumstances, instruments should be taken home in the evenings and at weekends. When instruments are in school and not in use they should be stored in areas designated by the Music Department. Advice can be sought from the Head of Music for safe storage of instruments in school and under no circumstances should instruments be left in cloakrooms or on top of pupil lockers.
Parents/carers are responsible for the cost of replacing lost instruments and are strongly advised to check whether such items are covered by their insurance policies.
Pupils are expected to purchase music and accessories such as rosin, valve oil, cork, grease, etc.
Opportunities for Wider Participation
The school strongly recommends that students take part in one or more of the extra-curricular musical activities provided in school at lunchtimes, as this can help improve their ability to read music and develop their aural awareness. There is also the opportunity for students to perform in concerts as a soloist or as part of an ensemble.
Students taking GCSE and A-level courses are expected to attend a minimum of one extra-curricular activity per week. GCSE and A-level students are also expected to be involved in school concerts and productions.
A programme of extra activities including the Boston Area Wind Band (BAWB), Boston Youth Jazz Orchestra (BYJO), Area Pop Choir and Area String Orchestra can be enjoyed by students whether their lessons are provided by the Lincolnshire Music Service in school or through a private teacher.
Length and Timing of Lessons
The school's advice is that an individual 30 minute lesson is the ideal. Beginners can start with a 20 minute individual lesson. By the time a student reaches Grade 5 standard, an individual 30 minute lesson is recommended. Grade 8 students may need longer than this.
For students in Years 7-11, lessons usually take place during school hours and a rota system operates to ensure that students do not miss the same lesson more than once in each term. Students in Sixth Form are normally provided with a set time during a break, lunchtime or private study period whenever possible. Students are expected to advise their subject teachers of any lessons which they are scheduled to miss and it is the student's responsibility to ensure that missed work is completed. Students are expected to arrive and depart from lessons promptly.
The Music Service schedule 34 visits by each teacher. Refunds will be given if the number of lessons available is less than this. Many visiting teachers will try to make up lost time during the course of a year.
A report of the student's attendance at lessons, effort and attainment is issued to parents/carers at the end of the year. Any problem or query arising from these reports should be addressed to the Head of Music in the first instance.
Examinations
Most instrumental lessons lead to students taking a series of examinations (Grade 1 to Grade 8).
Parents/carers will be asked to pay examination fees when the instrumental teacher feels a pupil is ready to take an examination. Examinations are held 3 times a year in Boston. Parents/carers will need to arrange transport to/from the venue, which in some cases, will be Boston Grammar School. The school, through goodwill, may be able to provide an accompanist for the examination (a member of the music staff) but occasionally students may have to find their own accompanist which may incur a fee payable to the accompanist. Music staff will be able to assist on finding a suitable accompanist. It is the student's responsibility to arrange a rehearsal with their accompanist before the examination.
The music examination consists of the performances of pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight reading and aural tests. They will be prepared for all these aspects through their instrumental lessons. The music staff may be able to assist if approached in good time. A number of books and practice CDs are also available from the school library. Attending extra-curricular activities, especially choir, will also help with the aural tasks required. Alternatively, parents/carers may wish to pay for some extra help at this time and the school will be pleased to offer advice.
In order to take Grade 6 and above, students are required to pass their Grade 5 theory examination or performance test. It is not necessary for students to take Grades 1 to 4 theory first. The school runs a theory club to assist students with this requirement. Further details are available from the music department.
Cost of Lessons
The cost starts from £6.30 for a group 30-minute lesson with 0% interest payment plans available. Supportive discounts, including FREE instrument hire, are available for young learners eligible for Free School Meals and Looked After Children. Additional non-means tested 'Cost of Living' discounts are also available to help remove any financial barriers to learning.
Parents/carers will be asked to buy any necessary music books as directed by the instrumental teacher.
Refunds will be offered if a student misses lessons for a school-related reason, e.g. a school trip / examination, provided that the student notified the instrumental teacher in advance and the teacher was unable to alter the timetable. Parents/carers should record lessons missed and request a refund from the Lincolnshire Music Service in line with their refund policy. Further information can be obtained from musicservice@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Grants / Help with Fees
Lincolnshire Music Service is keen to ensure all children and young people reach their full potential and we can support those in financial need.
Standard Discount
The following standard discounts are available for music lessons delivered by LMS. Evidence will be provided by the family and verified by Lincolnshire County Council:
Free School Meals
50% discount (max 20 minute lesson) and 100% discount (instrument hire) for children and young people who are eligible for Free School Meals.
Applications can be made here:
In addition, those students who are eligible for Free School Meals and are Pupil Premium will have the remaining 50% of the cost covered by Boston Grammar School.
Looked After Children
100% discount** (max 20 min lesson) and 100% discount (instrument hire) for children and young people who are Looked After Children.
**Please note to receive the full 100% discount, they must reside and go to school in Lincolnshire. The scheme is in partnership with the Lincolnshire Virtual School. For those Looked After Children who do not reside and go to school in Lincolnshire, a 50% discount will be offered.
'Cost of Living' Discount
We recognise that families, who do not meet the eligibility for our Standard Discounts, may also be experiencing financial difficulties. Additional support is available to assist however these are processed on a case-by-case basis for one term only. Families are required to apply online and proof of evidence is required to verify the application. Re-application is required for any subsequent terms of learning. Requests for support cannot be administered retrospectively.
Applications can be made here:
In order to encourage the take up of less popular instruments, the Trustees at Boston Grammar School have decided to subsidise the following instruments: French Horn, Trombone, Bassoon, Oboe, Flute, Double Bass, Viola and Cello. The cost of tuition for these instruments will receive a 50% discount. Parents are expected to pay for music lessons and entry fees to examinations.
