1. What times and days do you offer lessons?

Answer: We teach music after school Mondays to Wednesdays during term time and availability of lessons is decided by the school of music.

• Trumpet and trombone lessons are on Mondays only
• Recorder lessons are mainly on Wednesdays
• Violin guitar and ukulele lessons are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

2. Where is the Timaru School of Music?

 Answer: Lessons are held in the school hall of Waimataitai School. (until the end of 2023) 241 Selwyn Street, Marchwiel, Timaru 7910. Please see the bottom of this page for the link to Google Maps.

3. Can I have TSM lessons at a venue other than Waimataitai School?

Answer: TSM lessons can only be held at Waimataitai School.

4. Why is TSM so cheap?

Answer: For the price of one 30 minute private lesson, students can sign up for a whole year of lessons with us. These short lessons are funded by the Ministry of Education and are designed to fill a gap in the curriculum that primary school education does not fill. This is why primary school aged children, or children who are not eligible for itinerant lessons in high school are eligible for lessons at the school of music.   

The concept of these lessons is that they are short lessons: Those who wish to engage more deeply with their musical study will be able to join the ensemble and also ask for private music lessons from their tutors. 

5. Why do you not offer piano lessons at TSM?

Answer: We are not funded for providing piano lessons. Follow the link to find a piano teacher in South Canterbury.

1. How do I enrol?/ What is the procedure? 

Answer: Enrolments are now open for 2024. Current students have been emailed a re-enrolment form, Please fill this out if you are continuing.

             Students who are studying with us for the first time, returning after a break of who have been on the waiting list for 2023, please follow the link to our New Enrolments for 2024 here /application-waiting-lists 

2. How much does it cost for my child to learn at TSM?

TSM Costs: 

• $40 administration fee per year per student 
• $100 hire fee per year for instruments if you need to hire them 
•  Tutor book if you want to buy the book from us (cost depends on the book) 

Invoicing is done throughout the year.

3. Can I pay by cash? Where and when can I do this? 

Answer: Yes, you can pay cash on Wednesdays between 3:30 and 5:30  

4. Can I pay in installments?  

Answer: The $40 administration fee will need to be paid on enrolment The hire of intruments can be paid termly.  

5.Can I fill out a paper copy of the enrolment form? 

Answer:  We no longer do paper enrolment. You can enrol for 2024 here /application-waiting-lists 

6. How long will it take to be billed for this? When will the invoice be sent out? 

Answer: You will only be invoiced if we have not received payment from you yet. This will happen over the course of the year.

7. Can I choose the tutor I want? 

Answer: We try to match you with a tutor of your choice but we do need to ensure all tutors are allocated students. Tutor availability also depends on the day of the week and time you would like lessons.  

8. How do I get in contact with the tutor? 

Answer: You will be put in contact with your tutor as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. This is done very close to the start of the year. If you are contacted from the waiting list by the school of music, the director will attempt to place you in the best lesson available.

9. Can I enrol my child to learn more than one instrument at the school of music? 

Answer: No, you may only learn one instrument at a time with us.

1.What should my child practice? How long should they practice for?

Answer: Your child should practice what they have been assigned to play in their lessons. Please follow the link to advice on how to practice.   

2. How often should they practice?

Answer: At least three times a week. This does not include the lesson. Please allow your child time and energy to practice. On enrolment you will be asked to consider your child’s weekly practice times.   

3. What if my child cannot practice?

Answer: If they are sick, let them rest. If they are too busy, rethink their timetable. If they are struggling with the music, please come to the lesson with them. Your child may not want to practice. Please encourage them to do even a short time. It will likely take longer to see results than some other activities. The benefit of consistent practice will show over a longer time period.  

4. How do I motivate my child to practice?

Answer 1: Play music with the instrument your child is learning. It may be good to have a list of tunes on spotify when travelling in the car.

Answer 2: If you become interested in the instrument as well, your child will likely become motivated to learn. 

5. We have no space for my child to practice what should we do?

Answer: We have limited practice spaces available that can be used by your child. These need to be booked in advance.   

1. How much does instrument hire cost per year?

Answer: Instruments cost $100 per year (four terms). The value of some instruments are higher and attract higher fees.  

2. Can I pay the hire fee in installments?

Answer: You may pay the hire fees termly.  
3. What is included in the hire fee?

Answer:The instrument will be in working order when you get it. Extra accessories for instruments must be purchased by you.  

4. What happens if my child breaks the hired instrument?

Answer: You are responsible for paying for the cost of repairs to instruments that have been broken.  

 5. If our family has to leave Timaru in a hurry how can I return the hired instrument?

answer: Please contact your tutor to let them know you have left. We can arrange for you to send your instrument back to us.  

1. How many concerts does the school have each year? 

Answer: In 2024, we will have two concerts at Waimataitai School. The first concert will be in the last week of term two and the second will be at the end of November. 

2. Does my child have other opportunities to play outside of the lesson? 

Answer: Yes. We are always on the lookout for opportunitities for your child to perform in public. This will take the form of low pressure busking opportunities. The Timaru School of Music also combines their ensembles with the Youth Orchestra of South Canterbury for their end of year concert.

3. Do you offer opportunities for my child to play with other students?    

Answer: Ensemble playing Yes. We encourage ensemble playing at TSM. We aim to increase the number of students participating in ensembles.