FAQ

Most schools will hold demonstration concerts in Term 4, and notes will be sent home with all children in Years 2-5. Interested children will then be able to sit for an instrument trial (“blow test”) with a music teacher. Enrolment will then open, in preparation for starting lessons in the new academic year.  At most schools children need to be in Year 3 to participate in the band.

Following the arrival of COVID, our experienced tutors have changed the way we assess a child’s suitability for an instrument. Children are able to try out (blow on) actual instruments, however tutors can test other skills or physical attributes in order to make a recommendation of the best instrument for your child.  TSA has also put together comprehensive instrument information for parents to consider. If your child is having difficulty deciding on an instrument, please contact the TSA office on 9651 7333.

Generally children will watch a band demonstration concert at school, then interested students can meet with the band director to determine which instrument they may be best suited.  Parents may also watch a band demonstration video with their child, and discuss which instrument they are most excited to learn.  It is important parents then review the instrument-specific information, to ensure it suits your child.  Parents should contact the TSA office at any point on 9651 7333 to ask more questions – we are here to help!

If your child has played in a band at their previous school, they are welcome to join band at their new TSA school. Please contact our office for more information

The results of the instrument trial are important, but also children should play what they LOVE. They will be much happier to practice if they are excited about their choice. Make sure they like the sound of the instrument also: there are many videos on YouTube of different instruments to watch, and see what they prefer. You may also need to consider other aspects of the instrument, such as its portability, space, and expense.  Please see our comprehensive instrument selection information for more detail.

Drums are only part of what makes up percussion instruments. The percussion section of the band includes the glockenspiel, tambourines, cymbals, bass drum, gongs, other extras like cowbell, maracas, shakers, as well as the drum kit. Percussion students will learn all these instruments and will take turns playing the various parts.

Musical instruments are an expensive item, and the price depends on the instrument. Even the least expensive are several hundred dollars. TSA offers a rental scheme for parents, and parents may also buy out their rental instruments. TSA also may have second-hand instruments available which have been completely serviced prior to re-sale. Please contact our office on 9651 7333.

Parents who are unsure their child will enjoy band and want to continue, may want to rent an instrument at first. For information on renting an instrument from TSA, please call 9651 7333.

Buyers should be very cautious buying a used instrument. We advise parents to not even consider a used instrument unless it is a known, quality brand (such as Yamaha, Pearl, Bach, Buffet, or Jupiter). If you buy a used instrument, you may not know the instrument’s service history, or how well it has been looked after. Do your research, or contact a music shop – they may have a selection of used instruments that have been serviced and are safe for purchase.

TSA advises parents to purchase a known, quality brand (such as Yamaha, Pearl, Bach, Buffet, or Jupiter.) “Budget” instruments sold at discount stores are not of a high quality, so may only last a few months, may not be able to be repaired, have minimal resale value, and may impact on your child’s learning.

Parents may elect to purchase the instrument they are hiring. At any point in the rental period, please email TSA on info@teachingservices.com.au to obtain your buy-out price.

The optional insurance can be taken to cover theft, fire, and accidental damage to the instrument. Without insurance cover, customers are responsible for any loss or damage caused to the instrument. The insurance does not cover loss or damage due to negligence.

Please notify TSA as soon as possible if your hire instrument requires repairs. Please do not undertake any repairs yourself, or take the instrument to another music shop for repairs.

An instrument service is a complete inspection and any repair of the working components of the instruments, and a thorough cleaning inside and out. Used instruments are always serviced prior to sale, and all instruments should be serviced every 1-3 years depending on use.

Children are grouped into instrument type and age/experience for their lessons. Group lessons are beneficial to younger children just starting out, as they can work together on their learning. The group can inspire practice through some friendly competition, and a desire to keep up with the group.

TSA does provide private lessons at some schools, but at most schools only group lessons are offered. Please contact the TSA office to see if private lessons are available at your child’s school.

Students pay an additional levy per term, which pays for items used by the whole band at school, such as sheet music, percussion items, and music stands.

Some schools charge a facility hire fee to TSA to conduct lessons and band rehearsals on the school grounds, and this is passed on to students.

Children in group lessons receive an average of 9 lessons/performances per term.

Please contact your child’s band director directly by email about any whole-school event affecting your child’s lesson. Email addresses are located on your school’s ‘Band Notes’ page of this website.

If your child will miss a group lesson, let their tutor know by email in advance if possible. No make-up lessons are arranged for group lessons unless the whole group is away for an all-school event such as an athletics carnival. If your child has a private lesson, please contact their tutor in advance of the absence, so a make-up lesson can be arranged. If your child will be away for an extended period such as overseas travel or a broken arm, please contact the TSA office in advance, or as soon as possible.

Please use your child’s tutor or band director’s email, or contact the TSA office. Email addresses are located on your school’s ‘Band Notes’ page of this website. Private mobile numbers are not provided.

The TSA office is open from 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. If you send an email or leave a voicemail, it will be dealt with during office hours.

TSA Camps provide students with an intensive weekend of musical development that is equivalent to more than a term’s worth of weekly tuition at school. Students have over 8 hours of face-to-face teaching, and the intensive environment increases the children’s motivation and enjoyment of their learning.

f your child has specific dietary requirements, please note this on your camp medical form. If your child requires a completely different meal, there will be an additional charge.

There are children with allergies and anaphylaxis at each camp we hold, and TSA staff are experienced at helping children with other medical conditions have a successful stay. Please ring our office to discuss your specific concerns with a camp coordinator.

As well as group musical tuition alternating with band rehearsals, children have the opportunity for fun activities such as a waterslide, canoeing (with lifejackets), a disco, and a movie. A final concert is held for parents and families at the end of camp.

Supervision is one of our main priorities, and we staff our band camps with  experienced camp coordinators, outdoor educators, music tutors, and parent volunteers: all of whom have been screened with a Working With Children Clearance.

Yes! Children (or their parents) feeling anxious about attending for these reasons should rest assured that our camp supervisors are parents themselves, and have been running camps for many years. They are sympathetic, and camp may be an opportunity for a child to have a successful overnight stay. Please contact our office prior to camp.

Each school is different, but most schools hold band rehearsals in the morning before school, or afternoons after school.

If your child does not want to continue with lessons or band, please discuss with their tutor in the first instance. You may also notify the TSA office by email or phone. Discontinuing lessons or band must be notified prior to the start of the next term, before lesson groups are formed and invoices generated.

Per the rental terms and conditions, all hire instruments must be returned to TSA at our office in Dural. We are located above Dural Music Centre (behind Dural McDonalds) at 286-287 New Line Rd, Dural. Instruments may be returned in person, or via courier or Australia Post.  Instruments must be in our possession prior to the end of a month, as the rental fee will be charged again on the first day of the next month.

Your child will need their own instrument.  They should also have a music stand for home practice, which is important for posture and breathing. They will require a tutorial book, which can be ordered through the TSA office or upon enrolment. They may also require other ongoing consumable items such as cork grease and reeds (for saxophones and clarinets) and valve oil and slide grease (for trumpets and trombones).

Depending on the school, children will have the opportunity to perform with their band in assembly performances and school events, and chamber music evenings. Some schools will also send bands to participate in eisteddfods or music festivals.