Your child’s musical journey starts here.
Learn an instrument, join the school band and make friends for life.
Lessons happen at school, with specialist Conservatorium teachers.
No experience needed.
The Program
Central Coast Conservatorium specialist teachers run instrumental lessons AND a band at your child’s school. No experience needed!
What will your child do in the band?
1. Weekly tutorial
20–30 minutes in a small group with a specialist teacher during the school day.
2. Weekly rehearsal
Led by an experienced conductor, usually before school.
3. Perform together
School events, Band Day Out
and BandFest.
Your child’s pathway
First Year
Concert Band
Learn the fundamentals of your instrument and how to read music. First performance in Term 2.
Second year +
Concert Band
Extend your skills with more advanced repertoire and a featured role at school events.
Extension
Learn and perform more
Individual lessons, Schools Scholarships and the Primary Wind Ensemble.
High School
Future pathways
High school band, HSC Music, Sydney Symphony Orchestra PlayerLink, Youth Orchestras and Tertiary study.
Why join the band
Musical benefits
Develop instrumental skills, learn to listen and keep time, and enjoy the satisfaction of making music together.
Personal benefits
Build confidence and self-expression, persevere through challenges and discover new talents.
Learning & thinking benefits
Effort and practice lead to results. Supports memory, concentration, goal-setting and time management.
Social benefits
Make new friends, learn teamwork and be part of something bigger than yourself.
And perhaps the biggest benefit of all… it’s fun!
A typical first 10 weeks as a band musician
Starting something new is exciting, and it can also be tiring. Here is what most families find.
Weeks 1–3: the fun start
Your child picks up their instrument, learns their first notes and meets their band. Expect noise at home, and lots of pride.
Weeks 4–6: the wobble
The novelty fades and early mornings get harder. This is normal and it passes. Talk to us before deciding to stop.
Weeks 7–10: it clicks
The band starts to sound like music. Your child can play a real tune, and the first performance is not far away.
“Music education helps wire a child’s brain well and effectively and it does it permanently. And there’s 3 really big areas. There’s phonological skills, aural perception and language skills… You want better literacy scores, do some music, it’s absolutely vital.”
Dr. Anita Collins
How to Enrol
1. Attend your school instrument demonstrations
Choose an instrument. Pick at least three options in case your first choice is not available.
2. Decide to hire or buy
Most families hire. Drums and bass guitar must be purchased.
3. Complete the online enrolment form
Click here to enrol now
4. Get ready!
In addition to arranging an instrument, your child will need a music stand, plus your band book or display folder. Details are sent before you start.
What does it cost?
We believe music education should be affordable for everyone.
Our School Band Package is $1,118 per year, per child. That’s $35 a week for 1.5 hours of music making, or around $23 an hour.
That includes:
- A minimum of 32 band rehearsals: the whole band making music together for an hourÂ
- A minimum of 32 small-group tutorials with a specialist teacher on your child’s instrument, 30 minutes each
- The music your child will perform
- Admission to Band Day Out and BandFest, where students from all our schools come together to play, meet other kids who play their instrument, and make new friendsÂ
- 2 audience tickets for each event to watch your child perform
Payment:
You commit and pay per term, not all at once. Payment plans are available.
Fees are as follows: Enrolment/resource pack: $90 | Term 1: $257 | Term 2: $257 | Term 3: $257 | Term 4: $257
The enrolment/resource pack includes your child’s music and event entry for the year. For any enquiries call 02 4324 7477 or email [email protected].
Hire or Buy?
Who to contact to hire an instrument
Most families hire, which is popular for beginners, and a list of hire companies is below. (Please note that drums and bass guitar must be
purchased as they are not available for hire).
- Central Coast Instrument Hire – email: [email protected], 0402 000 757, 0421 774 046 or visit www.centralcoastinstrumenthire.com
- Musicorp – https://www.musicorp.com.au
Your guide to Purchasing an Instrument
Deciding to purchase an instrument for your child can be a big decision and a difficult one to make with so many different options available.
For the majority of the instruments used in our school bands, we recommend sticking to well known, reputable brands such as Yamaha and Jupiter, as well as Wessex for the lower brass instruments. There are many other more cheaply advertised brands available, however we strongly advise against purchasing many of these as they are often not that well made, can be difficult to play and often have more maintenance issues, making the experience of learning an instrument a frustrating one.
For students moving past the beginner or intermediate level, please speak with your child’s teacher for further recommendations on what you should be looking for.
For beginner to intermediate students the following instruments are a great starting point:
| Flutes | Yamaha YFL-212 Yamaha YFL-222 Jupiter JFL700 Series |
|---|---|
| Clarinets | Yamaha YCL255 Jupiter JCL700 |
| Saxophones | Yamaha YAS 26 Yamaha YAS 280 Jupitar 500 Series |
| Trumpets | Yamaha YTR2330 Jupiter JTR 500 |
| Trombones | Yamaha YSL154 Jupiter JTB 730 (500 Series) |
| Baritone Horn/Euphonium | Jupiter Wessex |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child has never played?
That is fine. Everyone starts as a beginner together.
What happens after I submit my child’s enrolment?
You will receive an email with additional details including information on the parent information meeting which occurs in November of each year. If you enrol after this date it will include a link to a recorded version of the meeting you can view.
Once we have received the majority of enrolments for your school we will be in touch to confirm further details, including which instrument your child will be playing. We’ll also send you the relevant hire and buying information at that time. Please don’t hire or buy an instrument, music stand or band book until you hear from us.
If you have any questions at all we will be pleased to assist. Please feel welcome to call us on 02 4324 7477 or email [email protected]
What if my child cannot practise every day?
Every family finds practice hard at times. Regular practice is the only way to build the muscle memory needed to play confidently, so we recommend 10 minutes a day, 4–5 days a week, to start with.
What if my child wants to change instruments?
Our program is sequential: each week builds on the skills taught in previous weeks. Students who switch part-way through the year miss the foundational skills for their new instrument and can struggle to keep up. It can also affect the balance of the ensemble. For this reason, students are expected to stay on their chosen instrument for the full school year.
If your child is having genuine difficulties, please contact us early. Many concerns can be resolved with extra support, instrument adjustments or new practice strategies, and we are happy to discuss other options.
Students who want to learn a different instrument are encouraged to switch at the start of the next school year, when they can begin the program from the beginning alongside their peers.
What if my child misses a class or rehearsal?
We understand that students occasionally miss lessons due to illness, school commitments or family circumstances.
As our tutorials are delivered in small groups and band rehearsals involve the entire ensemble, individual make-up sessions aren’t possible. However, our teachers will support your child to catch up on any missed learning and ensure they are able to continue progressing confidently with the rest of the band.
What if my child wants to stop?
Band is a one-year team commitment. While a student may discontinue at any time, the fee equivalent to the end of the term in which a student discontinues is payable.
Our Community
Join hundreds of Central Coast families making music together
Our Schools Program proudly works with schools including:
Central Coast Adventist School
Central Coast Rudolf Steiner School
Gosford East Public School
Gosford Public School
Holgate Public School
Kariong Public School
Lisarow Public School
Narara Public School
Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School
Point Clare Public School
St Edward’s Catholic College
St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School
St Joseph’s Catholic College
St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School
Umina Public School
Valley View Public School
