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School Of Music Image  * Courses & Fees 

Charges   2010 -11

Charges relate to the full Academic Year, September 2010 - June 2011  

 

 

The City of Belfast School of Music (CBSM) offers a menu of courses to give young musicians a broad range of essential skills, from primary school age through to early twenties. It all starts in the Junior Department, at the Saturday Club, and at the Junior Music Centre. The most popular option we offer consists of a weekly individual instrumental lesson and membership of a Group Activity (bands, orchestras or choir), backed up by an aural awareness class and a group theory class.  We believe that this gives our students the best possible training.  Our young musicians recognise that to play an instrument intelligently they need to have good technical training and that this is informed through a systematic theoretical knowledge, further supported by appropriate aural and other listening experiences.  Our long tradition of seeing large numbers of CBSM students achieve top Associated Board results, well above the UK average, supports this philosophy.  

 

We also offer a Group Activity Only option that suits students who receive instrumental lessons at their own schools, privately, or elsewhere.  These students are placed in an orchestra, band or choir that is appropriate to their stage of development.  We have an impressive schedule of public concerts and recitals throughout the year.

 

For younger children we now offer shared instrumental lessons away from their "home" primary school, either as CBSM Beginners or CBSM Junior Students for those in P5 or above.These children may also attend the Junior Music Centre (JMC) on Saturday mornings.

 

The School of Music is happy to provide good quality instruments through our hire and maintenance scheme. We would also encourage parents and students to consider buying their own instruments, where appropriate.  This can be done through the BELB Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) which effectively saves parents the cost of VAT through a government agreed policy with HM Customs & Excise.  Terms and conditions apply.  Expert advice is available through Heads of Departments and other teaching staff.  Please also note that we operate a Remission Policy (see below) for those families who wish to apply.

 

Above all, we want to encourage young people to enjoy music. We believe passionately that the process of learning to play a musical instrument or to sing offers immense benefits for children and young adults, not only in terms of educational development but also in regard to enhanced physical well-being, the promotion of personal skills and attributes, as well as wider social awareness. We consider these benefits to be significant and we regard the time and resources required for such a process to be something that parents and students should view as a life-long investment. 

 

The Terms & Conditions which are binding on those accepting a place, the Events Diary and Calendar, along with our Child Protection Policy and other relevant information, may be viewed on this CBSM website.

 

Dr Joe McKee OBE

Head of Music Service, BELB.

 

 

 

 

ADMISSION 2010-11

Ages: Year 1 refers to the first year of primary school; Year 8 refers to the first year of post-primary school.

Course / Group Membership Menu

Code

COURSES

Entry

Day

Time

Venue

Cost

£

S1

FIRST STUDY

Weekly individual lessons + aural class + theory class + membership of an appropriate group. Open to Year 6 and above.

audition

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

440

S2

SECOND STUDY

Available for students already enrolled on S1. Year 6 and above. No additional aural / theory / group requirement here.

audition

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

300

A1

Basic Aural : Grades 1 - 5 (for external students only)

application

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

70

A2

Advanced Aural : Grades 6 - 8 (for external students only)

application

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

70

HP

Harp

audition

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

230

DK

Drum Kit (for those not enrolled for Percussion main study)

audition

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

160

T1

Basic Theory : Grades 1 - 5 (for external students only)

application

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

70

T2

Advanced Theory : Grades 6

8

application

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

70

JP

Junior Piano includes membership of JMC or other Junior Group.

audition

week days

3.30

7.30pm

CBSM

300

JSL

Junior shared lessons (orch / band instruments) where numbers permit

audition

week days

4.30

9.30pm

CBSM

200

JUNIOR GROUP MEMBERSHIP Years 3-7

ES

Elementary Strings (2nd group for young players)

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

11.15am

Fane St

80

EW

Elementary Winds (2nd group for young players)

progress / audition

Saturday

10.00

11.30am

CBSM

80

IS

Introductory Strings (1st group for beginners)

progress / audition

Saturday

10.30

12.30pm

Fane St

80

IW

Introductory Winds (1st group for beginners)

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

10.30am

CBSM

80

JMC

Junior Music Centre (for years 5

7 at primary school)

**with optional choice of either piano or instrumental lesson

Audition

Saturday

9.00

11.30am

CBSM

130

**300

JS

Junior Strings (3rd

group for young players)

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

12.00

Fane St

80

JW

Junior Winds

(3rd group for young players)

progress / audition

Saturday

11.00

12.30pm

CBSM

80

PT

Parents & Toddlers

application

various

9.30

10.30am

Various

3 terms x 80

SC

Saturday Club (for years 3-4 at primary school)

audition

Saturday

9.00

10.30am

CBSM

100

INTERMEDIATE & SENIOR GROUP MEMBERSHIP Years 8+

AO

Adult Orchestra (for those who wish to resume playing; mostly for fun)

application

tba

tba

CBSM

2 terms x 80

AF

A-Freek-A! (African Drumming / Samba)

audition

Wednesday

6.00

9.00pm

CBSM

130

BB

Big Band (for CBYO or Concert Band members only)

progression

Saturday

12.30

1.30pm

CBSM

Nil

CBYO

City of Belfast Youth Orchestra (CBYO) see website for entry criteria

audition

Saturday

9.00

12.30am

CBSM

130

CB

City of Belfast Youth Concert Band

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

12.15pm

CBSM

130

CO

Concert Orchestra

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

12.00pm

130

IB

Intermediate Band

progress / audition

Saturday

9.30

12.30pm

CBSM

130

JB

Junior Band (includes some primary school pupils)

progress / audition

Thursday

6.00

8.00pm

CBSM

130

JCO

Junior Concert Orchestra

(includes some primary school pupils)

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

12.00pm

130

SO

String Orchestra

progress / audition

Saturday

9.00

12.00pm

Fane St

130

SB

Symphonic Brass

invitation / audition

Thursday

6.00

7.30pm

CBSM

100

YC

Youth Chorale

audition

Monday

4.45

7.00pm

CBSM

85

 

Audition =

competitive audition for places.

Progression = you are assigned to a group by your Head of Department.

 

 

Master Classes                                      

charges vary (usually no charge)

·        Advanced tuition from distinguished visiting tutors;

·        often organised in association with other bodies such as

      BMS, EPTA, QUB, UYO, or the Ulster Orchestra.

 

Occasional Courses

From time to time additional time-limited courses may become available.   We hope to offer courses in Music Technology, Composition at AS Level, an Introduction to the Organ for pianists and some Pre-Instrumentalist Activities for younger children. These have still to be confirmed and details, including charges, will be published elsewhere on this website .

 

For details about JUNIOR MUSIC CENTRE actvities and applications, please go to the About Us button and The Admin/Re-Enrol 2010 button.

 

Remission Policy and Instalment Options

 

Reduced charges are available under an agreed BELB Remission Policy.  All written requests,with supporting documentary evidence, made to the Head of Music Service are treated in total confidence.

There are discounts for families with more than one child enrolled at the School of Music and for those entitled to Free School Meals. 

In families where students are entitled to Free School Meals, 100% remission of all fees and Instrument Hire charges is possible.  Documentary evidence to show that childrenreceive Free School Meals must be provided.  Fees for these students will be paid from the CBSM Students' Fund.

Parents of second and subsequent children from the same family, who apply for a discount, will receive remission of 20% on fees for each of the second and subsequent children.  The first child's fee is at the normal rate.

There is no remission for additional family members for instrument hire.

Individuals seeking remission under special circumstances must provide as much documentary evidence as possible to the Management Board of the Music Service.

Students who have gained places in national groups(e.g. National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain/ NYO Ireland/ NY Children's Orchestra/ NY Brass Band) may apply in writing for a travel bursary (where funds  permit) from the CBSM Students' Fund. Applications will be considered by the Management Board whose decision is final. 

No travel bursaries are available for membership of the Ulster Youth Orchestra or other regional groups based in Nortern Ireland.

 

Individual families may choose to pay in one instalment or may elect to pay in two equal amounts in September and February.  Payments may also be made byStanding Orders (conditions apply). 

 

These arrangements are quite separate from the peripatetic Music Service in schools where charging policies are the responsibility of individual school principals and their Boards of Governors.

 

 

Terms & Conditions 2010 / 2011

STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED ON THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS

Students will have adequate opportunity for practice at home as continuation of individual lessons and/or membership of group activities is on the basis of satisfactory progress which will be monitored by teachers in consultation with the Head of Department and Head of Music Service.

All fees/instrumental loan charges must be paid by the end of August or admission to lessons will be denied

and any instrument withheld or recalled, as appropriate.

CBSM policy is no refunds for those who withdraw from courses or from the instrument loan / maintenance scheme, as acceptance is on the basis of a full academic year.

Students will attend a CBSM performing group as directed by the relevant Head of Department. Group activities are both an important development of general musicianship skills and an extension of technical work introduced in class.

Non attendance results in discontinuance of lessons and instrument withdrawal.

Students, particularly Grade 6 standard and above, are strongly encouraged to buy their own instruments.

For details of the BELB Assisted Instruments Purchase Scheme (AIPS), please contact the Head of Music Service. Parents / Guardians - adequate insurance against loss is essential.

Students will be held responsible for actual costs of replacing lost items or repairing CBSM instruments if such loss or damage (beyond

fair wear and tear ) is due to carelessness or negligence.

Students must notify the School as soon as possible, either by email (cbsm.info@belb.co.uk) or by telephone (9077 2266), if they are unable to attend any lesson / rehearsal / concert / recital / residential weekend / etc.

We ask for common courtesy so that tutors do not lose valuable time.

Please try to give 24 hours

notice, where possible.

Students must act sensibly and responsibly at all times, giving due attention to any Health & Safety and Child Protection policies issued by CBSM.

Students must follow all reasonable instructions given by staff.

This guideline also relates to any off-site residential course or concert tour, at home or elsewhere.

Parents must inform the Head of Music Service, in confidence if preferred, of any health issues, dietary needs, significant allergies, prescribed medication etc, which might be in their child

s best interests to disclose.

Our staff wishes to be able to provide an appropriate pastoral response to any emergency situation. This requires parents and young people to share with us information.

If in doubt, and if a young person appears to be at risk, staff will use the 999 emergency telephone number to call the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

 

 

 

 

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