Instrumental Music Program

Music at Syndal South Primary School plays an essential part in our school community. We have a strong music ethos, and we value the important role music can play in a child’s development, which includes developing socialisation and confidence, language and articulation, and to helping develop mathematical thinking!

We have a thriving instrumental program where students have the option to learn guitar, piano, violin, cello, or ukulele in small groups. We hold two instrumental concerts a year for our students to perform at. Students are also given the opportunity to perform at school assemblies, open nights, fetes and other school functions.

Lessons

Lessons are generally on a Thursday or Friday, during class time on a revolving timetable. This is so that your child will not miss out on the same lesson each week. There are a few lunchtime and before school/after school spots available. Lessons go for 30 minutes duration.

Enrolment

To enrol your child please complete the enrolment form and forward it to the Course Co-ordinator or the school office.

Fees

The fees indicated are per student:

• Individual lesson
  • 30 minutes - $44
  • 20 minutes - $30
  • 15 minutes - $23
• Shared lesson (2 students) - $31
• Group lesson (3 students) - $22
• Group lesson (4 students) - $19.50
• Group of 5 or more students - $17

Fees are to be paid one term in advance, to the instrumental teacher upon receiving the invoice.

Instruments

Parents will need to buy or rent an instrument for your child to practice on. The cost of this varies depending on the instrument. More information about this can be provided by the teacher.

Course Books

There are many different course books available and your teacher will either provide one, or ask you to purchase one.  Sheet music may also be provided. Our teachers also use videos and backing tracks among other methods to enhance the learning of an instrument. It is advisable that students have a small folder to store any music sheets given out during lessons.

Instrumental Teachers

We are proud to employee very experience instrumental teachers who have developed their own teaching programs. Below is information on each of them.

Leo Kahans (Course Co-ordinator) – Cello & Ukulele

Mr. Kahans has been a musician in the Melbourne music community for over 20 years. Starting off as a cellist, he quickly became adapt at many instruments as he performed with music projects from the 1990’s until now, spanning many genres of music including jazz, classical, country, world, rock and pop. He is passionate about creativity and always has a creative project on the go! He loves inspiring students, and in the last few years he has focused on teaching, being the Classroom Music Teacher, as well as the cello and ukulele teacher at Syndal South. He also teaches cello at Melbourne Grammar School. He shares his enthusiasm for learning music with his students, offering a dynamic, personalised and structured instrumental learning program.

Paul Varone - Guitar

Paul is a guitar teacher who is passionate about quality instrumental music education. He has taught in both primary and secondary schools for over 25 years and keeps lessons fun and engaging, whilst tailoring them to individual student needs. He has also played in various function bands around Melbourne. Guitar Lessons are available at school for students in Gr 2 to 6 and conducted in smaller groups of 3 to 4 students. Some of his programs and strategies include:

• Modern guitar program (teaching current songs and riffs)
• Written his own structured guitar program. (Booklets)
• Written his own songs/ebooks on the iPad (Ebooks to be used on the iPad for students in Year 5-6)
• Digital books are easy to follow and help students improve their strumming and chord changes.
• Rockschool acoustic guitar (A. M. E. B) exams available (Students who take 30 minute shared lessons)
• Program availability for students in Year 3 – 6
• High quality guitars with pick ups and Roland guitar amp provided in instrumental concerts.

Rosemary McCarthy - Piano

“Life’s better with music” is Rosemary’s motto and for students wishing to play the piano she’s been instilling an understanding and love of music for over 40 years.  Rosemary recommends the piano as a great instrument to start on, as the layout of the keyboard means it doesn’t take long at all to know the names of the notes. If the student embraces the commitment of learning an instrument, regular daily practice, Rosemary finds that most students will grow to love playing and improving their music as part of an enriched lifestyle.

Rosemary offers group (2 or 3 students per group) and private lessons at SSPS, where she works on Fridays. She recommends that students begin at around the age of 7 (Year 2), when they are competent readers.

Irene Jong - Violin

Irene began playing the violin when she was just 6 years old. Irene has completed her Bachelor of Music degree specialising in Violin Performance at Monash University under the guidance of Susie Ng and Lisa Grosman. During her music degree, she enjoyed playing in the Monash Academy Orchestra as Associate Concertmaster and Concertmaster of Monash String Sinfonia. Irene has a passion for musical education and enjoys collaborating and mentoring young aspiring musicians. Irene is currently studying her Masters of Teaching in Primary education. In her spare time, she enjoys long hikes in mountainous areas and playing chamber music with her friends.

More information

For enrolment enquiries please email the Course Co-ordinator, Mr Leo Kahans, email: lkahans@syndalsp.vic.edu.au. The Terms and Conditions of the program can be found here.

Please complete the enrolment form and forward it to the Course Co-ordinator or the school office.