Our music program is renowned for its excellence across a wide range of styles, enriching the lives of all our students.

MLC School has both a national and international reputation for music excellence and the whole school is involved in some form of music making. This inclusive program is open to everyone, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Our long-standing tradition of musical excellence has earned us an international reputation, with many of our students gaining entry to prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School (New York), Royal College of Music (London), Berklee College of Music (Boston), Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia), and Hanns Eisler School of Music (Berlin).

The exceptional standard displayed at all events highlights the dedication and talent of every girl involved. Performances take place at Chapel services and a range of co-curricular performance opportunities available at MLC School through instrumental soirees, festivals, studio concerts, graduation concerts, as well as outside the School with major performances such as our bi-annual Sydney Opera House Concert and alternating Town Hall concerts. Students who are committed to participating in the co-curricular Music program will also have the opportunity to participate in regional and international music tours and play in prestigious venues around the world.

Private Music Tuition

Private music tuition is offered to students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 and is conducted by fully qualified professional musicians.

MLC School offers private tuition in the instruments listed below.

  • Bass Guitar (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Bassoon (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Cello (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12)
  • Clarinet (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Double Bass (Year 1 to Year 12)
  • Flute (Year 1 to Year 12)
  • French Horn (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Harp (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Guitar (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Oboe (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Organ (Year 7 to Year 12)
  • Percussion/Drum Kit (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Piano (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12)
  • Saxophone (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Trombone (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Trumpet (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Tuba (Year 3 to Year 12)
  • Viola (Year 1 to Year 12)
  • Violin (Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12)
  • Voice (Year 7 to Year 12)

Private Music Tuition Enrolment

Our Junior School Music Private Tuition lessons are currently at capacity. Should you wish to place your daughter on a waitlist, please complete the form here.

Enrolment for Senior School private music can be completed via the MLC School Payments Page.

Cost: 30 minute lesson: $512 per term
45 minute lesson: $736 per term
60 minute lesson: $960 per term

The tuition fees are paid in advance at the beginning of each term. Upon enrolment, the first term’s fees must be paid online by credit card. The tuition fees for subsequent terms will be charged to the school fees account. Should there be a change to the lesson length, a new lesson length enrolment must be completed online. Changes to a student’s tuition must be approved by the Director of Music. 

Organisation of Lessons

Private music tuition is provided based on 32 lessons per year, or the equivalent of 8 lessons per term for mid year starts.

Extra lessons can be given (and are charged separately) after the 32 designated lessons have been given.

Students are assigned to a tutor by the Head of Strings, Head of Bands, Head of Keyboard or the Director of Music.

For students who are new to their instrument we recommend 30-minute lessons. Longer lessons are for students who are more advanced on their instrument and may be granted with the approval of the Director of Music.

It is expected that parents/students liaise with the student’s tutor to ensure that clear lines of communication are established in order to inform of any absences for excursions, exams or sickness.

Rotation of Lessons

It is MLC School policy that lessons must be rotated during the school day so students minimise their time away from any one subject.

Girls in Year 11 and Year 12 should have fixed lesson times during their ‘spare’ periods and this is negotiated directly with the tutor. Junior School students are not taught before recess (during their core English and Mathematics lessons) and are rotated through the rest of the school day. If your daughter is learning two instruments at school, the first lesson is rotating, and where possible our tutors can try to fix in the second lesson. This is not always possible, therefore, if having two rotating lessons during the week does not suit your family, we suggest you find an external tutor for the second instrument with a fixed time suitable to your family’s schedule.

Cancellation of Lessons

If students or tutors need to cancel a lesson, 48 hours' notice must be given. Please note that lessons missed without prior notification may not be made up by the tutor. This includes lessons missed due to equipment/instruments being forgotten and lessons that need to be changed due to exams/tests, camps, excursions/incursions, sports carnivals, etc.

If a student is sick and absent from school, written notification must be provided to the tutor by the parent/student by 8.30am on the day of the lesson and the tutor will do their best to reschedule the lesson. If notification is not received by 8.30am, the lesson may not be made up by the tutor.

Co-Curricular Music Ensembles Membership Requirement

All students having vocal tuition or learning a string, woodwind, brass or percussion instrument at MLC School are required to participate in the Music Department’s co-curricular ensemble program. The minimum basic requirement is the weekly rehearsal and associated performances with the large ensemble in the Choir, Orchestra and Band programs at the School. Students may also audition for smaller ensembles if they wish (some charges may apply). Girls must make a commitment to their chosen ensembles for the entire school year. Further detail around our different co-curricular programs is provided below.

Girls are expected to care for their instruments, practise, attend rehearsals and performances and help with set up and pack up. There are opportunities for all girls to participate. Students need to enrol with the Music Department for co-curricular music ensembles. Level of involvement will be determined by the Director of Music, Head of Strings and Head of Bands.

Chamber Music (Year 6 to Year 12)
This is an extensive part of the Music program giving students the opportunity to experience the joy of being in a small group where they are required to hold an individual part. There are a variety of string, piano and woodwind quartets that meet before school, at lunchtime or after school in the Music Centre and Junior School Music classrooms. Entry is by invitation once the required standard has been achieved, and rehearsal times are communicated at that time. Year 9 to Year 12 Elective Music students are encouraged to be involved. (Charges may apply).

Instrument Hire/Purchase

When hiring or purchasing any instrument, please ensure your daughter is sized correctly by an experienced member of staff. Playing a correctly sized instrument is crucial to quality learning. Please avoid purchasing an instrument online without professional help.

Request to Withdraw from Private Music Tuition

Should you wish to withdraw your daughter from private music tuition lessons, please provide written notification via this form by 10am, Friday Week 7 for effective withdraw from the subsequent term. An email notification of withdrawal should also be sent to the student’s tutor.

All withdrawals must be approved by the Director of Music. Any withdrawals received after this date will take effect from the second subsequent term following notification. Accordingly, tuition fees will be charged to your next term fee statement. This will be strictly adhered to.

Please note, should you withdraw your daughter from lessons, and do not take up private music tuition externally, this will effect your daughter's ability to participate in music ensembles, string instrumental classes (Year 3 to Year 6) and band instrumental classes (Year 5 and Year 6). Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Music Enrolments team by emailing music@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au.

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Ensembles

All students having vocal tuition or learning a string, woodwind, brass or percussion instrument at MLC School are required to participate in the Music Department’s co-curricular ensemble program.

The minimum basic requirement is the weekly rehearsal and associated performances with the large ensemble in the Choir, Orchestra and Band programs at the school. Students may also audition for smaller ensembles if they wish (some charges may apply). Girls must make a commitment to their chosen ensembles for the entire school year. Further detail around our different co-curricular programs is provided below.

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Choirs

Choral singing is a fundamental aspect of the MLC School Music program.

Category:

  • Music and the Arts