Performing Arts
Instrumental music & co-curricular ensembles
Music is a vibrant and exciting aspect of co-curricular life at Pulteney.
Our School has a long tradition of excellence in music and offers an array of bands, choirs and ensembles for students across all ages, as well as private music tuition.
Private Music Tuition
Whilst instrumental music is not compulsory, we encourage all students to join an ensemble or learn an instrument or to sing, as early as possible, to experience the joy, fun and great reward that comes along with music.
Pulteney’s Performing Arts Department offers private tuition in a range of instruments as well as lessons in voice. All students who learn an instrument are encouraged to join an ensemble to support their musical development and general wellbeing.
We are fortunate to have a large team of highly qualified specialist music tutors who deliver private instrumental and voice lessons on most of the orchestral and popular musical instruments.
To submit an instrumental music application form for your child in 2024, please click below to complete the online form.
Submit 2024 instrumental music application
Please contact Laura Brougham, School Operations Officer (laura.brougham@pulteney.sa.edu.au), if you have any queries or would like further information.
Available instruments
Woodwind
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Saxophone
- Oboe (available upon request)
- Bassoon (available upon request)
Brass
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- French Horn
- Tuba
- Euphonium
Strings
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double bass
- Classical guitar
Rhythm selection
- Percussion
- Drums
- Electric bass
- Piano
- Modern guitar
Voice
- Voice and speech lessons
Please note, voice lessons are available for students in Year 4 and above.
Choosing an instrument
The best choice of instrument is one which is age appropriate (for younger children) and suited to them physically or with respect to ability.
Often a child’s desire to learn a particular instrument may not be the right choice for them physically or for various reasons.
Through experience and for reasons of resourcing there are some limitations to some instruments.
Music tuition fees
One to one music lessons are $39.00 per half-hour lesson (one lesson per week) and the lesson costs will be added to School accounts monthly.
If your child is away or unable to attend a lesson, please notify the instrumental music teacher no later than 7.30am on the day of the scheduled lesson to avoid charges for the missed lesson.
Please read the Instrumental Music Policy for further information and T&Cs.
Instrumental Music FAQs
Why learn an instrument?
There is now evidence that students that learn a musical instrument for five years or more may increase their IQ, grow larger brains (see Bigger, Better Brains by Dr Anita Collins), experience improved executive brain function and improved emotional intelligence and linguistic performance. Numerous studies support the significant benefit to students playing music in a group and how this develops the student’s capacity to be empathetic and community-minded, as well as develop resilience and personal strength.
How can I help my child in the early stages of them learning an instrument?
Practice is the key.
We would recommend:
- A quiet practice space, preferably away from TV and other distractions.
- A routine where practice is a normal part of the family daily cycle. A fixed time for practice is important. Before or after school allowing 15 – 30 minutes per day for relative beginners, but up to 60 minutes for advanced students.
- Good relationship between yourself and the instrumental teacher. These people are working one to one with your child, and will best know your child’s needs and strengths.
- Be positive about the music they are making.
My child is learning to play from an external music teacher. Is this appropriate or do I need to enrol the at School for instrumental music?
We do not stipulate that children must learn at School. You are best placed to choose what is most suitable for your child and family.
If your child is learning outside of Pulteney, they will have all the same opportunities within the School’s music curriculum and co-curricular activities.
We do ask that you keep us up to date with their progress as it is useful to have this information for planning and giving recognition for achievement.
Is it realistic to expect children as young as Year 3 to remember their lesson times, especially with a rotating timetable?
Successful students are responsible students. For Middle and Senior School students, they are entirely responsible for remembering their lesson times, informing their teacher of an impending lesson and attending their lesson on time.
For students in the Junior School, the instrumental teacher will always come and collect their student and return them to the class.
Students in Years 3 to 6 should be aware of their lesson day and time, and be in the habit of checking their lesson schedule and reminding their teacher.
What happens if my child is away on the day of a lesson?
If your child is away on the day of an instrumental music lesson, please notify the instrumental music teacher no later than 7.30am on the day of the scheduled lesson to avoid charges for the missed lesson.
My child has an excursion or other School event coming up. Do I need to let their teacher and the Performing Arts department know?
Yes. It is your responsibility to notify the instrumental teacher and the Performing Arts department for any foreseeable absence from their lessons.
If my child is sick, will I still be billed for the lesson?
Please notify the instrumental music teacher no later than 7.30am on the day of the scheduled lesson to avoid charges for the missed lesson. The lesson may be rescheduled or your account will not be billed for that lesson.
If I want to help accelerate my child’s learning, can I get a second teacher outside of the School?
Having two teachers and potentially two different approaches can be confusing for your child and is not recommended. We advise that you find the very best teacher available. Because of conflict, if the Performing Arts department learns of a student having two teachers, the Head of Performing Arts will ask that the parent/guardians make a choice or the student will be withdrawn from lessons.
Music and instrument hire policies
It is important that you read and understand the Terms and Conditions and other information prior to making an application for individual instrumental music, vocal music or speech/drama lessons for your child.
Please visit the Parent Resources section on the portal to view this information.
View the Instrumental Music Policy & the Instrument Hire Policy
Ensembles and Choirs
The diversity of Pulteney’s Performing Arts co-curricular program is significant and is an important driver of what we offer here at Pulteney. Opportunities include small instrumental ensembles, choirs, bands, and an annual major musical production, as well as many performance throughout the year. We have developed and continue to develop a diverse range of choirs and ensembles to meet the wide and varying needs of students.
All music co-curricular groups and activities are provided free of cost and students are expected to commit to an ensemble or group for the full year.
If admission to a group is by audition, then you need to express an interest in this group so an audition can be arranged. Acceptance into auditioned groups is subject to a successful audition and a corresponding vacancy in the group. If you are enrolling for a non-auditioned group, you will simply need to express interest. For these groups, enrolments are based on order of application and to a limited maximum number of students in each group.