St George’s School
We are incredibly privileged to be on the same site as St George’s School in Harpenden. Since moving to the site in 2000 we have built a strong relationship with this outstanding school that encourages all of their students to not just learn music but to be actively involved in orchestras and bands. The highlight of the year at St George’s is the House Music event that sees over 400 students taking part in House orchestras and choirs. Every year, Musicale are delighted to watch nearly all of the House Music Individual Awards taken home by students who learn through Musicale.
Who will teach me?
You will be assigned a professional musician with certified teaching qualifications, an enhanced DBS and safeguarding training. All of our staff are working professional musicians, trained at accredited music colleges and many perform with internationally renowned orchestras and bands. Our tutors only teach the instruments that they are qualified to play. They will teach you, encourage your performing, advance your technical skills and, if appropriate, enter you for graded exams and performance opportunities.
What do I need?
Students need to bring their own instruments and music for lessons and to be able to practice at home. Our onsite Musicale shop has all the accessories and knowledge to support your studies.
You can hire or purchase an instrument here.
How do I start lessons?
Click on the Sign Up To Lessons and fill in our new student form. We will then be in touch with available lesson times and tutors. Lessons for St George’s students are rotated weekly so that the same school lessons are not missed each week.
You will be sent a log in to Teachworks, our music school parent portal, to access times and dates of scheduled lessons and ensembles, lesson notes from the tutor and see your family profile.
There are ten 30 minute lessons a term costing £310 (from January 2025). Longer lessons for more advanced students (Grade 5 +) are encouraged. If a student learns more than one instrument their second lesson will be offered during a lunchtime or after school. Please contact us for more information.
Little by little build up the habit of playing your instrument. Five minutes daily for beginners, then 10 minutes per grade daily is usually a good indication of a well-practiced student.
What if I miss a lesson?
If a student misses a lesson the tutor has no obligation to make it up and it is usually forfeited. However, we understand that sometimes students are ill or have extenuating circumstances and tutors try to be flexible. Please contact your tutor directly with at least 48 hours’ notice about a student’s future lesson absence and they will try to offer an alternative time, this may include an online option. Please note, whilst every effort is made to accommodate changes, rescheduled lessons are not guaranteed as tutors have tight schedules and external working commitments.
If a lesson is cancelled by the tutor or Musicale the student will be offered another lesson time (face to face or online) and in this instance, if rescheduling has not been possible, the student will be offered a credit note on their account.
How do I pay?
Invoices are emailed out automatically before the start of each term or shortly after you have been sent confirmation of your lessons if you are a new starter. These will include details about the payment options and we recommend signing up to a direct debit.
If you wish to stop lessons you must give half a term’s notice in writing or pay half a term’s fees in lieu. For all invoice queries please contact accounts@musicale.co.uk
We are passionate about every child being given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and we have a fantastic relationship with both The James Marshall Foundation and the Harpenden Music Foundation. These incredible local charities provide grants to individual students living in Harpenden and the surrounding villages where financial commitment for music lessons is a barrier. For more information please email grants@jamesmarshallfoundation.co.uk or if you are an advanced student head to harpendenmusicfoundation.org/apply/