Search Results for: taster session

Can I try before I commit?
Of course! Just click the Golden Harmonica to the right of the screen, complete your details and select the Free Taster Session option on the registration form. You can also select your favourite harmonica colour (blue, black, pink or yellow subject to availability).

Confirmation of your Taster Session
When we receive your registration, we will call you for a quick chat before sending our confirmation email. Please keep the email safely as this explains how to sign up in full and will list ongoing lesson dates. We will bring your Taster Pack to school. This will contain your 4 hole harmonica and a music sheet with your first tune and the scale of C major mapped out. If anything in our confirmation email is unclear please contact us straight away.

Can I provide my own harmonica?
If you have your own harmonica you are welcome to bring it along. However, do let us know in advance so that we can check your harmonica is suitable; right type, right key, and in tune. For newcomers of all ages, our 4 hole Speedy harmonica is standard issue and the simplest way to get started. Children in Y3-6 will then need to upgrade to a 10 hole Suzuki Airwave to continue our KS2 music programme.

Subscribing in full
Assuming your child enjoys their Taster Session, you will be ready to sign up. Let us know as soon as you have completed your Taster Session as we will need to organise ahead of your next session. Firstly, we will need your subscription for ongoing sessions as explained in our confirmation email. Secondly, you will need some essential music kit – harmonica, A4 pocket folder, small notebook and pen. Children in Reception and Y1-2 continue sessions using their 4 hole taster harmonica. Children in Y3-6 will need to order a 10 hole Suzuki Airwave harmonica for ongoing sessions. Parents can provide their own kit or order a Music Pack in our online Store. Finally, you just to let your child’s class teacher and the school office know you will now be attending sessions regularly.

What if we don’t wish to sign up?
Please let us know so that we can offer your place to another child, and thank you for trying out. No need to return your taster harmonica – you can enjoy playing it at home!

Can I join during the term?
Yes of course, as long as we have space! Please start the process by clicking our Gold Harmonica and registering your interest. Don’t worry, this won’t commit you to lessons initially, it just tells us you’d like to know more. Select the Free Taster Session option and your preferred colour of starter harmonica. We’ll then give you a quick call and forward our Taster Session confirmation email. This provides full details of your Free Taster, and an outline of how to subscribe afterwards, assuming you’re happy with all the arrangements.

Will my child be able to catch up with the others in the group?
We’ll run through the basics during your taster session and you’ll be given a sheet to practise with at home. We also have support pages on our website for our newcomers. It really doesn’t take long to learn the ropes and start participating with confidence. Let your harmonica teacher know if you’d like them to slow down or repeat anything, to help you get the hang of it; they’re always happy to help you.

Is there anything else I need to know about getting started?
Just that you’ll need a bit of basic kit – a notebook and an A4 music folder (non-ring binder). KS1 children can continue using their 4 hole taster harmonicas. KS2 children will need to invest in a 10 hole harmonica in C major. You can provide these yourself, or else order them as individual items or a Music Pack through our store.

Signing up
When you’ve had your Free Taster and you’re ready to proceed, here’s how subscriptions work: You can choose to pay for the remainder of the term in full, or by monthly Standing Order instalments. All payments are made in advance.

Termly payments
The balance amount for the term will be in our confirmation email. You can pay by PayPal in our store, BACS, or over the phone by card (we no longer handle cash or cheques). Further details are also on our How To Pay website page.

Monthly instalments
If you join before the 15th of the month (our monthly instalment due date), you will need to settle for the remaining lessons that month and then set up your Standing Order for the 15th of the month. As an example, someone joining on 1st September would settle their individual lesson payments for September, then arrange their advance monthly Standing Order to start on 15th September (advance contribution for October).

If you join after the 15th, you will need to settle for the remaining lessons that month and the following month, before setting up your Standing Order for the 15th of the following month. As an example, someone joining on 21st September would settle their session payments for September and October, then arrange their advance monthly Standing Orders to start on 15th October.

All comers welcome!

Our Open Harmonica Club is available to children from any Infant, Junior or Primary school in Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area. We meet on Wednesdays at Aldrington Primary School in Hove, with separate 45 minute sessions for KS1 and KS2 children.

Aldrington CE Primary School, Eridge Road, Hove, BN3 7QD.

KS1 4.15pm-5.00pm
KS2 5.15pm-6.00pm

Club dates are published in our My School menu here.

What do children do at the Club?
Each session begins with a fun musical ice-breaker. We then warm up with scales, arpeggios and standard exercises. Next we move into repertoire, learning pieces from our syllabus, and build technical skills. We also have a termly theme; some past examples include Film Themes and texture, Songs of The Sea and dynamics, and The Beatles and Structure. You can find our termly Teaching Plan in our My School menu.

Performances
Finally we have one eye firmly set on performance opportunities. This may be at The Brunswick’s annual Harpin’ By The Sea Harmonica Festival (Feb), or at one of our public ‘blow outs’ – The Alex Children’s Hospital (Dec), The Brighton Festival (May) and Paddle Round The Pier Beach Festival (Jul).

Free taster and ongoing sessions
Your first session is entirely free and includes a 4 hole starter harmonica. This way we know everyone is happy and everything works before you continue.

Ongoing sessions
The cost for each ongoing session is £7.99 and payment is made half termly in advance by BACS, or through our website Store using a credit or debit card. Subscribers will also be given free access to the home learning and support pages here on our website.

Registration
Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. To register for your Free Taster Session, simply click the Gold Harmonica and complete our online form. If our club is full when you register, we will advise you of available alternatives, or keep your child’s name on our waiting list.

Harmonica Kit
Once they’ve signed up in full, every child (or harmonaut as we call our players) is required to bring a music folder and diary to their club sessions. Parents are free to supply these themselves. They can also order them through our Store as single items or as part of our standard Music Pack.

KS1 children can continue using their 4 hole starter harmonica until they are ready to graduate to a 10 hole instrument, however KS2 harmonauts are expected to upgrade to a 10 hole harmonica by the end of their first half term. Again parents are free to supply this themselves, place their order through our Store. A 10 hole Suzuki Airwave harmonica is recommended and also comes as part of our Music Pack. Harmonauts should bring their full harmonica kit to every session.

What if I forget my harmonica?
We have spares that can be purchased on the day, however for reasons of hygiene, we hope you will understand that we cannot lend or share harmonicas.

Is there Parking on site?
There is a small amount of free parking adjacent to the School.

Is there somewhere parents can wait?
While there isn’t really a waiting room for parents on site, there are local visitor-friendly facilities on hand. Waitrose is just around the corner with its own coffee shop and café. In warmer weather, Hove Park is nearby for strolling, picnics and dog walking, and has it’s own café.

Goldstone Retail park is also close by with shops and food outlets, and there are more shops, food outlets and a petrol station at the western end of Nevill Avenue, towards Hangleton. In warmer weather the Nevill Recreation ground, which is right next to the school, is another option for dog walkers and picnickers (and there’s cricket to watch in the summer months).

Terms & Conditions
Our standard terms and conditions apply and you can check these here.