Brass Lessons

BRASS!

The Christchurch School of Music is one of New Zealand’s greatest musical treasures, and we’re always on the hunt for new brass students – no matter your age or experience! We are taking enrolments now.

Is it time to change yours or your child’s life with music?

Instruments from the brass family are made from long metal tubes that feature valves, buttons and slides that alter the pitch. To play them, you buzz your lips inside a metal mouthpiece to create the sound. They’re used in all types of concert bands and orchestras, jazz combos, brass bands as well as rock bands.

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS

Learn one-on-one with a tutor for 20, 30, 45 or 60 minutes – you choose!

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GROUP LESSONS

Save money and learn from your tutor and your classmates.

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ENSEMBLES

Already play an instrument and want to start performing in a group? Join one of our 25+ ensemble classes!

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Trumpet/Cornet

The trumpet or cornet are great beginner instruments, particularly for those with a general love of music as they are extremely versatile. There will always be a place for a trumpet regardless of whether you want to play in an orchestra, a brass band, a jazz band or a rock band. The trumpet is reasonably lightweight and inexpensive, so students can get started as early as age 7. The trumpet produces a majestic sound and as it is one of the loudest instruments it can always be heard above the rest.

Trombone

The trombone is another versatile instrument which is useful in orchestra, band, jazz and rock music. Its form has remained the same for hundreds of years; it is elegant and unique in its construction, having a long sliding section used to change note pitch. It is larger than the trumpet, but with the new lightweight, plastic Pbones children can start learning from around 10-11 years of age. The trombone’s versatility makes it a fun instrument, and there is a wide range of opportunities for trombonists in all the groups as trombonists are often in short supply.

Tuba

As the largest and lowest instrument in the brass family, the tuba plays an important role in orchestras and concert bands. Because it is quite large and heavy, we recommend students are at least 11-12 years old before they start learning this fabulous instrument. Although the tuba is not considered to be a solo instrument, tuba players are in short supply so students who play the tuba will always be in demand.

French Horn

The French horn comes from the French hunting horn of the 1600s, and produces a wide variety of sounds ranging from very loud to very soft, and from harsh and blaring to mellow and smooth. The French horn’s 18 feet of tubing is rolled up into a circular shape, with a large bell at its end. The horn is a beautiful and mysterious sounding instrument which is considered to belong to both the brass and wind families. Beginners on the horn generally find learning easier if they have had plenty of previous music experiences as it requires a good ear.

Terms & Conditions

Enrolment
It is usual practice for students to enrol for a minimum of one semester (1/2 a year) however we do offer Blocks of 5 or 10 lessons for adult students.
If you are under 18 years of age a parent or guardian will need to sign the enrolment form.

Fees & Payment
Fees for lessons and participation in performing groups can be paid in full before classes start, or in weekly, fortnightly, quarterly or semester installments. As fees are not optional at the Christchurch School of Music, we do require either all or a portion of the fee to be paid in advance of the start of lessons. It is expected that unless fees are paid before the start of the semester, an automatic payment will be set up to cover the remaining fees for the year.
If an agreement is made to pay fees in installments the CSM office will email invoices at the appropriate intervals.
Fees can be paid by internet banking, credit card or cash.
CSM does have some Financial Support available. These monies are reliant on a grant, so can not be guaranteed. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance and have a community services card please indicate this on your enrolment form. Financial Assistance in 2023 will only be available on lesson fees.
As CSM is a small not-for-profit organisation we do need to ensure that fees are paid regularly and promptly. Please contact the office immediately if you have any problems meeting commitments. We do use normal business methods to recover outstanding debt.

Refunds & Cancellations
CSM will refund fees paid in advance if you cancel your lessons before the beginning of a term or semester. However if you are unable to attend lessons part way through a term we will not be able to refund the remaining lessons because your teacher will have been contracted for that time.

Lessons
If you are unable to attend a lesson we cannot guarantee that the missed lessons will be able to be rescheduled. Tutors will endeavour to offer alternative lesson arrangements if they can. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide catch up lessons if you miss a group lesson.
If your teacher is unavailable for a lesson we will endeavour to make up the lesson at a mutually agreed time.

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