Join a Recorder Ensemble

RECORDER ENSEMBLES!

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

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

The recorder is undoubtedly one of the best starting instruments for younger children to learn to read and play music on. It leads naturally to any of the woodwind instruments, though many of our students continue with the recorder even when they do choose to move on to other instruments. We believe the early involvement in recorder ensembles is the key to this as students not only develop as musicians much more quickly but they also gain enjoyment through playing with other students and develop deep friendships. The repertoire on the recorder is immense, so playing in a recorder ensemble can be a great way to expand musical knowledge and appreciation.

Junior Recorder Ensemble

Not scheduled in 2025

The Junior Recorder Ensemble is suitable (and recommended) for students as soon as they start to become comfortable with reading music. The focus of this ensemble is to give students the chance to develop their musical skills through playing together. The music arrangements are simple and fun. At this stage, most students play descant recorders although occasionally the most advanced students will play the treble recorder in preparation for moving on to the Intermediate Recorder Ensemble.

Intermediate Recorder Ensemble

Saturday 10.00am – 10.30am
Avonhead School (55 Avonhead Road)

The Intermediate Recorder Ensemble is generally appropriate for students who have been learning about 3 years. Students in this group can either stick with the recorder of their choice or begin to explore playing the tenor, treble and bass recorders. With a group of 10-15 students of varied ages, students tell us what a great experience being a part of this group can be. Many students continue playing in this group for years. With a wide variety of music and a selection of recorders boredom is never a concern!

Christchurch Recorder Ensemble

Tuesday 5:30-7:00
CSM

Christchurch Recorder Ensemble is an advanced ensemble for teens and adults who continue on with the recorder beyond grade 6. As the ensemble is reasonably challenging, we recommend students are a minimum of 13 years old. Students playing in this ensemble get the chance to play recorders of all sizes. CSM owns several bass and contra bass recorders. This gives students the unique opportunity to play all ensemble parts and gain a better understanding of how the parts of an ensemble fit together.
This elite group is a performance oriented group which can be seen and heard around Christchurch at special events.

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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