Strings Lessons

STRINGS!

The Christchurch School of Music is one of New Zealand’s greatest musical treasures, and we’re always on the hunt for new string 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?

CSM offers tuition for learning the violin, viola, cello and double bass. All of these instruments are available in a variety of sizes from 1/10 sized through to full sized making them a good choice for younger students. These instruments are offered for hire which allows students to progress through on appropriately sized instruments without a huge financial outlay.

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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Violin

The violin is the heart and soul of the orchestra. It is the smallest of the stringed instruments, and therefore one of the instruments we recommend for young learners. Children can begin learning from age 5. There will always be a place in the orchestra for violin players, and talented students sometimes choose to transition to the viola after a couple of years of learning.

Viola

Sometimes described as a “big violin”, the viola is slightly larger than the violin and is a great choice of instruments for students who love the idea of playing in an orchestra. With a shortage of viola players worldwide, this instrument should appeal to students who are interested in pursuing music more seriously. It has a richer, darker tone than the violin and can be very expressive.

Cello

The cello is much larger than a violin and viola and is played sitting down. It has a very beautiful and expressive tone ranging from calm and solemn in the lower register through to passionate in the upper register. The cello has an important place in the orchestra and chamber music, and is also a great solo instrument.

Double Bass

The double bass is the largest and lowest sounding instrument in the string family and is a very versatile instrument which is used extensively in classical and jazz music and can also be heard in popular music. The introduction of 1/10 and 1/8 sized mini bass to our hiring pool means that students can now start learning this instrument from around 7 years old.

Suzuki Violin & Cello

Dr. Suzuki believed that every child can learn a musical instrument given the right environment. Children who enrol in Suzuki violin or cello will have a 20 minute individual lesson weekly and a fortnightly group and theory lesson for 1 hour on a Saturday morning. As students advance, the teacher may suggest that they enrol in a 30 or 45 minute lesson. Suzuki students are introduced to reading music at their theory classes and gradually progress to written music at about Book 2 level. They are encouraged to join an orchestra once their reading skills are at the appropriate level.

Parent involvement is crucial to the success of the method. A parent is required to attend all lessons, practise with the child, supervise CD listening and attend related activities.

The important elements of the Suzuki approach to instrumental teaching include the following:

An early start
The importance of listening to music
Learning to play before learning to read music
The involvement of the parent
A nurturing and positive learning environment
A high standard of teaching by trained teachers
The importance of producing a good sound in a balanced and natural way
Core repertoire, used by Suzuki students across the world
Social interaction with other children: Suzuki students from all over the world can communicate through the language of music

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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