Woodwind Lessons

WOODWIND!

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

Woodwinds are a range of musical instruments that make their sound when a musician blows air into or across the mouthpiece. They get their name from the fact that most of them were once made of wood. Today many are made of other materials such as metal or plastic.

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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Recorder

The recorder is a great instrument for children to start their musical training on any time from 6 years old. It is inexpensive, lightweight and has a simple design and is an easy instrument for children to master. Similarities in fingering make it very easy for children to move on to other woodwind instruments. The recorder is not just for beginners, as there is a wide variety of music written specifically for the recorder.

Flute

The flute is popular, versatile, affordable, readily portable, and unparalleled for its expressive colour and the sheer beauty of its clear bellbird-like sound. With a curved head joint, students are also able to start learning the flute earlier than most other woodwind instruments, usually around age 7. Learning through CSM means that students will have the unique opportunity to try the piccolo, alto flute and bass flute.

Clarinet

The clarinet enjoys great popularity for many reasons. It is a wonderfully portable and versatile instrument played in many different styles of music. The clarinet is relatively small and lightweight, so children can usually start learning from around 8 and tend to make fairly rapid progress once they master the art of blowing. The clarinet’s plaintive, clear sound can be perfect for a romantic melody or when agitated for creating angular accented textures and effects. They can make a surprisingly loud sound or play incredibly softly.

Oboe

The oboe has a beautiful, slightly haunting sound and is well worth the effort it takes to master. The oboe is an integral part of the wind section in the orchestra and is often featured as a soloist in classical music. The name of the instrument, coming from a root meaning “loud wood”, will come as no surprise to orchestral music fans as the oboe can be heard soaring above the orchestra. Students often move onto the oboe from other woodwind instruments, but can start learning from around 10.

Bassoon

Often called the “clown of the orchestra” due to its ability to sound “comic”, the bassoon can vary from silly to melancholy and could be described as a veritable chameleon. As the bassoon is the largest (and lowest) of the woodwind instruments, students often move to the bassoon from another instrument. Generally students can start learning the bassoon at around age 11-12, but as it is quite a large instrument that can depend on the size of the student’s hands. Like oboists, bassoonists are always in demand, but students choosing this wonderful instrument should be aware that it requires a bit of extra practice to master.

Saxophone

The saxophone is always popular, particularly with students who love jazz, but the tone and music of the classical saxophone shouldn’t be overlooked. Most students start learning on the alto saxophone which is the most versatile and has the largest repertoire, but CSM also offers soprano, tenor and baritone saxophones for hire. Although the saxophone is only occasionally used in orchestral arrangements, CSM students can opt to play the saxophone in jazz, rock or saxophone only ensembles as well as in our range of wind ensembles and concert band. Generally students need to be at least age 9 in order to be large enough to play the alto sax.

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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