Welcome!
Balmain PS Instrumental Program
Please take your time to scroll down and read all the information about our school's program. If you have any questions, call our friendly admin team or CONTACT US.
OC Students - We Welcome all incoming OC students. If you have some experience and would like to enrol directly into Senior Band or Stri, just CLICK HERE
About Us
About our Program
Our instrumental program provides the opportunity for students in Yrs 2-6 to learn a musical instrument and play in an ensemble with their peers. We are very proud of our instrumental music program which is an integral part of our school community.
Our dedicated DIM Program Manager works closely with the school looking after all aspects of our program, including student experience and progression, logistics and administration, concerts and other performance events.
Our conductors and music tutors are coordinated by DIM and are highly regarded professionals who are passionate about spreading the joy of music. Every lesson and rehearsal is focused on engaging their students in positive learning, progression and achievement, and of course lots of fun!
Junior Band
- Beginners Only - No experience required
- Open to all students in Years 3-6
- Junior Band Rehearsal: Friday, 8.30am
- Private Lessons: Monday-Thursday, during school time
Senior Band
- 1+ years experience required
- Open to all students in Years 3-6
- Senior Band Rehearsal: Wednesday, 8.30am
- Private Lessons: Monday-Thursday, during school time
Junior Strings
- Beginners Only - No experience required
- Open to all students in Years 2-6
- Junior Strings Ensemble Rehearsal - Monday, 8.30am arrival
- Private Lessons: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during school
Senior Strings
- 1+ years experience required
- Open to all students in Years 3-6
- Senior Strings Ensemble Rehearsal - Tuesday, 8.30am arrival
- Private Lessons: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during school
Performances
Performance is an essential aspect of musical training, giving students the chance to develop their performing skills, while boosting self esteem and sharing our music with an audience. We participate in a range of formal and informal performance opportunities at school, and within the local community throughout the year.
- Playground Performances
- Open Rehearsals
- School Assemblies
- Hot Cross Buns Concert - Beginners Concert
- End of Year Concert
- School Music Festivals and Competitions
Communication
Communication between our students, tutors and their families is key to making good progress and gaining a strong foundation. It's also an important way of knowing that we are all on the same page when it comes to linking home practise with what has been achieved during lessons and rehearsals.
- Music Diaries
- Emails
- Phone
- SMS
Our friendly DIM admin team are always happy to help. Give them a call with any questions and they'll be happy to help you out
Commitment & Expectations
Musical ensembles are the same as any other team - commitment and team work is needed to succeed.
- Home practise: at least 10-15 mins, 4-5 times per week. Routine is really important when it comes to music practise, so work it into your family schedule, just as you would a training session for sport, find a time that works and stick to it!
- Attendance at all lessons, rehearsals and performances is required.
- A minimum 1 year commitment is expected of all students when joining their school's program. This is because it takes time to make good progress when learning an instrument. It can be tempting to just 'quit' when things get a bit tricky, but we always recommend sticking with it as the results are worth it!
Musical skills are developed over time, and there is no instant gratification when it comes to learning such an intricate new skill. Patience and persistence, together with careful guidance brings great rewards.
Extra Information
- We welcome all incoming OC students into the programs as well. If you're joining the OC stream at school and would like to enrol please CLICK HERE
- Click below to check out our FAQs page for more answers to all your questions
- All details are subject to change, and ensembles and lesson schedules rely on minimum number of students enrolled
Choosing an Instrument
Choosing an Instrument
Our Instrument Expo which is held at school during term 4, offers the perfect opportunity for all students to see and hear each of the instruments. We encourage all students to choose an instrument that they really love, as they are much more likely to succeed at building a regular practice routine and making good progress with an instrument that they love.
Which Instruments can I choose?
Band Instruments:
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, and Drums/Percussion
* Other instruments such as Bass Guitar or Piano/Keyboard may also be part of the band, however places are limited, and parents will need to arrange their own tutor, as we do not offer tuition at school for these instruments.
String Instruments:
Instruments included in the string ensemble include: Violin and Cello
Some instruments require extra maintenance and ongoing costs, please click below for extra information on each of the instruments
Hire or Buy?
Do I have to Buy an Instrument?
All students are expected to have a good quality instrument. There are 3 options to organise your instrument:
Option 1: BUY your instrument from DIM
- Brand New - We are a premium dealer for Jupiter Musical Instruments, so you can be assured of a high quality instrument
- Pre Played (2nd hand) - All 2nd hand instruments have been checked and approved before being made available for sale
- See our ONLINE STORE for more details
Option 2: HIRE your instrument from DIM
- Hire - DIM offers a competitive INSTRUMENT HIRE program with a termly hire fee of $150. The first term of hire fees are credited towards the purchase of the instrument if you decide to buy it.
Option 3: Provide your OWN instrument
- Remember all instruments need to be good quality so that you have the best chance of success!
2024 Membership Fees
Fee Information
Enrolment Fee - Band & Strings
- $45
- One off payment, when you accept your position
- Includes music bag, book and folder
- Non-refundable
Full Membership (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums/percussion, violin, cello)
- $175 termly Ensemble Membership fee (includes $15 school site rental levy)
- PLUS $55 per lesson (the total term fee is based on the number of private lessons scheduled for the term, and may differ between 8-10 each term)
- Includes weekly ensemble rehearsal + weekly private lesson + all performances
Ensemble Only Membership (piano/keyboard, bass guitar)
- $175 termly Ensemble Membership fee (includes $15 school site rental levy)
- Includes weekly ensemble rehearsal + all performances
- Please note, private lessons are required and these are to be arranged by yourself, outside of school, and will be at an additional cost
All fees are invoiced on a termly basis, and payable prior to the start of term. For full terms & conditions, please click below.
*All details are subject to change, and ensembles and lesson schedules rely on minimum number of students enrolled
Enrol Today!
Enrolments Now Open!
We are excited to welcome our newest young musicians to our program! Once you're familiar with how our program works, and you have an idea of the instrument you'd like to play, submit your enrolment form and we'll get things moving so you're ready to get started!
How to Join
- Get familiar with how our program works. The information on this page is very thorough, so take your time and follow the links
- Choose the instrument you'd like to play
- Submit your enrolment form
- We'll be in touch to confirm the details of your enrolment
OC Enrolments Welcome!
- We welcome all incoming OC students into the programs as well. If you're joining the OC stream at school, and have some experience in band or strings, please click below