Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs are designed to help answer common questions. For full and most up-to-date details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions, which always take precedence.

Lessons in Schools

    • Primary schools: Tutors arrange times with the school; timings may change day-to-day.

    • Secondary schools: Students follow a rota and must check school noticeboards. Secondary students are responsible for checking their lesson time and arriving on time.

  • Your child should bring:

    • Their instrument (except pianos and drum kits!)

    • Any music or books provided by the tutor

    • A notebook or practice diary (if used)

    Tutors will let you know if any specific books or accessories are needed as your child progresses.

  • We offer both group and individual lessons, each with their own benefits.

    Group lessons are a great way for children to learn alongside others, build confidence, and enjoy making music together. They can be motivating, social, and more cost-effective. Our tutors adapt activities to suit different ability levels within the group.

    Individual (or paired) lessons allow for more personalised teaching, which can be helpful as students progress or prepare for exams.

    Some instruments are only offered in certain formats:

    • Piano is mainly taught individually

    • Drum kit and keyboard are often individual or paired (depending on the school)

    Lesson type may be reviewed over time to best support your child’s progress.

  • Your child’s tutor will guide what they should be working on each week and may provide notes in a practice notebook, on music, or via your Music Service (SpeedAdmin) account.

    You can support your child by:

    • encouraging short, regular practice sessions

    • asking them to show you what they’ve learned in their lesson

    • listening to their pieces or exercises

    • helping them establish a simple routine

    If you are unsure what your child should be practising, encourage them to speak to their tutor, or you can contact your child’s tutor through the messaging area in your Music Service account, or email the Music Service office at music.service@trafford.gov.uk. Tutors are not permitted to share personal contact details with parents/carers. Please note tutors will not receive notifications during school holidays of messages.

    We also provide an annual written report in the spring term to update you on your child’s progress.

  • Tutors will let you know which books or materials your child needs and when to buy them. Beginners are usually provided with suitable materials for the first few lessons, and some instruments may use tutor-created resources.
    As a guide, you may need to purchase up to one book per term, although this varies depending on progress and level. Many beginner books last much longer.
    Music can be purchased from music shops or online. If you choose to buy online, you can support both independent bookshops and Trafford Music Service by purchasing through our Bookshop.org page — at no extra cost to you.
    For group lessons, it is helpful to buy materials promptly so pupils can progress together. Tutors will aim to give advance notice when new books are needed.
    Pupils taking exams will need original copies of their exam music.

What accessories does my child need for their instrument?

Pupils who have hired an instrument from Trafford Music Service will be provided with their first reed/strings. Subsequent reeds and strings for instruments are not provided by Trafford Music Service with the exception of a beginner’s first lesson. We would recommend that pupils have a spare set of strings or reeds so lessons can continue productively in the event of a breakage. These accessories are available from music shops or online. Tutors do not carry spare reeds or strings.

Generally we recommend the below accessories for beginner – intermediate students. Tutors may amend advice for specific instruments and more advanced students.

  • Clarinet
    Reed: Rico 2 Strength
    Other Accessories: Weighted Cleaning Cloth (pull through)

    Saxophone
    Reed: Rico 2 Strength
    Other Accessories: Weighted Cleaning Cloth (pull through)

    Oboe
    Reed: Medium Soft
    Other Accessories: Weighted Cleaning Cloth (pull through)

    Bassoon
    Reed: Medium Soft
    Other Accessories: Weighted Cleaning Cloth (pull through)

    Flute
    Reed: Not applicable
    Other Accessories: Gauze Cloth

    For oboe and bassoon reeds the tutor will recommend further details on where to purchase these from.

    The inside of woodwind instruments are best dried using cleaning cloths and pull-through after every rehearsal. This prevents a build-up of grime which can settle on pads and joints. Pupils will need their own cloths.

    Woodwind, string and guitar instruments should not be submersed in water at any time.

    Please do not use products such as Brasso or Silvo on any instruments as they will damage the instrument. A dry soft cloth will remove any finger marks where necessary.

  • Violin, Viola and Cello strings are sold in sets dependent on the size of your child’s instrument you will need a set that is a suitable size. Your child’s tutor will advise on the correct size.

    All string instruments need Rosin (needed regularly for bows).

  • Your child’s tutor will recommend when it is necessary to purchase accessories such as valve oil / mutes.

    Please do not use products such as Brasso or Silvo on any instruments as they will damage the instrument. A dry soft cloth will remove any finger marks where necessary.

  • A set of acoustic nylon strings.
    Medium plectrum

  • Drumsticks should be brought as a matching pair. Our tutors will recommend if there’s a particular brand.

Lessons at The Claremont Centre

  • • The car park is not available for general use by parents during after-school hours. This is to ensure the safety of our students, as the pedestrian entrance is also used by vehicles.
    • Access is only available for those with specific accessibility needs, including Blue Badge holders.
    • If you believe you require access, please contact us in advance to discuss.

  • Parents and adults are not permitted to wait in the entrance hall. This is to safeguard the children under our care.
    For safeguarding reasons, parents/carers are also not permitted beyond reception. We ask that you wait outside so that space is prioritised for students.

  • Unfortunately, parents/carers are not able to sit in on lessons due to safeguarding requirements, and we’re unable to provide staff to escort visitors around the building.
    If there are exceptional circumstances, please contact us in advance and we’ll be happy to discuss.

    • We take responsibility for children once they are signed in at reception.

    • Children must be collected by an authorised adult from our reception area unless we have written consent they can leave unaccompanied.

    • Full details are in our Safeguarding Policy.

Ensembles, Clubs and Opportunities

  • An ensemble is a group where children play or sing together, such as a band, orchestra, choir or smaller group. It is a great way to build confidence, make friends and enjoy music as part of a team.

    We encourage all pupils to join an ensemble from an early stage, either through school or at our after-school groups at the Claremont Music Centre. We offer a wide range of ensembles for different instruments, ages and abilities, so there is something suitable whether your child is just starting out or has been playing for years.

    Playing in a group helps pupils:

    • improve listening and teamwork skills

    • develop rhythm, reading and overall musicianship

    • stay motivated and enjoy making music with others

    Our ensembles also perform regularly in concerts and events, giving students exciting opportunities to share their progress.

    For full details, please see our ensembles page.

  • Students are expected to attend weekly rehearsals and take part in all concerts. The ensemble performs three concerts each year, taking place towards the end of each term on a Sunday at The Stoller Hall in Manchester.

  • Missed rehearsals are not made up or credited unless long-term illness applies.

  • Our ensemble students (including Rock Academy and our infant groups) have regular opportunities to perform in termly concerts, often in professional venues such as The Stoller Hall.

    Performance opportunities for school-based lessons may vary depending on the school, but tutors are always happy to support and encourage any students who would like to take part.

    We also run ‘Showcase Concerts’ —short, informal performances at The Claremont Centre, which tutors may choose to sign students up for, offering additional opportunities to perform.

Exams

  • Missed lessons are not made up or credited for:

    • Illness (short term)

    • School trips or exams

    • Appointments or holidays

    • Religious or cultural events

  • If 5 or more consecutive lessons are missed due to illness/injury:

    • Up to 5 lessons may be credited

    • A medical certificate may be required

  • We will:

    • Provide a replacement tutor, or

    • Reschedule the lesson (including online if needed)

    • If neither is possible, issue a credit

  • Where possible, lessons will be:

    • Moved online, or

    • Rescheduled

    If this isn’t possible, no refund or credit is issued.

  • Music exams are optional, but they can be a helpful way to recognise progress and work towards a clear goal.

    We are an ABRSM public exam centre at the Claremont Music Centre, where students can take face-to-face exams with an external examiner. ABRSM is a well-known and widely recognised exam board.

    However, there are also other exam boards and flexible exam options available, including performance-based exams and digital submissions that do not require attending in person. Some of these options may be more suitable depending on your child’s instrument, confidence and progress.

    Our tutors will always advise if and when your child is ready, and which exam route would best support their development.

Absence and missed lessons

Payments and fees

    • Direct Debit (preferred)

    • Online card payment

    We are moving to Direct Debit only by December 2026.

  • If 5 or more consecutive lessons are missed due to illness/injury:

    • Up to 5 lessons may be credited

    • A medical certificate may be required

    • You’ll receive a reminder

    • If unpaid, lessons may stop

    • Missed sessions due to non-payment are not refunded or made up

  • Yes fee remission is available for eligible families for Claremont activities. Please visit Fee Remission Policy for details.

Cancelling lessons

  • Mainly by email. Please keep your contact details up to date.

  • You can communicate directly with your child’s tutor via the ‘Study Planner’ chat function within your Music Service (SpeedAdmin) account. Please be aware that many of our tutors are part time, so there may be delays in responses.

    Tutors cannot be contacted via personal phone, email, or social media.

    Any other enquires should go through the Music Service office.

  • Yes, all staff:

    • Hold enhanced DBS checks

    • Wear ID badges

    • Receive annual safeguarding training

    • Receive annual lesson observations and professional development

  • All students and parents/carers must follow our Relationship and Behaviour Policy (launching September 2026).

  • You must submit a request through your online account by the notice deadline:

    • Autumn term: 1 November

    • Spring term: 1 February

    • Summer term: 1 July

  • No, all cancellations must be submitted via email to music.service@trafford.gov.uk.

Communication and policies

End of Year

  • Lessons, ensembles and waiting list places do not automatically carry over into the next academic year. Instead, we run a ‘re-registration’ process where you’ll be asked which activities you would like to continue with or leave. This also provides a good opportunity to request any changes, such as different lesson times or longer sessions.

    You’ll receive a detailed email in May each year which explains the re-registration process.