Online Music Tuition
Background information
Delivering Music Tuition online has become a reality with the current situation surrounding COVID-19. For students that have chosen to self isolate, or in the case that the College is directed to close, we are in a position to deliver your son’s music lessons remotely. For all essential purposes the school day for your son(s) will be the same at home, just in front of the computer or device rather than physically on site. This means they will need to follow some protocols. Protocols are detailed below.
Equipment & learning environment
All students will need a dedicated room / space with the required equipment set up:
- their musical instrument
- a music stand (not required for piano)
- sheet music / print resources
- a device with camera and audio enabled
Some boys have access to other devices which can enhance the lesson experience; they are welcome to use these, such as higher quality microphones, sound systems or reference speakers. Some boys may choose to use headphones to reduce the risk of feedback. It’s worth noting that a decent headphone extension cable is likely to be necessary to allow enough distance from the device to the playing position. Students or parents may have to check settings on their microphone and/or speakers for optimal conditions during their lesson.
Note: as for all other classes, boys must be wearing their Scotch sports uniform for the duration of their online lesson
Delivery software
All online lessons will be delivered through the video meeting functionality of Microsoft Teams, which is available on any platform or device.
Lesson procedure (students in Year 5 through 12)
Students are expected to attend their music lesson online at the same time as they would normally be scheduled to attend any lesson in person. Students and parents should refer to the lesson timetables by clicking on one of the timetable buttons available through this web page.
- During periods 1 through 4, students are to message their class teacher via chat to be excused from class to attend a scheduled music lesson. During periods 5 and 6, there are no classes running, so there is no need to be excused from a class.
- Music Tutors will send a message to the student through “Chat” in Teams asking if they are ready for a video meeting; boys are to respond to the message when ready to start their lesson.
- The tutor will initiate the video meeting through Teams
- The student will answer the video meeting request.
- The lesson will commence.
- At the conclusion of the lesson, the Music Tutor will end the lesson and close the video meeting.
- Boys will receive a reminder of their lesson time automatically through their calendars
Parents are invited to sit in on any lesson. Staff or students may choose to record the lesson if they desire.
Lesson procedure (students in Years Pre-K through Year 4)
Music lessons for boys in Pre-K through Year 4 will require a parent or guardian to provide the device for communication between the music tutor and the student. The parent or guardian must also remain present with the student for the duration of the lesson.
- If using a PC or Mac, a web browser (chrome or firefox) will suffice, but if using a tablet or smartphone, parents will require the Microsoft Teams app to be available on their device. Signing in or signing up is not necessary.
- Prior to online lessons commencing, music tutors will send parents an email containing a link to the video meeting which will remain active for the duration of online lessons. They will be invited to ‘Join as Guest’. We encourage this method for lessons.
- At the scheduled lesson time, the parent/guardian will click the link sent via email.
- The tutor will then initiate the video meeting through Teams
- The video meeting will connect.
- The lesson will commence. The Music Tutor may choose to record the lesson and will advise accordingly.
- At the conclusion of the lesson, the Music Tutor will end the lesson and close the video meeting.
Note: Only parents who request online music lessons for boys in Pre-K through 4 will be provided an online option. Please make contact with your son’s tutor to ascertain the provision of an online lesson. In lieu of parent contact, as a default position, music tutors will use scheduled lesson times to prepare packages of work for the boys to complete. Information concerning the packages of work will be emailed to parents at the conclusion of lesson time each week.
The value and benefit of music at this time
Despite this period of rapid and constant change, the Music Faculty encourages parents to support boys with their music tuition and regular practice as music-making has such a positive effect on mental health and well-being. This is incredibly important at this time. We envisage many boys having extra time on their hands. This is a wonderful opportunity for boys to spend some dedicated hours further developing their craft.
As a parent recently commented “Thank goodness we can make music at home and that can’t be taken away from us. Thank you for that gift.”
Key contact people
Ms Lynley Fudger – Administration Assistant (Music & Events): music@scotch.wa.edu.au
Mr Tim Simpson – Music Tuition Coordinator: tim.simpson@scotch.wa.edu.au