Flemington Primary School has an outstanding instrumental and choral music program.  It’s undoubtedly one of the best primary school level, instrumental music (IM) programs in Victoria.  We have a specialised, purpose-built music wing and numerous dedicated IM instructors who offer private, shared and group lessons.  

Lessons take place during the school day.  The IM teachers collect the students directly from class and return them at the end of each lesson. The scheduling of lessons varies in response to the requirements of the academic program and the needs of individual students. 

Our IM teachers are all experienced and skilled music practitioners, and all have current VIT registration or Working with Children checks.  All of our IM teachers offer lessons here at FPS on a part time basis.

How to Enrol in the IM Program

The enrolment process for the 2026 IM program has been altered.  The new procedure is as follows.

To enrol your child into the IM program for 2026 you must contact the relevant IM teacher directly.  Below is a listing of the teachers offering lessons in 2026 and the instruments they teach.  More detailed information, as well as a photo and contact details for each IM teacher, can be found at the end of this document.  The number of available teachers differs based on the instrument selected. 

You can contact any of the IM teachers listed below any time from now to enrol your child in lessons for 2026.  You can contact more than one IM teacher as desired.  The cutoff deadline is the 28th of January 2026 - first day of Term 1.  

      Piano: Vern O’Hara, Paul Marciniak, Rosey Beer and Karil Torcasio. 

      Violin: Aurora Darby and Paul Marciniak 

      Cello: Anita Quayle 

      Trumpet & Trombone: Marley Del Prete 

      Recorder, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Guitar & Ukulele: Katherine Anderson 

      Drums & Drumming class: Dave Williams 

      Ukulele & Guitar: Brett Dellavedova 

      Singing: Karina Lehman 

In due course you will then be advised about the specific lesson day and time by the relevant IM teacher selected.  It’s recommended that you enrol your child for lessons ASAP to avoid disappointment of all available timeslots being taken for your preferred IM teacher/instrument. 

Please note: If your child was enrolled with a particular IM teacher in 2025, and you wish to continue lessons in 2026, you still need to contact the teacher to let them know your child will be continuing lessons in 2026. 

Lesson Information (incl. Ensembles + Hiring of Instruments)

Lessons are typically of 30 minutes duration.

All lessons will commence on the week beginning Monday 2nd February. Your child’s teacher will let you know what day/time your child’s lessons will occur each week.  

IM teacher timetables will also be displayed on the music wing noticeboard. 

Ensembles

The school ensembles will be formed at the start of 2026. Students will be invited to join an instrumental ensemble once they reach the required level of proficiency on their instrument. The ensembles include String Ensemble, Concert Band, Tuesday Rock Band and Wednesday Rock Band as well as Junior & Senior Choirs. 

The Junior and Senior Choirs are open to any interested student. Year 1/2 are welcome to join the Junior Choir and Year 3 to 6 students are welcome to join the Senior Choir. 

The various ensembles all rehearse during lunchtimes. 

Hiring of Instruments

Students can also hire certain instruments to enable practicing at home.  The hiring of instruments is determined by the IM teachers, based on availability.  However please be aware that these hireable instruments are school items.  As such the hiring fee will be payable directly to the school.  

The instruments available to hire include:
Violin, Flute, Clarinet, Cello, Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone.

Students learning piano, drums, ukulele, recorder or guitar will need to purchase their own instrument before lessons commence, as the school does not hire these instruments.

2026 Pricing Structure

Individual and shared/group lessons are paid on a term by term basis, in advance.  These payments are made directly to the IM teacher.  Ensembles and choirs are paid annually  - and also directly to the IM teacher.

Instrumental Offering Based on Student Year Level 

Due to physical capabilities not all instruments are offered to all year levels. The determination below is based on years of experience and specialist knowledge.  

The offerings of the FPS IM program are as follows:

Advice on Instrument Selection

Year 1 + 2 Students:
Recorder, ukulele and percussion classes are an excellent way to begin instrumental lessons. The recorder class is a preparatory class for young students to develop their fine motor skills and their aural and music reading skills in preparation for more complex instruments such as the flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, trumpet and trombone.  The ukulele is an ideal instrument for young students to learn due to its size and ease to play.  If your child is keen to learn the guitar, the ukulele is an ideal instrument to learn beforehand.  The percussion class teaches basic percussion technique and develops aural and rhythmic skills. 

Year 3 – 6 Students:
Given the physicality and maturity required to learn more complex instruments, we recommend saxophone, clarinet and flute are considered only by students in year 3 and above. Trumpet, trombone, violin, cello, saxophone, clarinet, saxophone and flute are a vital part of our band and string ensembles, and we would encourage new and continuing students to the program to consider learning one of these instruments. We have purchased plastic hire flutes, trumpets and trombones which are ideal for younger beginners to commence lessons as they are lighter and easier to hold and play.

IM Program Expectations and Conditions

IM Teachers will:

• Directly invoice parents/carers on a termly basis - one term in advance. 
  All relevant payment details will be included in the invoice.
  Parents/carers must pay the IM teachers directly (not the school).
• Set fees collectively in line with the recommended Victorian Music Teachers Association (VMTA) rate. 
• Provide parents/carers with one term’s notice regarding any increase in the price of lessons, as recommended by the VMTA. 
• Endeavour to provide each student with at least 36 lessons per year.
  Lessons will not be delivered during the first and last weeks of Term 1 & 4 respectively.
• Endeavour to make-up lessons missed due to school events or where prior notice has been given. 
• Provide their students and parents with regular feedback on their progress and guidance via music diaries and personal contact. 
• Provide the opportunity for students to participate in an ensemble when their skills allow, and with the opportunity to perform at school concerts and soirees. 
• Provide the students with the opportunity to enrol in external music examinations. Instructors will clearly outline expectations and requirements of both the student and parents regarding the examination process. 
• Provide maintenance for hired instruments. 
• In coordinating the program, give priority to students already in the program, followed by older children, shared lessons and students learning one instrument. 

IM Teachers will not:

• Provide lessons to any student if their account has not been settled in full within the expected time frame (ie: payment required in advance for the following term’s lessons). 

Students will: 

• Participate positively in the program and practise regularly (min. 3 -5 days a week).
  For beginners 10-15 minutes each time, as regular short sessions are more effective than less frequent longer sessions. Your instructor will advise more experienced students on appropriate times. 
• Take good care of their instrument – keep it away from food and drink and younger siblings and protect it from bumps and knocks. 
• Arrive on time and be prepared for their lessons and band rehearsals. 
• Wear music t-shirt together with either blue/black skirt or pants to all performances. 

Parents/Carers will: 

• Ensure invoices are paid on time and directly to the IM teacher.
• Help children check the time of their lesson and ensure students have their instrument and music on the days of their lesson and band rehearsal. 
• Make time for practise and sign the diary to confirm which components have been practised (for example practical, aural, sight reading, technical, general knowledge and repertoire), and for how long. 
• Be present while your child is practising to observe, encourage and praise. 
• Raise any concerns about the child's lessons as soon as possible and advise the IM teacher of any absence. 
• Purchase Flemington Primary School instrumental/choir iron on transfer for performances. 
• Replace (at their cost) any lost or damaged school hired instruments. 
• Understand that, as the core curriculum has priority over the music program, timetables may occasionally change to allow for lessons, excursions and special activities. 

Withdrawal from the IM Program and Lessons Missed:

• Please advise the IM co-ordinator (Katherine McLure) of any intention to withdraw from the IM program as soon as possible.  A minimum of 2 weeks notice must be given before the end of the current term.  This 2 week notice period also applies if you wish to request a specific instrument or lesson change.
• No refund of fees will be made due to withdrawal from the IM program.
• No refund of fees will be made for any lessons missed due to family holidays or similar absences.
• Lessons missed due to IM teacher absence or school based events (eg: camps, excursions) will be made up where possible.

Our 2026 Instrumental Music Teachers