The rough guide to learning a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT in TAUPO

Why?

Research suggests that children who learn a musical instrument achieve higher in school and in life. Apart from being a lot of fun, learning an instrument teaches them:

• Discipline
• Teamwork
• Commitment
• Leadership
• Creative thinking
• Organisation
• Fine motor skills
• Self-esteem

What age?

If you wait until your child is 13 or over, the chances are slim that he or she will be successful in learning an instrument to a good level. Peer pressure, time pressure and distractions all come into play after this time. Bare in mind some instruments are too big for smaller kids to play.

How much?

The Taupo School of Music charges $200 a year (relatively cheap!). Cost of hiring the instrument can also be as low as $120 a year with TSOM. Private tuition is more expensive at around $20 minimum for hour depending on qualifications and experience of teacher. Private hire of instruments is between $120 - $300 per year.  These quoted costs need to be confirmed

Which instrument?

Consider the following when choosing an instrument:

• How loud it is.
• How big it is.
• How expensive it is.
• What kind of music it's good for.
• Whether you are prepared to be taxi driver to lessons/ band practice/ concerts.
• Whether you are prepared to supervise your child's practise.

Who's going to teach my child?

Consider the following:

• Cost
• You as the taxi driver to get them to the lessons etc.
• Pair, group or individual lessons
• How long your child can concentrate for.
• Do some homework about the teacher.  What qualifications do they have? Are they fun/ strict/ jazzy/poppy/ rocky/ classical.?
• What performance goals does the teacher set up? i.e. exams, public performances etc.

Tuition in Taupo

The Taupo School of Music

Private lessons

Itinerant lessons in school

Friends or family

Teach yourself videos and CD

Instrumental Tuition and orchestral/ band providers in Taupo(with apologies for any inaccuracies)

All instruments

The Taupo School of Music
- Jo Paull
377 8450 (Group)

Tauhara College
- Justin Gibbs
- 378 9304

Taupo-nui-a-tia College
Winsome Wensley
- 376 1100

Piano/ Keyboard/ Theory

Sandra Drysdale     (NZ Modern School) 378 5215

Ros Gale - 378 4213

Maureen Potter - 378 8007

Vivian Sands - 378 0272

Anna Nicol - 378 6513

Ruth Nicol - 378 6513

Patricia Tyler - 377 4649

Lenice Frisken - 377 0219

Strings

David McNeill - 377 3366

Steven White - 377 4708

Brass

Matt West - 377 8981

Justin Gibbs - 376 7061

Flute

Lynn Wigram - 376 8424

Clarinet/ Saxophone

Winsome Wensley - 378 7722

Drums

Brenden Manden - 021 784 535

Callum Jones - 378 4545

Glen Johnson(Pipeband) - 378 9962

Guitar

Steve Paull - 77 8450

Singing

Maureen Potter - 378 8007

Ros Gale - 378 4213

Megan Flint - 378 5709

Brian Beauchamp - 07 333 8101

Bagpipes

Eric Foley - 378 7006

Orchestras/ Bands of Taupo

The Combined Schools Windband
every Wednesday after school at Taupo-nui-a-tia College 4 - 5pm
- Winsome Wensley - 376 110

'Merlin Bartley Taupo Youth String Orchestra'- every Thursday after school
Taupo-nui-a-tia College
- David McNeill - 377 3366

The Taupo Brass Band
- every Tuesday 7-9pm, Taupo Citizens Brass Band Room - Centenial Drive - Justin Gibbs - 376 7061

The Great Lake Big Band
every Thursday 7-9pm - Suncourt Motel, Conference room.
- Roscoe McLeod - 377 0220

The Taupo Pipe Band
every Tuesday night - 7-9pm
- Iain Loan - 378 4680

Keynote Choir
every Sunday pm - St. Patricks Church
- 8 - 13 year olds.
Contact Megan Flint 378 5709

Mini Maestros - Jo Paull - 377 8450

Music and Movement
Run by The Taupo Parents Centre
Karen Howell 376 8148