Pupils eligible for Free School Meals Expand If your child is eligible for free school meals on income grounds we recommend you visit our Prices page as the cost for tuition and hire may be reduced.
How do we pay? Expand If your child begins lessons in the first half of a term and can have eight or more lessons we will send you an invoice as soon as possible for that term's lessons. If your child begins lessons in the second half of a term and cannot receive eight lessons we will not charge you for that term. You will normally receive an invoice for lessons in September, December and April. The invoice is for the current term's lessons and the invoice will be sent by post. The full list of payment options available to you can be found on the reverse of your invoice. If you would like to pay by direct debit please contact us and we can arrange to send you a direct debit mandate form, alternatively you can visit our Reports and Policies page, print out the direct debit form and send the completed form to Durham Music Service. We guarantee your child will be offered at least 24 lessons in a full school year (3 terms - September to July) and we aim to provide 30 lessons. You have the option to pay your invoice in instalments, please note monies owed must arrive in our Durham County Councils bank account before the fifteenth of each month. Failure to meet the instalment date will result in the full amount owed to be paid immediately. Please note that if your child is unable to attend a lesson for any reason outside the control of Durham Music Service (e.g. school trip, illness, exams, forgotten instrument) this will count towards the guaranteed 24 lessons.
Can we change instruments? Expand You may be able to change instruments, we will try to accommodate your requests, however changing instruments is subject to availability. We recommend that you contact us and request to speak with your child's teacher if you are considering changing instruments.
Can we hire an instrument? Expand We have a wide variety of instruments available for hire, if you are interested in hiring an instrument for your child please visit our instruments page for information about how to hire an instrument. We recommend that you speak with your child's visiting Durham Music Service teacher to enquire what instrument will be best suited for your child. If you would like us to arrange a call back request for you please contact us.
What do we do if our instrument gets damaged? Expand If the hired instrument is damaged please contact us, we require the damaged instrument to be returned to the Durham Music Service visiting teacher in order for this to be repaired by Durham Music Service's authorised repairers. Please note, repairs should not be attempted by unauthorised people. Parents/carers are responsible for the safe care of any instrument belonging to Durham Music Service. We are a self-sufficient and a not for profit business, for this reason, you will be charged for any loss or damage to the instrument.
How do we insure our instrument? Expand At this time we are unable to offer insurance recommendations, parents/carers are responsible for arranging "all-risks" insurance cover for their child's hired instrument.
Can we purchase an instrument? Expand We run an instrument purchase scheme which enables parents to buy new instruments at discounted prices. Your child's teacher will be able to offer advice on a suitable instrument. If you buy an instrument privately please contact us so that the hire charge for the following term can be cancelled.
Is private tuition available? Expand We currently do not offer private tuition, we recommend that you keep visiting our news page. If private tuition is made available we will broadcast this to our customers at the earliest opportunity.
Are there any extra costs? Expand Parents/carers may be asked to purchase music books for their child, (these are usually available from local music shops) and occasionally items of equipment such as replacement reeds or strings. Our teachers aim to keep these costs to a minimum.
How do we stop taking lessons? Expand If you wish to stop your child's lessons please contact us via email or write a letter to Durham Music Service. Notice of termination of tuition/hire must be received by Durham Music Service before the invoice for the following term is issued. You will receive an invoice in September, December and April so you must let us know by the last day of the month before (i.e. August, November, March) or the fees for the following term will be payable. If you discontinue lessons/hire part way through a term you will still be required to pay the remaining payments on your issued invoice.