What is PIPS & SIPS?

PIPS & SIPS is a compulsory one hour instrumental programme exposing children to the learning of stringed instruments (Year 2 – Year 4), brass and woodwind instruments (Year 5 – Year 6) and the whole range of orchestral and band instruments (Year 7 – Year 9). This programme is an additional hour to the music curriculum timetable.

Individual Instrumental Scheme

Individual Instrumental Programme (IIP)

Individual instrumental lessons fit around the school timetable and are offered once a week for 45 minutes, at a cost of RM85 per lesson. There are normally 10 confirmed lessons during term time. Lessons begin in the second week of each term and follow through to the penultimate week.

To maximise this opportunity and make progress, your child will need their own instrument. Students may also need to buy music or theory books to support their lessons, which the instrumental teacher will advise on.

Instruments currently on offer:

Cello, guitar, piano, violin, and viola (Year 2 and above).
Voice (Year 3 and above).
Baritone, clarinet, euphonium, flute, French horn, saxophone, tenor horn, trumpet and trombone (Year 5 and above).

Application

Please click here: Online Application - Individual Instrumental Programme

Confirmation and schedule

Once your application has been received, confirmation of your request is immediately effective. Your child's schedule will be emailed to you. The schedule is also displayed on the music and class noticeboards and made available to your child’s class teacher. Please note, this schedule is rotational, and your child’s lesson may alternate around different days of the week.

Payment

The total number of instrumental lessons per child are calculated and invoiced to parents in the first week of term once timetables are finalised. Payment should be settled with the Finance Office by the date indicated on the invoice.

Confirmed instrumental lessons, cancellation fees, and confirmation of timetables

The timetabled rotation of many children taking instrumental lessons throughout the school term is a carefully calculated task which requires considerable planning and negotiating. This is achieved within the first few days of the first week of a school term, finalised and emailed to parents, class teachers and instrumental teachers by the end of the first week so that lessons may begin promptly in the second week of term. Due to the hours incorporated in the administration of the timetabling of these lessons, a cancellation fee of 50% of the total termly fee will be imposed on parents who confirm a commitment to this programme and subsequently decide to cancel.

Punctuality

Years 2-5 students will be supported by their class teacher, assuring punctuality is adhered to throughout the term. Support will also be offered by the instrumental teacher who will pick your child up from their class lesson if necessary. All children are signed into an instrumental register as confirmation of the lesson taking place. Year 6-9 students have diary planners they can use to keep a record of their lesson times. Dates of lessons should be written into their diary planner so they can be responsible for ensuring their own punctuality.

Making it easier for your child

Many parents choose to have a colour tag reminder sticker placed on their child’s shirt, tie, or instrumental case. Such parental support of the instrumental timetable infrastructure provides a further and more practical means of management for these year groups.

FAQs

How to confirm the term's instrumental lessons?

The online application form for individual instrumental programme should be completed before the last week of the previous term to confirm your child's place on the programme.

Are replacement lessons scheduled should my child miss a lesson?

All instrumental tuition fees paid to BSKL must be fully received as salary by the tutor, regardless of termination, casual or sick days off, or any other absence that may occur during the term by a student. No replacement lessons are timetabled due to the teaching load of the instrumental tutors, however, should an instrumental tutor cancel due to sickness, cover will be provided during the absence.

Can my child have a set lesson time every week?

It is The British Schools Foundation policy that instrumental lessons rotate around the weekly curriculum timetable in order to ensure a child does not miss the same curriculum lesson each week. This policy is observed and practised by all children studying individual instrumental lessons in our school.

Can my child have a lesson after school?

No instrumental lessons are offered after 3.30pm, the end of the school day.

Who are the tutors?

Our instrumental tutors are fully qualified practicing and experienced local and UK-trained musicians who come highly recommended to BSKL’s music department. They are recruited for their expertise in their performance fields and their continuous commitment to education in Malaysia. Woodwind and Brass lessons are taught by our own Music Interns recruited from the UK.

How long should my child practise per week?

Our recommended practice timetable for all students participating with one on one instrumental music lessons should be timetabled to a minimum twenty minutes, three times a week. If this is not consistently attainable please be mindful that any development and general progression will be extremely minimal, if any at all.

Where do I purchase an instrument?

Should you require assistance with purchasing instruments, please contact charlotte.leng@britishschool.edu.my.

Can my child play in orchestra?

There are certain benchmark requirements for children wishing to participate in both Training and Senior Orchestras. Recommendations from tutors are also a necessary consideration. Each child will be auditioned to ensure they are assigned into the ensemble appropriate for their playing level.

If I wish to terminate my child’s lessons, how much notice should I give?

Should you wish to terminate your instrumental lessons, please be advised, once you have made the term’s payment, no refunds will be reimbursed. One month’s notice at the end of a term will be sufficient enough for us to cancel your scheduled lessons for the following term.

How may I contact the instrumental teacher – can I take their contact details?

All instrumental teachers are given your contact details. The music department is happy to provide you with your instrumental teacher’s contact details.