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Shirley District Music School

From its base at Shirley Intermediate School, the Shirley District Music School (SDMS) has served primary school students in the Shirley community for over 45 years. Core funding, covering tutors' remuneration, is  provided by the Ministry of Education. In 2001 SDMS was reconstituted as a trust with a new board providing direction.   Janet Simon is the Director of SDMS.  
The contributing schools to SDMS are:  
Banks Avenue, St. Francis of Assisi, Marshland School, Waitākiri Primary, Mairehau Primary, Shirley Primary and Shirley Intermediate. Students from other schools may also participate but are charged an extra fee. 
Shirley Intermediate School (SIS) acts as host school for most lessons, concert venue and for administrative purposes. It provides SDMS with a dedicated music teaching studio.

Tuition

SDMS offers tuition for children from year 2-8 on a range of instruments:    
  • Strings: violin, viola, 'cello, double bass 
  • Brass: cornet, trumpet, horn, trombone 
  • Woodwind: flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder 
  • Other: guitar, piano/keyboard, percussion/drums 
Some instruments are not appropriate for smaller children. Check with SDMS director first. 
Lessons take place in small groups of 2-6 students for 20-30 minutes per week (sometimes individual 10 minute lessons when appropriate) with qualified and experienced instrument tutors. Some lessons may occur during school time at different primary schools depending on the availability of the instrument tutor and a minimum enrolment number at the school. Otherwise, students are expected to attend lessons in assigned rooms at SIS. Most of these classes are after school. 
Orchestra
SDMS offers orchestra to students who have been learning their instrument for one year or when their tutor confirms they are reading music adequately on their own. 
Band
This group, separate from the orchestra,  is an auditioned group for Year 5- 8 students who have had two years experience on their instrument (guitar, keyboard, percussion)

Singer
students who are enrolled with SDMS learning an instrument are able to audition as a singer for the band

Music Theory
Free for enrolled year 5 - 8 students.

Concerts
Performances and concerts are an important part of learning an instrument. SDMS provides performing opportunities as they arise, including the End of Year Concert and Area Music Festival. 

Costs

Instrument Hire 
SDMS subsidises 25% of the cost of the instrument hire from Sedley Wells for brass and woodwind. Other instruments are hired out from SDMS. Fees differ from instrument to instrument but range from $130  to $288 (saxophone) for the school year. Read the SDMS information 2019 file for more details about the specific cost for each instrument. This can also be downloaded from the Links module on this page.
Resources fee: The resources fees are set each year by the Trust Board. They are: 
  • $160 for beginners (includes tutor book) 
  • $125 for returning students
  • A deduction of $25 per family can be made if more than one sibling is enrolled.
External tuition: $160 per instrument
This fee is in addition to the Resources fee but only for those students who are not from one of the participating schools.

Early Bird Enrolment Discounts  - 1st October to 15th December 2018
$144 - 10% (first year with SDMS)
$112.50 - 10% (returning students)

Community Service card
$112 - 30% (first year with SDMS)
$87.50 - 30% (returning students)

Early Bird
$100.80 - 30% (first year with SDMS)
$78.75 - 30% (returning students
Ensembles
These are free to students enrolled in SDMS. Other students are welcome to participate but are required to pay a $30 resources fee. 

Enrolment and Payment of Fees

Payment of fees
Full fees must accompany the enrolment. Please pay online by direct credit to our bank account 03-1700-0180043-00 with your child’s initial and surname as the reference. If this isn’t possible, please come to the Shirley Intermediate School office where you can pay by EFT-POS, cash or cheque.
Please read/save the SDMS information 2019 file first. Enrolments can be made from 1 November 2018 and classes commence late February 2019. SDMS advertises in participating schools' newsletters. More information is available from the participating schools, Shirley Intermediate and the SDMS Director.

To enrol a student, please click here to complete the online enrolment form.

Host School

Shirley Intermediate School
Cnr North Parade & Shirley Rd
PO Box 27-028, Christchurch 8640
Phone: 385 2229
Fax: 385 2335