Launching the Instrumental lessons for 2016-2017

Instrumental lessons: El Alsson FAQ’s

2016—2017

How do I request lessons?

Take a consent form to Miss Ola in Primary reception. You can collect one from Miss Ola or print one from the bottom of this document.

 

How much are lessons?

100 LE per lesson payable in advance in half termly blocks.

For example, to start lessons in term one (Weeks 5 -9         25 September 2016 – 27 October 2016) the cost will be 500 LE for 5 lessons and needs to be paid just after the Eid break (25-29 September).

Once you have agreed to take the lessons you are committed to take them and the fees cannot be refunded unless you give two weeks’ notice.

 

How do I pay?

Miss Ola In primary Reception. Money can be paid directly to her and she will arrange your lessons.

 

When do I pay?

Payment should be made one week before the beginning of a teaching block. Paying later causes many problems including the timetabling and ensuring that we have the teacher in place at the right time.

 

Can I have a trial lesson?

A trial lesson can be arranged with one week’s notice. It costs the same as all other lessons – 100 LE. – But does not commit you to continuing.

 

How many lessons do I need?

Music is not like a driving test. It is one of the most exciting things that you will do and you will continue to do for the rest of your life. Your learning has no end and you decide when you have had enough lessons. Obviously, the more you work and the more you learn the better to you will be.  You choose.

 

How will I know when my lessons are?

Once you have paid for the lessons, Miss Ola will organize your timetable and send you a copy. This will be published on the notice board showing the lesson time and which room it will be in.

In primary a matron will come, collect the student and also take the student back afterwards.

In secondary, it is the student’s responsibility to let his or her subject teacher know in advance and take themselves to the lesson.

 

What happens if I am ill and cannot make my lesson?

Your teacher has been booked. He or she has prepared for your lesson, driven in and taken time off from doing other work. You still have to pay. BUT…..

Phone the day before and/or send an email. Ola can often reschedule the lessons so you do not lose out.  If you leave it until the morning there is nothing we can do. We always try to ensure you receive all lessons.

 

What will happen if my teacher is ill?

At the beginning of the day you will be informed. Go to your normal lessons and your teacher will make up for the missed lesson at another time or you will be refunded.

 

Can I play electric guitar?

YES!!!!!!!

 

Is there any instrument I cannot play?

In principle, any instrument is possible, but we have to find a suitable teacher and this can be a problem at times. For example, we have not come across anybody who teaches Irish bagpipes – but then we do not know anybody that wants to play that. More common instruments such as Saxophone, Oud, Harmonica, or Tuba might be easier. We will endeavor to find an appropriate instructor.

 

How will I know what progress I am making?

Each visiting teacher records very briefly what has been covered in a lesson. This information is kept in a file which can be looked at by anybody interested. Each student is also given a ‘practice book’ in which notes are made about what they need to practice and what they have covered. They keep this book with them to take home and to bring to each lesson. It also serves as a communication between the teacher and the parent.

 

When can I start?

Our teaching schedule is divided into 5 blocks which closely match half terms in the school year.

Week 5 -9           25 September 2016 – 27 October 2016                 (Not 3 Oct. Not 6 Oct)

Week 12 – 17     13 November 2016 – 22 December 2016              (Not 12 Dec)

Week 21 – 25     15 January 2017 – 16 February 2017                      (Not 19 Jan. Not 25 Jan)

Week 28 – 32      5 March 2017 –   6 April 2017

Week 36 – 39      30 April 2017 – 25 May 2017                                    (Not 1 May)

If you have chosen an instrument for which we do not currently have a teacher, we will contact you as soon as we find one.

 

Which lessons do I miss?

You will be given a timetable guaranteeing you will not miss more than one lesson per subject each half term. If you have any free periods or wish to have a lesson in the lunch break we will try and fit you in there but this is not always possible.

 

There are some subjects I never want to miss.

Unfortunately we do not have the flexibility to promise this.

 

How much time should I practice at home?

Doing no practices will mean each lesson is a bit like starting again. This is boring for you and for the teacher. The more you practice the quicker you will progress and the music will become increasingly interesting and exciting. Technically, the bare minimum is 15 minutes a day.

 

Do I have to learn how to read music first?

No. Your teacher will decide on a suitable strategy for learning to read music.

 

 I only want to play rock. Is that all right?

Yes.

 

Can I practice in school?

In secondary we have three practice rooms. These can be booked out by contacting David Eyres. Drum kits, guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers microphones and PA can be arranged. You need to use your own instruments such as guitars, leads etc. We do not provide leads.

 

 I do not have an instrument, can I borrow one?

You are expected to provide your own instruments for the lessons. These can be bought from any music shop.  We are negotiating with a trusted music shop to arrange for hire directly, but it is generally cheaper to buy the instrument yourself and in the event of this student stopping, resell to other pupils. The school does have some Spanish guitars that can be borrowed providing you put new strings on them. There is a deposit of 150LE required and this can be fully refunded when the instrument is returned in a suitable condition. We also have some violins which can be borrowed with a deposit of 150 LE. There is no need to replace the strings on the violins.

 

 What do I have to bring to my lessons?

Your instrument is essential. Your music practice book and any music or notes. Everything else depends upon what your teacher requires.

 

What happens if I didn’t enjoy my lessons and I would like to stop?

You must give 2 weeks’ notice.

 

I have had one lesson, but now I have changed my mind.

Your payment for the lessons is nonrefundable. You must give two weeks’ notice to stop. It is recommended, however, that you attend all your allocated sessions.

 

Can I learn more than one instrument?

Although we would love to have you learning more than one instrument, it would probably require removing you from too many academic lessons and your whole education is important. Except in very special circumstances this will not be possible.

 

What is the best instrument for me to learn?

You choose. You will improve much better playing something that excites you and allows you to develop passion.

 

Contacts

Ola       oomar@alsson.com

Tel: 002-02-33888510#154

 

David    deyres@alsson.com

Tel: 002-02-33888510#308

 

Kindly sing up maximum by Tuesday September 20th.

 

 

Piano Aural skills lessons

Playing by ear and piano aural skills

As part of our music peripatetic program we have been lucky enough to engage Mr. Ahmed Saleh, a very good pianist, to teach the skills of playing by ear.

Apart from being a lot of fun and able to use the kind of music that students already know, this discipline is pretty much essential for all contemporary styles yet is often missed out in classical approaches.

 

The lessons are available for anybody above eight years old and taught on electric piano. If you have access to a keyboard at home, these lessons are ideal for anybody who wants to take part in modern music whether it be Folk, Rock. Jazz, Indie…

 

Contact Ms. Ola

oomar@alsson.com

Tel: 002-02-33888510#154

deyres@alsson.com

Tel: 002-02-33888510#308

 

MSA University Visits El Alsson

MSA University came to visit El Alsson’s 6th Formers on Monday 6th September to present their upcoming MUN event. Their enthusiastic presentation allowed the students to get a feel for the opportunities MUN offer. This is a fantastic opportunity, enhancing leadership skills and University applications. We thank the delegates for their time and energy.

Year 9 Reward Trip

On Wednesday 1st of June, Year 9, as a whole group, went to Fagnoon and Cataract as a reward for excellent behaviour and being great, positive role models for all of Key Stage 3. We spent the morning in Fagnoon and, I must admit, we all had a blast! There were Tree Houses to climb, and many different animals to see. We even made bread! However, I’m certain that if we had to choose a favourite activity, it would be the War of Colours. Both teachers and students left Fagnoon with wide smiles and happy spirits. The fun didn’t stop there, though! We were then taken to Cataract where everyone enjoyed a great afternoon by the pool and ate pizza for lunch. What could possibly be better?! I genuinely believe that this year, our few trips have resulted in all of us bonding over many different things and just enjoying each other’s company. We learned to work as a team and help each other out. We’ve definitely made memories that we’ll never forget this year. We would like to thank all of our teachers for making our last year in Key Stage 3 so fantastic! Also, Ms Sade and our tutors, Mr Sheraz and Mr Scott, along with the many other teachers who’ve accompanied us on trips this year, have managed to make this year one of the most memorable years of our lives! We can’t thank them enough for all they’ve done for us and we hope they know how grateful we are and how much we appreciate all of their efforts throughout the year.

By Neveen Fahmy 9a

G3 Charity Event

G3 students held a “Charity Event” today. They worked really hard organizing for it. They collected things they don’t need anymore, they baked cookies & cupcakes…

Today they sorted what they have in groups, priced everything & spent their break time selling!

They had a “Fun Photo Booth, a “Cookies & Cupcakes Booth”, a “Hot Dog Booth” & a “Toys & Books Booth”.

Thank you to all third graders & their parents for the amazing effort!

Fees Information for 2016 – 17

Dear Parents,

We have now completed our planning as best as we can and our thanks and appreciation goes to the Parent School Association for their thoughts, suggestions and input and many colleagues and friends in other International schools all of whom are facing the same problems trying to balance economic realities with parents’ financial capabilities and government regulations.

We have decided the fairest option (amongst several) is to hold next year’s fees at the same level as this year’s fees keeping to the official bank rate. We are trying to cater to all needs bearing in mind everyone’s financial commitments and economy instability. We have reorganized the fees installment to achieve a better distribution, in particular increasing the April payment to reduce the August payment. 

For more information please contact the accounts department.

Best wishes

School Directors

Graduation Class of 2016

Graduation is particularly complex and difficult this year and next year with a combination of Ramadan, exams, no results available and timing. We have discussed it with senior management and the school Parent School Association and we appreciate their input.

JUNE GRADUATION.

  • The examination schedule for both the British and American students is particularly congested.
  • To do an early graduation avoiding both the exam season for both sections and Ramadan would mean Graduation would be at the end of April, when students are on holiday, gearing up for their finals and no final results can be rewarded in time except fairly meaningless previous achievements. Students could have a celebration afterwards but a graduation in April when nothing is finished or finalized doesn’t make sense, nor can it be organized in the time.
  • Once exam season begins the latest time we could run a ceremony to avoid most exams is Saturday 18th June with only a few exams the following week, however, not perfect. We cannot run it in the morning as was suggested as no one seems to support this idea and the MUST Opera House is not open. It would have to be at 9pm+ at night or later after Iftah. We would not have any results for prizes and rewards as nothing is finished. Getting to and from 6th October would be difficult for everyone.
  • We cannot do the Graduation later in July because school has closed in June and teachers and parents/students will have left.

All in all these are serious issues that we cannot control. The only positive point seems to be that the American section will graduate in June which is normal for American schools albeit without recognized results, but in Ramadan at an unsociable hour and, of course, no parties.

Our decision is to run the Graduation away from all these very difficult issues and do it, as we have before, retrospectively in December, so students can have:

  • An exciting reunion.
  • A ceremony early evening as normal with no exams.
  • A full celebration of results and achievements.
  • The chance to celebrate afterwards.

This will also apply to 2018 when the end of June is also in Ramadan. Thereafter we will review. The date booked is Wednesday December 21st. Most universities abroad have closed by 16th December allowing plenty of time to for our students to return.

All best wishes.

School Directors

Toyota Dream Car Competition

The Toyota Dream Car Competition’s priza giving took place lat Saturday. Even though El Alsson participated at the last minute, yet four Alssonians won!
Aisha Khattab grade 6, won the silver place making her the only student from the Senior School who won and also Rola Abdel Wahab, Marwan Tamer and Yasmina khaled were winners.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR YOUNG WINNERS.