Learn to play
We provide low-cost, subsidised lessons with expert tutors. For those under 30 yrs old our 'Full Circle' project offers generous discounts.
Children and young people (from 5 years old up to and including 18 years) can receive one-to-one instrumental lessons from our experienced tutors. These are scheduled from 5.30 to 8.30pm and as soon as players have gained sufficient experience, they can join the Premier Band. Once confident and proficient enough, players progress to Main Band or one of our jazz ensembles.
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We believe that an individual's financial circumstances shouldn't present an insurmountable barrier to playing music and ELCB offers a free instrument loan scheme wherever possible. If we have the particular instrument in stock that you'd like to try learning, we will let you borrow it at no cost.
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Many of the Band’s alumni have gone on to play in the National Jazz Youth Orchestra and the London Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. Some have become professional musicians, and include Mark Mondesir, the jazz percussionist and David Jean-Baptiste, the jazz reed player and composer.
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Instrumental lessons for adult beginners are also available and the progression pathway is the same as for younger members. Adult improvers are also encouraged to make the most of our wonderful, resident professional tutors.
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TUTORS
Wind: Rachel Bartlett, Simon McChesney
Brass: John Bennett, Austin Carroll
Percussion: Meadow Brooks
LESSON COSTS (per term)
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Full fee: ​£116.00
Who: Adults 30 years or older
50% fee: ​£58.00
Who: Young persons under 30 years
25% fee: ​£29.00
Who: Siblings of young persons under 30 years
NOTE - LESSONS
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Lessons are offered on the understanding that they are a
means of progressing towards joining a band, or to enhance
the skill of those already playing in a band​​. -
Once at such a level, those having lessons only
must join a band​. -
The standard lesson time is 15 minutes.
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Extra lessons​​ - additional lessons are subject to availability. Priority is always given to those opting for only one lesson and to young persons.
INSTRUMENTS
At present there is no (maintenance) fee for using band instruments.
Young people's fees are heavily discounted due to generous funding from our supporters including: The Foyle Foundation, Tesco Community Grants, The Pemberton Barnes Trust, Aldgate and Allhallows Foundation and The Worshipful Company of Coopers via our Full Circle scheme.