Hello
I am new to this forum but wondered how others were finding things at the moment. Just recently 2 of my pupils have tried to withdraw from lessons as their parents have financial problems. As they are great kids I have arranged to teach them free of charge until times improve however I know that one of them has not been able to take a violin exam due to the cost of the fees. It strikes me that some of the exam fees are rather high - particularly £26.30 for the Prep Test. Does anyone else have a view on this?

I've had a few who were due to take exams this session but decided not to enter due to the cost of the exam. I usually expect one or two pupils to choose not to but there was a definitie increase this time round. It's probably not helped by the fact that they were all due to take the higher, more expensive grades!

I've had a few not take because of money, and my own kids are missing some for the same reason.

I think that performance opportunities like pupil concerts and festivals are equally important and far cheaper and still get people to get a piece or 2 to performance standard.

I agree. Having just had a very successful concert, I know that my students all really enjoyed it, probably much more than they'll enjoy their exams next week! And we raised £100 for charity.

Well done! My concert is tomorrow in aid of the local air ambulance, so I hope we raise some good money too.

I usually put my fees up in September of each year, but have decided to keep them at the same level at least until the New Year. No decrease in exam candidates for me, but one parent declined my suggestion of increasing the lesson time on financial grounds.

Don't know what happened there - it was £100 we raised for charity, though.

What's happening to my pound signs? They keep changing!!



Good for you, David.

Do we gather that you're taking your break from teaching soon?

I haven't seen any reduction in exam candidates & they haven't even commented on the fees. I've also been involved in running a few courses, masterclasses & performances & they've all been fully booked - some families have spent quite a lot extra on these.

Everyone seems to be doing OK which is great - Well done all. I live in a VERY multi-cultural area where many of my pupils have not been in the UK long and I guess their parents incomes are not yet as established as some.

Speaking as a parent of three children, I have had to pay for grade 7 piano last term, and two grade 3s, a grade 4 and a grade 8 this term on various instruments. Add this to the cost of lessons on 5 instruments between them and I am feeling slightly impoverished!

They are making wonderful progress and I don't begrudge the money, but if a child defers or pulls out of an exam on financial grounds the teachers need to be aware of what else the family are having to pay for. (And not just the essentials of food and a roof over their heads)

The only time I have baulked at the cost of any of the music lessons was when the piano teacher suggested that No 2 child should increase his lessons to slightly longer. I suggested that perhaps it was time for No 3 child to start piano lessons and keep No 2's at the same length. It is easy to start things for your first child, only to find you are unable to give the others the same opportunities.

As always parenting is a juggling act. (But fun too)