The Music Department at Carshalton Girls is a lively department that believes that music is a vital part of life and education where students can gain their own identity. Therefore, we would encourage your child to become actively involved in the music department and to make the most of the many opportunities offered, as there are plenty of extra-curricular activities available each week. The days and times of each activity will be confirmed in September. We encourage students to take advantage of the equipment in the department, including computer suites, practice rooms and instruments.

Each year, the Music Department runs a number of different concerts, including the piano salon, musical theatre concert, live lounge and winter and summer concerts. In conjunction with the Drama Department, we also host a biannual school musical and run multiple trips across the year.

Peripatetic Private Lessons 

We are very fortunate to have the services of skilled instrumental teachers of piano, voice, violin, drum kit, ukulele and guitar (electric, bass and acoustic) who come into school each week. We are always looking to increase our offer, so if your child would like to learn another instrument, please let me know, and I will see if I can source another teacher. Lessons are 30 minutes long and take place during the school day and are arranged on a rotation basis to avoid missing too much of one specific subject.

The school has a limited number of instruments available to borrow for a short period, and there are instruments available to rent privately from the Sutton Music Service (020 8640 8781) at a competitive rate. If you wish your child to begin music lessons when they start at CHSG, please return the Surrey Sound of Music Contract (available on the school website or in hard copy) to Miss Gravenor.

Peripatetic teachers are not employed by the school, so liaison between parents and teachers is done via the Surrey Sound of Music. You will receive details when your child starts lessons. I would ask you to contact the Surrey Sound of Music if your child is absent on the day of their lesson. Please note if your child misses their music lesson without notice having been given to Surrey Sound in advance, you may still be billed for the lesson. 

Please encourage your child to practice regularly at home. You will still be charged for lessons that your child misses by being in school and forgetting. Music lesson timetables will be displayed on the wall outside the music classrooms so that students can get come and check their times during break and lunchtimes; we are aiming for students to become independent during their time at high school and be able to organise themselves effectively. Timetables will also be emailed to parents on a half-termly basis. 

Lessons taught in school are offered at a special rate of £18 per lesson, or £12 for a lesson shared between two students. This is substantially below the market rate (currently around £40 a season), so this represents excellent value for money. Please pay as soon as you receive an invoice from the teacher. 

For details about learning a musical instrument at Carshalton High School for Girls, please contact the Surrey Sound of Music School at info@thesurreysoundofmusic.co.uk or email Miss Gravenor.

Should your child decide that they do not want to continue lessons, half a term’s notice must be given in writing to the Surrey Sound of Music or you will continue to be charged. 

If you would like your child to take advantage of this opportunity to develop their music skills, please contact Miss Gravenor on egravenor@carshaltongirls.org.uk for more details. We will then be able to pass you onto the Surrey Sound of Music team.

Miss Gravenor,
Head of Music