Music lessons – costs, financial support and making payments

Lesson prices

* Please note that the above figures show the maximum number of sessions and includes part weeks. Any necessary financial adjustments will be made termly ensuring that you only pay for the number of lessons offered.

** To maximise the learning experience, group lessons are subject to having another student of similar ability to be paired/grouped with

Group lessons consist of grouped students and are capped at a maximum of 3. They are a great way for your child to start learning an instrument or singing. Lessons last 20 minutes when the group consists of 2 students and 30 minutes for a group of 3 students.

Group lessons are great fun and their benefits include:

• Enhanced bonding, support, and social interaction

• Fun learning environment

• Students learn and build confidence as they observe each other

• Group lessons help train the ear and prepare students for ensembles (bands, orchestra etc)

• Technical and musical skills are learned in group music lessons

Paying for music lessons

The easiest way to pay for music lessons is by Direct Debit. You can download and complete the Direct Debit form and return this to us at:

Inspiring Music
Central Bedfordshire Council
Flitwick Library
Coniston Road
Flitwick
MK45 1QJ

You can also pay by telephone, call us at 0300 300 8030.

Customers paying by other means can find payment instructions on the reverse of the termly invoice.

Help with music fees

If your child is eligible for free school meals (not UIFSM), the school maybe be able to fund music lessons from their Pupil Premium funds; please contact your school prior to enrolling. If your child is in the care of Central Bedfordshire Council as a Looked After Child, please contact the office on 0300 300 6604 or inspiring.music@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Funding may be available for low income families or families who suddenly find themselves in financial difficulties through charities such as Bedfordshire Educational Association or The Friends of Bedfordshire Youth Music.

The Awards for Young Musicians also helps young musicians aged 5 – 17 with exceptional potential who are struggling with their musical costs. Annual awards between £200 and £2000 can help with costs such as tuition, instruments, courses, travel and individual support.

Future Talent invites applications to its Young Musicians Development Programme annually from young musicians and singers, across the UK, aged between five and 18 years of age. Future Talent’s Programme offers both financial assistance as well as scheduling of development and performance opportunities. By working closely with the families they support, they build lasting relationships to ensure the advice and nurturing they give is relevant to the individual and their circumstances.

Financial assistance can be used to fund a variety of musical costs. These include lesson fees, contribution towards instrument purchase/ hire, membership ensemble fees and grade fees. Future Talent performance and development opportunities include mentoring sessions and masterclasses with established musicians and music professionals, such as Chloë Hanslip, Leslie Howard and Mary Hammond and performances as part of the Future Talent Orchestra at venues such as Southbank Centre and Buckingham Palace. For more information about their Young Musicians Development Programme, and how to apply, please go to the Future Talent website.

What other costs are there?

At the outset of your child’s tuition, you will need to purchase:

• a music stand for anyone not learning keyboard / piano

• tutor book / music

• accessories such as strings, reeds, valve oil, drum sticks, etc.

Our instrumental tutors will be able to advise you about the specific items appropriate to your child’s instrument. 

They’ll also need to take care of the musical instrument. We’ve created a page about this which links to useful websites and YouTube videos which explain how to take care of a variety of musical instruments. 

Music stands cost approximately £10, and tutor books range from £5-£10.

As your child progresses, on the advice of your child’s teacher and with your agreement, your child may be able to take a graded examination for which there is a charge.

Graded examination costs currently start at around £37. 

For more information on the type of exams and the costs, visit the following websites:

• ABRSM

• Rock School Graded Music Exams

• Trinity College Music Grade

• Music Teachers’ Board