Instrumental and voice lessons are available to students attending Northern Territory government schools from Year 4 to Year 12. Voice tuition is available to secondary (Years 7 to 12) students, while primary (Years 4 to 6) students interested in singing are encouraged to participate in their school choir or to audition for our after-school choir program. 

No. Beginners are welcome. Primary students can begin an instrument with no previous experience, and secondary students can commence voice or instrumental tuition as beginners. Some enrolment conditions apply to students commencing an instrument or voice lessons in Years 11 and 12 due to teacher and program availability. 

What instruments can my child learn?

NT Music School offers flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, violin, viola and cello. Piano tuition is not offered. Instrument availability varies by region and school. 

Students receive a weekly 30-minute lesson at their school during school hours. Students are withdrawn from their regular class to attend lessons. Lessons commence from Term 1, Week 2 for instrumental students and Term 1, Week 5 for voice students. Lessons are offered during school terms. 

Weekly tuition is free of charge. NT Music School requests a $100 annual voluntary contribution to support the program and its resources. Families are also responsible for providing an instrument and the prescribed textbook. NT Music School instrument hire currently ranges from $100 to $145 per semester, depending on the instrument. String & instruments need to be purchased or hired through an external provider. Guitars need to be purchased. 

Applications for enrolment are completed online. Separate forms are available for the Instrumental Program and Choir and Voice Program. Students need to re-enrol each year, with continuing students required to re-enrol during Term 4 to assist with timetabling and securing a place for the following year. Enrolments applications can be submitted all year round. Choir is by audition. Please avoid submitting multiple applications as this does not increase the likelihood of securing a placement. You should receive an automated email confirmation after completing your enrolment.

No. Places depend on teacher availability, school timetables, instruments offered and available lesson allocations. Applications are generally considered in the order they are received, so early enrolment is encouraged. If a student's first instrument choice is unavailable, they may be offered their second choice or placed on a waiting list. 

Yes. NT Music School offers instrumental programs in Alice Springs and Katherine, as well as Darwin. Instrument and program availability varies between regions, so families are encouraged to contact NT Music School if they have questions about what is available locally. 

Yes. Students have opportunities to participate in after-school ensembles including choir, concert band and other smaller ensembles. All ensembles require an audition, and eligibility requirements apply. There is a $100 fee for each after-school ensemble, separate from the voluntary annual program contribution. For more information visit our Ensembles page on our website.

NT Music School provides instrument demonstrations and student performances in Term 3 & 4 of the school year so that students can see and hear instruments offered in their school before making their choice. Families can also explore the instrument information on the NT Music School website. We recommend choosing an instrument your child is interested in and, once lessons commence, giving them time to develop their skills and confidence. 

Once your child's application has been processed, you will be advised via email whether they have been accepted into the program or placed on a waiting list. Families are notified by email by the end of Term 4. You will be contacted via phone if your child is being offered their second choice. Applications received during the year are processed on an ongoing basis. 

Once your child has been offered a place, you will receive information about their instrument and required textbook. Students need to have these organised before lessons commence. Instruments may be purchased or hired, with NT Music School hire available for selected instruments. Failure to provide the necessary equipment may result in your child being withdrawn from the program.

NT Music School teachers travel between schools and are assigned to schools on specific days and times, so changing lesson times is not always possible. If there is an important clash, please contact your child's NT Music School teacher to discuss the available options. 

If you know your child will be absent, please let us know. NT Music School teachers work with schools to confirm absences and school-based activities that affect lessons. Occasionally, lessons may also need to be cancelled due to NT Music School events or teacher illness. Three consecutive unexplained absences may result in a student's place in the program being reviewed. 

We recommend students spend at least one year learning their chosen instrument before considering a change. In some circumstances, changing instruments during the year may be possible, depending on beginner-group vacancies and timetables. A student changing instruments is considered a new enrolment for placement purposes. 

Please notify both your child's NT Music School teacher and the NT Music School office. If you are hiring an NT Music School instrument, arrangements will also need to be made for its return. Instrument hire fees are not refundable. 

Please contact NT Music School on 

08 8963 5550 or email nt.musicschool@education.nt.gov.au. Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:15 pm.