Music plays a major part in the life of the school. Over two-thirds of the children in the Prep part of the school receive individual instrumental tuition in the joint Loughborough Endowed Schools Music School, adjacent to Fairfield. Fairfield pupils play in two orchestras, plus Brass, String, Saxophone and Percussion ensembles, Clarinet and Flute Choirs, Junior and Senior Choirs, and Recorder groups. Pupils frequently perform in concerts both in school and at public venues as well as taking part in competitions, festivals and orchestral workshops held in the Midlands area. Pupils have been awarded music scholarships at a variety of schools including Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough High School, Oundle and places in youth orchestras at national and local level.

Music in the curriculum

All pupils receive a weekly forty minute class music lesson in which they are given opportunities for instrumental performances and singing, as well as receiving tuition in musical appreciation and history. Recorder tuition is given to all pupils upon entering the Preparatory School and any pupils receiving instrumental tuition are encouraged to bring their instruments along to play in lessons.

Instrumental Lessons

Lessons are available to any pupil on entering the Prep part of the School. Applications must be made in writing to the Head of the Junior Music, who will liaise with the Head of Performance Studies to ensure that pupils are allocated to the most appropriate teacher. Tuition is available on the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone, Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar, Trumpet, Cornet, French Horn, Baritone, Tenor Horn, Trombone, Piano and Percussion. Lessons take place during School hours. In order to minimise disruption to academic work, tuition is rotated each week so that no subject suffers from persistent absence.

Lesson Fee

Parents are billed in arrears for instrumental lessons by the Bursary at the end of each term together with any examination fees and sheet music that may have been incurred. Each child receives up to 34 lessons over the course of the academic year and parents will be charged accordingly. Fees will not be reimbursed nor lessons made up if a child forgets to attend their lessons or is absent from the school on the day that the lessons should have taken place. However, should a child miss their lessons due to absence of their instrumental teacher, or because of a school trip or examination, then the lessons will be re-arranged. If this is not feasible, fees will not be charged in the first instance. A term's notice is required should you wish to terminate your child's lessons or a term's lesson fees will be charged in lieu of notice.

Instrumental Loan System 

The school has a supply of instruments that can be loaned to pupils for their first year of tuition at a cost of £35. If a tuition place is offered and a school instrument is not available, then parents are advised to rent an instrument from a local music shop. 'Just Music' Leicester Road, Loughborough; 'Windblowers', Derby Road, Nottingham; 'Templers', Rothley, Leicestershire: all operate low-cost rental schemes. Pupils wishing to learn piano must obtain a piano before lessons can commence as an electronic keyboard is not considered suitable for home practice. Sheet music together with strings, reeds and other expendable parts are the responsibility of the parent, although the school has a stock of such things for sale to pupils. Parents are strongly recommended to take out suitable insurance on their child's musical instrument as repair bills and replacement costs can be very expensive.

If you would like any further information regarding music at Fairfield, please make an appointment to see the Head of Junior Music, Mrs. Angela McGee who will be pleased to answer your queries.

Loughborough Endowed Schools Music School Staff

Mr. A.J. Mitchell    (B.A. Hon), L.L.C.M, P.G.C.E                                                                           
Director of Loughborough Endowed Schools Music School

Mr. T.H. Lax    L.R.A.M., Cert. Ed.                                                                                                          
Head of Performance Studies, Loughborough Music School                                                                                                                                                       

Head of Junior Music 

Mrs. A. McGee   GTCL (Hons) / LTCL London

Key Stage 1,2, and 3 Teacher                                                                                                      

 Miss. C. Revell   B.Mus  (Hons) (Huddersfield)

A full list of Visiting Music Teachers is available separately.