To think I should not pay to join an orchestra?

[Orchestramum]

DD 7 was desperate to join the school orchestra. Yesterday I approached her primary school music teacher and was shocked because apparently you have to pay good money to join in. I have several DC who had attended state schools, private schools and one grammar school and I had never paid for the school orchestra. AIBU to think it should be free and accessible to all children?

The county groups here (SW England) cost £300+ per year. That includes a short residential but if you already have commitments and don't attend the residential, you get no rebate. A non-county high standard independent group my kids attend(ed) costs around £150 per year and for that you get around an hour per week of rehearsal, a couple of concerts per term and tuition from experienced professional players/teachers.

At my secondary school I run all lunchtime ensembles for free as does my boss: choirs, orchestra, string groups, jazz bands, theory clubs, flute choir etc. We get to keep money we raise from concerts and this goes towards music, instruments/repairs and so on. I see it as part of my job, and probably one of the most rewarding.

I have to say I agree with the OP that paying for a lunchtime primary school orchestra run by a school teacher seems odd, unless the music teacher is self-employed rather than an employee of the school/academy chain/ LA, in which case, a charge is reasonable.

orchestra and choir in school might be part of growing up but are also a luxury that sadly fewer schools are able to afford.

OP, have you looked at the National Children's Orchestra at all? You'd have to pay (and your DD would have to audition), but there seem to be bursaries and she'd get far more out of something like that than a school orchestra - and it might look good on future school applications as well.

Obviously I don't know what instrument(s) she plays, and there are more opportunities for string players at the younger ages, but they seem to accept players from age 7 and from about grade 3 for some of the orchestras.

Smiling, my main problem is lack of time after school. I will be looking into something more serious when DD is a bit older and we can drop some of her current activities. It will free time and money for others.