Elementary Strings Program

During the 2025-2026 school year, the Strings Program will offer in-person violin or cello lessons in the evening at Hill Park Learning Centre.  Lessons are available to students in Grades 3-8 currently enrolled at HWDSB.  Lessons are available as either group lessons (3-6 students) or private lessons.  There will be 25 weekly lessons (up from 20 lessons in previous years), 45 minutes per lesson.  The Strings Program is a fee-for-service program.  For an additional fee, students can enroll in the Orchestra program.

For an additional fee, the Orchestra program is available as an additional opportunity to enhance your student’s skills beyond their regular lessons.  The Orchestra component consists of 25 weekly (up from 20 lessons in previous years) 45-minute lessons for groups of approximately 7 students.  Please note that Orchestra is only available for students who are participating in weekly lessons.  Orchestra will take place at the Hill Park Learning Centre, typically on Wednesday evenings.

The 2025-2026 school year will have 25 weekly lessons, up from 20 lessons in previous years.

Fees include:

• Use of either a violin or cello
• Instructional music book
• Weekly lessons (25 weekly lessons, 45-minute/lesson)

The 2025-2026 school year will have 25 weekly lessons, up from 20 lessons in previous years.

STEP 1 – BY SEPTEMBER 22, 2025, 8:00 a.m., complete the Online Strings Registration Form

STEP 2 – Complete the online payment form.

After completing the Online Strings Registration form, an online payment form will be emailed to you.  If you prefer to pay by cheque or in-person, please contact the Strings Administrator at [email protected] or by phone (905) 561-2190 (ext. 4770) to make arrangements.

Once registration is complete and payment is received, we will do our best to accommodate requests and to structure group lessons according to a student’s skills and abilities.

Scheduling will start the week of September 29, 2025 and be confirmed to families on or about October 1, 2025. 

Instrument pick-up/exchange will take place the week prior to the start of lessons.

Lessons will begin after Thanksgiving.

The Instrument Use Agreement form must be completed in order to pick up an instrument.

Students/Parents will be responsible for the care and maintenance of the instrument while in their possession.

Families may be required to compensate HWDSB for lost or damaged instruments that exceeds normal wear and tear.  Should the instrument require repair during the period of use, a replacement instrument will be provided, if available.

Students who are not returning to the Strings Program in the next school year will be required to return their instrument to Hill Park Learning Centre, the week of June 16-20, 2025, during office hours (8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.).

Students who are returning to the Strings Program in the next school year may keep their instrument for use over the summer months.  For inventory purposes, parents are requested to email [email protected] to confirm the instrument size and ID number.

PLEASE NOTE:  If a student is not returning and the instrument is not returned by June 20, 2025, there will be a $20/month late fee assessed.

To withdraw a student from lessons, please inform the Strings Administrator via email ([email protected]) or by phone (905) 561-2190 (ext. 4770).

All instruments and accessories are to be returned immediately to the Hill Park Learning Centre.

Withdrawals from the program prior to November 3, 2025 — Registration fees will be refunded minus fees for lessons received and a $25 administration fee.

No refunds will be processed after November 3, 2025.

Refunds will be returned in the form in which payment was received.  Please allow 4-6 weeks to process refunds by cheque.

If HWDSB is unable to accommodate your student for lessons, a full refund will be processed.

How much does the program cost?

The following fees will apply for the 2025-2026 school year:

Group Lessons (3 to 6 students) = $ 330.00

Private Lessons (1 student) = $ 950.00

Group Lessons with Orchestra = $ 460.00

Private Lessons with Orchestra = $ 1080.00

The 2025-2026 school year will have 25 weekly lessons, up from 20 lessons in previous years.

When do lessons start?

Lessons begin in October, after Thanksgiving. There will be 25 lessons, 45-minutes in length each.

When / Where will lessons be held?

2025-2026 lessons will take place weeknights at Hill Park Learning Centre between 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Violin lessons will be available at Norwood Park Elementary School at 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays.

2025-2026 Strings Lesson Dates 

When will my student be having their lesson?

Scheduling begins once registration closes. We strive to accommodate your preferred lesson day and time; however, lesson days/times are assigned based on instructor availability and space. If we cannot fulfill your request or reach an agreement on a suitable lesson time during the scheduling period, your fees will be refund—with no deductions.

When are Orchestra lessons held?

Orchestra lessons are typically offered on Wednesday evenings at the Hill Park Learning Centre.   Orchestra lessons will be 45 minutes in length.  Please note that there is an extra fee to enroll your student in Orchestra.  Students will be placed in either Junior or Senior Orchestra based on skill level.  Orchestra is only available to students enrolled in weekly lessons.

What does the program fee include?

Your fees include the use of either a violin or cello and your own instructional music book as well as weekly lessons.  There will be 25 weekly 45-minute long lessons.  For an additional fee, Orchestra lessons are also available.  Orchestra runs weekly on Wednesday at Hill Park Learning Centre.  Students must be registered for weekly lessons in order participate in Orchestra.

What happens if my student is unable to make their lesson, will it be made up?

Make-up lessons are only provided in the event that the instructor is ill/unable to make the lesson or when buildings are closed due to inclement weather. The instructor will inform students when lessons will be made up.  Make-up lessons are not provided when your student misses a lesson due to illness/personal/family/other commitments.      

How will I know what size instrument my student will need?

During the instrument pick-up time, your student will be fitted for their instrument by one of the instructors.  Students need to attend instrument pick-up.

We have a broken string or our instrument is in need of repair.  What do we do?

An instructor will be available at a specific time in order to assist with minor repairs/adjustments or tuning.

My student is returning to the program in the fall, what do we do with our instrument?

Students returning to the program for the Fall session are welcome to keep their instruments over the summer.  Students not returning are required to return their instruments no later than June 20, 2025.  Instruments not returned by that date will be subject to a $20.00 per month late fee.

My student has decided that they no longer wish to continue.  Can I get a refund?

To withdraw a student from lessons, please inform the Strings Administrator via email ([email protected]) or by phone (905) 561-2190 (ext. 4770).

All instruments and accessories are to be returned immediately to the Hill Park Learning Centre.

Withdrawals prior to November 3, 2025 — Registration fees will be refunded minus fees for scheduled lessons and a $25 administration fee.

No refunds will be processed after November 3, 2025.