FAQ

Since the club’s ‘open day’ earlier this year, many of you have asked us to explain in more detail about the club’s aims and operation. We have attempted below to answer the most frequently asked questions. But please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any others!

What are the club’s aims?

The main aim of the LA music club is to provide opportunities for young musicians to gain the group performing experience which music lessons alone do not provide. We believe members will also benefit from the social interaction of working with others in a club and team environment.

The club does not set out to make a profit and aims only to cover its costs. Any surplus arising incidentally from its activities will be used to fund future activities.

What will membership cost and what are the benefits?

Membership costs £25 per annum with an additional £10 per annum for additional family members. Members are invited to attend club nights at which they will meet other young musicians and will also have the chance to perform. Members are also entitled to discounts on purchases at participating music shops and are eligible to join with others in groups to undertake rehearsals at which they will be coached with a view to enabling them to perform at club ‘events’.

Where does the club’s income come from and where does it go?

The club’s main source of income is from grant funding. Secondary sources of income arise from membership fees and from charges made in respect of rehearsals in preparation for musical `events’.

Membership fees (payable by all) are intended to cover the cost of hiring venues for club nights. Rehearsal fees (payable only by those taking part in an event) are intended to cover the cost of tutors’ remuneration in respect of the necessary coaching. The income from grants is used to purchase necessary equipment and to pay for unavoidable overhead costs such as accountancy, insurance, transport, office administration etc. Exceptionally, grant income may also be used to make good any shortfall in membership and rehearsal fee income in the event that this might be necessary. The amount of the subsidy may vary from time to time depending on the extent of grant funding.

Where tutors are required to provide professional coaching for musical events they are entitled to receive payment in respect of such work but otherwise the members of the club’s organising committee give their time and skills freely and receive no payment other than in respect of expenses incurred.

What are club events?

Each year the club organises a number of opportunities for members to perform at local venues (for example this year’s ‘Dock Rock’ event). As explained above, the costs involved in providing coaching, hiring venues, equipment, insurance etc. are met partly from grant income and partly from a charge made to participating members. The club may from time to time organise other events such as ‘masterclasses’, recordings etc. All members are eligible but participation is on a purely voluntary basis. The club has an inclusive policy and aims to give all members the opportunity to participate in its musical events, however invitation to participate in any specific event is at the discretion of the club’s musical director.

Does the club give music lessons?

The short answer is no! Although the club needs to provide coaching for those participating in its musical events, it does not provide formal tuition. Most members will have made their own arrangements and will already be receiving tuition either at school or privately. However the club does have access to tutors of many instruments and can if desired put members or their parents in touch with a suitable tutor.