• Home
• About Us
• FAQ's

FAQ's

Below are some of the more commonly asked questions about OTMP, which will hopefully give you all the information you need.

My child is a complete beginner, can they join?

My child has already been getting lessons elsewhere, can they join?

Can adults join classes too?

Can I/my child join at any time?

When and where are classes held?

How much do classes cost?

What about instruments?

Are your terms the same as the school terms?

What's the "uniform" for playing at concerts?

How do the lunchtime concerts work during May & June?

Is the Summer School only open to OTMP members?

Is there anything I can do to help fundraise for the OTMP?

I have a question but can't see the answer here, where can I get more information?

My child is a complete beginner, can they join?
Of course!  However, we only have one intake of new beginners at the end of August and start of September each year.

My child has already been getting lessons elsewhere, can they join?
Absolutely!  We welcome all abilities have will have a class to suit.

Can adults join classes too?
No problem at all.  However, we don't run adult only classes so you will be in the same class as the children.

Can I/my child join at any time?
Unfortunately, not in the middle of a term.  We have enrolment days where you can sign up for classes.  These are usually on the last Saturday of a term and the first Saturday of the next term.  The only exception to this is for the term starting in September, whereby enrolment days are the 2 Saturdays before the term starts, however this will be advertised in the Orcadian and BBC Radio Orkney.

When and where are classes held?
Classes are on a Saturday morning between 10am - 1pm in the Kirkwall Community Centre.  Classes are normally an hour long and are split by ability.  We also run a half hour beginner accordion class.  The class time will be advised by the Musical Director at the enrolment days.

How much do classes cost?
At the enrolment days, we ask for a fee to cover all the classes in the 10 week term.  This is currently £40 per child and £60 per adult.  Beginner accordion classes for children are half an hour therefore the fee is £20 per child.

What about instruments?
Fiddle players will need to come to classes with their own instrument, as we do not have enough to loan out.

For accordion players, we have some accordions available to loan.  You will be given free use of the accordion for a 2 year period, after which time you will be allowed to use the accordion however it must be given back when asked by a tutor or committee member for any new beginner.  If it is not required by a new beginner, you may be asked to pay a nominal fee for continued use of the accordion.

Are your terms the same as the school terms?
Not really.  Our terms are in 10 week blocks and are structured as follows:

Term 1 - September to November (no classes during October holidays)
Term 2 - January to March (no class during February mid-term break)
Term 3 - April to June (no class on Saturdays during Folk Festival or St Magnus Festival)

What's the "uniform" for playing at concerts?
For all performances, we ask players to wear black trousers/skirt/leggings and an OTMP royal blue t-shirt.  We have some t-shirts available that have been returned by former students, alternatively they can be purchased from Logo Orkney, Kirkwall and Leviathan International, Stromness.

How do the lunchtime concerts work during May & June?
Every Saturday in May and June, we have a concert in St Magnus Cathedral between 1-2pm.  The concerts will be divided up between all the classes so not everyone will be asked to perform each week, however these dates will be emailed to parents in good time.

The only exception to this is Folk Festival Saturday, when all classes will take part.

On the Saturday of the St Magnus Festival, there is no Cathedral concert or classes but there will be a coffee morning concert instead.  Details of this will be emailed nearer the time.

Is the Summer School only open to OTMP members?
Not at all, any one can attend the Summer School!  Details will be advertised nearer the time on how to enrol etc.

Is there anything I can do to help fundraise for the OTMP?
Absolutely!  We are a registered charity so rely on donations from the public as well as the income from term fees.  We have a week in the Blue Door Charity Shop each year and are always looking for volunteers to help out during the week.

We are registered with EasyFundraising, where you can sign up and then raise money by shopping online... at no extra cost to you!  Click here for details.

If you would like to do your own fundraising event for the OTMP, that's great too! :)

I have a question but can't see the answer here, where can I get more information?
Please get in touch using the Contact Us page.