“Training and education the youth means successes hidden in the future”. Under this motto Sainte Cécile has invested in the training of its musicians since decades. Pupils have been studying actively for quite some years before they are apt to play in the Wind Orchestra or the Drum- and Bugle Corps . Sainte Cécile takes care of this training under direct management. The teachers are qualified professionals who already have a good deal of practical experience. The training consists of the following steps:

• Solfège: Learning to read and understand the musical notation
• Instrumental lessons: Learning to play a musical instrument
• Interaction: Learning to play in small groups
• Further musical growth: because of a gradually increasing musical level the students become adequate musicians.

Solfège
Students without any musical experience/education start their musical training with Solfège (French for music theory)
Pupils are admitted for this Solfège training when being removed from group 4 to group 5 at Primary school. The entire course takes 4 years and is given in groups of maximum 10 people.

Instrumental lessons
Previous to choosing an instrument a choice has to be made which unit of Sainte Cécile one wants to join later. The selection of the instrument is eventually determined on the basis of preference of the pupil, availability of the instrument and the need for this instrument in the Wind Orchestra or Drum- and Bugle Corps.
The following choice has to be made:
- the Drum- and Bugle Corps – red trousers
- the Wind Orchestra – black trousers
Halfway the second year of Solfège training pupils start their instrumental lessons on the instrument chosen. Pupils get their instruments on loan.

Ensemble playing
The instrumental lessons are of course also used for ensemble playing to promote the interplay.

Further musical growth
Twice a year pupils are judged to determine their progress in instrumental lessons through so called auditions. After playing the pupil receives a report with a judgement. The Training Committee decides on the basis of these data and in consultation with the teacher about a further flow. This might be a flow to
‘Les Petits Jeunes’; from Les Petits Jeunes to ‘Les Jeunes’; or from Les Jeunes to the large Wind Orchestra or the Drum- and Bugle Corps.
The speed of this flow is not determined by pre-established deadlines but purely by the musical development of the students themselves. After being admitted to the Wind Orchestra or the Drum- and Bugle Corps, the pupils are absolved from auditions.

Costs of training
The training of young musicians is essential, but costly. Think of teachers’ fees and instruments put at the disposal of pupils.
The association is subsidized by the Municipality of Eijsden for the training of musicians. However, this subsidy is not nearly sufficient to cover all the costs.
Pupils following a course with Sainte Cécile therefore have to pay tuition.
 
The amount of lesson-money due depends on the learning phase in which the student is. Merely taking Solfège lessons for example is cheaper than taking both Solfège and instrumental lessons.
The amount of lesson-money due per annum and including membership fees:
• Only Solfège lessons € 100 / season
• Solfège and instrument lessons € 200 / season
• Only instrument lessons € 160 / season
The season runs from September up to and including June. Fees are paid quarterly through mandatory direct debit.
If more than two students of one family take lessons with Sainte Cécile a reduced rate is applied from the third.
From the moment a student joins the Wind Orchestra or the Drum- and Bugle Corps he is obliged to pay membership fee in addition to tuition.
When a student has completed his training entirely and is no longer taking instrument lessons only annual membership fee must be paid.

New courses start every year simultaneously with the start of the new school year in late August / early September. Entries must take place before August 1st of the new training year.