9 Molopo Street

Wilro Park
Roodepoort
1724
Tel: +2711 768 5912
Fax: +2786 697 8241
Anna: +2783 452 0486
E-mail: musicsa@samusicschool.co.za
Web: www.samusicschool.co.za
2000 Copyright
The South African Music Appreciation and Development School

THE SA MUSIC APPRECIATION AND DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL: BUSINESS PLAN

SECTION A: INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
The SA Music Appreciation and Development School offers a therapeutic music and movement
program Music for Our Little Ones for children aged 1 to 6 years. The experience gained by Anna
Coetzee (BMus, LUDM, UTLM, DCO, ATCL) and Dr. Lydia Dreyer (BA (SW), BA Hons, MA, PhD (Psychologist)) since
1977, led to the establishment of the SA Music Appreciation and Development School, specifically
aimed at the South African child and the world he/she lives in.
1.

What does the concept entail?

The Music for Our Little Ones program is based on the supposition that all children are musical
and, if applied correctly, music will stimulate the childs overall development. The childs specific
developmental stage as well as the developmental tasks that should be mastered at each stage is
continually taken into consideration. In this way, the child has the opportunity to discover music
and, at the same time, develop optimally as an individual.
The program presented by the SA Music Appreciation and Development School emphasises the
fact that goal-orientated music activities help in developing the childs music appreciation abilities
and his/her love for music, as well as his/her intellectual, emotional, social listening and
concentration skills in a playful manner. This in turn contributes to a positive self-image.
The Music for Our Little Ones program aims not only to assist in developing the child as
individual, but also to create an opportunity for those with a love for both children and music to
start their own music school.

2.

How is the practical implementation of Music for Our Little Ones done?
Lessons are presented to a minimum of six and a maximum of ten children per class.
Children aged one to six years can participate in their age-relevant program.
Lessons of approximately 45 minutes are presented once a week, directly after or during a
school day, at the school, the presenters house or any other suitable venue.
Classes coincide with the school terms, with an average of nine lessons per term.
Parents pay a quarterly fee, as well as an annual registration fee to cover administrative costs.

3.

What are the benefits of operating a Music for Our Little Ones music school?
3.1 Benefits to the music school owner
You can own your own business in your own exclusive area and determine and manage
your own working hours.
You generate a substantial income, even when working only half-day, as you are working
with children in groups of eight to ten.
While running your own business, you have sufficient time to spend with your family or
even seek further half-day employment.
You may choose from different business options to suit your circumstances.
You enjoy external stimulation and focus on self-realisation and entrepreneurship leaving
your personal imprint and making a positive contribution to the community.

Employment opportunities and greater income can be generated if an institution appoints a

music presenter to present music classes, or a music school owner appoints one or more
additional presenter.

3.2 Benefits to the schools/institutions where Music for Our Little Ons is presented
The fact that a professional, specialised music curriculum is presented, adds value to your
institution.
Your school/institution becomes more attractive to parents, as you offer more and special
opportunities for their children.
A substantial extra income is generated for your institution.
Employment opportunites are created.
3.3 Benefits to the children participating in Music for Our Little Ones
The childs overall development is stimulated.
Children are exposed to the entire spectrum of musical styles and genres, which does not
necessarily form part of the curriculum at all schools.
A love and appreciation of music is cultivated in the children.
4.

How can you become involved with the SA Music Appreciation and Development School?
A music school can be purchased. The total capital outlay involved can be recouped within one
year and four months. Thereafter the music school will generate a good income. Different
business options are available to suit your circumstances.
Alternatively, a representative of the South African Music Appreciation and Development
School can present the music program at your institution.
Parents who wish to develop and stimulate their own children through music at home can
purchase a home package.

5.

What should one keep in mind when considering a Music for Our Little Ones music school?
Do you have the propensity to work with children as well as a good musical background?
Do you have a high quality portable CD player, your own transport and access to a telephone?
If you intend to work from home, do you have a room of approximately 3 3 m available?
If you need financing from a bank to purchase your school, do you have any proof of security?
Do you know in which area you would prefer to operate and how many day-care centres,
nursery schools, playgroups, pre-primary schools and primary schools there are in that area?
How many hours do you intend to work and how many children would you like to involve in
the classes? What would your income and expenses be in such a scenario?
Consider the personal benefits of running your own music school.

SECTION B: WHAT DOES A MUSIC SCHOOL COMPRISE?

1. Available Music for Our Little Ones packages:
Package A: Module 1 and 2
Age: 45 years
Package B: Module 3 and 4
Age: 56 year
Package C (only applicable when Packages A and B are purchased simultaneously)
Age: 46 years
Package D: Module 1 and 2
Age: 34 years
Package E: Module 1 and 2
Age: 23 years
Package F: Module 1 and 2
Age: 12 years
At Home kit (Supplementary material for parents)

2. A Music for Our Little Ones package consists of the following:

2.1 Material
Complete, detailed curriculums and manuals requiring minimal preparation by the presenter.
Each module stretches over a six-month period. The lessons are culture-friendly and
address especially the South African child. Each lesson consists of roughly ten activities,
depending on the age of the children.
All sound material is available on CD (the number of CDs depends on the package
purchased): CDs contain intensive listening exercises, orchestral works, dances, songs,
music games and scores as well as recorder accompaniments.
Laminated colour illustrations of all the stories.
A training manual.
A customised administration manual and read-only CD containing all administrative
documents needed in presenting the program.
A marketing manual and demonstration CD.

A fully notated songs manual.

Percussion instruments, as well as African instruments and recorders.

All permanent additional requirements needed during the presentation of the lessons e.g.
hand puppets, hoops, blankets, coloured cloths (for use when dramatising), fishing rods, etc.
A container to transport all the material.
A book stand.
Additional:

All material is available in English and Afrikaans.

The At Home kit consists of supplementary material for parents and children enabling
them to enjoy music activities at home and can be purchased separate from the above
packages.
2.2

Training
Intensive training that not only focuses on the presentation of the program, but also on
marketing strategies, is given after purchasing a school and is available later again on request.

2.3

An exclusive area
An exclusive area is allocated to every *maestro. It is the responsibility of the *principal to
allocate areas with enough resources to enable music schools to operate in an optimal way.
Resources include day-care centres, nursery schools, playgroups, pre-primary schools and
primary schools. The number of hours that a maestro works is up to him/her, as is appointing
additional presenters to assist in operating the music school, both of these within the limits set
by the principal (See Sections D and E). Exclusive areas protect maestros and prevent
resources from being unused, in that the area and program is inaccessible to children and
potential buyers.

SECTION C: FINANCE
1.

How is the capital outlay calculated?

The program offered by The Music Appreciation and Development School has been in development
since 1977. Thus, years of experience, knowledge and intellectual capital have been invested into
this program. The capital outlay is determined according to the basic principle laid down by the
Small Business Development Corporation and is as follows: the buyer of a small business must be
able to recoup his/her capital outlay within one year and four months. Calculations were made on
the supposition that a music school owner will have at least 50 children per package per year
participating in the program. Thus, within the first year a gross income to recoup the capital outlay
within a year and four months will be generated, if 50 children per year complete the program.

*The use of the word Maestro shall in all instances represent the word Franchisee / music school owner. The use of the word
Principal shall in all instances represent the word Franchisor / South African Music Appreciation and Development School.

2.

Purchase options

3.

A complete package runs over a period of one year and is divided into two modules of six
months each. The purchase of Module 1 must be followed by that of Module 2 within a period
of six months to ensure continuity.
The cost of any one six-month module (of any package) amounts to R30 250.
Discount will be allocated on the above-mentioned prices, depending on the number of
packages purchased and the method of purchase. Discount varies between 10% (if one
complete package is bought), 15% (if two complete packages are bought) and 20% (if three or
more complete packages are bought). No discount will be allocated to packages bought in
sections or paid in instalments.
Packages/modules may be bought in any combination, for example Package F: Module 1 and
Package D: Module 1, followed by Package F: Module 2 and Package D: Module 2 six months
later.
The only exception to the above purchase structure applies to Package B. As Modules 3 and 4
of Package B form a unit with Modules 1 and 2 of Package A, it can only be purchased if the
presenter already owns and is presenting Package A. Package A and B as a unit constitute
Package C (Module 1, 2, 3, 4) and runs over a two-year period. Package A can be presented in
combination with any other package.
The primary package can be purchased in either English or Afrikaans. Should you wish to
teach in both languages, it is, however, compulsory to buy additional material in the other
language at R2 000 per package.

Music fees payable by parents

Maestros have two fee options to choose from every year for quarterly fees paid by parents in
order to adapt to more or less affluent areas, thus keeping the program affordable to parents.
These options are market related and revised annually. The two options for 2011 are either
R280 per child per term or R300 per child per term in the more affluent areas.
Parents are charged an annual registration fee as well to help cover the maestros expenses and
to pay for the workbooks and/or CD which must be purchased for each child at the beginning of
the program. Other expenses include transport costs, telephone costs, marketing costs and
minimal requirements for presenting some of the classes, for example stationary, eggs and flour
for the fun in the kitchen lesson, etc.
The registration fee for 2011 is R90 for each package, except for Package B, which uses
workbooks that are more expensive and therefore is R120 per child.
There are several compulsory and non-compulsory items available for purchase to parents.
Maestros earn commission on these sales. See the following table:
Compulsory annual purchases by parents included with the once-off
annual registration fee
(Price indicates the amount the maestro pays per item)
Workbooks for Packages A - F

R41

Recorder songs repertoire book

Recorder workbook 1
Recorder workbook 2
Non-compulsory purchases by parents

Parents pay

Maestro pays

R41
R66
R41
Maestros commission

T-shirt

R70

R55

R15 per item

Songs CD

R70

R55

R15 per item

Songs manual

R70

R55

R15 per item

Recorder songs accompaniment CD

R100

R85

R15 per item

R120

R114

R6 per item

R1500

N/A

R100 per kit

Recorder and cleaner

Music for Our Little Ones AT HOME kit

4. Quarterly royalties
4.1 Why are royalties paid?
Quarterly royalties are required from maestros. In return, the principal provides the following
privileges and services to maestros:

The ongoing development and renewal of the business as well as renewal of the
curriculum content specifically and the creation of new material. All news on updated
material and new ideas is made available to maestros in a bi-annual circular letter.

Ongoing support: if a maestro has a crisis with a parent or school staff, the principal can
be approached to assist in the matter.

The use of the Music for Our Little Ones universal name: maestros benefit from
continuous professional, national marketing in the media. Being part of a bigger entity
also adds more weight and credibility to your music school.

Revision of training received in terms of the presentation of music classes, as well as

marketing strategies, on request.
4.2 What are the royalties payable?
Although a maestro can present music classes to up to 200 children per package, a set
amount equal to the standard fee of only six children (per package) is payable at the end of
each term; as well as
An amount equal to the annual administration fee of six children (per package) payable on
or before the last day of the first term of every year.

An example of royalties payable

A new maestro who purchased Package A for example and decides to charge a quarterly
fee of R280 per child, will pay the following royalties:
R90 x 6 children (annual registration fee) + R280 x 6 children (per term) = R540 + R1680 =
R2220 for the first term
and
R280 x 6 = R1680 for the second, third and fourth terms respectively.
In exceptional cases, and only if the request is well motivated and written permission is
given by the principal, a higher fee may be charged (for example in more affluent areas).
Royalties payable are calculated according to the highest fee the maestro charges parents.

SECTION D: LIMITATIONS
1.

Within which limitations may a Music for Our Little Ones school operate?
Children may only participate in the program within the correct age group as specified in
Section B.
Maestros must at all times attempt to have a minimum of forty children enrolled in each
package.
Classes may not exceed a maximum of ten children for packages A, B, C, D and F, and a
maximum of eight children for package E.
In order to ensure quality presentation, each presenter is limited to the presentation of twenty
hours of music classes per week, the number of packages presented regardless.

2. What are the required qualifications for music school owners and additional presenters?
A selection process is followed before interested individuals are allowed to join the SA Music
Appreciation and Development School. This process requires an individual to meet the following
criteria:
A penchant for working with children and the ability to be a convincing marketer.
A strong music background: preferably a Gr. 7 certificate or diploma in music. These
qualifications are, however, not crucial.

SECTION E: EXPANSION POSSIBILITIES

1.

Can additional presenters be appointed to assist in the operation of a music school?

Maestros who wish to expand and operate their music schools optimally, or who do not have the
capacity or need to present all available classes, may appoint additional presenters to assist in the
presentation of classes.
In appointing an additional presenter, maestros actually have the opportunity of purchasing a
second music school, as the music school can then operate for a further twenty hours per week.
The cost of appointing an additional presenter amounts to R30 250 per presenter 50% less than the
original purchase price of a music school. This amount includes training costs, a complete package
for the additional presenter, as well as the expansion of the maestros exclusive area if necessary.
Each music school purchased, may be presented for a maximum of forty hours per week. A
maestro may appoint as many additional presenters as needed to make the presentation of forty
hours of music classes per package per week possible.
Should a meastro not present the music classes him-/herself, and use the additional presenter to
operate the originally purchased music school and not expand the hours of operation, the cost of the
appointment amounts to R10 000.

2.

Royalties payable for additional presenters

Seeing that a music school owner can optimally expand his/her music school with the appointment
of additional presenters and can enrol up to 400 children per package, the royalties payable for
additional presenters have been adapted by including the standard quarterly fees of a further three
children.
Royalties payable per additional presenter are:
A set amount equal to the standard fee of nine children (per package) payable at the end of each
term; as well as
An amount equal to the annual administration fee of nine children (per package) payable on or
before the last day of the first term of every year.

An example of royalties payable per additional presenter

An additional presenter who presents Package A for example at a quarterly fee of R280 per
child, will pay the following royalties:
R90 x 9 children (annual registration fee) + R280 x 9 children (per term) = R810 + R2520 =
R3330 for the first term
and
R280 x 9 = R2520 for the second, third and fourth terms respectively.

Should a maestro, however, not present the music classes him-/herself, and use the additional
presenter to operate the originally purchased music school, not expanding the hours of class
presentation of the school, the royalties payable for the additional presenter are the same as
they would be for the maestro, namely the standard quarterly fee of six children (per package)
as well as the annual registration fee of six children (per package).

SECTION F: IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLE RISKS

1.

Does a market for this concept exist?

Firstly, it is important to keep in mind that parents often do not mind spending money on their
childs development and education. At a minimal monthly fee, the music program can make a
lifelong contribution to his/her child's development.
Secondly, there is a very special market for this music program in South Africa, since the South
African Music Appreciation and Development School is the only authentic South African preschool therapeutic music program of its kind. Music, which constitutes an integral part of any

person, is no longer included in all school curriculums. Therefore, the Music for Our Little Ones
program fills this void in South African schools.
2. What makes Music for Our Little Ones unique?
The program is authentically South African and has been developed and refined over a period
of 30 years.
It is culture friendly for the South African child.
It is available in English and Afrikaans.

Maestros are subject to screening and selection, ensuring professional standards.

The areas where music schools operate are exclusive and protected to prevent unnecessary
conflict and unprofessionalism.

Parents pay a very reasonable and market-related price without any other compulsory
expenses.

Years of experience have proven this concept and the program offered to be very effective in
helping children develop, and children love the program.

Royalties are kept at a minimum to help music school owners flourish.

3.

What does the marketing process entail?

Maestros are trained in a detailed marketing strategy that has been tried and tested over the years,
continually adapted and works very well. A broad outline of what it entails is as follows:

Obtaining a complete list of all the day-care centres, nursery schools, playgroups, pre-primary
schools and primary schools in the exclusive area.

Making appointments with the principals and staff of the schools.

Explaining the concept at these meetings by using the marketing file and demonstration CD.

Determining a suitable day for the presentation of the music classes, as well as a date and time
for a demonstration lesson or an opportunity to address the parents at a parents meeting if
possible.

Making arrangements to distribute colour pamphlets to the parents.

Presenting a demonstration lesson to the children so that they will go home and tell their
moms and dads about it.
Maestros often start with a class of only six children, and within a few weeks the class grows to ten
members as the children enjoy the class and tell one another about it. It normally takes
approximately one year for a music school to establish itself properly, after which time parents see
the results and the school benefits from growth through word of mouth. The little ones prove to be
the most effective marketers!

4.

What happens if you wish to terminate your music school?

Should a meastro wish to terminate either the music lessons or the entire music school, there are a
few options available to him/her:
The music school can be sold at a profit, as the market has already been established. Therefore,
extra can be charged for the goodwill of the business.
One or more additional presenter can be employed to run the school on the owners behalf.
The music school can be terminated and material of which the principal has ownership, is
returned.

5.

Can I trust the SA Music Appreciation and Development School and the services they offer?
The SA Music Appreciation and Development School has been in existence since 2000 and has
long-standing relationships with numerous maestros who run successful music schools nationwide
and who are constantly expanding their music schools by purchasing further packages and
appointing additional presenters. The SA Music Appreciation and Development School is run in a
dynamic way and there is a strong focus on constant renewal and development in order to keep the
program and business attractive to maestros, parents and children. New information is
communicated through circulars and the principal is always available to advise and support. The
principal is in touch with maestros often, be it telephonically, through personal visits, by evaluating
DVDs of class presentations or during a three yearly compulsory conference.
Prof. Fanie Jooste, head of the Music Department of the North-West University (Potchefstroom
campus), a recognised tertiary institution, and his wife, Ems (BMus), evaluated the Music for Our

Little Ones program. We are proud and grateful that the program was evaluated by a recognised
tertiary institution and that their report commends our program as being of outstanding quality and
uniquely South African.
The people who are involved in this concept are committed to enriching the children of this country
and nurture a love for music. They render a professional service at all times. Feel free to enquire
after the contact details of current maestros and contact them regarding their opinion of the
program and principal. You can also read the feedback of parents and school principals on our
website.
Please feel free to contact us, should you have any questions (complete contact details are given at the
top of page 1). We hope Music for Our Little Ones will make a positive contribution to your life as
well!
Friendly music greetings,
Anna Coetzee
BMus, LUDM, UTLM, DCO, ATCL
Principal

Lydia Dreyer
BA (SW), BA Hons, MA, PhD (Psychologist)
Principal