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Original poster

Specialist music school vs mainstream school - how did you decide?

27 replies

maggiethecat · 29/10/2013 09:47

Dd (10) has expressed an interest (has for some time now) in going to music school. I think she quite likes the idea of being surrounded by music.

Dh and I have reservations. Neither of us had any music training and, for us, the idea of making music the focus of her formal education so early seems strange.

We went to see one school recently and they seem very keen on having her and so we think we will need to decide one way or the other.

How did you decide?

OP posts:
Original poster
maggiethecat · 29/10/2013 19:47

Should have included a bit more detail. First instrument violin (5 years), second piano (2).
First time NCO this year and loved being immersed in music, chamber groups etc plus loved the fact that she did not have to explain her love of music to her course mates.
It was interesting to see a course mate (cellist) visit and how they locked themselves away each alternating accompanying the other on the piano.

No concerns about her coping with the music, it's making music the centre of her education so early that makes me wonder.

OP posts:
YDdraigGoch · 29/10/2013 13:37

I haven't had to decide, but have a musical daughter.

Does your DD play any instruments? Has she shown any talent for music, or just "expressed an interest"? What is it about the school she likes?

I think I'd carefully consider whether my DC really did have a strong aptitude for music, and would be prepared to do all the practicing and the other involvements that being at a music school would entail. Because if she's not, it would soon be a pretty miserable experience for her.

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