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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Music Aptitude Test

33 replies

Sittinginthesun · 27/04/2017 17:52

Just wondered if anyone has bought/enrolled practice for this test? Our local secondaries all have a certain number of places for music, and these start with an aptitude test, and then an audition.

A quick Google has taken me to Hofnote, which seems interesting. I just wondered if anyone had experience of this?

OP posts:
TheSecondOfHerName · 28/04/2017 21:34

My children are at the schools you are referring to.

The pros: in general I'm very happy with both schools. Pastoral care is wonderful at both, and obviously academic teaching and musical provision are excellent.

The cons: there can sometimes be an excess of talented musicians playing certain instruments, so moderately musical children sometimes can't get into orchestras, don't get given solos, don't place in music competitions etc, especially if they play a popular instrument.

DS2 qualified for a music place (sang in his audition) and I would consider him to be musical. He has been learning the clarinet for less than 4 years and is about to take his Grade 6. He got merits or distinctions in Grades 1-5.

There happen to be at least three more accomplished clarinet players than him in his year group alone, plus a couple who are better than him in the year below. I can't imagine that he will ever get into the senior orchestra, even if he gets to Grade 8.

The good news is that with the double bass, hopefully this won't be a problem. There are some excellent double bass players, but most are older, and will be leaving in the next couple of years.

Fleurdelise · 28/04/2017 21:03

Dd plays piano and clarinet, pretty common instruments so less chances.

Further down is the April music thread. It is nice as there are people who care about music education and speak the same language.

Original poster
Sittinginthesun · 28/04/2017 20:11

He plays the Double Bass. That's probably going to completely out me, as he's the only one in his orchestra etc.Grin

How about your dd? And where's the music thread??

OP posts:
Fleurdelise · 28/04/2017 20:02

You seem to have the male version of my dd and our story is similar, DS had high enough for the boys but on visiting it he refused to go there on various grounds but the single sex part was a major decision so we let him choose Q over it.

We've been very relaxed with dd as she's guaranteed a place so no preparation (very little, once a month I remember about the exam and get her to do a test) but she's quite musical so maybe she'll gain a place at the grammar on that. I'd have to trick her though as she's adamant she's going to Q.

What instrument does you DS play? Come and join us on the music thread Smile

Original poster
Sittinginthesun · 28/04/2017 19:49

Smile We are neighbours then.

He will probably do the academic test, but he's a dreamy boy, so not sure he'll be quick enough. Also, as we don't have a real need for him to do well, I have been very laid back with preparation. Spent our year 5 doing music and his other hobby instead.

DS1 had high enough for the Boys, but he had fallen in love with R (even over CD etc). Best thing we could have done - he is absolutely thriving, academically and personally.

DS2 might like the Boys. His instrument is unusual, and he is good at it, so it would be good to give him the option.

OP posts:
Fleurdelise · 28/04/2017 18:10

It does sound like we are in the same area by the initials. Smile Good luck, is he also taking the academic test?

Dd also has a sibling rule at one of the schools part of the consortium (Q) but I fell in love with the girls Grammar. She doesn't even want to go there but I wouldn't refuse it therefore she'll take the tests.

Original poster
Sittinginthesun · 28/04/2017 16:15

Thank you! I will have a look at that website. I'm not overly worried (if are are in the same area, he has a sibling place at R if he wants it, and we are catchment for CD, but he's pretty musical, so would like to give him as many options as possible).

I just saw from various websites that people were prepping at home, and didn't want him to miss out for lack of preparation.

OP posts:
Fleurdelise · 28/04/2017 08:46

You may be in the same area as I am as a similar arrangement is done for a small proportion of music places being offered on music aptitude. First the test and then the audition if enough marks are scored in the MAT.

I found a website that offers some sample tests, if you google musicaptitudetest.co.uk you'll find it. No experience with Hoffnote. I wouldn't say it brings a huge benefit, except familiarising the dc with the format. You can either do it or not, it isn't something that you can learn to hear if that makes sense.

Let me know if you need more info with regards to the format.