Is it possible? 2 grades in 18 months on violin

I would think you can book a consultation lesson with a reputable teacher who can take a look at your DS' strengths and any weaknesses. My DDs, whilst musical, are scientists and at a fab state school so I have not been in your position. However, DD2 decided she wanted to change violin teacher and fixed herself up a consultation lesson with a fantastic teacher (also a friend). I was emailed with all DD's good and bad points and the teacher said she was happy to teach DD, providing we gave appropriate notice to the current teacher. I know we aren't in London, but £60 per hour!! I pay just over half that and this teacher also works in one of the London JDs.

I have prepared a couple of private pupils for scholarship exams. I think all-round musical experience is really important, so if you can get your DS involved in something locally, it would help.

I have a couple of possible contacts for you. Are you happy for me to PM you?

I see it has been mentioned, but I too would suggest talking to the music department(s) of the school(s) you are looking at. Tell them what instruments your son is learning and see what they say. At 13+ it is common for schools to do preliminary assessments to help advise whether children should audition and what they should focus on - at 10+ they may not do so much but I'm sure they would be willing to give some advice. I too would think playing material of a standard rather than proving the exam pass is likely to be appropriate.

Good luck, what you are describing sounds like a music scholarship would be very appropriate!

I did this for a music scholarship decades ago with my DS ... two Grade 5 distinctions at 9, Bit of an effort, music scholarship went to a girl with Grade 2 clarinet who gave up in Y8. What seems terribly important at the time is irrelevant a few years down the road. And it doesn't do much for their playing in my experience ...

I haven't read the whole thread but just wanted to say you can be Grade 5 standard without ever having taken an exam - you just need a reference from the teacher with suggested standard on it! A friend of mine got his ds to music college without ever taking an exam & I would argue undue focus on passing a test detracts from learning progress

I totally understand, Diets. I would recommend letting him join orchestras/ensembles if you can find any around you. DS joined a local youth orchestra in the last term of Y5, and quartet was added in late October in Y6. I suppose many DCs start earlier (we are a late starter), but even the 1-2 terms of experience prior to the adudition did a wonder to DS's musical development (he is still doing both). I think it looks good on cv too for a scholarship application.

In the end we turned down the place with a scholarship and he is going to a lovely state school instead.

Lastly, let me add that I was in the same shoes, Diets. We considered applying for a scholarship so that DS could carry on his lessons via free tuition come with the scholarship package due to our financial restriction. So I feel for your worry/panic/concerns...

Also DS's very musical and academic friend won a music scholarship at top London independent schools (you can easily imagine which ones are top schools for boys!). He also hasn't done any exam, or he may have done but not as high as grade 5. But his playing standard is grade 8+. You don't need to be as advanced as he is, so please don't put off by his playing standard. All I wanted to say was schools may not be bothered about actual exam pass that much. So it may be worth finding out before you set a path. You may realise it's much wiser and more productive to invest your time and money on focusing on his actual playing standard than chasing exams.

MachineBee, I love the sound of your youth immersed in music. It's so nice to hear the real passion and love towards music coming from the child.

As I understand OP is after grade only for securing a scholarship, I just thought to share my two penny...

I heard some schools request actual exam pass but as long as I know most schools are happy without it. DS applied for a music scholarship (audition/exam just done this year) with no exam experience for his first study. I mean ZERO.. We had to submit teachers' references so his playing standard and commitments were mentioned there. He was selected for an audition, and won the major scholarship.

For your information, we live in SW London so I know how fierce the competition for a scholarship at independent schools is.

I was not sure how much was true of what they said on their website (they stated exam pass was unnecessary) but thought if DS didn't get invited for an audition because of his lack of exam experience, then the school was not right for DS. We wanted DS to go to a school with real celebration of loving music than a certificate obsessed school.

Do you have any particular school in mind? If so, why don't you call and ask them the criteria (I did)? If they say actual exam pass is not required, your DS can focus on developing and mastering and consolidating his skills to rise his actual playing standard than wasting his precious time chasing g5 unnecessarily. He can take higher grades after secondary school is sorted, and probably gets distinction at ease.

You could also try the exam board for lists of registered music teachers in your area.

I played three instruments at secondary school and was sometimes taking two or three exams at the same time. I took every grade for piano, missed a couple with cello and only did 4, 6 and 8 for tuba because they didn’t offer any other grades for that instrument at the time. I also did theory grades 3, 5 and 8.

Like your son I was a music but and my parents made me stay home on Wednesdays to do other school work and no music practice. The other six days I was playing in some music group or other. And practising all the time. I never got stressed with it just wanted to play.

The key will be to have the grades necessary to make sure he gets invited for audition, and it sounds like grade 3 is good enough for that. Then choose audition piece(s) wisely.

My children's school advised parents not to go for the most difficult thing that their child could play. They wanted children to demonstrate their musicality, which is easier to do on a piece that is well within their ability level than on something that they can only just play. Most parents seemed to ignore this though!

I agree with others that 18-24 months is a ridiculously long time to get from grade 3-4. However, there may be particular reasons why the teacher thinks that is appropriate for your child. I would challenge her on that, especially if sight reading is not an issue.

He sounds very able and committed.
So they don't need to have the exam certificate, just be at grade 4 level. Which it sounds like he already more or less is, with 18 months to go? If I've understood correctly.
It's not about being the highest grade or performing something technically demanding for the audition, it's about playing with musicality and showing potential. Best to play pieces they're really comfortable with and nail them, than attempt something that really stretches them and mess up.
The teacher sounds awful, as pp said, find another one and see what they think. Some talented kids like taking exams and are really motivated by it.
The scholarship and taking exams are two different issues imo, although working on his sightreading, scales and aural will never be wasted time if he doesn't do an exam. For a talented kid already at g3/4 to do g5 in 18 months is absolutely doable - I wouldn't rush it for the scholarship though, better to get a distinction a bit later than scrape through in a panic. He has loads of time though. Good luck to him.

Do you know what standard the pupils were who have got the scholarship in previous years? Not to put you off, but one of mine applied for a music place at a couple of state comprehensive schools (both comprehensives) - DD had passed grade 5 with distinction (not the violin) at aged 10 - and was at one of the Saturday music schools I mentioned earlier, and didn't get any offers. The places went to those who were already at grade 7/8 standard.

Very true, Petra, very true. Somehow ds managed to scrape a distinction at grade 5 in his second instrument, which has made us all very relieved re his scholarship auditions.

Btw from bitter experience better to be playing g5 standard without having done the exam than take the exam and not have the distinction. Don’t give the teachers doing the audition any chance to think you are not at standard. You don’t need to have done the exam - just need a letter from teacher to say you are appropriate standard to get the audition then it’s up to your dc to perform!

No, its not a race. But there is competition. And my comments are not at all anti teacher. There are lots of fabulous teachers, many of whom go beyond the call of duty. And some who have their eye on their priorities too.

I agree, Spam, that if a child just plays exam pieces, there will be a problem at g7/8. But I think it is possible to have your eye on the goal and have a wide repertoire. For DD, she has NCO, county strings, a different group of large ensemble and quartet and NSSO. I seem to spend half my time printing out the next sheet music needed. Done wonders for sight reading though!

You could find a Saturday morning music school which included theory, singing, orchestra and an individual lesson near us and have change from £40 per week

I agree with Spamalotta. The entry level is likely that the child has to be playing at a certain level, not that they have to have passed that particular exam. The exam is mentioned to indicate the standard required.

Please do remember though that passing exams is only part of it and it really shouldn't be a race to grade 8. Students need to develop their skills thoroughly- I've seen many a grade 7+ student who has limited musical skill or knowledge having only ever learned exam pieces.