Spring 22 music thread

I think where they 'may ask for some scales and arpeggios' surely they'd be of their choosing? Also worth checking he knows how to work out relative major / minor as a way of quickly checking key signature if it comes to it. You're right though - just scales on their own won't be the 'deciding factor' - it will be one part of it. Good luck to him.

I don't think it helps that he hasn't been given a list of scales to learn. Just that at some auditions they may ask him to play some scales and arpeggios. He has literally been learning them all in the past 12 months having not done them before!

Yes sorry I meant she's not good enough yet, she's working on her grade 3 piano now and the one near us asks for g3 distinction. She may not be JD material but has perfect pitch and a good memory so I'm keen for her to have music opportunities. She's just started an orchestral instrument too which should help as she'll be able to play with others.

Don't think its too early to look into JDs at year 3 - even if its just having a look at what is available where you'd be willing to travel and what the criteria is. My daughter is in year 4 and I'm looking for her to start in September hopefully (start of year 5). You can start earlier but I don't really want to have to stay all day, so would prefer her to be more independent.

I agree with @northerngoldilocks re JD on Saturdays. My daughter started this year and absolutely loving it. She shares many interests with her friends from the program and bonded nicely with the kids there.

*start saving now that should say

Thanks I think you're right, of they're that good at music no school will be able to fully meet their needs. No we haven't applied for a JD yet but will think about it later in the year ( she's only yr 3 so I'm waaaay premature) it's just on our mind as we turned down the prep and if we want to go indy for secondary we have to start now. For me, it's not the destination uni that's important as pampered middle class kids do well regardless. It's just if I can give them a pleasant school experience where they are with like minded kids and aren't sharing three to a keyboard should we do it, is it mean not to?!

@Huy456 I think its clear that in the majority of cases state schools just won't be able to compete with the breadth of music opportunity that the indi schools can (obviously you need to choose your indi school carefully), but thats where you need to decide if that provision of music has to be in school?

My son is year 6 and the indi / state consideration is very much live, and music provision is one part of that, however since he's started going to a Saturday music centre I'm less worried about the quality of music options in school so my decision now is in terms of whether i think more broadly its a sacrifice we want to make in terms of the costs and also whether we think its 'good value'.

Our local state schools are 'mixed' in terms of music provision- some have specialist places, others are a bit lacking but i actually like that he now does his music outside school. My hope is that by having music elsewhere, he has different friends, its something that he does for interest rather than because school make him and its less likely to get sidelined for a different club / activity that clashes. Does your daughter attend a JD and if not could this be something you could consider?

Thanks, the issue is my younger daughter would not get a music scholarship but I'd like them to attend the same school. Also older is a real all rounder and whilst naturally talented she's no prodigy and likes doing other things. Realistically the good girls day school near us is the best option I think overall as it will give both kids a good experience rather than just the musical child. Sorry to derail slightly!

@Huy456
I can totally sympathise with that.
Where are you based?
There's at least one state secondary in London which is also affiliated as a music academy. The Camden School for Girls. They offer a few places a year outside their catchment based on a music aptitude test. It's an amazing school and might not be the only one in the country. Try to look into that.
If you want info about CSG let me know. My daughter was accepted this year.

That's what I didn't want to hear!
We are happy with local primary but there is very little music in school. Whilst I'm happy to compensate now I think if we can afford it we should give dc the chance to be with like minded kids for secondary. Plus the less ferrying I have to do the more I can earn. It's a tricky one as we're on the borderline for affordability. We were offered small bursaries for a prestigious prep school but it would have left us with so little I'd rather save up for secondary.

@Huy456
My daughter is in Y6 and has been privately educated since reception year.
Words aren't enough to explain how pleased I am with the music department at her school. It was her school piano teacher that realised how much potential she had and pointed us in the direction of a JD.
She's now Captain of Music at the school and involved in tons of stuff. From the usual suspects - choir and orchestra - to various vocal groups and ensembles, jazz band and more. She's given numerous opportunities to play in front of an audience which is important. She's so happy and we find the school a lovely nurturing environment for her, academically and musically. We are currently in the 11+ process and we looked closely at the music departments at potential secondary schools. There are amazing departments with endless opportunities for a young musician.
I'm not familiar with the state system but have friends with kids in state school. From what they tell me it very far from this.
I hope this helps.

Ds was having an I'm not good enough meltdown last night. He has got a week to submit an audition tape for one of his UCAS choices and his practice didn't go well last night.

His autism means he hyper focuses on the wrong things sometimes and he can't cope with making mistakes. I tried to tell him that he might be awful at scales but I bet many of the other candidates are dreading being given sight reading (which is a big strength of his). He spends too much time sight reading for fun and not enough time on technique!

It doesn't help him being a late starter having only begun piano aged 14. So trying to boost his confidence.

Morning all. Yes, all back on here.
Huy, not sure I have any wisdom, but my kids are both at secondary state comprehensive. It has. in the past, had a great music department which is currently struggling a bit post covid - hoping sorted very soon! We could have (at a stretch) afforded independent, but decided we'd rather spend the money and time on outside musical and other opportunities. I don't usually regret it. The plural of anecdote is of course not data, but the musical children my DD2 meets at other activities from independent schools are at much the same level that she is - and I rather cynically suspect my DD2 gets into ensembles and gets opportunities that others do not simply because she is at a state comp (national youth choir/nco etc - and i note she'll have a chance at the NYO inspire stuff next year when she's a teen, which independent school peers will not). She also gets less homework, which gives her more time for her extra curricular stuff. We'll evaluate again at sixth form, I guess.

Checking in for new year / new thread! 2 musical DCs here- one at junior conservatoire and one at specialist school. Quietly following the threads these days and chipping in occasionally. HNY everyone!

Now looking at courses - has anyone had a child attend the Rodolfus Choral Courses (used to be called the Eton Choral Courses)?

Concerts, ensembles and some choirs back on here too. Long may it continue.

Well I have seen the music opportunities at the nearest independent school to us and they are phenomenal but the cost is out of our reach. We chose to spend on good quality private lessons. The DC then take part in school/ regional orchestras which are variable in level but still give a good experience. We now send one DC to a JD on a Saturday where she gets everything. There are also national youth orchestra opportunities for spring/ summer. We certainly wouldn't be able to afford all these plus private school so I guess it depends on your priorities and income.

Hello, I keep meaning to ask on these threads. For those with secondary school kids , I'm trying to decide whether to send my dc to an independent school that has lots of music opportunities or to carry on with state and do everything else outside of school. Does anyone have any wisdom? Thanks

Here's hoping! We have been told concerts etc are on so hopefully a full term of regional and JD concerts, a couple of competitions and exams. Gone from zero to full on!