Would you send a child to a specialist music school?

I'm of the opinion that it's our job as parents to let them pursue their dreams, while making sure they haven't burnt their bridges in the process. Most musicians don't make a living at it, but that doesn't mean there is no point in going to a music school, doing music at university, spending time practising etc.

We've just always made sure DS knows that most musicians have to do other things to make ends meet - he sees his very talented music teachers and knows how many other things they have to do to earn a living apart from performing, so he understands it's not just a question of what he wants to do, but also luck.

So, if your son wants to do this, and its reasonably practical for you, I'd let him go for it.

I was lucky to have the advantage of a wonderful Saturday morning music school option - which turned into county youth orchestra one week a month. A friend at school did Guidhall saturday morning school - and had cello lessons there. I went onto do the music degree and loved it - she did English. Not that I'm doing music now - just enjoy playing and singing when I want to. BiL went to Chets - PiLs didn't really have much choice because of his precocious talent - but they're not particularly OTT with their praise of it generally. He is, now, a very sucessful musician - but whether going there had that much influence on that I don't know - possibly the degree in Cambridge followed by a year in Glasgow might have had more impact.

Ha ha, caffeineaddict, are we related? :)

Such wise words coffeeaddict

I would sound a slight note of caution. Even the most talented, committed musicians (I was one) can reconsider. I pursued music doggedly till leaving school, then realised a career in it wasn't for me. My sister was an amazing precocious cellist and was offered a place at the Menuhin school very young. My parents turned it down and thank God, because she grew up to become a lawyer who likes music but certainly doesn't want to earn a living from it. We were both glad to have not just academic back-ups, but other interests, hobbies and a broad education.

Even now I wish I had done less piano/violin practice during my teens and more drama. Yes, I did love reaching a very high standard, performing, composing... and I was passionate about music, but then, looking back, I had never had the chance to explore other areas fully.

My DD goes to a specialist music school in Scotland and LOVES it. The only disadvantage is that she is almost ridiculously busy in November and March when there is often a cluster of music performances - school concerts, local music festival and sometimes AB exams. Good luck with your decision.

A work colleague has a dd who boards at wells. She is a specialist musician and intends to make a career in music and thrives in it. My colleague is upfront about it though: she says from visits and parents evenings she is distinctly underwhelmed by much of it, uninspiring teachers etc. Her other children are at our local state school and she rates those higher in terms of general experience, but says if you have an amazingly musical child' then theres really no option but specialist school. I agree- if my children were highly talented and intended to make a career in music I would look at specialist music schools,'but if they aren't dead set on it, your probably better off keeping your options wider

It sounds like an ideal school to me - one where bright children can thrive and everyone can develop their talents but not at the cost of deeming 95% of the population a failure and denying them access (aside from the cost issue of course).

I wouldn't say Wells is bad academically, (also got a crop of As there, a little before your time) but it can't compare with the hyper-academic selective private schools or the insanely competitive grammars.

I went to Wells as a non musician and disagree with those that say it's not academically good. I got straight a's!

It's also very good at giving all its pupils, even the specialist musicians, a reasonably normal life rather than a hothouse.

I loved it.

I wouldn't say the majority joined in 6th form,many joined at 11 (not sure what that year is in the current system!).

There was only one class of juniors at Chet's,we had a ball as it was like a big adventure.of course some kids had major homesickness issues understandably.

I think a lot depends on your upbringing,your relationship with your parents and also your personality. If you are a very sociable person then boarding is great fun.

If one of my children were to excel in something I would worry about them narrowing their options should they go to a specialist school. I am one of the lucky ones....I knew I wanted a job in an orchestra from a young age and I got one straight out of music college luckily. But there are many musicians who have not fulfilled their dreams.

I'm not saying I don't think your son should go to music school but be aware that some things will naturally have less importance,be it sport or range of academic subjects available.

For me that kind of school was great but obviously there will be many who hated it. My parents would have taken me out had I hated it too.

Other options are Saturday music college,and NYO (can't remember what age it starts from).

If my DC wanted to go and it was possible (and I could cope ;) ) I would let them go. If its their passion I would encourage that side and not focus on working future, just yet IYSWIM

I forgot to ask,where do you live?
Would Saturday morning school at one of the music colleges be an option for your DS?

I went to Chet's at the age of ten (I'm now 34).
I'm now a professional musician and I am in one of the London orchestras.

My parents aren't remotely musical and I think they were shocked that I got a place. In fact they didn't even know about specialist music schools until my teacher suggested it.

Many of my school friends went on to top universities to read non music subjects. I think the environment completely put them off,not that they were unhappy necessarily.

Many kids were unhappy but I think you could say that for a lot of schools. My parents would have removed me from the school had I hated it.
I was very lucky though as my instrumental teachers were great and very inspiring but there were some who weren't so great.

I come from the west country and it was too far to travel to one of the London college Saturday schools so music school definitely helped me to thrive.

It definitely depends on the child but for me Chet's was a good school and I did very much enjoy the social and musical environment. I am not very academic so opted to do minimal GCSE's and A levels although passed them quite well. The class sizes are small so that was something I wouldn't have got at my local comp.
The school has changed a lot since I was there but it was a bit lacking in the sport/PE side of things due to it being inner city. Obviously Purcell would have more space.

I went to Wells despite being practically tone deaf (20 years ago, obv) and found it more or less fine. It couldn't compare academically with the specialist academic schools, but I thought it struck a decent balance in serving the competing needs of the "pure" musicians, the (few) hardcore academics, the less-academic children of the local farmers who just wanted a solid private education and the many children who were somewhere inbetween.

Interesting.

I have met several people during my (music) studies and working life who went to Chets, Purcell and Wells. I have to say they were all just pretty "normal" people, with the obvious exception that they were all fantastic musicians. I think one often-overlooked factor is that these schools (maybe excepting the choir schools like Wells) are pretty small. That has certain disadvantages of subject choice, but it also brings with it some advantages in terms of pastoral care. The staff have the opportunity to really nurture each individual and the specialist expertise in what that requires for a budding musician. For a kid like your DC who wants to be doing music all the time and be around other people who are, that can probably be a much healthier environment than being in a normal school.

I can certainly relate to how your DC feels. I grew up in a very non-cultural area and was always "the wierd one" doing music. When I started playing in youth orchestras and later doing a music degree, I was acutely aware of the different assumptions and confidence of the kids who had grown up with it like a natural, assumed part of life. In a field as hard and competitive as music, I think that goes a long way.

As for what happens if he decides not to do music, my impression is that these schools get very good academic results, though not top of the league. Somewhere on the Purcell website is some information about previous A level results, which seem to contain a majority of As and Bs, and destinations of previous leavers which include non-music degrees in several different fields. I think the main problem is likely to be not standards as such, but subject choice. Might be an issue if he leans towards science for example.

On standard required, it's hard to say. They do give guidelines on the website, but these are not black and white and they have ways of looking for potential rather than absolute current ability. The bassoon is a rare and sought-after instrument so that would help. I think most of these places are pretty open about discussing such issues with you, and even letting him come in for an informal "pre-audition" if appropriate, since they understand the difficulties involved.

If he's fanatical about music and has a strong sense that that's what he'll do for a living, I'd say go for it. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. If not, it's hard to say and would depend on all the circumstances. They accept kids in most year groups so you could always wait a year or two and see.

I have heard good things about Wells.The specialist muisic school is part of the main school?

Ah yes sorry - I meant Wells.

I don't think I would send my child to the specialist music schools actually. I know quite a few people who went to various of them and weren't particularly happy.
The one I have heard the best reports of is Winchester.

I am having the same debate....offer from a music/choir school with bursary for Y8 or try for scholarships elsewhere. Sometimes as experience has shown me it can be tough being at a very expensive school on a bursary...expectations etc whereas with music school you are with the same kind of parent sacrificing everything for child etc. Although this may produce a particular kind of pushy parent!
Oh dear dilemma!

The only disadvantage of our local music school is the kids miss out on some of the other arty subjects to do more music, which can be a disadvantage if the child decides they want to do art not music.
I have a close relative who went to music school and is now working in an arty field and plays none of his instruments and wishes he had done more art at school.
It is excellent if your child is very musical though and willing to practice and you don't mind incessantly nagging them to practice.
Musicians are abysmally paid for the amount of talent and dedication needed though, so be sure you really want to push your child in that direction and not towards something better paid and more laid back.
I think if they aren't nagging you to get them into music school I wouldn't bother.