Independent schools with musical excellence in Dorset/Hampshire/Wiltshire area

[Propertynovice]

My year 3 son is talented musician, and I have been advised by his music teachers who teach in independent schools that he is scholarship material.

Which prep schools are known for their music excellence? I really want an all round education but strong music opportunities, and expertise.

Also which independent schools are also known for their music excellence?

Look for a cathedral school! My dd2 is starting at the cathedral school. I am thrilled at the prospect

My only concern with cathedral school, is that the focus is on singers. My ds cannot sing, he will play in the orchestra, support a singer on the piano. But if he sings you'll be looking for the strangled cat

Am I mistaken with this focus do you know?

Congratulations for your daughter.

It's probably a bit outside your area as it's in Somerset, but Wells Cathedral School has a good reputation.

I don't know much about the Junior School but several children from DSs school have gone to the senior school, and love it; two of them were brass players and one sings and plays piano and oboe.

They cater for many instruments and I have attended amazing lunchtime concerts by purcussionists, clarinetists and double bass players as well as singers; they also take children who aren't musicians which I think gives the school a bit more balance between academic and music demands.

My mother is pushing me to send him to Wells - but he doesn't want to board.

My eldest went to boarding school at year 3, so not anti it myself, but they were desperate to go and the youngest doesn't want to.

The music teacher at Durlston is very very good - the same one who gave me a scholarship at the same age. The Head now was the Deputy Head then.

It has changed a lot since 1989 though

Ooh thanks for the tip. I'll investigate that one.

Doesn't sound like too much has changed since you left.

I'd been there 18m and not managed a scholarship the normal way (parents struggled to send me there because the local primary failed me) when the Head of Music and my form teacher strongly hinted that I should have some piano lessons and go for Music... at which point i got 33% and free private tuition. Like I say, I don't know if they have the same system any more - this was 20 years ago, and it was a boarding school then, but the teaching in the music department comes highly recommended as it's the same teacher

What about Pilgrims School in Winchester? This is the prep that feeds into Winchester College.

I know someone whose ds went there on a music scholarship (not singing!) and is now a professional conductor.

Not sure if you are still lookin but DD1 is at Forres Sandle Manor in Fordingbridge and doing really well, all round. She's taking piano, viola as well as singing. Director of Music is fab. She's about to audition for National youth Choir and they have had a couple of children in the Children's National Orchestra. What I like is that they have a rolling music timetable, so they never miss the same academic lesson each week to have their individual music lesson...worth a thought?

I would suggest Winchester but have you thought about keeping him where he is and sending him to a junior conservatoire on a Saturday? That would solve a lot of problems and the music he'll get there will be superior to any prep school.

What instruments and grades is he?

or just aim for the Salisbury Grammar school ....

OP, if you're still looking take a look at Talbot Heath in Dorset. Excellent school results; 71% attaining GCSE A*-A. I think the Financial time voted them the best independent school in Dorset based on A level results. The school has a music scholarship and provide 2 lessons a week to students on scholarship. Here's the link www.talbotheath.org .

Agree with Colleger - this is exactly what we are doing. DS started in Junior Department this year and his prep school provides him with practice time.He takes part in schools music life - groups,choir,orchestra,band etc but gets the tuition in the conservatoire on Saturdys which is the very best you can get.Chior schools are great but would not leave much time for instruments.