Specialist Music School

[curlew]

Our best non-selective Secondary School is hugely oversubscribed and we are outside the catchment area. The school takes 10% of its intake on "mucical ability" My dd is going to have a go at getting a place - she has played the clarinet for 18 months now and although she hasn't taken any exams yet, her teacher says she is at grade 3 level and she will take the exam early next year. She also sings - has always sung solos at nativity plays and things since reception. However, the school gets 200odd applicants for 18 places, so I know that realistically she has very little chance of a place. Has anybody got any advice for me about how to prepare her for the audition, both musically and in terms of the almost inevitable disappointment? Any contributions gratefully received!

It's not easier, it's just they do a bit of theory within the practical exam, so at each level you do some theory at the related level. So I guess, if you really can't do theory, you just wouldn't do as well in the exams, rather than having that brick wall of a 100% theory exam!

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I thought you had to have grade 5 theory of grade 6 and above with associated board and some people think the integrated Trinity thing, few questions in the exam, is a bit of a cheat as it's not as challenging.

Snorkle - you are right, you don't need to have grade 5 theory to continue up the AB grades, but can get by with jazz or musicianship.

I know a bit about music and I have found children who are pushed and pushed until they get their grade 8 at 11 - particularly a lot of Chinese children who seem to endure a childhood of extreme achievement at a very early age. However, a true musical gift certainly doesn't require grade exams and a child who has a musical talent of any sort should shine through regardless of their AB grade.

Curlew - if your dd has musical ability I would definitely go for the place and I hope you are successful.