Music exams vs music standard for scholarship

[treblecleff]

When applying for private schools music bursary or scholarships do you have to have actually passed exams or can having the same musicianship count without sitting exams?

I keep reading just ‘must have reached grade 5 distinction or equivalent standard’. I’m not sure if they mean actual certificate but can be different exam boards or if simply having musicianship to that standard is sufficient?

Dd has not sat exams but plays everyday she can and is of a good standard. She competes in international competitions so would this help or should we be focusing on exams now that we are applying for school places?
Thanks!

Petra, it is probably depends on a school, the more competitive ones won’t even ask somebody for an audition with grade 4 on one instrument at 11+. I personally don’t know one scholar at DS1 school with only one instrument and grade 4 receiving a scholarship. He has several grade 8 pianists and violinists and a boy who is already a recording singer who joined his school at 11+. But his school is one of the top schools in London that attracts many gifted children, so maybe that’s the reason.

So is dd’s...unless you think LEH isn’t that good???

LEH is a good school All the schols ours webt to Habs, NLCS, MTS etc seemedt o have children with 2+ instruments although one may be piano and a third singing.
Anyway we don't want to put people off. Exams or not if you are really good have a go. There is nothing to lose.

Most do seem to have more than one but it definitely isn’t all of them!

Alleyns will look at one instrument if it's unusual, even if only grade '5'. A child might need voice in addition though.