Music school or music scholarship in an independent school

[Paulweller11]

So, my eight year old daughter is currently grade 5 violin- she's been playing for just 2 years.
She's currently in yr 4.
Her teacher reckons she'll be grade 7/8 by end of yr6 (currently catching up on music theory)
So I have an independent school in mind for a music scholarship- but if she auditions for Chets, and gets in......what would you do?
Torn between ; if she's good enough to get to Chets, shouldn't she go?
Or send her to independent school with music scholarship and still get the academic side (altho to be fair Chets results aren't that bad considering, they do quite well)???
All what ifs I know, but still, any help appreciated?!

[Balletgirlmum]

I can't really compare like with like as ds goes to an independent school with longer hours (4pm finish rather than 3-3.30pm)

Dd has 19.5 hours of academic lessons - that includes phse but she doesn't do PE

DS does 26 hours but that includes 2 hours 20 mins of PE so it's 23 hours 40 mins

On the other hand our local state school does 25 hours per week (includes 2 hrs of PE & so equivalent of 23 hours per week.

[claraschu]

My son is at the Menuhin School. He used to have a music scholarship at an independent school. I think for a child who is really serious about music, there is not enough time to practise at an independent school, and the level of playing will not be very high, even at a school with a good reputation for music (compared to what a child like that would want).

If you are at all interested in the Menuhin School and you want to chat, maybe you could PM me.

[NewLife4Me]

claraschu

This is what I heard about Wells school from a family just moved to Chets.
I think they all have good music departments but it is a totally different set up to a music school.

My dd starts at 8.30 am but a couple of times a week she has early morning practice from 8.00am, the school day finishes at 4.30 then after a break there is a mix of prep, practice, and ensembles (not all three).
There aren't many extra curricular activities, but there is the odd dance class, chess, etc.
Many just like to chill with friends and steer away from anything organised though as much of their time is organised.
She likes to go for a swim, or run, shooting basket balls or "hanging' as she informs me in the common room, playing x box, wii, watching a film etc.
Lights out are at 8.45 for her year.

[Musicmom1]

Difficult choices; DD is yr 5 and and a music scholar but her school finishes at yr 6. She announced today that the music provision will be the critical factor in her choice of next school. Am now bemused as I had asked her before if she wanted to audition for music schools; answer has always been no and she now says she would for 6th form. Think we may go some open days to give us a clearer sense of the choices. This thread is helpful thank you.

[Paulweller11]

Thanks for all the replies guys much appreciated.
Still none the wiser, but I think I'll let her do a couple of advice auditions next year and see how we get on from there.

[NewLife4Me]

Good idea with the advice audition.
The only reason we didn't was because we already knew the type of thing they were looking for and had become familiar with the school.

Musicmom

If I can answer any questions you may have, please feel free to pm, I'll help if I can. There are some generic things with all of the music schools.

[maggiethecat]

we let dd (12) go to music school as she begged to go although i would have preferred she stay at her independent school with her music scholarship. reason is that i felt she would be better off academically, socially and generally having a broader outlook/education.
however we felt it would be wrong to deprive her of something that she so passionately wanted to do.
she's been there a year and although she loves it i sometimes wonder if she has lost her music spark, joie de vivre, as there is so much music. she would probably say otherwise though.

[Paulweller11]

Maggietthecat where does she go and what does she play

[UhtredRagnorsson]

DD1 has known she wanted to be a musician from a very early age. We didn't consider specialist music school because (a) the cost (b) against boarding. She went to a highly academic Superselective Grammar where there is not much emphasis on music. She will be starting at the RCM in September. I think music school is fine for those who want to go there but I also agree with the posters who have said those who have the drive and talent to want to pursue music, will pursue music. Not going to a specialist school hasn't prevented my DD1 from getting offers from all the conservatoires to which she applied (and she didn't do saturday school either, because we live far too far away from any of the conservatoires that do that). She also has excellent GCSE and AS results and hopefully will do well in her A2s too.

[Paulweller11]

Well she did an advice audition and they verbally offered her a place for September!
So she'll be 9 when she starts!
Her current school aren't keen, her music teacher was- but after talking to the head of local music service- he's saying she's too young.
He's telling me there's too much pressure and she'll be burnt out!!!
My problem is she wants to go, and I do think it would make her happy, and that's all I'm interested in.
Academically she'll be fine- that doesn't concern me.
So what now?

[Fleurdelise]

I think you haven't got anything to lose at the the moment, if she goes to the music school in September and by the end of next year she is not very happy you can apply for her to take the 11+ route back into independent schools, no?

I would give it a try if my DD would be in the same situation.

[ElectroStallion]

Well done to her! Do you mean to Chet's, or to the independent?
If she's only 9, she has time to try it and change her mind before secondary!

[Paulweller11]

Chets

[ElectroStallion]

T hats great

[Paulweller11]

So letter arrived- they've said they would like to offer her a place, but due to high demand for places and grants- there isn't a place available. So waiting list it is. They've said they'll offer her a place immediately if a place comes available......
So anyone else's child audition and get out on the waiting list and if so- was a place offered for September or did they have to re-audition for following September????

[sendsummer]

Paulweller this does not answer your last question but just a comment on your OP. I think in most cases a DC who is really driven to be a soloist and earn a career that way needs the hours of practise and opportunities of a school like Chetham's, particularly for a instruments like the violin. The other reason for going much younger is if your DD feels isolated from like-minded musicians of her age. However like PP I don't think otherwise a career as a musician requires a specialist school and it may limit choices particularly at such a young age. If she is prepared to board there is excellent instrumental teaching at some other independent schools.

[lifeisunjust]

The winner of Young Musician of the Year goes to a local comp. If you are an exceptional musician, you'll be one. Specialist music school is not the only path.

[RandomMess]

Are you talking about her boarding at Chets as soon as their is a place?

Please don't she's too young! One of mine boarded at Christ's Hospital (drum freak) and even going at nearly 12 along with everyone else it is so young.

Are you near enough to Chets to go during the week to performances etc.?

[Paulweller11]

The winner of the BBC young musician goes to a catholic state school- but his whole family is musical and he goes to RAM.
I am not musical....
I wouldn't board her, I'd move to Manchester.
She wants to go to music school, and her passion is definitely playing violin. And yes she of course wants to be a soloist like Nigel Kennedy- her hero haha.
I realise it's not the only route, but I do think it would make her the most happiest.

[lifeisunjust]

The winner of young musician of year says his parents are not musical?

[Paulweller11]

All his siblings are, he has a couple of sisters, all musicians and a brother who plays violin. You tube his family name.

[NewLife4Me]

Hi OP

I don't think they have to re audition as they have been offered a place, it's just numbers that they have a problem with.
From what I gather they'll see her again to make sure she is still making progress.
An example would be if she had been working towards an exam during this audition if she has progressed since then, or taken the exam if time has permitted.
They will just see that she is as consistent as previous audition she'll not have to do the whole thing again.
There will be no more hoops for her to jump through.

If she doesn't make it off the list this year get the earliest appointment you can for next year, they start in October/ November after the first open day.

[Paulweller11]

Haha- she'll be auditioning again in September if it's up to her.
She doesn't want to wait another year- but if she hasn't got a choice then so be it.
She'll just be more determined next time!
😀🎻

[NewLife4Me]

I can assure you that unless she shows no progress at all and/or she is inconsistent with last audition, she will have no problem at all.

They heard enough to reach their conclusion to admit her, don't forget plenty are turned away.