Specialist music schools

[Everyoneafter3]

So my 9 yo dd1 is obsessed with her violin. She's doing ABRSM Grade 2 soon and practices daily, and plays for fun for hours on end: plays by ear; transposes to test herself; improvises. She makes a lovely sound too: we've never experienced the scratchy beginner violin sound. She looks completely natural, almost as if her violin is an extension of her. Such is her love of the violin that when given the option of a new tablet for her birthday she said no thanks and she'd rather have her own violin.

She's in Y4 currently and if she continues the way she's going I imagine she'll be grade 4/5 by the time she's in Y6. She's working on grade 2 piano, ditto theory. She's also very academic and a high achiever across the board.

We live near to a famous specialist music school. They offer advice auditions and I'm seriously considering letting her do one a little down the line.

Would this be bonkers? Are all dc entering these schools in y7 Grade 8?

Have you got a conservatoire near you that does a Saturday morning junior school? London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff or Glasgow. I'm not sure they all do but our local one does and I've had a few students go, some as young as your DD.

Sorry, just adding more options for you to look at rather than actually answering your question!
It sounds like your DD is very musical and they would take into account all of her skills, not just that she has a piece of paper saying she's passed whichever grade. Having said that, grade 4/5 in Y6 is excellent. I have a student auditioning this year who is y8 and working towards grade 8 which they'll do next academic year.

An audition is never a waste of time, it's good practice for all those future auditions that will surface in time. What do you have to lose?

We do have junior conservatoire - I might check that out.

I feel like I shouldn't be considering this route for her as she's young but the school in question appears to have a decent academic reputation as well as the music and I feel it would suit her.

No not all Y7s are grade 8 standard at specialist music schools. No harm in asking for an advice audition.

I was just thinking about this this morning. Dd is 9 taking grade 5 piano and grade 3 clarinet in June apparently.

We also live close to a famous music school (I wonder if it is the same one) and I am considering an audition in the near future after her exams.

To be fair there is nothing to lose, all they can say is yes or no, if it's a no at least we tried.

Forgot to say: your dd does sound really musical, I think it would be a shame not to give it a try when you feel she's ready.

The Saturday classes would be the way to go if she can get in - how lucky she is to have this talent.

Go for an advice audition- no harm and no pressure.

I would go too. In a worst case scenario they may give you an advice what they are looking for and you will have a clearer plan for, say, 11+ entry.
Dd's violin teacher didn't have proper private lessons till about 13 I think and yet he is a pro musician

Yes, I would think go if you can.

ALSO she might well enjoy a new series on BBCFOUR TV, Dr Helen Czerski, Sound Waves: the Symphony of Physics:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08h06tq

You may well have seen this already but guideline for strings at Purcell for example is minimum grade 5 at age 9 and grade 8 at age 12/13. It is not set in stone but I think most would be around that level and probably at distinction level rather just passing. I get the impression that the competition for strings (especially violin) and piano is particularly brutal as so many young children playing those instruments. Probably a bit easier and more flexible if a less popular instrument as they need a quota of every instrument to keep orchestras and ensembles going. That said no harm in going along and having a chat as they are friendly and helpful.

I'd go for it and see what happens it will be a good experience anyway how lovely that she likes music so much

Go away - we don't need blatant advertising on here!