Music Specialist School Discussion

[Kutik73]

Sorry, this is rather long…

We’d never considered specialist school route for our musical DS, especially at such a tender age (he is Y6). However, we’ve recently started seeing it could be an option in possibly near future.

The state secondary school DS is supposed to start from September has good reputation with a wide range of extracurricular activities and music is one of their strengths. However, they also hand out heavy amount of academic work daily, and basically keep their pupils pretty busy. Keeping teens busy could be a good thing, especially for those who may get in trouble or glue themselves to screen otherwise. But DS loves music and he likes to immerse himself in music more, but in reality, he’ll have less time for such freedom once he starts secondary school. The additional journey time is another thing. It takes 45 mins to get there, whereas it’s only 5-10 mins currently.

A friend suggested we could see specialist school as a small private school with strong music activities rather than a place where all DCs were aiming to be professional musicians.

Her logic is, the class size is a lot smaller than the state secondary school so pupils get more attention hence learn more efficiently, all the while there is no compromise in music studies. DCs who are keen to keep up academic work on top will manage to get good enough GCSE results for decent sixth form if they decide to pursue other than music for A level/uni. Although sixth form seems the most popular (and sensible) time to join specialist school, KS3 is actually the best time because if DCs change their mind on course, it’s easier for them to return to ‘normal education’ possibly at sixth form with good enough academic record and musical ability strong enough to be a music scholarship material. But if they stay focused on music and in fact decide to take it seriously, starting early will only become beneficial. Though, it depends on circumstance of course, and instrument. DS plays violin/piano for instance - hence early start can be rather important.

However, I heard and read some scary stories about music specialist school while I was researching. Some claimed they felt like they were living in a prison, some expressed unhappiness (even though they recognised the benefit and appreciated their fortunate position), some teachers talked about very able young musicians going to specialist school as a huge mistake, etc…

DS innocently expresses strong desire to go to music specialist school. I, as a parent, wish him happiness more than anything. By accepting his desire and letting him go where he says he likes to go, am I pushing him into a harsh and scarily competitive world unnecessarily? Or, like my friend suggested, it could be a lot more flexible than I may have been thinking and in fact could be good alternative KS3 education for musical and academic DCs?

Any thoughts/knowledge/experience would be greatly appreciated…

herts, interesting what you say. When we were discussing whether DS should go to a lovely independent school or a stable state secondary after he got offered a music scholarship at both schools, DH was kind of persuading DS to choose the independent school (DH really liked it). DS then asked us if he could continue jd and all the other musical activities he'd been doing even if he went to the fee-paying school. DS knew it would be a struggle for us to keep up with everything after paying for the school fee so was worrying there would be an unwelcoming compromise in future if he chose the school his daddy was recommending. In the end, as DS didn't have a strong preference, we decided to go for the state option - this way we thought we could continue supporting DS's music studies relatively comfortably (we realised it's so important for DS). Then, DS got an offer from a specialist school... It's not perfect obviously, such as fewer choices for GCSEs and the lack of team sports, but as you say even if in the end music is not the chosen path, specialist school seems to be the best option for DS at least for now - there is no comprise in music studies while having the opportunities of private education (small class, etc). He may end up staying there till 18 but even if he chooses to move at 13+ or 16+, I think benefit of having a few years at this school would be great.

Someone told me this morning that the school is trying to move towards more 'regular school' - so more focus on general musicianship than strong instrumental studies. Now it does make sense why DS managed to get a place! DS is not technically advanced at all compared with all those wonderful DCs at specialist schools/jds. But his musicianship is pretty good. He got 18/18 for G8 aural without much preparation (the teacher only covered the pieces in lessons). The Head did mention DS's strong ears at the meeting. Suppose his ears and musical awareness saved him rather than performance!!

I wouldn’t be so sure Kutik- they wanted him for both his musicianship and violin playing- he must be a strong player with potential. Not many 10 yr olds can say they have Grade 8 Violin at distinction level.
That school in particular is known for its strong focus on producing soloists and great performers- I’m not sure they will move towards a more ‘regular school’....

I thought the same thing !! I wonder if they have said that more in a bid to introduce a bit more balance ? I'm sure they are keen to continue their great success at producing fine soloists. Wow full marks on grade 8 aural that's pretty impressive though I'm certain they have also accepted him for his playing ability and the fact that he has got to the standard he has very quickly ( with until last year regular lessons at school) there are very very few dc who could achieve that

Thanks Paul and Trumpet. But now I can't show you DS's performance any more to save the image!

The person who told me the school moving towards a more regular school met the Head and apparently the Head suggested her DC should audition for a place. Her DC is a chorister so his musicianship is like a pro but he is older than DS and not an advanced instrumentalist (g5ish). On the other hand, the standard of the musicians at the school is still scarily high (as DS described everyone looked like grade 80 ), so it kind of made sense that musicianship side may have been valued more than we expected. DS is doing well for his age but having seen their concert I can confidently tell you he would be the bottom of the barrel for the whole school, seriously. DS himself was surprised he managed to get an offer.

A good thing is DS is thrilled with being surrounded by those wonderful musicians rather than feeling beaten up by the high standard. So I think he'll survive.

Ha- now we need to see him perform.
I would imagine the kids you have seen are just more polished performers? Not saying mini-Kutik isn’t- but the kids there have had more practice in that setting etc, plus kids are great at seeing the strengths in others.
The great thing, as you say, is that he’ll be inspired by those better/more experienced than him.
My dd will always comment on things she likes about other violinists her age, whether it be tone, expression, performance skills, etc etc.

Kutik - I think you are underplaying where he is for his age on violin. You can't compare him to the whole school, against people who are older and people who have been there for several years. How did he compare to other 10 /11 year olds and those that had just been there for say one year? I would guess he compares pretty well but you are showing extreme modesty typical of your country :) You may be right that there has been some kind of shift in school strategy but I think it is normal to judge 10 year olds on musical potential. On some instruments actually very difficult to judge on anything else at that age as so much will change with physical development in the years ahead.

I can vouch for the polished performance suggestion.
I have noticed over the past 3 years that more is expected ito performance techniques.
It is deemed as so important that they have time tabled classes for this, usually full class lessons.
They are taught how to bow, communicate with their accompanist, how to walk on and off, even how to clap, sit etc.
Dd school assesses for audition on potential and grade 5 ability, whether any exams taken or not.
Musicality is part of this potential, if they aren't musical they aren't going to succeed in music and hence don't have the potential.

I suppose an analogy would be if you can't pass GCSE Maths and you don't show an aptitude for the subject, you aren't going to be accepted onto A level.

meant to add also, Kutik
Your comment about motivation for practice, I wouldn't worry.
It's time tabled as part of the day, one day per week dd has no academic subjects at all, it's all music lessons, and rehearsals.
the rest of the week is a mix between music and academics.
There are practice assistants who know when a particular child should be in a practice room, if they aren't there they are in serious trouble.
When they are rehearsing with sectionals, orchestra, any type of ensemble they are expected to know the pieces to performance standard, and teachers will tell students which bits need work for the next rehearsal or lesson.
They don't want to let their peers down and this motivates them to practice, but most want to practice for themselves anyway.

Polished performance - that was it. Even kids who were younger than DS looked so professional on stage. I can't imagine DS becoming any closer to them (without being modest!). He is kind of child who gets a bruise almost everyday as he knocks things everywhere he walks... Let's hope some good training can help him transfer a bit more professional looking musician in years time...

I'm hoping that brass band does the same for Ds he's hopeless at presenting himself professionally!! But he has to concentrate on it there as he's the youngest by quite a few years

Stage presence is so important. DS2 has much to learn, but was scathing about the (very accomplished) boy he saw perform on Saturday, who pulled a face for every wrong note and then barely acknowledged the applause.

DS2's singing teacher used to have a session before our festival where she booked someone to come in and go over performance technique with them. Even that tiny little bit made a difference.

We are still waiting to hear feedback about the advice audition.

Email them Raspberry?

If it was a pre audition session, I thought you would get the feedback on spot, like a consultation lesson. Or is it normal to take this long? Do you think they are perhaps considering an immediate offer??

Actually last week I was really anxious to get it. This week DD's A levels have finished and I am feeling a lot more relaxed, we are in the middle of a nice run of concerts and nothing further would happen until next term anyway.

DD has pointed out we will hear a lot sooner than she will have her A level results!

Regarding polished performance skills yes this is something that gets taught and emphasised. My DS seems to think he is Lang Lang performance wise. Even when he hits wrong notes or stumbles he still acts like he is Lang Lang. One day his playing might catch up to his acting :)

Rasberry I'll keep my fingers crossed you here soon and it's positive
Herts

raspberry, ok it's much more formal than I thought! But written report would be very much preferable than just verbal feedback on spot. Hope you hear very soon.

herts, well, DS does Lang Lang expression when he plays Alla Turca on the piano - not in a polished way but rather a comedian mode though... He wouldn't do that on real stage!

DS's jd does a bit of 'presentation talk' every now and again but none of kids at his age range seem to get it yet. Even older ones are not as polished as those I saw at the music school. But then I haven't seen all of them so can't really give fair judgment.

hello Kutik, Raspberry and others.

I'm feeling like a rubbish mum today as had to miss dd big band concert last night and was a biggie for her.
You have to get used to taking a back seat and where you used to be able to attend all concerts, ferrying them around and perhaps a close relationship with teachers, forget it.
I'm practically redundant now, and miss all the times i was involved.
I'm getting to see one on Tuesday though, but not the same as it was.
My dh got a sound recording, not visual though. I would have loved to see it.
Just another side to it, I hadn't considered really, you sort of sign them away.

That's one of many things I am feeling a bit sad about, gilly. All the beautiful journeys we shared together - the journeys I wouldn't have been able to experience without DS's commitments and interests. I am not talking about only music but all the things he has been doing for all those years and my ferrying, juggling, panicking, worrying, crying and laughing, all will be soon a thing of the past... He will still needs me of course, but my duties will be much lighter and in fact they will be taken away more than I wish. I was thinking this yesterday as one of his activities needed to be renewed for the next term but then I realised I wouldn't need to renew it any more.

Having said that I would feel the same even if he went to a local secondary school as ferrying him around would be much reduced once he leaves primary school. But I would still have fair amount of duties of helping him organise his days and weeks. But from September I don't even need to nag at him to finish off his homework as it'll be done at school.... Feel weird.