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…

Kutik; I’m not able to say any more on your boy that hasn’t already been said. Many times.

This is for you: for remaining so unbelievably focused, and conducting amazing due diligence that he is so lucky to benefit from.

...when your daughter's violin teacher asks if it's ok to hang around to practice for half an hour and you get a private rendition of the Mendelssohn.... 😍

Wrong thread! Thought I was on the other one 😂

earling

They don't even have three boys druid! I don't remember the exact number but it's either two boys plus DS or two boys INCLUDING DS.... DS didn't mention anything about the boy in his year. He talked about mainly those who were one or more years older. But again, I'm not too sure who is who and their age! DS is not very articulate... He seems zero concerns but then he is not a worrier like his mum. It's me who is a bit uncertain about it. DS also has a big group of friends which let DS be fluid within the group. I think tiny numbers are great for the learning point of views but for the social point of views it can be tricky... Also, as team sports have been such a big part of his life, he is a team boy rather than a single boy. He's so used to having fun in a big crowd.

However, we will probably send him to the specialist school now in spite of little concerns here and there. Mainly because that' where DS wants to go NOW and he managed to secure a (very competitive) place. Also as a violinist, the benefit of early serious training is too great. So I think it's the time for him. If he decides it's not his thing (to be honest I am expecting this to happen for a few good reasons) we'll try to move him to all-round private school like the one he got an offer yet turned down for 11+ entry. If he is not aiming to be a professional, all-round private school where excellent provisions of music and sports are available would be the perfect place for him. He will enjoy every opportunity there without any pressure to 'make it'. But for now, he should use his golden ticket. A couple of years away from mainstream education wouldn't cause any harm hopefully.

druid, let's hope I don't change my view again by sunset tonight.

Yes, DS loves jd and so do I. I was sitting in the concert hall last Saturday listening to rehearsals. What's beautiful Saturdays I'm allowed to have.... And yes it's great socially. DS has already formed a mini gang there - their aural teacher calls them 'my naughtiest children'. But the music school has some commitment on Saturday morning, and also possible clash of private teaching, I am not sure if it's possible.

kutik if it makes you feel any better my kids are at a tiny school and 2 of them are the only boy/girl in their year. None of them suffer from lack of friends and that all have a good social life

Mending that certainly made me feel better! Thank you.

One of the best things about YMS is that there is so little segregation by year group; the way that different aged kids mix together is one reason that there is such a supportive feeling among the students. The kids all know each other, and they hang around in groups, play football, play music, have performance classes, eat together, sing, go to morning meeting, go to one another's houses over half term, without being at all bothered about one another's exact age. There is a genuine sense of community, which crosses age barriers. There is also genuine acceptance of one another's eccentricities.

It is such a small school with such a wide range of ages, that everyone has to figure out how to get along with one another. Unlikely friendships flourish.

To be honest, I felt slightly like your son's violin teacher about the school until I got to know it really well. It is a bubble, and it is easy to feel suspicious of the privilege and the narrowness which can go along with putting kids into a bubble. There are musicians who really resent YMS, and feel that the students come out of it thinking they are better than everyone else and that nothing will ever measure up to the school. I haven't found this stereotype to be true at all, though, and I do think that people suffer from confirmation bias when they are looking at schools; there is a lot of prejudice.

paul and kutic thank you for asking.

DS2 seemed reasonably happy when he came out, said it wasn't his best but it was ok. Aural skills and sightreading went well, he was complimented on those (perfect pitch helps with aural and chorister training helps no end with sight reading, whatever the instrument).

We are still waiting for written feedback though.

Raspberry- It’s a busy time of the year, schools exams, GCSEs etc- don’t worry

It was busy when we were in, there was another advice audition and 3 full auditions happening!. There's not rush for DS2, it would be autumn now anyway. He is going to summer school before then though, really looking forward to it.

Oh ok- great- he’s a pianist then?

Yes, but also organ.

He is looking at Sept 19 entry.

Excellent- good luck. Not that many organ players

claraschue

raspberry, thanks for the update. It sounds very positive. Very well done to your DS.

Today I spotted DS doing something I'd never seen him doing before while he was practising. I asked him what he was doing and DS said it was intonation exercises he learnt from a boy at the music school. He then started telling me many other things he learnt from other kids. DS also told me about sight-reading challenge he did with a young pianist for fun. Apparently it was impossibly hard and they had a good laugh about it. His eyes were twinkling by all the memories. Sounds like he really had a great time there and kids there were so kind and friendly.

That sounds great Kutik- that’s another advantage - learning from others with different/more experience.

Yes, it's fab. DS also listened to some of them performing at the lunch time concert and was super inspired. He said a little boy like him played a piece at grade 80 standard.

Rasberry that's great news !! Glad it went well
Kutik I tried to post this yesterday but it disappeared I think it pretty much sounds like you have come to a conclusion now . For what it's worth I just wanted to say that I fully agree with what Druid said about how far a regular school can be accommodating. This is our experience too - Ds's school are great but ultimately they are about providing that all round education for all children and that does at times lead to ds not having enough time to do everything and being put under undue pressure as all subjects would like him to do quite well . I think minis time for finding out if music school is right for him is now , Ds wasn't ready at his age and so we wait and see how year 9 works out .....