Specialist School Thread

[happylilac]

Not very sure if it's a good idea to start such a thread. Specialist school can cause controversy, like boarding school or home education...

Well, mine has just started his this term, coming from a very ordinary primary school and a very ordinary family background. We didn't plan this, but it happened and here we are, supporting his specialist training at the tender age of 11.

Just thought it might be fun to exchange some posts with those who are in, have left, are thinking of applying or simply interested. I know very little of specialist schools in dance and music, and absolutely zero idea in other fields. I once heard of tennis specialist school. Does it really exist? What would it be like??

Just curious really.

You mean, to watch? I think he hasn't been exposed enough to have favourite style yet. But he seems to like ballets and musicals, partly because of the music I think. He's a musician... I often take him to a show of which he played the music. For instance, he played 'Popular' in his orchestra so I took him to see Wicked during last half term.

DH loves Shakespeare and he is a massive opera fan, so he wants to take DS to them. I think Shakespeare can be fun for a 11 years old as some of them are really funny and comical. Not sure about opera - can't think of any suitable one for a child. The recent drama DH and I saw was The Lehman Trilogy. Absolutely brilliant.

@happylilac - because you said earlier you were particularly interested in Drama training post-16 I took that to mean your DS had an interest in drama as well as music. Hence my question!
Love a bit of “popular” though Wicked itself left me feeling a bit meh, not sure why though.

happylilac, I can think of loads of operas that are suitable for children of your son's age!
My children have been taken to operas since they were really quite young. They've seen Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, The Barber of Seville, The Cunning Little Vixen, Rosenkavalier, Cav and Pag, Tosca, La Cenerentola, to make a few, as well as some contemporary operas.
As long as there's subtitles, they're fine. They enjoy watching the orchestra as much as watching the action on stage.

I think it might have been me talking about post 16 drama training but I think Ds is veering more towards music/music tech/MT (though he isn’t a dancer)

errorofjudgement
I did say 'I was curious to know drama', didn't I? The comment can be confusing, sorry. I was simply curious how it works and why specialist school would be needed when it didn't look like early training was as crucial as other professions. DS loves watching drama/panto/musicals but no he isn't thinking of doing it. If music doesn't work out I think he will go for Maths/Science fields.

Wicked itself left me feeling a bit meh
I love the magic of theatre performance - the stage arts, costumes, characters, music... They take us into a totally different world and we are allowed to have a dream for a couple of hours, away away from our real world. Often story lines don't matter much to get the effect for me. But I must say it wasn't one of the best musicals. Everybody said it's great so I had huge expectation that may also played a part for how I felt about it. I am planning to take DS to Matilda as again it's been recommended by quite a few people. I should control my expectation this time around so it won't cause any unfair judgement in me.

Thanks for the opera suggestions. I thought Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca, etc, are a bit too heavy for DS, but he'll enjoy the theatrical setting and I am sure he would check out the orchestra too. Just though, The Magic Flute may be good? He knows some of the music also.

I've changed my name quite a few times.

AlexanderHamilton
Is your DS planning to go to a conservatoire or university after A-levels?

I don't know. I'm not sure whether he will do A levels or a btec or a mixture. At the moment its a bonus that he is in education and engaged.

AlexanderHamilton, you said he had hard time at previous school. Hope all is fine and he's happy now.

Hi, @happylilac, interesting take on Wicked. For me, it felt like all the pieces were there individually, the dances, the costumes, the characters, and it’s a feel good musical so I can forgive the weak storyline, but somehow it was less than the sum of its parts!

@AlexanderHamilton - I’m finding the whole new world of performing arts difficult enough with one DC, I applaud you for steering 2 through this!
I think you had mentioned previously (on another thread) that your DS was interested in drama/MT. Music Tech is something I’m hearing about more as friends DC apply for uni courses.

AlsoPlays & CrazyGirl - I know nothing about opera so can add nothing to the discussion. But it’s interesting hearing your suggestions, perhaps it’s time I considered watching an opera!

Hi, Dd is adamant she wants to go to specialist school, so we have started the open day viewings. Her teacher is positive about her ambition so unless she changes her mind we will consider an audition in a few years time.

I was wondering, have your DC's picked up other instruments whist at music school? Or have they tended to stick with their 1st/2nd instruments choices?

Pretty rare to change first study although it does happen most obviously to a related instrument in the same family. Obviously more common if start at say 11 when still developing vs 16. Adding in an extra instrument as second or third or just for fun (e.g. bass guitar for a rock band) is not so unusual.

Owlm, that's what I thought too - let DS try in a few years time if he was still interested. Then I made a quick phone call to find more details as part of my early research. The innocent phone call made a massive turn and a couple of months later he became a pupil at the school. Totally out of plan. So I struggled quite a bit at the beginning to adjust myself to what's happening. Life is so unpredictable.

Thats good to know Hertsandessex. I was thinking more for fun. Wasn't sure if it was frowned upon or encouraged. Dd would like to explore other instruments. It's not something we can necessarily do at home.

Wow Happylilac, sounds like a whirlwind experience. I would not expect Dd to be at the level to audition yet...not that I know what that really looks like, but I'm trusting her teacher will. She's very passionate and loves music, so for now we are just having a look.

Happylilac do you feel you have adjusted now? And Ds how did he settle?

Owlm, I also thought DS wasn't at the right level. He was good and passionate but nothing jaw-dropping. I still remember DS's face when I told him he got an offer. He wasn't expecting that coming. Bless him.

Just recently I've started feeling I'm adjusting OK (finally!) and so is DS. Boarding can be tough and day is so long. But DS wouldn't dream of changing school. It's not just instrumental lessons but many other things DS loves and enjoys that are hard to get at non-specialist school.

It's so good to hear your experiences. It makes it all seem more real - having not visited all the schools, my imagination has filled in the blanks

To gain such a place, your Ds must be amazing Happylilac. It must be such a relief that he has found a school perfect for him.

I am quite concerned with the challenge of boarding. But I have promised myself I will not stand in her way if the time comes...even if I pillow cry at night!

My dd has an advice audition at a specialist school next week. She’s pretty chilled about it - she’s had one before so knows the drill.

I still don’t know if I’m doing the right thing letting her do this. She’s good, but I’ve no idea if she’s anywhere near the standard.

All I would say from my very little experience is you never know where your DC stand without trying. Some outcomes can be surprising (like ours!). When DS tries something, I just let him focus on the challenge and try not to think of the beyond. There are usually something to worry about when he's successful - it could be course fees, could be timing, could be arrangement, etc. But it's no point of worrying about something that may not happen so I leave all the worries to be sorted until we know the outcome. Once we have the happy result, I finally face to the pain. It is a pain but a nice pain that we are given a choice. For instance, he auditioned for a course recently and we are waiting for the result. I have no idea how we manage to pay the fee and also there will be a timetable clash. But they won't be my concern until I know he gets in.

Well, that may be why I struggled to adjust at the beginning because I hadn't prepared myself enough for the change! My pillow was soaking wet for a long time.

4strings I hope the advice audition went well.

I agree with you happylilac, you can not predict the outcome until they try.

I think the logistics of time and money etc are best dealt with when the problem arises. If I think too far ahead panic sets in

We will look at schools, and get a feel for if they will suit DD. She's year 4 now so plenty of time to plan for year 7. Her piano teacher was trying to dissuade Dd by telling her she will be locked in a practice room and it is a very lonely journey. Dd was not put off at all.

Definitely not a lonely journey! On the contrary if a music lover in a non-musical environment will be much more lonely. Locked in practice room no but lots of time in one including the 7am pre-breakfast session. One reason for pianists to play another instrument so more time playing with others.

It well really well! She'll be invited to an actual audition in due course - eek!

I tell her that she's definitely got a better chance than someone who hasn't given it a shot... And her playing has improved drastically since we started this whole process, so it's certainly been worthwhile.

Ah excellent 4strings She must be so relieved and excited!

hertsandessex Dd mentioned it to piano teacher as they were talking about schools, but she'd be auditioning with violin. You are right from the pianist perspective I suppose it seems lonely. Dd loves chamber and orchestra so won't be alone. Didn't think of it that way.

Good news 4strings. Hope all goes well when the full audition comes around.

I would also back up what hearts says - def no lonely. DS is a bit different from stereotyped musicians. He is very active and loves outdoor stuff. He talks about sports, games, space, etc. Basically he is more of your usual 11 years old boy. But he still managed to find his place at the school thanks to mutual love of music. DCs are very supportive to each other too. DS had a performance last week (and this week). His friends let him play through to them prior to the performance, and dashed to his side once it's done to congratulate him and also to give him some feedback. Because they know DS is the least experienced one there as a new comer. I really hope DS would do the same to new DCs in future. It's competitive but very supportive and encouraging. Also, you don't need to hide your love of music for 24 hours.