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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Original poster

Music scholarship

16 replies

Northernsights · 31/12/2018 07:28

Ds (12) is just about to sit for a music scholarship at a couple of schools. He’s been encouraged to apply by his prep school but not given a lot of support. Any idea what he should expect. He seems to be at the right sort of level performance wise, but his aural is quite weak- any tips for what we could practice?

OP posts:

Moominmammacat · 31/12/2018 10:48

Absolutely depends on where he is applying. Some don't do any aural, others do the strangest music tests ... there's this ... www.e-musicmaestro.com/auraltests/free ... and plenty of other stuff online but it could be totally unlike this! Good luck anyway.

Original poster

Northernsights · 31/12/2018 11:50

Thank you. Can’t do any harm to do some!

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hertsandessex · 31/12/2018 13:04

This music aptitude prep test might also be useful but as Moomin says varies hugely from school to school.

hofnote.com/courses.asp?id=15

1805 · 03/01/2019 00:42

Most schools I know of are happy to see / hear the pupil at least a year before the scholarship auditions, and will advise on whether they think he could be a suitable candidate.
Maybe phone up the schools you're interested in and see if they will do a pre audition for him.
What does he play?

1805 · 03/01/2019 00:44

Oh, sorry - too late for that! Oops!
So, re aural, I would get him sight singing and make sure his sight reading on his instrument is good.

Original poster

Northernsights · 03/01/2019 06:12

Thank you. He’s seen the director of music at 2 schools and was encouraged to apply to both, so I’m pretty sure he’s at the right sort of level with performance. Sight reading isn’t bad, but his singing / aural isn’t great!

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Notanotherpokemon · 04/01/2019 16:49

Sorry to highjack, but I just signed in to post a question about music scholarship and stumbled upon your post! Could somebody please recommend a good piece for piano and also maybe let me k so which schools are happy to meet the child a year prior to audition? I know Kings are keen to meet up earlier, but not sure about other schools ...

Original poster

Northernsights · 04/01/2019 18:07

All the schools we spoke to were happy to hear ds play earlier, although I don’t think it was a pre-requisite. Hard to recommend a piece without knowing the standard and what style dc prefers. Ds has to play 2 contrasting pieces on first instrument and 1 piece on second. Ds is playing a Chopin nocturne and an a-piece from grade 7 exam he recently took.

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Notanotherpokemon · 04/01/2019 18:26

Oh sorry, forgot to mention that DS is 9 and about grade 5 standard now and going to be grade 6 by the time of his audition (getting ready for his 10+). So we need a grade 5-6 piece. Piano is his second instrument, so he needs a really good piece to show what he can do.

1805 · 04/01/2019 18:50

I would ask his teacher to recommend a piece. They will know pieces to show off his talents.

Notanotherpokemon · 04/01/2019 18:55

Our teacher likes to play it safe and always chooses very easy pieces. Now I just choose a piece myself and ask her to prepare DS for festivals/competitions etc. She is a very good teacher, but likes to take things slow.

Original poster

Northernsights · 05/01/2019 08:37

No expert at all and clearly your ds is more advanced than mine was at the same age, but I’m not sure the piece matters that much as long as your ds enjoys playing it. We’ve always been guided by although ds has quite strong opinions about what he likes to play too

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NeleusTheStatue · 05/01/2019 11:27

Your DS is at the right standard of playing for the schools you are looking at and you have a few good advice on the aural practice. I personally add the importance of showing the passion and enthusiasm. They usually look for those who'll benefit from what they can offer and those who will be willing to contribute to the school with their talent and enthusiasm.

Notanotherpokemon · 05/01/2019 11:31

Thank you Neleus! He is obsessed with music, but very shy, and often does not come across that well in interviews :(

NeleusTheStatue · 05/01/2019 11:40

Plenty musicians are shy so no worries.

NeleusTheStatue · 05/01/2019 12:03

In regard to what to play, it's good to pick pieces to show off your DS's strength as well as his versatility so you may want to see the balance of the programme. In my DS's case, piano was his second study. He had a choice to focus on displaying his musicality or technical stability and he went for the latter (and added something heavy on musicality for his first study). I think it's good to consult wit the teacher though, especially if you are not a musician yourself. Good luck!

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