grade 5 piano age 9/10

[wintertimeisfun]

i know my dd isn't g&t, she's good but not that good but i was wondering out of curiosity......having just turned 10 (few weeks ago) is it average/quite standard or above average for her to be taking her g5 piano probably around may/june? just wondered how she compared (her teacher seems really pleased with her but i am wondering if she dishes this out to everyone), cheers

[hardboiled]

schmedz and wintertime, thank you, yes, in a happy state of permanent shock. I forgot to add to my post that these are not schools out of London where the requirements may be lower, they are all hugely competitive top London schools. He plays another instrument Grade 5 standard but not orchestral, and he does not sing and did not offer singing.

I really really don't mean to brag. I just want to destroy the HORROR TALES and encourage children who love music. The people you will have in the panels are heads of the music departments and teachers. This is their job. They know how to tell between a child who loves and feels the music he/she is playing and a child who doesn't but has been pushed through the grades for the sake of the scholarship - and sometimes on an instrument not of his choice! And don´t forget they chat to them.

chocoluvva thank you for your uplifting addition!

[wintertimeisfun]

hardboiled thanks for that. we live in east london and BOY, is it competative. funny, i was so ignorant and naive, didn't know until recently about the correlation between playing two instruments and scholarships. dd played the piano and asked if she could learn the violin, this was out of the blue, i was against it at first but she wanted to. when i used to wait outside her classroom to collect her from her music lessons i would regularly overhear other mothers bragging to each other about this and that with regard to getting a scholarship. her music teacher told me in confidence that many of her pupils don't really want to be there but are being pushed. a girl in dd's class has the pushiest mother, does everything by the book although i admire her in part but wouldn't want to be like her. her dd plays three instruments, has singing lessons, plays in about three orchestras. can't imagine how her dd has time to do anything else (she does many other out of school things too). dd is good when she applys herself but distracted by many other things but i let her be as i want her to be happy. i still doubt highly that she would get a scholarship as she would be up against TOUGH competition although her teacher seems to think very highly of her. i am very proud of her. she is everything and more i could have asked for in a child, i am very lucky as i only have one :) (sorry to waffle, am in a thoughtful mood)

[wintertimeisfun]

ps: oddly enough, dd has a fabulous voice. no, she doesn't have singing lessons (and won't) but just appears to have a lovely natural singing voice with a great unforced natural vibrato, so jealous, always wanted to sing. i worked in the music industry for nearly twenty years and have heard some voices (used to work in the dept that looked for new talent to sign for a record company). perhaps she should sing when she auditions (if that is the right word?)...

[hardboiled]

She will have to sing as there is an aural test and quite tough. So don't worry, they will hear her voice!

[Schmedz]

Crossing fingers for my DD who did an audition today for a music scholarship for senior school in September. She seemed very happy with herself and had a positive experience of it all so no matter the outcome, I am really proud of all the hard work she put in. Lots of stiff competition though, so waiting anxiously for outcome ( and really pleased about musical standard of her potential peers if she doesn't get one!). Am encouraged by the success of hardboiled's DS as she is around grade 5 piano as her second instrument but I fear that won't be enough at this school....

[Schmedz]

Ps. She also said they asked her to sing something on the spur of the moment so she played and sang a song from Matilda and apparently reduced one of the panel to tears (hoping this was in a good way!)!

[wintertimeisfun]

best of luck schmedz

[Schmedz]

Thank you! It would be so good for her self esteem to be successful at this.

[hardboiled]

Best of luck to her Schmedz! The Matilda song anecdote sounds just the right thing!!

[whistleahappytune]

Hardboiled could I add my congratulations? That is so very good to hear. Like you I'm in London with a musical child, and like you heard horror stories about the vicious competitiveness of music scholarships (abandon hope all ye who enter...) and basically had crossed that idea off my list of possibilities.

Perhaps I'll reconsider. Again, well done do your DC, and thanks for the encouragement.

[musicalfamily]

Slightly surprised about being asked to sing. My DD1 was accepted on a JD (also extremely competitive) and was never asked to sing; she was asked to play both her instruments, do lots of musical tests and interviews but not singing. Maybe some of these schools want children who are also able to join the choir?

If this is true of all scholarships then my DD won't stand a chance as she absolutely hates singing and has never sang a song from beg to end!

[hardboiled]

Don't panic. DS was not asked to sing except the usual aural test such as having to sing back a melody or the middle or lower o highest note in the chord they have played etc.

[musicalfamily]

Ah that's good to know! Thanks for your reply hardboiled

[Schmedz]

Bad news today for DD as she did not get this particular music scholarship. There was a field of 12 and the standard was apparently 'extremely high' so at least if the other girls who did not get the scholarship take up their place at the school, she will be in good musical company.
I am wondering just how high the standard of the 'winner' was as DD is grade 5 (distinction level) piano after 18 months of learning, about Grade 6/7 on violin (and was 1st violin with an NCO orchestra in 2012)' sings and composes her own music, has perfect pitch, and is a thoroughly committed member of a number of school ensembles (both selective and non selective) and has a very humble attitude. Thought she had quite a good chance, really!
Ah well, she will still enjoy her music and that is what it is really all about, isn't it?!

[hardboiled]

Sorry to hear Schmedz, I am astounded at her level of playing and commitment, and she still didn't get it...Gosh. But as you say, she can still enjoy her music, play in the orchestras, ensembles, etc and end up playing better than many music scholars. I wish her the best.

[wintertimeisfun]

sorry to read that (schmedz) - i may as well give up any hope i had for dd has if your dd didn't get one with all that under her belt then it must be virtually impossible. at the end of the day if she is good and wants to persue a career in music then it doesn't matter about the school. i worked in the music industry for nearly 20 years including for a major record label for 16 and trust me, most of the people i met didn't go to a swish special music school, if it is in them and they want it enough they will make something of themselves. the way i see it, aside from music, if a child is good and works hard at ANY school (within reason) they will should do well in adult life. i know MANY people that went to good private schools, including both of my cousins and neither of them nor many of the people i know who went private, went on to have successful careers

[Schmedz]

I still think it is worth applying, winter - I know at least two of the other candidates who applied as they are also good friends and they are equally accomplished, of not more so. I do think that perhaps it was an exceptionally difficult field of candidates to 'beat' and I don't think that is the 'norm'.
It is also a great experience to set a goal and work to achieve it. She did actually enjoy the audition experience and received some positive feedback during the audition, so she is very glad she tried, and the letter saying she was unsuccessful also said they are looking forward to having her contribution to the music department should she decide to accept her offer of a place. I am positive that she will have some fantastic options for extracurricular music should all these super-capable musicians also accept their places!!
The school is great and has fantastic musical opportunities..I am sure she will enjoy taking part and will have her chance to shine, so to speak. It isn't a specialist music school so she will benefit from a bit more balance!

[Jumpenpips100]

Hi does anyone know how long to get from piano grade 7 to 8 on average. I was wondering if my daughter will manage it in two years ?
She is 15 now and taking her grade 7 in a week. Could she sit her Grade 8 before leaving home for university. Assuming she has 2 weekly lessons?
Cannot imagine she will have a piano in halls!
Thanks j

[Noteventhebestdrummer]

It can definitely be done. Scales are a nightmare quantity for Grade 8 so start then immediately!

[Mistigri]

There are more teenage musicians on the extracurricular activities board, I would post there.

In terms of the pieces it shouldn't be a problem, if your daughter is a comfortable grade 7 now. I don't know about scales etc as we are not in the UK.

[OT1000]

Your DD is doing exceptionally well. It takes the average child 1.5 years between grades. The gifted in music and matjs excel beyond this but what is very unusual is to have a highly intelligent child that loves, shapes and 'feels the music' and really moves you as the listener rather than highly intelligent that can play precisely and just plays the music really well for rheir age. It sounds good but is quickly forgotten. I expect your daughter has that natural talent feeling that goes beyond is and what can be taught.......