Being chorister at King's college school Cambridge or St John's college school Cambridge

[abowley]

Hello everyone,

We're looking for a choir school and I'd like to ask for opinions between King's and St John's.

For secondary we're interested in Eton. So which one do you think that is more suitable for it?

I'd appreciate so much any advice.

Whilst being almost next door to each other in Cambridge they are very different schools, you should visit and decide which is better suited for your ds.

It doesnt really matter which choir school he goes to.
WACS does send kids there but it isn't a guarantee.
being able to afford it and your son getting through the pretest (similar to 11plus) is what matters.

Choose a choir school that suits your child, and you geographically.

Whilst you need to feel happy with the school, if you are actually interested in your son becoming a chorister that will be more up to the choirmasters choice than yours!

Having said that, I do appreciate that there are some children that you can see have a very good chance to be selected. Back in the day when my son auditioned (not in Cambridge), his musicianship was not in doubt when we wondered whether he would be offered a choristership, and we would have looked elsewhere if he hadn't been. But two of his friends whose families thought they should get in were turned down.

I believe most choirmasters offer informal pre-audition assessments which I would strongly recommend if you have not already, and let that guide your decision making. Please also show your son what he would be getting into.

Good luck, I hope you have a positive outcome. Being the parent of a chorister is an incredible privilege.

And an incredible burden. Far from saying don't do it, please understand what is involved. It can be wonderful, overall mine are positive on balance. But there are plenty who are not.

And as Pythonesque says, it's not up to you! Not being harsh but that is how it is.

The King’s song on the Rugby pitch when the two choir schools play:
I’d rather be at Oxford than St Johns!!
St Johns doesn’t board - at Kings you have to. Weekly boarding Y4/5 then after that, full time.
My son is at King’s - and has loved it, esp. the boarding, from the start. If you want to pm me, please do.

Being a chorister is MASSIVE. I cannot emphasise that enough.
For the right child it is an icredible experience, for the wrong child, a nightmare. Even for the one who thrives it will leave some minor resentment. For the family it is a huge commitment.

So if it's only about your end goal of going to Eton, send him to a super selective prep.

And why do you think being a chorister will get him into Eton?

At Kings a VERY HIGH percentage of students, including choristers, go to Eton. If a place is awarded, a chorister almost always gains a music scholarship, although it’s small fry compared to fees (which are means tested). Kings’ foundation is a sister to Eton so there is a genuine ‘feeder’ link.
Having said that, you still need to be very able academically (unless royal), and we’re not looking as we can’t afford it.

KCS is a marvellous school and offers a broad and well taught curriculum. I can’t speak for St John’s.

Incorrect - St John’s requires choristers to board.

What were the most challenging aspects?

Year 4 and a lot 5, at Kings, was weekly boarding. We had to do a Manchester to Cambridge run twice per weekend -although we met some wonderful friends who would often have my son at weekends and the drive was a great time to switch off means of contact. All completely worth it. He's now in Y11 and still yearns to go back to Kings - not just for the singing but also for the school, but especially for the roast potatoes!

Time commitment is the main thing. Mine had a great time until they were lumbered with an atrocious choirmaster ... they will be seeing more of him than their father, in my experience, so make sure (if you can) that you think he's a decent person as well as a good musician.