Applying for a music scholarship but not sure if wanting it

[Pollypocket81]

Wondering if it's possible or wise to apply for a music scholarship to an independent secondary school and if offered scholarship not accept it and pay full fee instead?
Would being desirable to the music department of a school push a student over the line of "nearly accepted" to "accepted" from an academic test point of view?
My child plays three instruments including a less usual orchestral instrument (usually more desirable to schools) at Grade 5-6 and another instrument at Grade 4. I don't think that my child would want to commit to all the responsibilities that would come with a music scholarship if one was offered, but would be up for being involved with the music department as long as it didn't clash with sport or other activities. Perhaps not what a school would want from a music scholar?
Would be up for letting the school see my child's talent though as an incentive to offer a place, hence my questions.

I would wait until the offer letter is in your hand before deciding whether to decline, the number of dc with exceptional music skills is astounding, it's a competitive market.

Agree with PP. One of the Y7 music scholars at our school has grade 8 on a desirable orchestral instrument - competition is tough.

You have nothing to lose and you can always turn down a scholarship. They aren’t going to make it a condition of allowing you to accept a place.

I think you should have some opportunity while going through the scholarship application process to understand and clarify the expectations that would be placed on a music scholar. These vary quite a bit. For example, both my children have done GCSE music, but could have chosen not to in favour of other subjects if they had wished.

It may be worth checking if the school offers "all rounder" scholarships as that could be relevant to the kind of child you are describing. But in fact most schools will be used to having music scholars who are also good at and interested in sport, so ask how they help these students find a balance.

Some schools certainly will take things such as music accomplishments into account as part of their general admissions process.

My DS is a music scholar in a school with a busy music department.
Yes, he is expected to take an active role, and a couple of activities are compulsory, but I wouldn’t say he has to do ridiculous amounts of extra curricular music and only one of the groups is after school.
There are trembly whole department concerts, and lunch time and tea time concerts he can opt to take part in but doesn’t have to - hardly a huge demand in return for the fee reduction and free instrumental lessons.

termly

IME they would only offer a music/art/sports/drama scholarship to a kid who's already jumped the academic hurdle.

The threshold for a music scholarship may be above where you dc is?

Applying for it is a pretty thorough process - you have to be a super keen musician who naturally wanted to join everything. Never heard of a scholarship being turned down?

I agree - they would have to be pretty outstanding to get a music scholarship if not up to the required academic level.

I'm not even sure that G5-6 would be enough to warrant a music scholarship at many schools.

Every school is different in terms of what having a scholarship means and the requirements associated with it. So if it is offered, then do check that out. Be aware that not all scholarships have a financial element attached, again check with the school.

Both of mine have been music scholars. One was very much required to do everything asked whereas the other had some flexibility eg play in the concert but not necessarily turn up to every orchestral rehearsal if needed for a sports fixture etc.

Is this Yr 7 or Yr 9? If the latter then the grades are not that high. TBH the rarity or otherwise of the instrument may influence the DoM as to which child to award the music scholarship to but is really unlikely to influence whether they get a place.

This really depends on the school. For some schools this will be nowhere near the level required whereas it may be seen as fantastic somewhere else. Also, music scholarships aren't necessarily much money if that matters to you, often just the value of music tuition or similar.