11plus music scholarships

[LoveBlueCheese]

Hello! Am wondering if the wise world of Mumsnet can advise as I cant really find specific info on this - I know most London schools require 2 instruments preferably at Grade 5 to assess suitability for music scholarships. Quite a few schools also say that it can be 1 instrument and voice as 2nd. What exactly is the criteria for Voice if its offered? My DC is a cathedral chorister (non-boarding) and currently plays the oboe and piano so we were wondering about this.

OP I think you are confusing the 11+ and entrance exams for independent schools. They are very different.
The 11+ doesn't have a music element.
Is there a school linked to the cathedral where dc is a chorister? That would be the first school that I would try.

Each will vary, and the value may be relatively low(ie. free lessons). They tend to require auditions and look for potential as well as current ability. Most music scholars will have a minimum of two instruments, one of which can be voice, and ideally an orchestral or ensemble instrument. You do need to be prepared to commit time to school music and practice, perhaps at the expense of other activities.

each school is different so you really have to contact the admissions team.

whatever requirements there are, it's generally decided in an audition / interview setting

DD sat about 8 music scholarships at a mix of state and private and had 5 to choose from.

She doesn't do exams at all, but was about G6 level in Voice (pop/MT) and about G2 in piano. None of the schools had any issue with her not doing exams.

Every school has different criteria - some have 4 or 5 different sections to complete, so just have MAT. I preferred the music departments and schools that had the more extensive scholarship application process.

For those that had a proper audition process, DD was asked to perform 2 contrasting songs around 2 minutes each, one with accompaniment and one a cappella. One of the private schools also had sight singing as part of the process.

Oh and be wary of what is expected of music scholars.

DD has to take Music GCSE and commit to one choir a week - in return she gets free 1 to 1 lessons, theory classes and master classes and the option to join lots of different groups/choirs plus a lot of support from the staff.

So not too onerous. DD is firmly focused on a music career so spends a lot of time in the music department - but doing her own thing. She's a soloist and has no interest in orchestras etc. School are incredibly supportive of the path she is on and there is no pressure to do more than she currently is. But a lot of schools you can end up a bit of a slave to the department.

Thanks very much ! very helpful to know x

I'd second OHcrumbs advice to look at what the school will demand of a music scholar. Both DC have had them at 11 and 16+ and they've been between 15 and 25% of fees but some are less generous. I'd have thought that Grade 5 oboe would be attractive as not many DC pick that. Have a look at the ABRSM syllabi for singing exams and pick a cathedral style piece from that - my DC offered religious vocal pieces at Grade 6/7 standard in their auditions at 11+ and diploma religious pieces at 16+