Music scholarship 13+

[yodaforpresident]

So, we are thinking about applying for a music scholarship for DD(10), currently in Y7, for Year 9.

In terms of musical background I think she is probably borderline, just started G7 singing, G5 cello, G6 piano and G4 clarinet (though she only started this in April this year and personally I think this is amazing progress).

Would be grateful for any insight from people who have gone down this route before and particularly whether you think it was worth it - my concern is that there will be onerous expectations from the school in exchange?

Sorry DD is 11, 😩. I am still recovering from COVID and my brain is suffering.

We've now moved your thread over to Secondary Education, @yodaforpresident. Hope that helps and hope you feel much better soon!

@yodaforpresident , it would help if you said where you are in the U.K. and what schools you are aiming for. I know in the past Guildford High has dismissed singing so it can't be counted. I guess if you want 13plus you want the big name boarding schools?

I was awarded a music scholarship. I had to join the relevant music groups I.e. orchestra,brass band and perform solos at most school concerts but that was all that was required from me.

Thank you@LivMumsnet we are in the se @sailingsunshine , so looking at Brighton College, Sevenoaks, King’s Canterbury, Wellington

Hi @yodaforpresident. I would call the admissions tutor for each school and ask if you can have a chat with the Music Director, or even see if there's a music scholarship open day (some schools do have them). Every school differs in their entrance criteria but, for instance, in the competitive London day schools, pretty much everyone awarded a music scholarship at 11+ (ie aged 10 at the time) will be minimum grade 7 standard, and most will be grade 8 or diploma (unless on a rare instrument eg viola or double bass etc). I'm not sure if singing is applicable at 13+ - it's definitely not at 11+. Usually all this information is on a school's website, but if not, a call with Admissions would definitely be helpful.

In terms of the quid pro quo if she's successful, again this differs from school to school. One director of music told a friend that if she got a music scholarship "we will obviously own your extra curricular time" which somewhat put her off! Others are less onerous - play in a couple of orchestras, sing in the choir, and perform in scholars' concerts. Again, you should be able to get this info from the school.

Thank you @LondonMum20222, definitely not any London day schools - boarding only. I believe that the schools that I referred to all include singing.

That is definitely my concern about the scholarship being onerous - I would rather my daughter took part in things because she wanted to do rather than had to. My only upside that I can see is potential access to workshops, tours, master classes etc?

@yodaforpresident I honestly think it really depends on your DD. If she also loves sports, or has lots of other interests (eg may be wanting to do a range of extra curricular clubs in her spare time) then a scholarship may be onerous. If music is her Big Thing then it might not?

Do you know what they're worth financially at each school? In London they're mostly 5-10% so barely worth it from a financial pov.

The main advantage in London tends to be the opportunity to play in scholars' concerts. It sounds like there might be more opportunities at the boarding schools you're looking at. I would dig deeper into what's actually on offer at each school and then have a chat with your DD about her overall priorities? We were told (by a Director of Music) that someone without a music scholarship can still get involved in everything musically at a school, but maybe that's different at the schools you're considering.

I think at local ‘ordinary’ independent schools - ie not big name boarding or super selective or London day schools your dd will stand a very good chance. The music scholars at some schools close to us are definitely not all grade 8 at age 11…I think that could be a London experience, where everything is cut throat. Depends what type of school you want her to go to but you lose nothing by applying.