Music award

[Sweetie1980]

My son has been offered a music award at a very good state school , this gave him priory admission to the school as we are not in the catchment . I was just wondering if my son wasn’t enjoying the commitments and wanted to not do it anymore , would they ask him to leave the school?

My DD is on a music place at a state school.

She gets a lot of things such as free 1:1 lessons because of it. The only absolute was that she had to take GCSE music or she would lose the scholarship and all the extras. But it would not have made any difference to her place at the school.

Worth checking what the expectations are in advance - we had expectation of attending the 1:1 lessons, taking GCSE music, attending theory classes and masterclasses and participating in one of the school choirs. She doesn't play an orchestral instrument so wasn't expected to do that but assume that would be expected of those who could.

It hasn't proved onerous and she's aiming for a career in music so the GCSE was a no brainer, but definitely check expectations with the school as some are more flexible than others.

But it would be very odd if it affected his place further down the line - I mean what would happen if he had an injury that made it impossible to continue playing etc.

Thank you . They said that he would be expected to take a GCSE in music , which is fine as he is taking his grades in piano ,so I believe he would get points towards GCSE music . And he would be expected to play an active part in the music department by being in the orchestra and choir . The only thing he isn’t keen on is the choir . I am hoping he enjoys it as I don’t know what I would do if not! I am worried he would have to leave the school .

Music exams don't get you points towards GCSEs as far as I am aware? They do say you ought to be at least G5 level for the performance part of it though.

We have found that what is deemed mandatory may not actually be the case in practice.

Gcse music has a performance element so you need to play an instrument (or sing) for that. Good luck with your musician journey.

Oh I see , I probably have my wires crossed , I will ask his piano tutor again . I am just hoping if it’s not for him they wouldn’t ask him to leave the school . He is a very hardworking academic child so I am hoping they would keep him 😃

Not entirely true. The first sentence is indeed correct. However, you most certainly do not have to be at least grade 5 level on an instrument or voice, despite what certain people on here spout. I teach Music in a secondary school where 20-30 students take the GCSE every year. To access the highest mark band, students need to perform pieces of a particular standard. For some exam boards, that is grade 5 but the one my students do is grade 4. Note that they don't need to pass the exam but simply perform works at that level. Some of my less able lot perform simpler pieces, which is absolutely fine.

You need to ask the school the exact requirements- all schools are different.