Grades needed for Purcell school of music

[mitbap]

Anyone got a child there? What grades do you need - how many instruments etc?

Child from dcs schoool went there though at 13. 2 x grade 8 (piano/violin), 1 x grade 6 (clarinet) plus Grade 5 theory.

I think the general rule is that if you have to ask that question, it probably isn't the right school for your child. It is for really exceptional musicians. Is your child exceptional?

I think that's a little unfair PPH - there are many shades and levels of talent.

I would think/hope they look for promise and musicality above all, particularly at the younger ages. And of course it will probably be easier to get in if you play the tuba to a high standard than the piano!

I'm sure you have looked at the questions section on their website which says:
"We do not have any formal entry standards - applications and auditions are assessed very
much on an individual basis. However in order to assist parents/teachers in deciding whether
it is worth putting in an application for a child, we have put together the following very rough
guideline:
Age 9 - minimum grade 4 standard (pianists and string players minimum grade 5)
Age 12/13 - minimum grade 7 standard (pianists and string players minimum grade 8)"

It's a fab school! They would expect your DC to have at least one main instrument to a good standard (depending on age) to be sure, and probably piano too, as well as good all-round musicality.

don't know about the Purcell - but I went to anotehr of the "specialist" music schools, and they didn't specify "grades" - they were looking for talent, not how "far" you'd progressed through the grades.

I met many people who auditioned at my school who had Grade 8 on more than 1 instrument - but they didn't get in - it was a case of "anyone can learn the notes, but you've got to be musical to make them sound good".

well thats what I mean bramshott. it isn't about grades, its about exceptional talent

and I reckon that if you aren't sure if your child is good enough, they probably aren't