Wells Cathedral School Audition Standard, DFSE Specialist status award required standard? Options

[kjpt99]

Can anyone tell me what the standart of playing for someone going into year 7 is if you want to be in with the chance of getting the Specialist status DFes award at Wells Cathedral School?
My daughter (currently aged 9 in year 5 ) got a Distinction at Grade 5 back in February and is currently playing Grade 6 pieces. She's only just started Piano so won't be particularly impressive on that come next January when the auditions are held. Will the fact that she plays in the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain help to impress them?
Thanks K

[violincjj]

My pupil who had Grade 4 Distinction on violin in Y5 was offered a place at Chethams for Y7...

His piano playing is about Grade 1, he didn't take the exam yet.

He didn't get into NCO!

I think Chets liked he ability to nurture the sound of EVERY note he plays although I think they found his lack of vocal enthusiasm for music odd it's just part of his personality. He doesn't gush about anything!

But I think Wells may be harder to get into.

[sjc]

My pupil who had Grade 4 Distinction on violin in Y5 was offered a place at Chethams for Y7...

His piano playing is about Grade 1, he didn't take the exam yet.

He didn't get into NCO!

I think Chets liked he ability to nurture the sound of EVERY note he plays although I think they found his lack of vocal enthusiasm for music odd it's just part of his personality. He doesn't gush about anything!

But I think Wells may be harder to get into.

I would have thought they go on potentialand musicianship rather than standard cause they teach technique once there etc.

[Pudding]

Apart from the specialist schools, have you looked at the other Cathedral Schools. Many have great music departments. My daughter got a place at Lincoln for Year 7 she was Grade 6 Violin, Grade 4 Piano, singing and had done the Theory.

Sorry I can't help with Wells directly, we spent months looking around though, we didn't look at Wells as she didn't want to be so far from home. Lincoln are investing heavily into their music department and their goal is to become a Specialist Muisc School themselves. She chose Lincoln as she wanted the best of both worlds as she is a bright kid too.

I have heard of some kids Y6&7 who have auditioned for Chets etc playing Grade 8 pieces who failed to get in yet some were below thisand got a place. They know just what they are looking for, so don't be put off by people who tell you Grades are everything, they are not.

Lincolnminsterschool.co.uk

[Clari Nicki1]

I think the OP was asking about a Dfes funded place.... not for a music scholarship?

[Pudding]

I understand that, but it is worth knowing that some of the Cathedral School remissions are equal to the DFES scheme in some cases.

We were totaly confused when my daughters teacher suggested a specialist music school, we had no idea that the Cathedral Schools offered much the same. It broadens ones choices.

[bohemian]

I understand that, but it is worth knowing that some of the Cathedral School remissions are equal to the DFES scheme in some cases.

Not just cathedral schools, pretty much all top public boarding schools offer up to 100% off fees for musicians (up to 50% + free music lessons for ability, and up to 50% again depending on financial circumstances). These schools coincidentally tend to be among the best in the country academically too, ensuring students get social skills and have a range of career options open to them, while still producing scholars at the RCM and RAM every year.

[Halka]

A boy at my daughter's school in year 6 was offered (and accepted) a specialist place at Wells around the same time as he took grade 5 (cello). An acquaintance of his from NCO, who already had grade 8, was not.

[guilmant]

Not just cathedral schools, pretty much all top public boarding schools offer up to 100% off fees for musicians (up to 50% + free music lessons for ability, and up to 50% again depending on financial circumstances). These schools coincidentally tend to be among the best in the country academically too, ensuring students get social skills and have a range of career options open to them, while still producing scholars at the RCM and RAM every year.

You'll find that most of these schools are cutting back on the scholarship parts of any fee remissions (I know, I've worked in four different schools for nearly 20 years) as part of the dreadful Labour gov'ts attack on schools charitable status. You then have to apply separately for the bursary part of any deal along with all the other parents.

[Clari Nicki1]

I understand that, but it is worth knowing that some of the Cathedral School remissions are equal to the DFES scheme in some cases.

Not just cathedral schools, pretty much all top public boarding schools offer up to 100% off fees for musicians (up to 50% + free music lessons for ability, and up to 50% again depending on financial circumstances). These schools coincidentally tend to be among the best in the country academically too, ensuring students get social skills and have a range of career options open to them, while still producing scholars at the RCM and RAM every year.

Millfield does not offer anything as good as that for musicians..... free music lessons is the most common offer. Maybe a small per centage off the fees. Near where I live (maybe due to the proximity of Wells ) most of the schools offer very poor packages for musicians..... one website I looked at last night said that being a musician would just make getting an academic scholarship more likely.

At Wells, being a specialist musician means you have a different timetable etc and do less academic subjects...I thought the only way to get 100% remission of fees there was on the dfes scheme.....?

[odette]

What is your child's first study instrument? The standard of piano at Wells is very high, often grade 8 distinction at a young age if piano is first study, but if piano is second study it doesn't matter very much. It depends what the first study is. Only 70 places at Wells are DFES funded, they are hard to get but can be 100% funded. All other scholarships are means tested. If you go for a pre-audition they will tell you whether your child has the potential for specialist status in which case she will be invited back for a panel audition in January, at the main audition you only play your first study instrument. Being at a high grade obviously helps but they are also looking for potential to go all the way and a commitment to being a musician. Hope this helps.

[STRINGMUM]

Ring the school up and ask if they do advice auditions. That way someone could listen to her playing and give you some feedback without you having to go through the audition process. Then you could make your decision as to whether or not to apply.