I have been debating whether i should audition for Purcell school for a long time, (their school auditions are every thursday, lol, so i don't have to decide in a hurry!).
I guess, I was wandering what boarding life would be like, and (i know this sounds sad) would i be allowed to go on the internet or even better, msn?
would i be allowed home for the weekends?
I know this is a very random post...

thanks
thomxxx

I know a few people who go there, and the impression I get is that you're not really encouraged to do anything apart from the instrument that you're studying. But they do do other subjects there as well, and if you really want to do music it's an amazing environment to be in - I heard one of the people there the other day and she was SO good!!

I cannot comment on the Purcell School itself, but I can tell you what boarding is like.

I went away to prep school when I was 6 years old and to be honest the first term was very tough, it took a lot of adjustment and initially I hated every second of it. I was bereft, lost it seemed and though we were very well looked after it wasn't home, no creature comforts, in all it was pretty miserable. Then say after the first couple of days of my second term, things really started to look up, there was so much to do outside of the usual school work...and of course all your friends were there, you didn't have to get home...you were home!. The prefects kept an eye on things and our house masters sorted out any major problems but in truth boarding school makes you very self reliant and you always have your friends or house masters who will help.

Year two was from what I can recall, a complete riot, we worked hard, the masters were great and the after school stuff was a real bonus...not many back gardens are big enough for a rugby pitch or have a huge gymnasium in it like school did so it was a perfect place to grow up...

As for the Purcell, being well regarded I am sure that the standard of playing is very high...I accept that you maybe encouraged to play and practice a lot but the Purcell has an excellent reputation so people expect to work hard to get the results. The music side would be considered by many here to be a boon and the boarding side inconsequential..also playing with other very talented musicians will raise your game and make a well rounded player of you able to cope in almost any musical situation, it will become second nature to you...

If you really have the oppertunity to go then take your courage and heart in your hands and go and audition, if you are planning on being a professional musician you had better get used to auditioning as you will be expected to audition for most of the work you get so best get in the habit early.

Good luck, dont worry about boarding, once you adjust its a hoot and you will have the time of your life, don't pass up the oppertunity to go, there are many people in this world who let oppertunities pass them by and have lived to regret it, I urge you not to be one of them...

Kindest regards

Andrew

You don't have anything to lose by auditioning and you can ask all the questions about school rules and such when you go.
I know a family near me who have a daughter who weekly boards at Cheethams and goes home at weekends.

Wise words - auditioning makes no commitment to actually go and will give you an insight into the school.