To pursue a music career in Composition/Piano, Which high school is better?

Wells Cathedral School (Wells, Somerset, UK)
Chetham's School of Music (Manchester, UK)
Yehudin Menuhin School (Surrey, England)
Purcell School (Hertfordshire, England)
St Mary's Music School (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (New York, USA)

or is there any other better options?

Probably the one where the teacher who you most effectively learn with is teaching...


Worth researching the options and booking some consultation lessons.

LaGuardia High School is a public/state school supervised by the New York City Department of Education. Enrollment is limited to students who reside in New York City.

The admission process is somewhat competitive, but the standard is nowhere near that of the UK schools that you have mentioned.

Thanks for the replies

How about Professional Children's School ?
compared to LaGuardia, is it any better?

but the UK schools are still the good ones right?

Start by looking at each Schools' website. Then the staffs' biographies. I dont know where you are based but if you can book consultation lessons with at least 3 of the schools, then do just that (these usually last for an hour and are with the Head of the Department you are applying for). You will also get an opportunity to tour the school and speak to current students.

The UK Music schools you list, are highly competitive and require very good references alongside excellent technique and varied repetoire. Trying to get in with your bog standard ABRSM 3 pieces & scales is just not sufficient. All are looking for Potential.

I f you are in the UK you can consider applying to the Junior Deparment of the Conservatoires i.e. Royal Northern, Royal College, Royal Academy, Royal Welsh School, Trinity, Guildhall (I have left one out I am sure!) Students attended these on Saturdays until they are school leaving age.

The Yehudi Menuhin School is partial to Strings.

Well, I passed the admission as a Composition Major in the PreCollege division(Saturday schools) of the Juilliard School.

Should I attend regular academic schools while joining Juilliard's Saturday schools,

OR

Study in UK at one of their high schools of music??

Are you based in the US, and how old are you? Money can be a major issue for attending the UK music specialist schools - I was lucky enough to have a full grant to attend one (a few years ago now!), but a lot depends on your parental income and your ability. I have a pupil who had a place offered for the two years of the 6th form, but couldn't go due to the £30,000 it would cost her parents. She finished regular school and is now at one of the conservatoires and loves it. If you have the Saturday place at Julliard my advice would be to take it and finish regular school at the same time. Then explore the possibilities of attending one of the UK conservatoires, as well as the US ones, when you are 18/19. Most of our major colleges hold auditions in the US.

She can't have been a uk entrant because they can all get funding as part of the Music and Dance scheme on a means tested basis.

Soojinyun0405 are you based in the States? One boy who used to post on the forums from New Zealand got a place at Interlochen Academy (hope I've spelt it correctly) in the States which looked good for studying music.

She was a uk entrant - with means testing her parents still couldn't cover the shortfall due to financial committments (other children included).

Currently, My family is neither in US nor UK. We live in Singapore. I'm only 15 but trying to look for more opportunities to pursue music as i've completed my Grd 8 now (almost no one teaches composing to young learners near my house)

Thus, if I were to take the Saturday place at Juilliard I would have to look for a boarding school near Juilliard or a school that has convenient transportation to and fro.

That's why, i thought of trying to apply for Chetham's, as it's a boarding school itself and offers both music and academic lessons.

and indeed, money is an important issue. That's why I will try to get financial aid if I were to apply for the UK music specialist schools.

I really REALLY appreciate the advice from you all!!

As for harmony2, i'm very happy for you that you get that opportunity a few years ago. =)

All of the UK schools you mentioned are boarding as well as day schools, so don't think that Chetham's is the only one worth looking at. The Menuhin School specialises in strings and piano, whereas all of the others cater for all instruments and composition. The specialist department at Wells is within a normal uk boarding school, so has non-musicians around as well. Quite a few children do come to these places from China/Hong Kong/Singapore etc., and financial aid is available for those who need it. Good luck!

It's great that you got a spot at the pre-college division at Juilliard. Congratulations!

There are many good private high schools in New York City, especially in Manhattan. However, if you are looking for a boarding school, you will have to look outside the city. Most well-known boarding schools in the US are located in small towns, and the tuition fee is extremely high (at least US$40000/year).

The boarding school + Juilliard option may not work.

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Someone has mentioned the Interlochen School. Indeed, I have heard many good things about it. You should take a look. It is similar to the specialist music school in the UK in that the curriculum combines regular subjects with intensive training in music.

Maybe I should try to audition for the UK schools.
(...doubtful whether I'll be able to pass the audition, and also get a financial aid )

Anyway, since regular schooling and lodging might be a problem, I guess it'll be worth it to give up the Juilliard Saturday place , IF I managed to be accepted in the UK schools, right?

From another perspective:-

My cousin attended Chethams for four years, from 14 to 18. She had a very happy time there but did say it was saturated with music & little else. A large portion of the students gave up music when they left (aged 18) as they are so exhausted with the endless rounds of rehursals and practise (& competitions)(& concerts). The standard is extremely high but there are a fair number of students from overseas and some scholarships & bursaries are available.

In retrospect she wished she had gone to a 'normal' school and attended a Saturday Music School. (she had received an offer from the RNCM Junior Department). However she was the same age that you are now and was besides herself with excitement at getting accepted, as was the entire family.

Whatever you decide to do, the UK Specialist Music Secondary School are very geared up to dealing with Overseas boarders and make appropriate arrangements for their auditons. Contact them directly via email.

oh I see...thanks ayshah


Anyway, like organ dummy has said, the boarding school +juilliard option might not work...
I guess I'm just struggling whether to give up the offer from Juilliard
(it's such a good opportunity to study in the junior department of such a prestigious school)