Our children have been totally lucky - yes lucky, because we happened (totally unplanned) to live a house in the tiny catchment area for one of the best girls comprehensives in London. It is a specialist Music school, with a fairly equal intake of comfortable income and very low income students with a fair share of newly arrived. The facilities that are available for Music, Art, Science etc are as good as and on occasion better than independent schools. The school is able to offer a wide variety of GCSEs and A levels from Drama and Textiles to Ancient Greek and Latin, with a steady stream of succesful applications to Oxbridge. The school has regular Music tours every other year, for which there is always an increase in the Choir numbers a few months before!

However I am constantly aware that a couple of miles down the road is another comprehensive school with appalling facilities and with poor GCSE results. Why these wide variences in provision in education for our children in the Comprehensive system? If one school can do it, then why cant the rest? Why should it be a choice between Music and academic? Why on earth should it be a choice between Independent and Comprehensive just to get access to good (not excellent just good) staff and reasonable facilites, so that a child can leave school well equiped for the next stage of life. Education should be holistic and equally available.
Rant over sorry sorry

What does your son think about all this? He is only 7 but if he can master music he will have a view about schools. On balance I have always found that a happy child is a successful child.

My cousins both played a lot of music at general schools, and after reaching similar A level standards and music grades one went off to be an enginner and the other is now doing post graduate studies at the Royal college of music and singing professionally. So long as you are supportive and the school supports music there is really no right or wrong answer. My daughter has a great music department in her prep school but really at this age its about opportunities and enjoyment. So long as both are there you can't go wrong!

Are there any parents here who have sent their boys to choir schools? What are people's views of choir schools in general? I'm curious because, on this side of the ocean, this kind of schools is uncommon.

Choir schools . . brilliant.
If your child wants to be a chorister go for it. Most offer 50% or 100% scholarships. Your child gets an amazing musical education, ususally in a historical setting and as is the way with these schools a great academic education. All the boys in our family have done this and all loved it . They are also great all rounders, some sporty, some more swotty , some a bit of both . .all musical . . but all great lads. Look at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral or if you prefer out of London . . Winchester (Pilgrims), Salisbury (Salisbury Cathedral School) Chichester (the Prebendal School) for traditional choir education in great prep schools, the first two choirs will take girls as well in separate choirs. These are only a few, you also have choir schools at Oxfrod and Cambridge University and all round the country.
You haven't lived until you have sat in St Paul's cathedral and heard a glorious soaring treble solo and realised it was your son . . . .

I heard some wonderful choirs of men and boys the last time I visited the UK. Without question, these schools offer first-rate education, academically and musically speaking. But with the hectic schedule, the small student body, and the boarding requirement, it seems like the choristers live a more isolated life than students at a specialist music school. I am sure there are boys who truly enjoy going to choir schools. But I sometimes wonder how many choristers choose to attend a boarding choir school, or was it their parents' idea. Even at big-name places such as Christ Church, Oxford, I remember seeing quite a number of choristers looking bored and distracted when the rest of the choir was busy singing!

I've come rather late to this discussion, but we were in a similar situation with our daughter. We looked at Wells Cathedral school and loved it, but decided we didn't want her to board and we couldn't move. Another reason for deciding against Wells was that our daughter lacked self-confidence. Whereas she thrived at her primary school by having a lot of 'kudos' for being musically talented, we thought she might wilt amongst so many other equally, and more, talented pupils. Instead we chose her teachers very carefully (which meant lessons out of school) and at 11 she was offered music scholarships to both independent schools we applied for. She is 13 now, extremely happy and with masses of opportunity to play at school. She has just gained a distinction at grade 7 cello and is about to do grade 6 piano - not outstanding compared to many of you on this site, but we are perfectly happy with that and woudln't have wanted her to have worked any harder than she has. If your nearest specialist school is Wells I wonder if you are near Dauntsey's in Devises, Winchester College or Marlborough, all of which are strong musically and offer scholarships?

Good points amum! You stirred this thread a little for sure, especially with the last line joke.

True that high schools in later life are looking for talent. Our boy got a merit scholarship (33% fees) for a US boarding school that was most welcome. Got it due to his DipABRSM and other piano accomplishments.

Worth repeating I believe that pushing a child so young is dangerous. Despite the well-meaning intentions of us parents, the sad truth is that children's peer groups have more influence on their future, so dropping a young kid into a specialist (freaky? oddball?) group may not work well. As others have said, keep a well-rounded education until later, then reconsider if the little one is still music mad.

Read 'The Nurture Assumption' book for more on peer group pressures. An eye opener.

A chance it can work out of course. But risky. Your child may want to be a nuclear scientist or doctor in future but be stuck with a low-paying music job he/she can never afford to get out of. Just a thought.

Whatever you decide, wishing you and your child the very best luck and future happiness.

Richard
Hong Kong

I've been reading this with interest, though of course it's not relevant to our school situation.

As for paths not taken, but how is it possible to say that taking the other path would definitely have been just as productive? That's the one thing we *can't* know, isn't it?

I do wonder about the age factor though...success in any field requires so many factors that hot-housing a developing child is always going to risk as many delays in other fields as there are advances in the chosen fields. I've never had the courage.

But, as somebody who DID pick "the other path" for her child, I have to say that it isn't all green fields, rugger matches, and peer bonding! It boils down to spending a lot of your time doing something your mates think is daft - and if you don't do competitions, and don't have a group to perform with, who can tell you that you're doing OK, and you haven't done something crazy with your life?

There are music high schools here (from age 15 up), but they tend to be extremely weak academically (with one notable exception, and that's only moderate). What they offer musically is wonderful, yet they don't attract as many boys as they should, because their math and science is even weaker than the overall academic standard, and because tennis is about the only sport offered.

Amum's mention of sport rings true with me - even at primary school level, the school band practiced daily, mornings and evenings, and would not allow time off for even seasonal sports. In fact, they didn't allow time off for music lessons either!

I'm still shocked by the young violinist I know who got into Japan's top national conservatory high school...at the cost of injuries so bad that her doctor told her to think of them as congenital. I would really like to see a more balanced attitude to musical education - broader in terms of accommodating other physical and academic pursuits, and broader in terms of access at levels below elite/prodigy.

Son's music teachers say universally that if you can do it, delaying specialization is best...but the ones with high-flying ones musical careers belie their own words, they were hot-housed from young ages with the best of them!

We thought long and hard about a specialist music school for our son, as there is a well known one a 10 min drive away from us, and he would probably get in. However, after a tour round on the open day last year, the emphasis was SO much on music we had second thoughts. There are fantastic new music facilities, but disintegrating 1960s science labs. There is a huge music library, but just a classroom full of literary books. Sport is literally non existent. 50% of the curriculum time is taken up with music. They do state that there is no let up in academic standards, but they also expect music and music tech A levels, and only if you are VERY good they may let you do another, say History or similar.

If you can find good individual teaching in your area, a local orchestra, music service, even a jazz band (playing in a group is SO very important) it may be worth holding off for now, but considering again in the future, when your child is much older as other posters have commented, but we would probably not be going down that route at all ourselves now - the RCM Junior dept is giving him all he needs on one day a week, leaving him to be a "Normal" child at school, Mon to Fri.

Best of luck with your decision,

Burl

One of my ex-pupils started 6th form at the Purcell School this year & she really adores it. She's doing A-level Music (not Music Tech), French & English, which she said is normal & encouraged. She did very well academically at her local comp (11 A & A*s at GCSE), but says if she'd stayed there she would have been forced to do 4 A levels, which wouldn't leave her enough time for practice.

She's really enjoying being being surrounded by like-minded people (which certainly didn't happen at the local school), as well as the fantastic tuition (2 hours flute & 1 hour piano, as well as lots of ensembles) & extensive performing opportunities.

It depends on the person, of course, & what is right for each individual. This girl is older, of course, but I do know younger children who are having a good time at a specialist school & succeeding well academically.

Burl, we went to the very same school and came away with the very same thoughts as yourself. Daughter even spent a day there as we thought we did not give the place a chance. She chose Lincoln Minster a bright modern school with state of the art Science labs etc. She has her own timetable to allow practise in school time. She now has an amazing teacher through school too. She has come on so well in all areas and is been nurtured not hot-housed. She has an excellent education whilst having the very best music provision. I would favour an Independent or a really good State School that are flexible to childs musical needs to a Specialist School.

ummm . . would like to point out that in order to survive most of the choir schools have the majority of their pupils as non choristers. So if you were at Salisbury say you might have 200 children, only a small proportion of whom are choristers.

Re the boredom, they are children, it's what children do . . . . I'm far worse behaved in long sermons than most choristers (fidget, read pew leaflets, gaze at the ceiling . . .) My own son had sign language worked out so that the organ scholars could give him football scores . . . . . you can see results working their way down the choir occasionally in a certain football mad city . . . . Even the most enthusiastic chorister can have a day where he/she would rather be elsewhere . . don't we all?

This really depends on the child. Some can cope and some want to do other things as well as music My daughter has 10 GCSE A & A*, is taking 4 A levels, Maths, French, English & Music attends LSSO, RAM Junior Jazz on Sat, is in County Jazz Band, School Senior Orchestra (Section Leader), and has her own rock band. She plays 2 instruments at G8+ level and 2 for fun, manages to get to her weekly lessons for 3 instruments, practising all regularly with the constant rehearsals to be fitted in. She is also involved in her Drama group and goes rock climbing. I was anxious initially, but realised that this one (I have 4) actually can cope and likes to be busy.

One of the basses at Durham used to read Wisden during Evensong.

On one occasion the prayers for the YMCA and one of the countertenors (also a Tim) did the YMCA song shapes with his fingers and immediately the whole choir disappeared below the pews to try and stiffle the laughter.

[quote name='outoftune' date='Jan 9 2009, 01:26 PM' post='777977']
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Are there any parents here who have sent their boys to choir schools? What are people's views of choir schools in general? I'm curious because, on this side of the ocean, this kind of schools is uncommon.
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Choir schools . . brilliant...
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I heard some wonderful choirs of men and boys the last time I visited the UK. Without question, these schools offer first-rate education, academically and musically speaking. But with the hectic schedule, the small student body, and the boarding requirement, it seems like the choristers live a more isolated life than students at a specialist music school. I am sure there are boys who truly enjoy going to choir schools. But I sometimes wonder how many choristers choose to attend a boarding choir school, or was it their parents' idea. Even at big-name places such as Christ Church, Oxford, I remember seeing quite a number of choristers looking bored and distracted when the rest of the choir was busy singing!
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My daughter is at Lincoln, as outoftune has said most are not Choristers, but the Cathedral Schools have fantastic Music Departments and a large percentageof pupils sing or play something. They offer an excellent all round education which has to be better for the younger child.

Yes, it certainly does depend on the person, as I said, but I think this girl is better off where she is now - she's certainly happier. She was doing a lot of music locally before she went, but the opportunities she has now are amazing. She does work extremely hard (and always has done - I was amazed at how much progress she made on piano, her 2nd instrument, even in the middle of GCSEs). She is now able to practise for several hours a day, as well as enjoying her academic work. She is very determined & wants to aim for a career in performing - I think this is giving her the best chance, but it doesn't mean it's right for everyone.

The majority of students at Wells Cathedral school are not specialist musicians. The school does have good sports teams and high academic standards and many non-specialist musicians, who benefit from the opportunities provided for the specialists. I gather it has good school facilities for a general education (good science block I imagine etc).However, the choristers and the specialist musicians are educated in a separate class from the rest of the pupils as they do do a reduced timetable to allow for extra practise time. I'm not too sure a specialist musician could be in a sports team and I know that sometimes they can't go on trips etc due to music commitments!!!! That must be quite hard.
All the information I have relates to the senior school- The OP was talking about a JUnior school aged child- surely the situation would be different in the Junior School?

As someone who spent the sixth form at a specialist music school (quite a few years ago) I think that, as others have said, there are lots of points at which you could make the switch. As with any decision you might make about a child's future, a lot depends on the child's nature and character but, to the best of my knowledge, none of the specialist schools considers that a pupil is irrefutably commited to a musical career or to higher education in music and would they would all allow a pupil to get the qualifications which would give other options for university, for instance. There are also those who got to these schools at, say, 11 and move to a non-specialist school or college at 16. There are also people who go to specialist schools during the week and to a junior conservatoire on Saturdays so there are all sorts of possibilities.

As far as choir schools are concerned, if your son is the type who can cope with a tough routine and loves doing as much music as possible, I would say that there is no better foundation for a musician. Another option is a choir school up to 13 and then a specialist music school - there were quite a few who who did this where I was.

However, the most important thing of all is to allow him to do what is going to help him to enjoy music.

Good luck

Vanessa.

Hello
I have come to this discussion very late as I don't post on here very often, but hope that what I can add might be of some use.
I have a ten year old, who we have just removed from a specialist music school. We sent our child at eight, and we realise now with hindsight (isn't that a wonderful thing?!) that we made a very big mistake. It didn't help that we lived some distance away from the school, and were not on hand to assist on a daily basis. We watched helplessly as our bright, happy, polite, well-mannered, well-adjusted child disappeared and was replaced by a child we didn't recognise as our own, as the absence of parental input hit our child very hard. Our child's music also did not progress in the way that we would have hoped, and we felt frustrated on many levels that the school felt that this distance that had built up was acceptable.
Our child has since said that although they thoroughly enjoyed their time spent at the school, they are very much looking forward to going back to a 'normal' school and being 'normal' again. Our child is also very intelligent and has a great interest in the world around and didn't feel that the breadth of education on offer at the specialst school was right for them. We are very fortunate in that the school our child has returned to (just a regular state primary) has been VERY supportive, and we now have many options to pursue for secondary education.
Like an earlier poster, we still had to pay a hefty whack in fees every term, and we felt we were simply not getting our money's worth. No matter how talented your child, do not consider this route if you want to retain a happy, well-adjusted child who develops into a well-rounded adult. There are many many good schools out there who can offer excellent music within a well-balanced curriculum as we are now discovering, and we are really looking forward to witnessing our child's next stage of development and education, musically and otherwise.
Good luck.

I didn't want to enter this debate, but do not agree with JinglyB. As others have said, it really does depend on the child. I went through the specialist route at Wells from 13-18 and would class myself as a well-rounded adult! Yes, there was a lot of pressure and it got to most of us at some point, but music is a tough world. I didn't see it as any different from the pressure of taking academic exams as I was doing something that I loved. Very few pupils had massive crisis points, some went on to be world-class solo musicians, some went the orchestral player/session work/ teaching route and others did something completely different. Wells was great because we were surrounded by 'normal' pupils, not just specialists, who encouraged us to do 'normal' teenage things. Quite a few of us played in the school sports teams - I only left the hockey squad when I decided I didn't want to risk a broken finger/tooth - there was never any pressure from staff.

It really does depend on the child..............

I wouldn't move my 13 year old to a specialist music school at this point but that's choice. I do agree with you that it depends on the child. I also think it's entirely different at 13 when you will have some understanding of what you are getting into than at 8 or 10.

I know a family who are trying to get their son into a specialist school, he will not be boarding. They have no idea on what it entails and nor does the child. They don't have a clue about what standard he is or the standard expected. I'm talking about technique/ability level rather than grades as I realise at 11 it's more about potential.

I have no idea, but can pass on the experience of neighbours. Very talented 13 year old went off to one of the 3 specialist music schools in this country. 1 year later, she was back at home on sick leave with scars all over her arms from self harming. THe school were trying their best to get rid of her. They absolutely were 100% unsuportive. She is now travelling 100's of miles every day to go as a day child, because her chances in local schools are nil.

My view....stick with a local school, or go to a Saturday conseratoire, unless you know that your child is going to be 'THE STAR'

Only 3? Menuhin, Purcell, Chethams, Wells, make 4. Any others?

I only have indirect experience also. A colleague's daughters started at the Menuhin school at 8, and Purcell at 13 and are both very happy.

Interesting comments. I am not going to be drawn further into this debate, save to say that it absolutely depends on the support network and pastoral care/nurturing on the part of the school. Even the brightest, most talented child will struggle if this is not firmly in place and adhered to, as has been demonstrated in the case of our child. Clearly some children will do well in this environment, and it's good that there are many posters on here who can speak positively from personal experience, rather than from a slightly detached perspective like my own, but I would just like to urge any parent who is considering this route to think long and hard about their own expectations for their child's education, academically, musically and personally, and to be absolutely sure that the school they choose follows the same aims as their own.

Every child is different, and only you can know yours.

I taught in a girls boarding school where some children were able to board from the age of 8 and from what I saw of them I would urge caution in terms of boarding at a very young age. (This was not only my view, but that of other teachers too). Nevertheless, obviously it can suit some. If you decide to go down this route, see whether your son could have a trial day or two in the school to see whether he likes it.

We also considered the Purcell school for our daughter aged 11, but by then we knew that although she was a good violinist she would not be a musician through and through - she has other interests and is going off to uni next year to do something else. She attended a local school until the sixth form, and now boards in a school with a very strong music department (she has a 6th form music scholarship) and has been offered a choral award at Cambridge.

For what it's worth, in your position, I would try to give my child the best musical experiences possible not in a boarding school. If you are near enough investigate the Junior Academies of any music colleges, or look in Music Teacher magazine for events or courses near you.

Only you and your child know what is best for them. Just make sure it is what is best for THEM!
We still have a few years to make our decision, as I certainly want my children to stay where they are until the end of primary. By this age I think their personalities, likes/ dislikes and talents are a little more developed (although I hadn't got a clue what I wanted to do until half way through my degree when I was about 20!)
Unfortunately our state school choices aren't great, so if our daughter is still as keen on music and doing well when the time comes we will probably try our best to get into Bristol Cathederal school. This is now an academy (and therefore non fee paying!), but specialises in music and maths (daughters two strong(est) points)
That way we are not channelling her down a narrow route because she will still get an all round good education, but she will also get better music education and opportunities than she would else where (I am assuming this by the way if anyone knows otherwise let me know! as I said, we haven't really looked into it in detail yet!)

Good luck in your decision, we all do what we think is best for our own children. As long as we keep their best interests and happiness in the forefront of our minds that is all we can do!

Bristol Cathedral choir school sounds fantastic from the website! I hope your daughter does end up there; it's certainly the sort of school I'd have loved to send my son to. Education is a bit of a lottery if you can't/don't want to afford private school fees, though I'm sure all schools try to do their best for their pupils.

Perhaps this should be a different thread but thought i might ask here anyway as it's related.

A couple of famlies we know are looking at our local specialist Music School. It's a bit raw with my daughter as she was approached by one of their staff at the weekend. It's not something I'm overly keen on for various reasons though I recognise the importance and strength of the musical teaching at the establishment.

What I was wondering is generally what sort of level/standard is expected when people audition at this type of school. I do realise it's about potential more than AB grades but there must be some kind of rough guide or at least a level when it's not worth applying. I wouldn't have thought about it for Emsoboe when she was in year 6 and working towards G4 Flute and Recorde,r as I thought she wouldn't be good enough for them to consider. Whilst i know different now, is an 11 year old G2 Merit or a rising 13 with G4 the sort of standard they are looking for?

I admire both families for wanting to look at this for their children as I think it's brave stepping into the unkown. I suspect neither are expecting to pay much if anything but I'm not sure that there are lots of bursaries, I've no idea of their income, I would have thought that they would both have to pay something.

Have many people transferred into this sort of environment at 6th Form, or wanted to and not got in, and how have they gone about it. This is something we would consider as a family if daughter still wants Music as a career post 16.

This thread has been very useful to me. My daughter is very happy with her current set up and this thread has persuaded me that I should leave well alone.
I'm confident that if you approached the school they would give you as much information as they could. You could also ask for a consultation lesson and ask for advice about applying.
I guess a half way house might be a Junior Conservatoire.
Good luck with whatever you do.
Dora

I really am just being curious and Junior Conservertoire would definately be my first choice if changes were being made to daughter's current situation. I think it would suit her better at this stage. It's not something that I have really considered as an option. One of the reasons is that I don't want to swap one set of problems for another (thinking she might not be academically challenged enough), though there is more than one reason. She is happy at her school with lots of friends and a class that recognises and supports her musicality, despite the music teacher.

Post 16 is a different issue, it would certainly be the best option for someone wanting to study music at Conservertoire or Uni.

I was wondering as to the musical position of students who do apply, as juniors, when they apply. There is probably no one answer to this.

I really can't get along with the idea of sending young children to boarding school of any description, but if a young person is committed to a career in music, I think 6th form entry to a specialist music school is an excellent preparation for music college. Great opportunity to become exposed to conservatoire-level teaching and music making in general.

When my daughter was in Year 6 a boy in her year got a specialist place at Wells. At the time he had only taken Grade 1. BUT he was certainly playing at a very much higher level than that, probably around Grade 6, and he took his Grade 5 shortly after he was offered the place and passed with 139. Someone else he knew who already had Grade 8 didn't get a specialist place. So.. it's certainly not all about exams actually passed but my suspicion is (like yours I think) that they are looking for playing at a level beyond G2 Merit at age 11. Purcell provide guidance on their website and say they are looking for a minimum of Grade 4 level at age 9 and Grade 7 at 12/13 as a general rule.

I'd definitely recommend the Junior Conservatoire sections of the major conservatoires - I have had a few musically gifted students who remained at their regular schoola dn did a whole day saturday at a Junior Conservatoire.

They still train to an excellent standard and actually in a way have an advantage when it comes to deciding their path at an older age as they should have the high standard required for entrance to the top music colleges AND they still have a rounded education from going to a regular school up to the age of 18.

We are fortunate being in London, as we have Royal College, Royal Academy, Guildhall and Trinity all around the corner to choose from. But I know that Birmingham Conservatoire and Royal Northern College also offer this. I'm sure there are others.

I actually know a girl who went to school near Bristol, but travelled to Birmingham every saturday for Junior Conservatoire.

You can start aged 8, but most of the students I know started junior conservatoire aged 12 or 13 (this is also what the colleges I know encourage) and think this is a good time as they have had a while to get used to the idea and to be old enough to be able to tell you if they hate music by this stage!

No one in this senario is thinking of boarding they all live within easy travelling distance.

The specialist school is probably not much further than our current high school.

Sorry, I thought you were asking whether it was a good idea to go to Specialist School post 16, and I was replying that it was. (or at least could be).

I know two children, both the same age one played a Grade 5 piece and a Grade 4 piece the other played Grade 8 pieces. The one that played the G4&5 got a place the other never. They are looking for something, but what I do not know.

I have heard plenty of unmusical grade 8 standard performances, so this could be the situation, or perhaps nerves on the day just got in the way. They are definitely looking for musical potential.

Don't apologise, there is no need, just wanted to be clear as I think boarding is a whole other issue.

Yes I was interested in Post 16 at specialist schools too.

I think there have been some interesting answers. I wonder if they also look at people they can mould and a youngish child with Grade 8 might already be set in their ways. To be honest I've only just thought of this, so maybe that's something worth considering for the future.

Hello, I am new here, but I have been following various topics on the forum with interest for quite a long time. I hope our experience with Junior Departments wld be helpful to some of you. My ten year old son has been at one of the London Juniors since age 8. When he auditioned 2 yrs ago on the piano (his then only instrument) he was so nervous, in fact one of the 2 pieces fell apart completely. He burst into tears when he came out of the room. He was between G4/G5 at the time. We cldn't believed it when he got the letter of acceptance. A few weeks later he also won a place at a 2nd London Junior. These days, he goes to a very demanding prep school during the week and the Junior on Saturdays. It feels like that he attends two parallel schools. He is very busy, yet very fulfilled. Being at the Junior is a truly humbling experience. There are huge talents amongst those children. It is a real privilege to make friends and to make music with them. My son has been blossoming in the past 2 years, both musically and academically. He has since learnt the clarinet and progressed very fast on it, as well as doing a ton of choir singing. This life of 6 day schooling has made him a more rounded and confidant person. I wld strongly recommend it! My understanding is that the most important quality they are looking for in a young musician is a very very good ear.

My daughter started at Birmingham Junior Conservatoire at aged 10 and like your son has blossomed. I don't know what they were looking for either but am very grateful that she has had this opportunity. Beth does seem to have a good ear but I have no idea how that was identified from her audition.
I don't know what we will do post 16, she is still only 11 so I have time to figure it out. In a perfect world I would continue the arrangement we currently have, probably adding some lessons at a Conservatoire she wants to study at, assuming she continues to want to go to a Conservatoire but I intend to explore all our options.
The Junior Conservatoire is shut due to the weather this Saturday. That hasn't gone down well with my daughter for whom it is the best bit of the week.
Dora

My daughter has attended both Junior Conservatoire and Specialist School (6th form). The musical standard at the latter has been considerably higher, and the value for money significantly better.
This may be different for other instruments/Junior Departments/Schools, of course.

Thank you for that.
Did you find it relatively easy for your daughter to enter the school for the 6th form?
Dora

I would agree with you. From what I have observed so far only the very best juniors get into places like Purcell and Chetham. But these pupils often spend their Saturdays back at the Junior School where we are, as the types of training offered by the two kinds of institutions apparently compliment each other. Or maybe they just can't get enough music from one place alone!

I did wonder about this as the Chets pupils have attended RNCM workshops that we've been to.

I'm pleased that your child managed to get into the 6th form.

Welcome to the Forums

Chets pupils will attend one off events but generally don't do Junior RNCM as most have Saturday school commitments.

Hi
My daughter got into Chets aged 14 - she started in Y10 (or 4th form). When she auditioned she was at Grade 7 flute, Grade 7 piano and had had 6 bassoon lessons. They took her in as a bassoonist! However it was notable that they were pleased with her experience and the fact that she was so keen to participate in many musical experiences.

How interesting! It just shows how much they go on potential - they must have felt that your daughter was very musical, as well as very keen, & had the potential to do very well on an "endangered species" instrument. Is she still at Chet's, or has she moved on now?

Actually I find this confusing..... Did they offer Bassoon because your daughter was in a position where they couldn't change her Piano or Flute? Was it simply that Bassoon was under represented?

Wow! She must have huge potential on the Bassoon to get in after 6 lessons!

She got to Grade 8 standard within 2 years (due to take the exam but became ill at that time) Took Grade 7 after 18months and got a distinction (139), so it was potential. Yes no doubt it is that basoon is a underrepresented instrument (although this actually gives her more opportunities) but they felt she was a 'natural' on the instrument. It was not quite so straight forward as a straight acceptance - they asked her to have a few lessons with their bassoon teacher first and he confirmed her potential. The quality of this teaching was excellent and so we felt she has been taught so well right from the beginning and been able to fulfill the potential all music teachers had been talking about. Her original flute teacher was good but we can now see that she had not been taught technique and this is what let her down at the audition stage. She now also does flute at Chets.