Hi All

Has anyone done a Music Scholarship to a private school at age 13? Can you recommend some violin pieces that would make the examiner sit up and listen, so to speak - or even ones to avoid?

Any advice gratefully received.

Hi gigi,

I think this is really a question for your child's teacher - who knows your child best.

The showy pieces are often about bowing technique (I think...) - whether slow and moody or wild and passionate - and your teacher knows what your child is most comfortable with.

However, you could ask in the strings forum. Best of luck anyway, and please let us know which piece your child chooses to audition with, so we can provide a mental supporting orchestra!

Yes, your child's teacher will be able to choose a piece which will show off their strengths and that will be more impressive than a well know piece which doesn't. It's difficult to suggest a piece without having heard your child play. Good luck to him/her for their audition.

Hi Gigi,

Have you considered doing a 'pre audition' with the music director at the school. I have a son going for a scholarship and we have been to audition at the school twice, once in year 6 and once in year 7 so that the Director can monitor his prgress - we get feedback letters from the director on what to work on etc. It is very informal and designed to relax the canditate and if they 'fluff' up on big day 'some' allowances can be made.

I suspect also that one of the reasons that schools do this is so they plan their departments - both budget and orchestra wise. This particular shool gave 8 scholarships last year 7 of whom had done preauditions in the preceeding two years. The schools we approached were very welcoming indeed. I only know of one school in our area who doesn't offer this service.

Good luck to your son on this scholarship.

Pepys

Having done these for the past 16 years, it is always nice to hear pieces that aren't on the exam syllabus. It shows a pupil who is doing more than 'going through the grades' and doing some repertoire building.