This is the first of many posts I am likely to write regarding my student so let's call him Bob!

Bob is about to start Yr11 and has asked about going to Uni to study music. I've been teaching him singing for a year and he got an extremely high distinction for G1 Pop Vocals so in December we're entering G4. I haven't taught anyone above G4 before.

Last week he said he wanted to study music at university. We had a quick chat about uni vs conservatoire and the advantages of studying another subject with music but I did Physics at uni so I'm not really best placed to advise him. He wants to study pop music but he did say he quite likes classical but in practical terms he has never played a classical instrument. He "plays" guitar and drums but I think he's self taught.

So I'm looking at the requirements for entry and I'm thinking he will need G8 in Pop Vocals and the probably at least G5 in theory. But which theory? ABRSM Classical and LCM Pop have some crossover but there is a vast difference. Should he work towards the AB grades because they are well respected everywhere, or Pop grades because they will be more relevant to his chosen practical path. Or somehow try and get both done?

The Pop Theory books are impenetrable for a child. I would make worksheets instead. But for the Classical theory I use the Ying Ying books but for Bob, who is a serious and very cool teenage boy, he might not like the pink pages and the pictures. Should I just get the AB Theory in Practice books because they look business like and more grown up?

Please help! Advise welcome from teachers, parents and students!! Everyone!

I think that the priority is to be exploring the courses out there - there's going to be big differences between straight music courses, combined courses, pop courses, classical courses, performance courses etc. There's also the consideration about the sort of place he might want to go to and what both the uni/college and the local area offer in terms of music.

I think that once he's got an idea of what's out there and has narrowed it down a bit, he can then be contacting individual institutions to see what their requirements are (and I wouldn't read much into the entry requirements they print in prospectuses etc.).

I suspect that if he decides to go down the route of a more popular-based course, there's likely to be more emphasis on his practical experience rather than on exam results. I suspect that all music courses usually involve some kind of audition these days, certainly if there is a heavy emphasis on performance.

There's also the issue (which might seem a long way off, but is worthy of consideration) of what he might want to do after uni/college. This should have some effect on his choices.

If his heart is in popular music, then my feeling is I'd be continuing with the singing, aiming to get to Grade 8 standard by the time he goes. If he could acquire some basic skills in another instrument (particualrly piano if he's a singer) I think that would be a bonus. In terms of the theory, I'd be inclined to go down the Pop Music Theory route which is going to be a lot more relevant.

It's all swings and roundabouts, but he's at an age where, whether he likes it or not, he is going to have to start making choices about what he wants to do, and a lot of that is being really honest about what he's interested in. For example, although he might quite like classical music, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the right thing for him to study. As I say though, I think the immediate concern should be looking at the courses out there and finding out more about what they require.

Thanks S_G

Do you think that Popular Music Theory will be accepted as a valid alternative to the classical theory? I think it'll be much better for him and will help him learn how to comp from lead sheets. But I don't want him to be turned down from somewhere because they expect the AB G5.

Courses specialising in popular music are more likely to accept it, but the best option is simply email the admissions people in relevant music departments and ask them directly.

To a certain extent, I think this will depend where he wants to go and what the course is like. If it's a pure pop music course, then I doubt they'll be particularly concerned about theory anyway. I think having a good grounding up to Grade 5 Pop Music Theory would be highly beneficial, but I'm not sure they'd be bothered whether he'd taken the exam or not. If it was a more mixed course or a classical course, then it might be different and they may be more strict about having AB Theory (and probably A Level Music).

What's he looking to do after Year 11? Is he looking at A Levels or college courses?

I don't know what he's doing next year. He just threw it at me as he was leaving last week but I want to acquire a bit of knowledge before I see him next.

Just looked at the RNCM website and they specify AB G5 theory for their pop music course. I have emailed them to ask about substitutions.

Interestingly their Classical BMus degree doesn't require theory at all!

I'll have a look at some other unis and perhaps email them too.

From a conservatoire perspective - the RNCM prospectus says:

Entry requirements for BA(Hons) Popular Music Performance
A high level of performing ability ? equivalent to ABRSM/Rockschool/Trinity grade 8
? At least 18 years of age on 31 December in the year of entry
? Passes at GCE A level (A2) in 2 subjects, or a Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification, or a National Diploma in a music related subject, or international equivalent
? 4 passes (A*?C) at GCSE including Maths and English
? Pass at ABRSM Grade 5 theory

I know it's useful for you to know but how about getting him to do some research on his own behalf?

With the best will in the world, I wonder whether there's really any mileage in going down the conservatoire route at this stage? I don't know, but it seems a tall order to get from where he is now to where they'd want him to be in a couple of years time - as I say thought, I don't know, and there's no harm in asking.

I can definitely see him passing Grade 8 before he's 18. He's very serious. Plus at the moment I know he has some theory knowledge but I don't know how much. So perhaps he's already halfway to G5, or perhaps not!

However I'm not sure he'll want to go to a conservatoire. I feel it's my responsibility to ensure we travel down a path that will keep as many options open as possible. I will expect him to research places himself but in the meantime I can be sure we're heading down a broad enough curriculum which will allow him to make the right decision and not find that it's too late to get the requirements.

Who knows!

Just noticed that BIMM just requires G6 and no theory! So there are options regardless of where we end up.

It wouldn't do any harm for him to do AB G5 theory. The music theory in practice books are good, and can be worked through fairly quickly with help from either a teacher or the pink and blue AB Theory guides. Are you going to be teaching him theory? If not, there may be other places where he can do it. Our local sixth form college offers free theory lessons to school music students, and many of them do G5 in a year.

You can always add to his knowledge by teaching him the specifics of pop theory.

That was my original plan but the two syllabuses are so diverse! It would involve a lot of learning to do both to G5 level. I think I'll get one to G5 level and then edge the other up to as high as possible.

I'm teaching him the theory unless the school will do lunchtime lessons. If I suggest it I'll probably get roped into doing it!

Have you considered the ABRSM practical musicianship exams which are taken as equivalent to grade 5 theory when someone wants to progress grade 6 onwards in practical. I must admit though that I do not know how it would stand bob for a university entrance as none of my pupils have ever gone that far. It might be a suitable alternative though.

I think that it's great that you are researching and helping your student in this. The requirements for music degrees can sometimes be a bit out of the ordinary and I think it is helpful that you are making him aware of his options.

A friend of my daughter's - a bass guitarist who came relatively late to music is studying for a BMus at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, link here:

http://www.icmp.co.uk/instituteContent.asp...ntID=2&ID=2

I see they do drumming, vocals, guitar, song writing etc. Might this suit your student?

Daughter's friend got his grade 8 in bass guitar in the upper sixth, if I remember correctly and was also quite well advanced with double bass by then. He also took A level music.

If you look here on the UCAS website it give a list of all the universities offering popular music courses:

http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/searc...IC&single=N

http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/searc...CE&single=N

It also has details of what subjects they can combine them with. It's for 2013 entry so not quite right but still a good idea.

Thank you all,

I've come to school this morning armed with all the info I might need, plus the first chunk of theory to cover...... and he's not shown up!!

Sigh!

I hate end of term lessons, the kids are all doing "activities" so they forget when their lesson is.

End of term activities or not a 16 year old who claims to be interested enough to be considering studying music in higher education wouldn't forget a music lesson....

Just seen him, he thought it was later in the day (probably because we rearranged his slot last week to be later). Not much of an excuse though! I have a frequent non attender later in the day so he's going to try and come then instead. Should be a safe bet. Fingers crossed this time!

Arghh, no show again!!

I wouldn't put yourself out for this one!

He's just getting into practice for when he's a student.