Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

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antmusic
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:47 pm

Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

Post by antmusic »

Hello good people,

We are going to go for all the scholarships at Wrekin College in a few weeks' time - does anyone have any experience of these and tips?
Does the art portfolio need to be a proper art folder thingy? Which materials should we bring?
What happens at sports interview?
Music - how is it structured?

We have all the info from the school but wondered if anyone has some further info? :?

Thanks

antmusic
Ladymuck
Posts: 1240
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:04 pm

Re: Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

Post by Ladymuck »

I don't know this school particularly but here's my two cent worth:-

The schools are looking for both talent and passion. There are many 11 year olds with grade 5 violin who are reluctant to practice and who want to give up by the age of 13/14. They will ask questions about the pieces chosen, and other pieces of music that you enjoy. They will also read a lot into how you warm up etc. Similarly for art, they are looking for genuine passion, so they would assume a candidate would have a number of sketchbooks, and a large portfolio of varied items. Locally the sports assessments involve a number of fitness tests as well as then seeing how the boys perform in a number of games. Drama - most actors have a couple of audition pieces prepared (usual LAMDA type affair) and then will be asked to improvise and to take part in a group exercise. Our school also asks for a portfolio of plays performed in as well as plays which you have seen.

Having been through the system, I would be cautious about applying for so many categories as truly no one could be totally committed to all 4 of these areas at true scholarship level, and merely applying for all 4 would identify you as a time waster. I would identify those areas that you are certain that your child will want to pursue with a clear passion for the next 5-7 years.
antmusic
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:47 pm

Re: Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

Post by antmusic »

Thanks Ladymuck, that's really useful. Haven't sent the form off yet so may amend... There is also an all-rounder 'Pendle' award which consists of the academic scholarship (invitation only) and at least one of the other scholarships - art, music, sports. They will only be considered for this if they have entered at least one of the specialist scholarships - so they would be looking for all-round commitment. Hmmm...
We are just putting together the art portfolio and deciding on violin pieces. Sports will speak for itself - dd is athletics and swimming.
Thanks for your ideas,
antmusic
Ladymuck
Posts: 1240
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:04 pm

Re: Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

Post by Ladymuck »

Where we are "all rounders" are 2 co curricular areas plus decent academics. But you might also want to check what ongoing commitments are required. Eg for co curricular you would be expected to do that subject at GCSE and a level (and again at our school you would lose your scholarship if you didn't choose the option). There may also be minimum criteria for choirs and ensembles if a music scholar (again scholars at Ds' school are required to be on a choir, 2 ensembles and are expected to take a solo role in a concert at least once a year as well as playing on open mornings etc.

It is always worth having a go, but I would go into it being aware that there are significant strings attached, which is fine if it is a long term passion, but it can be difficult to anticipate how an eleven year olds interests will develop.
pepys74a
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:29 am

Re: Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

Post by pepys74a »

DS1 (now half way through Uni) had a music scholarship. It is not for the faint hearted. 9 ensembles/choirs per week. No free lunch time or after school other than Friday. Concerts, school productions and helping out with younger productions all the rehearsals both weekday and weekends that go with them. They do take their pound of flesh. Academics do slip around Christmas and during school productions, so unless your DC is very academically able to keep up studies and find time to catch up work when missing classes for reshearsals then do think carefully. DS3 is about to go through the process in January who is also musical, but has a varied set of interests, so we will not be doing music scholarships with him, he will be able to pick and choose his extra curricular activities. Sure, he will choose some ensembles, but hopefully he won't get a detention if he misses one to catch up on work :evil:
antmusic
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:47 pm

Re: Art, music, sports, drama scholarships - advice needed!

Post by antmusic »

Thanks ladymuck and pepys74a,

This is definitely food for thought. No such thing as a free lunch indeed.
The last thing we want is a child who gets overloaded with obligations.:?

Thanks again,
antmusic
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