Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2010-11
Wycombe Abbey Junior Music Scholarships and Exhibitions
The following music awards (open to both external and internal candidates) are offered annually to candidates who are under fourteen years of age on 1st September of their proposed year of entry:
Scholarships providing free tuition on two instruments
Exhibitions providing free tuition on one instrument
The scholarship audition, conducted by an external adjudicator and the Director of Music, will be held at Wycombe Abbey in late January. Candidates are tested for musical potential as well as achievement.
Candidates are required to pass the academic entrance examinations before the award of a Music Scholarship can be confirmed.
Tenure of a Music Award will normally be for the Scholar’s entire career at Wycombe Abbey, but will be regularly reviewed and is conditional on the Scholar’s satisfactory musical and academic progress. Music Scholars are expected to make the most of the musical opportunities offered by the School, and to play a full part in a wide range of musical activities. They will normally be involved in orchestra, chamber ensembles and choir, and will be expected to perform regularly in public.
The School has a thriving Music Department which offers both GCSE and A level Music. Music Scholars are encouraged to consider the option of pursuing Music to at least GCSE level.
Auditions
Candidates should have reached at least Grade 5 standard on their first instrument and are asked to prepare the following for their audition:
1. First instrument: to perform two contrasting pieces, lasting a total of 5-7 minutes. If a candidate wishes to present a longer piece, she is welcome to select a suitable excerpt from it. It is important that a candidate is able to demonstrate both technical and expressive capabilities in her choice of music. Voice may not be offered as the first instrument but may be offered as the second.
Whilst candidates are expected to perform on two instruments, special consideration may be given to those who are particularly advanced on one. Voice may not be offered as the first instrument but may be offered as the second.
2. Second instrument (if applicable): to perform one piece lasting 2-3 minutes.
3. Sight-reading will be required on the first instrument.
4. Aural tests will include pitch recognition, melodic and rhythmic memory, interval recognition.
5. Viva: candidates will be asked about their musical experience and interests.
6. Scales are also sometimes required
Candidates may provide their own accompanist; alternatively the School will provide one if advanced notice is given. There will be no written paper.
Entries
Parents who would like their daughter to compete for a Music Award should complete the entry form and return it to the Director of Admissions with a confidential report from each of her instrument teachers before 1 December in the year prior to the date of entry. These reports should contain information pertaining to the candidate’s musical ability and experience, together with details of any Music examinations she has taken.
VI Form Music Scholarship
A Music Scholarship offering free tuition on two instruments is available to girls entering the Sixth Form. Candidates should have reached Grade 8 on their main instrument and preferably they should also study a second instrument. They will be required to attend an audition on the day prior to the entrance examination.
Auditions
Candidates are asked to prepare the following for their audition:
1. First instrument: to perform two contrasting pieces. It is important that they are able to demonstrate both technical and expressive capabilities in their choice of music.
2. Second instrument (if applicable): to perform one piece. Voice
is acceptable as a second study but not as the first.
3. Sight-reading will be asked on the first instrument.
4. Aural tests will include pitch recognition, melodic and rhythmic memory, interval recognition.
5. Viva: candidates will be asked about their musical experience and interests.
6. Scales may also be required.
Candidates may provide their own accompanist; alternatively the School will provide one if advanced notice is given.
Registration Forms for Sixth Form entry must be received, together with the registration fee, at least fifteen months prior to the proposed date of entry as lists may close and no further registrations accepted whenever a sufficient number of applications for any particular year have been received. The separate Sixth Form Application Form should be completed and returned by 30th September one year ahead of entry. Music Scholarship candidates should, by 30th September, also submit a confidential report from each of their instrument teachers, containing information pertaining to musical ability and experience, together with details of any music examinations taken.
