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Benefits of applying for a scholarship

Applying for a scholarship can have many benefits, irrespective of whether an award is made. It supports the general application to a school, and shows your daughter is a capable, diligent student, pursuing her interests with determination and success. It will make your daughter known to the music department, should she then attend the school. It will focus her musical studies, and help to lift her to the level of a music scholar in terms of performance and preparation.

Making an application

An application does require a substantial commitment, alongside academic studies. Pieces must be prepared to a high performance standard, which will require mock performances, extra practice and lessons. Regular times need to be set aside for preparation for supplementary aural tests and for preparation for dealing with the psychological pressure on the day. Also there is a non-trivial amount of administration to be done by parents to collect references, fill in forms and co-ordinate the preparation, on top of the usual enforcement of regular practice and study.

Support from Bute House

Bute House will support any child applying for a music scholarship, and we aim to make it a positive learning experience. Emphasis is placed on delivering a credible audition to the highest possible standard. The criteria for awards are variable, can change from year to year and depend on individual schools and audition panels. Children should understand that if an award is not made, this is not a sign of failure in her playing or standard of performance.

Bute House Music Dept aims to support your daughter’s application with the following:

• Advice on whether to apply for a music scholarship
• The opportunity to run repertoire with a pianist at school prior to your audition
• Advice on preparation and music selection
• Printed and signed copies of references from the Head of Music for insertion into your applications

A wide variety of instrumental tuition and ensembles are available from Year 1.

Please note for individual instrumental tuition:

• Instrumental tuition in one instrument is available at Bute House subject to approval by the Head of Music, Form Teacher and Head of Phase. Additional instruments require further approval.
• Learning an instrument at home does not preclude a child from participating in all music activities at Bute. We do support the learning of instruments outside of school – all children can access performance opportunities for instrumentalists and singers.
• Children in year 2 and above will be withdrawn from classes and break times on a rotational basis. Please be aware that a child will, therefore, miss academic lessons.
• Learning an instrument requires commitment and dedication to achieve consistent progress. Regular practice at home, lightly supervised, is essential.
• Stopping music lessons requires written notice in advance to the peripatetic teacher concerned, as set out in the contract. Please ensure you carefully read your contract with your teacher before signing.

Please note for groups and ensembles:

• We encourage all children to join the wide variety of music groups available.
• Children learning instruments outside of school are welcome to join groups.
• Ensembles take place in break times, before and after school.