Kingsdale Foundation School – SE22 Piano School ~ East Dulwich

Kingsdale Foundation School ~ Sports Scholarship Info

The SE22 Piano School is running a competition on Instagram. Win a 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test scholarship preparation lesson in September 2023. All the info is here: https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/win-a-1-to-1-music-aptitude-test-scholarship-preparation-lesson-in-september-2023/

Full Music Scholarship Kingsdale Foundation School

Many of our Year 6 musicians sit the Kingsdale sports scholarship as well as the music scholarship. As we are receiving lots of traffic to our web site looking for more info on the music test, I thought it may be useful to share some sports scholarship information that our students last year passed on to us.

The first round of the sports scholarship is a general fitness test. Here are some of the elements that our students told us about. Please note this may vary this year and the list below is not exhaustive as it is based on anecdotal feedback from previous applicants.

Warm-Up: Dribbling a Basketball

Bleep Test
You have a set amount of time to run from a line to a cone before the sound of the beep. If you reach the line after the bleep goes or you give up then they take you out of your test and then you count how many rounds you have done.

Long Jump
Applicants have one go at a long jump.

Agility Rest
Running in and out of poles (timed test).

Sit and Reach Test
You sit with your legs straight and reach over a wooden box that has a ruler marking out centimetres on top. You have to take a deep breath and see how far you can reach.

Computer Test
There is a short test on arrival which is computer-based and has some questions based around health and wellbeing such as “How do you feel before a competition? Do you feel scared or nervous?”

Response/Reflex Test:
They show a traffic light on the screen and you have to push a button when it goes green.

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For assistance with the Music Scholarship for Kingsdale book a session online on Eventbrite for either a Zoom lesson or in person at our studio in East Dulwich.

Music Aptitude Test Tip of the Day: Texture Section

The start of the new school year means it’s time for the Music Aptitude Tests and Scholarship auditions. This year my daughter and several of her school friends will be sitting the test for our local schools such as Kingsdale, Prendergast and Habs.

We’ve been spending the Summer working on the MAT training materials as well as a little bit of practice on the pieces they’ll perform at the audition. There’s still plenty of time to get started if you haven’t already given the tests a go. So far, everyone has found the Texture section the most tricky, so here’s a helpful video with tips for this section. Nb. Kingsdale don’t use the MAT, just standard aural tests and optional sight-reading plus brief interview questions.

We offer 1-to-1 lessons on Zoom to help students prepare for the Music Scholarship & Aptitude Test. These sessions are open to all musicians from any area. Book online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/se22-piano-school-16475016451

11+ tutoring Music Aptitude Test — 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test tutoring

Keep an eye out for our new article in the Scholarships supplement publication from Music Teacher Magazine all about the Music Aptitude Test and State School Scholarships. Released on 1st September.

Preparing for the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test

Preparing for the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test can be an exciting opportunity for Year 5 students who are passionate about music. Here are some steps they can take to prepare for the test:

Familiarise yourself with the test format: Research and understand the structure and components of the Music Aptitude Test. This will give you an idea of what to expect and help you focus your preparation.
Develop your musical ear: The test primarily assesses your musical aptitude, so it’s important to train your ear. Listen to a wide variety of music, paying attention to different instruments, melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. Try to identify and differentiate between different musical elements.
Practice sight-reading: Sight-reading is an essential skill for musicians. Work on reading and playing music notation fluently. Start with simple pieces and gradually increase the difficulty level. You can find sight-reading exercises and resources online or through music books. This section of the test is optional but to make your audition stand out, we advise opting for this test if you have had the time to prepare for it. Please note not everybody is offered the option to do the sight-reading test. This may be due to time constraints or other factors on the day of the test.
Learn basic music theory: Familiarise yourself with fundamental music theory concepts such as notes, scales, intervals, and key signatures. Understanding these concepts will help you analyse and interpret music accurately during the test.
Play an instrument: If you don’t already play an instrument, consider learning one. Playing an instrument will enhance your musical skills, improve your ability to understand and perform music, and increase your overall music aptitude.
Sing and develop your voice: Vocal ability is often a component of music aptitude tests. Practice singing different melodies, scales, and exercises to develop your voice and improve your pitch accuracy.
Seek guidance from a music teacher: If possible, consult a music teacher or tutor who can provide personalised guidance and help you prepare for the specific requirements of the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test. They can identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide targeted practice exercises. We offer 1-to-1 Music Aptitude tutoring on Zoom. Book online here.
Mock tests and sample questions: Practice with mock tests and sample questions similar to those used in the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test. This will help you familiarise yourself with the types of questions and tasks you may encounter and improve your test-taking skills.
Stay consistent and practice regularly: Consistency is key when preparing for any test. Set aside dedicated time each day to practice music, whether it’s ear training, sight-reading, or playing your instrument. Regular practice will help you build confidence and improve your skills over time.

Remember that the purpose of the test is to assess your musical aptitude, so enjoy the process and have fun with music along the way. Good luck!

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