Music Scholarships – Page 6 – SE22 Piano School ~ East Dulwich

Claremont High School Academy: Music Aptitude Test

Music Scholarship Preparation at the SE22 Piano School

Claremont High School Academy will admit 10 percent of new intake places for students who have an aptitude in Music. The Music Aptitude Test will be held on Saturday, 10th June 2023 at 9am.

You can download and practice the specimen MAT Training Materials online so that you know what kind of tests to expect. Use these with your teacher or we offer 1-to-1 lessons on Zoom and have a few slots available just before the Claremont test on 10 June.

Music Aptitude Test web site:
https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/

About the Music Aptitude Test (Round One)

The written test consists of questions involving three areas of music, namely PITCH, MELODY, and TEXTURE.

Pitch: For example candidates listen to two sounds and have to indicate whether the second sound is the same as the first, or whether it is higher or lower.

Melody: For example candidates listen to two tunes consisting of five notes. Candidates have to decide whether the second tune is the same as the first or if one of the notes has been altered. If there is a change, candidates will be expected to identify which note has been altered by giving the note number.

Texture: For these questions candidates listen to a number of extracts containing multiple instruments or sounds. Candidates need to comment on the amount of instruments and compare any differences between examples.

In addition to the written aptitude test, Candidates will be required to complete a musical performance aptitude test. Each child will be allocated a 5 minute slot to perform their chosen piece of vocal or instrumental music. Their aptitude for music will be further assessed from this performance and, as there is a free choice of piece, this will allow candidates of all cultures an equal chance to succeed. An accompanist will be provided. Students can bring their own CD backing track.

Can you really be awarded a Music Scholarship place at Secondary School without any Musical Experience or Knowledge?

Whilst browsing the Admissions Criteria for several popular UK state secondary schools each year, I see time after time the statement that children do not need any prior musical experience to sit the Music Scholarship entrance test.

Here is the criteria that one school uses for their Music Aptitude Test which presumes that you have passed the Round 1 Multiple Choice listening test.

The highest scoring students will be invited to come into school for Round 2 assessment. They will be given a series of aural tests during which time they will be required to clap or play back various rhythms and pitches using classroom instruments. They will also listen to some recordings and identify the instruments being used. This will take approximately 20 minutes.

This sounds very much like a test that would require some prior musical preparation in order to succeed with a bias for students that already understand pitch-based instruments.

Many parents are booking 1-to-1 lessons for students with little to no experience of any instrument and whilst certain schools do not ask you to perform at Round 2, the vast majority will expect you to play two pieces for the audition.

If you have time to prepare then we do recommend booking one or two sessions in Year 4 or 5 so that you know what to expect from the test. Then keep working towards these goals with your teacher in your music lessons. By the end of Year 5 you will be in a good position to sit the test and hopefully at a level on your instrument that will enable you to succeed at Round 2.

For assistance with any aspect of the Music Aptitude Test please book a 1-to-1 lesson where we will answer all of your questions:

Last-minute availability for 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test preparation lessons.

We have just a handful of spaces left to offer online Zoom lessons to help you prepare for the upcoming Music Scholarship entrance tests to UK secondary schools. Follow our Organiser Profile to see new dates as they are added but bear in mind that now we are back to teaching full-time, we will only have a limited amount of time to offer tuition. If you see a space that is suitable do book it as we cannot guarantee we will be adding many more spaces.

New dates added for Music Scholarship training in September & October 2022 with the Scholarship Specialist team from the SE22 Piano School.

Zoom Lessons for Music Scholarship Training

Download our Music Aptitude Test training materials to use with your teacher in your music lessons. Also known at the MAT, the Music Aptitude Test is used by state secondary schools in the UK to select a percentage of their intake on a full or half Music Scholarship system. The tests are quite unusual in that some schools use tests with electronically generated beeps, graphic scores and other unfamiliar topics to students that are already learning a musical instrument. We have designed materials that will give you a flavour of the kinds of tests you will hear on the day. These training materials can be used with your teacher to help you prepare for entry to any UK secondary school. We do not sell the exact same test you will hear on the day, of course.