Music Scholarships - How to apply for a musical aptitude place in 2022 for 2023
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ENTRY INTO YEAR 7 IN SEPTEMBER 2023
Music applications are closed. The deadline for Music applications was 4:00pm on Monday 19 September 2022. This criterion only applies to the secondary transfer round for a place in Year 7.
If you would like to find out more about our Music Scholarships for secondary transfer entry into Year 7 each year, please watch our video here.
Please read this page for information about applying for a Music Scholarship place and details about the music assessment to be taken by music applicants. Our “Key Admission Process Dates” are published on our main Admissions Arrangements page.
The music aural assessment (test) will be taken on Saturday 24 September 2022. The school allocates the date and time of the test.
The deadline for music applications to be submitted was by 4:00pm on Monday 19 September 2022. Applications are no longer available:
- Online music application form [CLOSED]
Prendergast School makes available up to 10% of the places to applicants who show an aptitude in music for a place in Year 7 each September.
In order to ensure equal opportunity for all, the school is unable to take into consideration certificates achieved or references.
The music assessment takes place in two stages. Applicants will be invited to sit a First Stage aural assessment in music. This is usually held over the weekend at the end of September. Your child must be available to attend the assessment on the date given by the school.
Applicants who achieve the score required at the First Stage of the music assessment will be offered to take part in the Second Stage performance assessment which usually takes place in October.
If you apply under the music aptitude criterion to both Prendergast School and Haberdashers’ Hatcham College, your child will sit the music aural assessment once (this year, the joint test will be taken at Haberdashers’ Hatcham College). To be considered for a place at Prendergast School, you must apply separately to this school by the closing date for music applications. The assessment is the same for both schools. The result achieved will be passed on to the other school.
If your child is successful at the First Stage for both establishments, they will be expected to follow the Second Stage at both establishments.
It is our intention to advise parents/carers of the outcome of their child’s music assessment before the secondary transfer closing date of 31 October of the year of application. This will enable parents/carers to make an informed decision.
Please be aware that arrangements may vary during pandemic, subject to guidance.
First Stage: Musical Aural Assessment
The musical aural assessment is a multiple choice paper. The questions are played to the applicants. It consists of 60 questions divided into six sections covering the following areas:
Pitch: For these questions, 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. There are 10 of these questions.
Melody: For these questions, candidates will hear a MELODY made up of a series of notes. They will then hear a second melody and need to decide if this melody is the same as the first melody or if it has changed. If the candidate thinks it has changed, they will be expected to identify which note has been altered by giving the note number. There are 10 questions.
Instruments: For these questions, candidates hear a short melody played, they then hear a second melody played. They will have to mark if the second melody is played on the same instrument as the first melody, or if it is a different instrument. There are 10 questions.
Texture: Candidates will hear a group of notes played together at the same time. They will need to identify how many different notes are being played – 2,3 or 4 different notes. There are 10 questions.
Tempo: For these questions, candidates will hear a short melody. They will need to decide whether the second playing of the melody is at the same tempo as the first, or whether it is played faster or slower. There are 10 questions.
Rhythm: Candidates will hear a short RHYTHM played. After a pause, they will hear a second rhythm played and will have to decide if the second rhythm played is the same as the first, or if it is a different rhythm. There are 10 questions.
No previous knowledge of music or music theory is required by the applicant as this assessment is based entirely on aural response.
Second Stage: Musical Performance Assessment
Approximately 60 of the highest scoring applicants will be invited to perform either on their chosen instrument or vocally. There is a totally free choice of piece.
The candidate's aptitude is gauged from their performance.
The performance will be heard by the Head of Music and another professional.
General information
Before the First Stage you will receive an email inviting your child to the musical aural assessment.
Before the Second Stage you will receive an email advising whether your child has been assessed to move to the Second Stage of the musical performance assessment.
After the Second Stage you will receive official school correspondence advising you of the outcome of your child's assessment.
Note: Prendergast School will not provide any further information about the results.
Form submissions
If you would like your child to be considered under this criterion, we would prefer that you complete our online form. The online form is available on this website by the date of the first Open Event in September. If you are unable to complete an online application, a paper copy of the Supplementary Information Form is available on request, to be sent by post, by calling our Reception team. Please call the school before visiting the premises.
If you do need to request a paper application form, you must make sure you have allowed enough time to receive and return the completed form to the school by the published deadline. There are no exceptions to the deadline for any reason to ensure that the process is fair to all.
Important note about In-Year Admissions
Music Scholarship applications are only available during the secondary transfer planned admissions round for Year 7 intake in September each year. Music places are not available for any in-year admissions.