Music/choral scholarship at Oxford

Hi, I was thinking to apply to Oxford in September after I finish my a levels (taking a gap year). I am predicted 3As and I have grade 8 voice, about to start working to my diploma. I am not grade 5 piano but I will be almost taking the exam when I apply. I'm also about to do grade 6 theory, working to grade 7 when i apply. I want to go on eton choral course in the summer, and audition for birmingham symphony chorus in july.

But this isn't really enough judging by most personal statements I've read.. I also want to do work experience but I'm not sure where, and maybe some volunteering, apart from that, what else could I do to improve my PS and chances of getting in generally.

Thanks, Rach x

Reply 1

Rich_b

7

chorally with those qualfications i would say you would be bound to get a scholarship somewhere. getting an academic place is always more hard... you want to apply for music?

if so listen to lots of music, think about it and above all get to grips with basic analyis and harmony skills. i think...

Reply 2

Cirsium

19

Uh sorry to Rich_b but no grade 8 is by no means a guaranteed choral scholarship. I know plenty of people who are that standard and not scholars, and most of the scholars I know are of a far higher standard than that. By all means go for it - because you're not out of the running - but it's by no means guaranteed.

Personally I'd be slightly worried about only having AAB at AS - how come you only have 3 subjects?

Reply 3

Nymphonia

OP

1

I have AAA, now, I messed up a unit exam and retook. I am now in my A2 year not AS, I am taking a gap year so by application I'll have my final grades anyway.

Edit. Vocally I am at a higher standard than grade 8 with a fair bit of choral experience. It is more the academic entry I want though although a choral scholarship would be fantastic.

When you say analysis, do you mean like A level where you look at the different aspects of the music, harmony thematic material etc. and look at how they are used throughout..

Reply 4

atilena

1

Nymphonia

Hi, I was thinking to apply to Oxford in September after I finish my a levels (taking a gap year). I am predicted 3As and I have grade 8 voice, about to start working to my diploma. I am not grade 5 piano but I will be almost taking the exam when I apply. I'm also about to do grade 6 theory, working to grade 7 when i apply. I want to go on eton choral course in the summer, and audition for birmingham symphony chorus in july.

But this isn't really enough judging by most personal statements I've read.. I also want to do work experience but I'm not sure where, and maybe some volunteering, apart from that, what else could I do to improve my PS and chances of getting in generally.

Thanks, Rach x

You don't actually have to have the grade 5 piano - as long as you are to that standard and can prove it during the interview. I had grade 8 voice (distinction)and grade 6 theory when I applied, so that sounds fine. Are you in any choirs or orchestras in school or at county level? these are the sorts of extra-curricular activities that they will assume you do. The choral course sounds like a good idea, as does the symphony chorus. Basically, get as much experience of singing in choirs and sight-reading as you can as it will help in the audition. I mentioned that I'm in a national choir, a Three Counties Choir and also in school choirs and county wind bands.

In terms of work experience and volunteering, I said that I'd had a week with the county music service and how I helped with the school's junior choir and how that had benefitted me.

I think, for the personal statement, you shouldn't worry so much about these extra-curricular things, but more about the academic side of music. You should write a few activities - especially musical ones, but that shouldn't make up the bulk of the statement.

Reply 5

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Nymphonia

Hi, I was thinking to apply to Oxford in September after I finish my a levels (taking a gap year). I am predicted 3As and I have grade 8 voice, about to start working to my diploma. I am not grade 5 piano but I will be almost taking the exam when I apply. I'm also about to do grade 6 theory, working to grade 7 when i apply. I want to go on eton choral course in the summer, and audition for birmingham symphony chorus in july.

But this isn't really enough judging by most personal statements I've read.. I also want to do work experience but I'm not sure where, and maybe some volunteering, apart from that, what else could I do to improve my PS and chances of getting in generally.

Thanks, Rach x

Hiya, I'm a first-year Music student at Oxford, so I thought I'd pass on my words of wisdom! ;->

Like Atilena said, you don't have to have the Grade 5 piano certificate. Oxford asks you to indicate keyboard ability on your personal statement and it justs means, depending on the college you apply to, you will have a short sight-reading test.

In your interview, you'll be given a short analysis test. You'll be given a short piece of music or an excerpt and you will be asked questions about who you think the composer is and why, interesting stylistic features, identifying modulations and structure, etc.

My personal statement was effectively a list of my academic music interests, musical extra-curricular activities, non-musical extra-curricular activities, work experience and other voluntary work and a conclusion. I did two weeks' work experience in the offices of the English Chamber Orchestra, which was quite fun!

Good luck! If you have any more questions, just ask! :biggrin:

Music/choral scholarship at Oxford

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