Do you love music but also want to thrive academically? You’ve come to the right place.
We’re a friendly bunch here at Chetham’s and help and advice is available throughout the whole school application process so that you can be sure you’re making the right decision.
We welcome applications and hold auditions throughout the whole academic year – it’s a fairly informal and flexible process, so all the young people feel at ease. We encourage you to apply early, ideally before Christmas, for a place the following September. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for a change of school, and to work on aspects of your playing between your first and second auditions (if needed).
Unsure whether to apply? We offer Advice Auditions all year round for those who would like professional feedback on their playing and musical ability before they apply. There’s more on that below so keep scrolling!
Application
A complete application should include the following:
- The application form: this should be signed by the applicant’s current Headteacher. If not signed, we would ask for an email acknowledgment from the Headteacher to be forwarded to us, confirming their awareness of the application. We always request a reference and school reports from the applicant’s current school.
- Copies of any relevant exam certificates, festival awards etc.
- References from instrumental tutors, which should provide background information about the suitability of the application as well as the applicant’s attitude to, and aptitude for, learning and practice.
- If we have not already met you to advise you about applying, please include with your application YouTube links to video recordings of at least two pieces on the principal study instrument and at least one piece on any other instrument/s if applicable *, as well as scales/arpeggios on the principal study that reflect the level of repertoire presented. We would also ask the applicants to begin the video/s with a short, spoken introduction of themselves and the pieces they are going to present.
- If you are applying to study composition, your application should include at least two written examples of your work. These may be handwritten or produced with Sibelius or similar programmes, but must be submitted as pdf files.
- *NB. a second study instrument is NOT a requirement for entry, particularly for pianists. When the principal instrumental study is not piano, and no second study instrument is offered on application, we would normally include piano lessons as a second study when we offer a place, as keyboard skills are essential to building a strong foundation for our students’ musical development.
- Payment. There is an application fee of £90 which can be paid by bank transfer. Payment details will be sent to you when we acknowledge receipt of the application. Please tell us if the fee is a barrier to your being able to complete your application, and we will do our best to help.
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