Music Scholars’ Programme
“Being a music scholar helped me win a place at the Junior Royal Academy of Music”
We take music seriously at Saint Cecilia’s. It is at the heart of the school. As one of the few specialist music state schools in the country, we are committed to quality music tuition throughout the school. Nine Foundation and nine Open places will be offered to children who demonstrate that they have the aptitude and/or potential to benefit from a specialist course in music.
As a music scholar, children receive an exciting and comprehensive package of support for the whole of their time at Saint Cecilia’s including:
Free lessons on one instrument or voice throughout Year 7 at school, worth an estimated £750
Performance/composition workshop sessions each term during Year 7-9
Music Scholar Christmas Song Competition in Year 9, with the winning song professionally recorded at Crown Lane Studio and performed in the Carol Service
Opportunities to attend National Opera Studio recitals and coaching (for vocalists) in Years 9-13
Opportunities to visit and work with Royal Holloway University Music Department in Years 10-13
Opportunities to gain places on the Royal Academy of Music composing and performing workshops
Several performance opportunities and regular concerts and invitations to attend our annual international music tours
Priority access to our theatre, opera and concert trips and tours
Extra support and guidance for your child’s personal musical development
More challenging music work in lessons to reflect your child’s advanced musical capabilities.
The Music Scholars Programme offers an exciting opportunity at Saint Cecilia’s and most music scholars continue to study Music GCSE where they are well supported.
Which children should apply for a music scholarship?
Children do not need to have special knowledge of an instrument to be considered for a specialist music place but need to have a passion for music and performing.
Round 1:
Children will be asked to send in a short video of them performing on one or two instruments. The performances will be assessed on accuracy, notes and rhythms. Families will receive a letter with full details of the video requirements and should submit this by 7th October 2025. Videos need to be of high quality, as this is the only form of assessment to get through to round 2.
Top Tips for you and your child in preparation of their video:
Your performance will be judged on musicality: dynamics, phrasing and contrasts
Please have someone to accompany you on the piano if the piece is supposed to be accompanied. If this is not possible, make sure you have a good quality recording of your accompaniment on CD or send an audio file in advance. Please ensure that there are no vocals or solo instrument on the backing track – this may lead to the video being disregarded.
Please upload the sheet music for the piece. If there is no sheet music available, please provide a lead sheet.
Round 2:
Successful candidates will be invited to attend the school in person on Thursday 16th or Wednesday 22nd October 2025. Children will be asked to carry out some simple tasks and the test only takes a few minutes. We aim to make it an enjoyable and relaxed experience. Children will be asked to clap a rhythm back, sing back a short series of notes played or sung to them, identify major or minor chords and perform sight reading. They will need to bring their instrument with them.
Top Tips for you and your child in preparation for round 2:
Practise sight-reading and work on being able to sing back or clap short phrases played on the piano.
Applicants will hear within a few days if they have been successful. We wish all candidates applying the best of luck!
How do I apply for a Specialist Music place?
If you wish to apply for a specialist place for your child, please complete the supplementary form online via Applicaa here by Tuesday 7th October 2025 for September 2025 entry.
“I’ve loved performing concerts in big venues and being part of the music tour as a music scholar”
