Specialist Musicians vs General Music Scholars

Wells Cathedral School offers two distinct pathways for talented musicians; please see the table below (or click here for the pdf version) to determine which path is right for you. If you are still unsure which music pathway is for you, please contact our admissions team on 01749 834441 / [email protected] and they will be happy to assist you.

	*Specialist Music Programmes (including Special Provision)**	Scholar
This is for…	…someone looking to make music their primary focus	…someone looking to pursue high-level music alongside other things
Eligibility	Aged 8-16+	For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth (NB Year 10 is only applicable for external candidates)
Fee remission	10% to 100%	Usually 10%
Eligible for MDS funding?	Specialist musicians only	No
Eligible for 1-2-1 teaching?	Yes – Specialists have up to three hours of 1-2-1 instrumental lessons and access to masterclasses as part of the Specialist Programme	Yes – Scholars can take 1-2-1 instrumental lessons in School with our highly regarded team of Visiting Music Staff for an additional charge. Please see our website for our fees.
Eligible to join orchestras and ensembles?	Yes	Yes
Access to specialist seminars	Yes	No
Access to conservatoire preparation programming	Yes	No
Use of exceptional facilities	Yes	Yes
Access to accompanists	Yes	Yes
Pursue a full academic timetable?	No	Yes
Required to study Music GCSE?	Yes	Yes
Required to study Music A Level?	Yes	No
Solo Performance Opportunities	Regular recital slots throughout the year	Termly concert platform
Progression	Normally progress to study music at a conservatoire or university	May audition to transfer to one of our specialist programmes if the Scholar achieves a suitable standard and desires to do so Normally progress to university to study an academic discipline
Outcomes	Trained to rehearse and perform at a professional level	Provided with a musically enriching background for life with the ability to participate in amateur ensembles
Application process	Visit the Audition section of our website for our forms and deadlines	Visit the Scholarship section of our website for our forms and deadlines

Specialist Music Programmes (including Special Provision*)

Scholar

This is for…

…someone looking to make music their primary focus

…someone looking to pursue high-level music alongside other things

Eligibility

Aged 8-16+

For entry at Years 7, 9, 10 and Lower Sixth (NB Year 10 is only applicable for external candidates)

Fee remission

10% to 100%

Usually 10%

Eligible for MDS funding?

Specialist musicians only

Eligible for 1-2-1 teaching?

Yes – Specialists have up to three hours of 1-2-1 instrumental lessons and access to masterclasses as part of the Specialist Programme

Yes – Scholars can take 1-2-1 instrumental lessons in School with our highly regarded team of Visiting Music Staff for an additional charge. Please see our website for our fees.

Eligible to join orchestras and ensembles?

Yes

Access to specialist seminars

Yes

Access to conservatoire preparation programming

Yes

Use of exceptional facilities

Yes

Access to accompanists

Yes

Pursue a full academic timetable?

Yes

Required to study Music GCSE?

Yes

Required to study Music A Level?

Yes

Solo Performance Opportunities

Regular recital slots throughout the year

Termly concert platform

Progression

Normally progress to study music at a conservatoire or university

May audition to transfer to one of our specialist programmes if the Scholar achieves a suitable standard and desires to do so

Normally progress to university to study an academic discipline

Outcomes

Trained to rehearse and perform at a professional level

Provided with a musically enriching background for life with the ability to participate in amateur ensembles

Application process

Visit the Audition section of our website for our forms and deadlines

Visit the Scholarship section of our website for our forms and deadlines

* Please see our website for details on our Specialist Music categories and fee structures.