St. Paul's Boys School music scholarship
St Paul’s Boys School is an English independent day school for boys aged 13 to 18. It is linked to St Paul’s Junior School, which dates back to the 16th century. It has long provided its students with an exceptional education and ensures that music is at the heart of the scholastic experience.
St Paul’s Boys School offers entry points for its music scholarship at 11+, 13+ and 16+. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of music scholarship at St Paul’s, exploring the scholarship award, the application process, and the notable musical alumni who have thrived since leaving the school.
4
No. of Permanent Music Staff
Average 5
35
No. Visiting Music Teachers (VMT)
Average 31
1:26
Music Staff (include VMT) to Student Ratio*
Average 1:32
£2700
Maximum Scholarship Award Value (£)*
Average £5376
*Find out how we collected and calculated our music scholarship data here
School Overview
St Paul’s Boys School has stood as one of the UK’s leading institutions for secondary education since it was founded in 1509. Founded by John Colet, Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, the school traces its roots back over half a millennium. Founded to educate boys of all nations in letters and etiquette, from its birth, St Paul’s developed an educational philosophy independent of the church and committed to a humanistic program, some of which was written by Erasmus himself.
Today, as one of the country’s leading schools, St Paul’s leans on its academic excellence. The Sunday Times Independent Schools Guide awarded St Paul’s a Top 10 in academic results. Beyond the classroom, the school is committed to inspiring in its students the humility, respectfulness, kindness and integrity that constitute a rounded character. Its focus is on providing a world-class education to equip young men with opportunities for development and growth within and beyond the classroom.
Scholarship Award
Earning a music scholarship at St Paul’s School is a prestigious opportunity for young musicians to further their education in a supportive and musically enriched environment.
Each scholarship offers its holder £60 per annum, as well as free tuition on two instruments. A number of exhibitions providing free tuition on one instrument are also available.
Means-tested bursaries are also available, potentially covering full fees.
Eligibility
To be considered for the 11+ Music Scholarship, applicants should be at least grade 5 standard on their principal instrument.
For entry for the 13+ Music Scholarship, candidates will be expected to play to a grade 6 standard on their main instrument.
For the 16+ Music Scholarship, students will be expected to hold a grade 8 standard on their principal instrument.
Application Timeline
The closing date for entries for the 13+ music scholarship is mid-January, and shortlisted students will be invited to audition in either very late in January or early in February in the year of entry.
Audition
During the audition process for the music scholarship at St Paul’s, students are required to perform, sight-read, respond to aural tests and answer general questions relating to their music making.
For the 13+ music scholarship, applicants will also need to complete a 20-minute written music scholarship paper.
To prepare for the audition, it is advisable to seek music scholarship support. This may, for example, involve specialised lessons with a music teacher with experience in scholarships. Some families opt to have meetings with Ralph Allwood MBE, ex-Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years, for a mock audition and feedback in the months leading up to the audition.
As advised in our Ultimate Guide to Music Scholarships, it is strongly recommended to begin preparation for scholarship auditions at least 12 months beforehand.
St Paul's Musical Legacy
St Paul’s boasts a rich musical legacy, with its extensive list of notable alumni that counts Noah and the Whale’s Charlie Fink and influential musicologist Stanley Sadie among its ranks. The school can boast a large and thriving Chapel Choir and select Chamber Choir that perform at the school as well as at distinguished external venues like St Paul’s Cathedral. Among the greatest strengths of St Paul’s music department is its jazz: many pupils take part in the Big Band and Swing Band, with both bands enjoying a loyal local following at The Bull’s Head in Barnes and the 606 Club in Chelsea
The school's commitment to nurturing musical talent is evident in its offering of specialist groups like Percussion Ensemble, Drum Line or the Big Sax Group, as well as an 80-piece Symphony Orchestra and a Chamber orchestra, both of which are supported by two training orchestras.
Conclusion
The Music Scholarships available at St Paul’s School showcase its commitment to fostering musical talent and providing a supportive environment for students to flourish. With a rich history, esteemed alumni, and state-of-the-art facilities, St Paul’s School continues to be a hub for young musicians aspiring to reach their full potential. Prospective candidates should seize the opportunity to apply.
For families looking for support and advice when applying, Prelude Education is Britain's only music-specialist scholarship advisory service and has supported 400+ students to achieve music scholarships to Britain’s leading independent schools.
Ralph Allwood MBE, Ex-Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years, leads our Music Scholarship team
We offer
Private lessons from specialist music scholarship teachers
Consultations with Ralph Allwood MBE
Mock scholarship auditions
Personalised shortlist of scholarships suited to your child
The UK’s Only Expert Music Scholarship Preparation Course
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Ultimate Guide to Music Scholarships
Interested in how to best prepare your child for a music scholarship? Read the best Ultimate Guide to Music Scholarships written by music scholarship experts.
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Music Scholarship Advisory Services
Looking for further support in how to achieve a music scholarship? Read more about our Scholarship Advisory Services for 11+, 13+ and 16+ music scholarships
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Watch Ralph Allwood Discuss Scholarships
Watch Ralph Allwood MBE, Director of Music at Eton College for 26 years, discuss 6 tips of how to get a music scholarship to British private and independent schools.
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Free Music Scholarship Resources
These resources have been created by our music scholarship experts, including by an ex-Director of Music at Eton College and a teacher at Westminster School
