Music Place FAQs
How do I apply for one of the music places at CSG?
I missed the registration deadline – can I still come to the aptitude test?
My child is away on a school trip or for other reasons not able to attend the aptitude test or auditions – can the school arrange for another session for my daughter?
How do I register?
What happens at the musical aptitude assessment?
What happens after the assessment?
What happens at the audition?
When will I be notified of the results of the aptitude assessment and/or audition?
Why did my daughter not get invited to the performance audition?
Do you have music place waiting lists, and is there movement on the lists?
My daughter didn’t get offered a music place at CSG – what position is she on the waiting list?
My daughter has been offered a music place. How do I accept?
Why do you have music places?
How do I apply for one of the music places at CSG?
Please complete the online registration form and select your chosen aptitude assessment date / time.
I missed the registration deadline – can I still come to the aptitude test?
If you missed the registration deadline, but are not too late for the sessions, please telephone the school office on (020) 7485 3414. If the sessions are not full, your daughter may be able to still attend. However, if they are full, unfortunately your daughter will not be able to sit the assessment.
No. The school cannot make special arrangements to accommodate individual circumstances.
Complete the online application forms for both the music aptitude and banding assessments. You should register an account with the school. Registration means you can change your agreed assessment sessions should you need to (and places are still available).
You will receive an automated email confirmation of your child’s banding and aptitude assessment times. The email address supplied to the school needs to be regularly checked. The school cannot take responsibility for incorrectly spelled email addresses. Please add CSG to your safe lists or address books to ensure that emails don’t get caught in a spam filter. Please review this email carefully to ensure that all your details are correct.
What happens at the musical aptitude assessment?
When arriving at the school your daughter will be met by a member of staff who will explain the aptitude assessment, which is a listening test is designed to provide an objective measure of musical aptitude. It does not require any previous training or practice, or any knowledge of music theory. The test lasts for approximately 1.5 hours and there will be a comfort break if required. Please would your daughter bring a pencil, a sharpener and an eraser to the assessment.
What happens after the assessment?
The three highest scoring candidates will automatically be contacted by email and informed that should they wish to apply for a place at the school, they will be offered a place on the basis of musical aptitude (if Camden School for Girls is matched by the secondary transfer system as a preference).
A waiting list of candidates will be drawn up in ranked order of the aptitude only scores from which students will be drawn in the event of candidates turning down their offer. Those candidates who ranked in the top 50 will also be contacted to inform them of their position on this aptitude only waiting list and to invite them back to school to attend a performance audition to further demonstrate their musical aptitude and ability.
For the audition, students will be asked to perform 1-2 pieces on one or two instruments/voice for up to 5 minutes. This may be a song that they have taught themselves, a piece that they have learnt at school (perhaps in a music club or through a Wider Opportunities project) or something that they have worked on in individual lessons.
For this part of the assessment, although the school is looking for a degree of technical fluency, as appropriate to the demands of the piece, more important is the musicality and sense of style of the performance and the way in which the performer communicates and interprets the music. An accompanist will not be provided but you are welcome to bring your own.
The five highest scoring candidates in the performance audition will be offered a place at the school (if Camden School for Girls is matched by the secondary transfer system as a preference).
A waiting list of candidates will be drawn up in ranked order from which students will be drawn in the event of candidates turning down their offer.
When will I be notified of the results of the aptitude assessment and/or audition?
Please click here for the list of dates. You will be notified of your daughter’s position on the waiting lists if in the top 50.
Why did my daughter not get invited to the performance audition?
The music aptitude assessment process is very competitive and usually the school receives in excess of three times the number of applicants to audition spaces. Therefore, two thirds of applicants are not successful in progressing to the next stage of the assessment process. The school will email you to inform you of this. If you decide to list CSG on your application form, your application will automatically be considered under the distance criterion.
Do you have music place waiting lists, and is there movement on the lists?
Yes we do maintain two separate waiting lists, in rank score order. The first list refers to only the music aptitude assessment. The second list refers to only the performance audition. There is often significant movement on both waiting lists over the application and place acceptance process, so it is possible that your daughter may be offered a place from the waiting list if you did decide to apply.
My daughter didn’t get offered a music place at CSG – what position is she on the waiting list?
You will be contacted by email regarding this or you should contact the school office on (020) 7485 3414 who can advise you on your position on the waiting list.
My daughter has been offered a music place. How do I accept?
You should follow the instructions provided to you by the Local Authority and accept the offer of a place with them directly.
Until very recently, the school had specialist music status. The school is proud of its strong musical tradition and seeks to maintain our musical focus in the future.