HAIRBELLES

Hi smallbythesea I realise your question was directed at spannerandpony but this also happened to my dd a few years ago. She was given a place on the dance course no funding and a place on the theatre arts course with a scholarship audition. The Hammond funding audition was the same day as the Tring scholarship audition ,she chose To go to Hammond and has been there for the past 4 and a half years. The reason I'm am posting this is that at the time my dd was heartbroken she didn't get in the RBS or Elmhurst .The ironic thing is she now wants a career in Musical Theatre and absolutely lioves singing and acting as well as dance. Perhaps Tring saw something we didn't at the time!! Have you looked at The Hammond as it really is very strong on the musical theatre/ performing arts as well as the dance so much so my dd would like to stay for upper school.

Thanks Ecarte This is what I, and probably everyone auditioning this year, have been waiting to find out since they announced the changes.

Quite a few that day were from year 11 with roughly a third from other dance schools. The audition tomorrow must be made up of students from other dance schools with a few current yr 11 as most of them have had their auditions. Do you mean the interview questions? From what I can gather (my DD doesn't give much away) these were questions about yourself .

Two girls I have known personally have had these letters........ one who who didn't go to the final and wasn't offered a mids place,one did and was offered a full-time place which they didn't accept and then was given a mids place. My younger DD ( Queen of the SWL) didn't get offered a final audition but was given a place on the waiting list,but then so was most of the JA class. Huge well done to all who make the final ,fingers crossed for those of you awaiting letters .......Good Luck Angel for the Elmhurst finals!!

Hi dancergirl101 Although I have had more experience of Lower School at The Hammond, my DD has done her Upper School audition and has a place although still has to audition for funding. I know there is an audition on the 4th February for Upper School that will be of no use to you now.........I have no idea if there are further dates before the funding audition in March and we don't know what date this will be yet. The best thing to do is phone the school first thing monday and speak to Janet Starmer she is very helpful. As for numbers auditioning in my DD's audition there were around 29 .....nine of these did not make it through to the afternoon. There is another thread on here(about 3 weeks ago) about Hammond Upper School Auditions ...sorry I'm not sure how to add a previous thread I'm sure all that apply audition ......its a very long day with the more sections to it than any of the other dance schools and colleges. Good Luck

Hi Discouraged Obviously not aware of your location or if your DD wants a purely classical course, although from her next auditions it would seem so, it may be worth looking the following: Northern Ballet CAT scheme at Leeds London Russian Ballet Bristol Russian Ballet Another alternative would be to look at doing some easter and summer courses this year......I feel these are a good way of "getting the feel" of school or college .......some of the vocational students also do some of these courses with short performances at the end. Last year one student was taken into Elmhurst from the summer school. From your previous posts I see your DD is Advanced 2 so she is at the same standard a vocational student will be. Good Luck to your DD for future auditions.

My DS s reaction to audiition outcomes was that he would go where he was most wanted and welcomed. When his RBS teachers suggested a re audition for the following year would be successful his reaction was "well they've had their chance!" This made me smile hfbrew its the sort of comment my little one would make. Discouraged please don't be too downhearted at Elmhursts decision like you say your DD has already achieved what many never will.....8yrs as an associate is fantastic! Like many on this forum I have been in your shoes and can empathise wholeheartedly! I also was very disapointed when my younger DD didn't get finals for WL and found trying to cope with mine and my daughters emotions very difficult......fortunately I had and still do have a very sensible friend (you know who you are ) who knows just what to say to make me feel better. My elder DD broke her heart when she didn't get a final for Elmhurst (this was lower school) ........she ended up at The Hammond and quite quickly decided she loved singing as well.......so although she is a lovely ballet dancer her passion is now for Musical Theatre. What I'm trying to say is that what is for your daughter will not pass her by.........I firmly believe this!!!

What a super idea JulieW.........I will keep my eye on the RB website. What a lovely way to stay connected to the school .......we have often said we will miss our annual Christmas trips to Chester for the Carol service (and the all lovely shops). Will you be organising the get together

My mother watched a programme featuring Wayne Sleep .... When discussing his stature ,He was saying that he missed the x-ray part of his audition so yes it must right that you read this somewhere.

Everyone has their theories as to what The Royal Ballet look for in a 10/11 year old child but this is what they actually state on their letter: The requirements for the Lower School are quite exacting: technical facility, theatricality, musicality,physical proportions, and suitability for Classical Ballet training at this School are all taken into consideration. Often it may be a limitation in only one aspect that can be a deciding factor. The School does recognise that young people change and develop at different stages and for this reason no one is ever dissuaded from auditioning again. I took the opportunity, through our local dance teacher, to obtain feedback as my DD had been an associate for 3 years and Gailene Stock had asked her to come back in the audition studio and looked at her again. I was given very positive feedback some of which I could see for myself. Both my DD's have been associates and both are very different in physique, flexibility etc.Neither of them made Lower School finals (much to my dismay as I really would like to visit White Lodge) but both are in a vocational ballet school!

Hi Dancergirl101 My DD did have time to change and without checking with her I'm sure she even had time to change her hair . Are you there on the 4th feb? Once again Good Luck!

Hi dancergirl101 My DD auditioned on monday and as dragonlady has already said it was a very long from 8.30am and they were still interviewing when we left at 6pm...I think there were around 27 auditioning that day.She was extremely nervous beforehand but came out upbeat however the next day she was drained both physically and emotionally. I cannot comment on the hardest aspects of the audition as she doesn't give very much away,but she did do some pointework . The best advice I can think to give you is to prepare yourself well and leave nothing to chance ........my daughter insisted she only needed soft shoes so I made her take her softblocks and her pointe shoes .....need I say more lol : Also for the interview anticipate what they could ask you and your responses.....the panel is made up of several heads of dance and musical theatre also directors of the school. Hope that helps a little.....smile,perform,be yourself and above all enjoy your day !!!Good Luck to everyone auditioning this year!!

Sorry Ribbons I was posting at the same time and said virtually the same thing!

Me too Belljul!!!! It does seem a low cut off point when MDS is more like£150,000.[obviously includes boarding] The Hammond's the current fees are £16,050 not including extras. Im not sure without looking but presume Elmhurst,Royal etc will be higher. It will then cost a further £4-5,000 for accomadation. It is a potential financial nightmare for some, whose children have trained for 5 years, not to be able to continue if parents cannot find the extra money required. How on earth can we make decisions for our children if the schools and colleges concerned have no idea what is happening. It is going to cost at least £1,000 with travel and overnight stays to audition to start off with .......what is the point if you cannot pay even with a Dada award!!!!!

I am assuming the same Ribbons.........I have read somewhere although I can't remember what site it was that a table of contributions would be available once the schools and colleges have been instructed on the administration of the awards. Just to add, maintenance for my elder daughter that goes via my bank account straight back out to pay her fees is taken into account for the youngest ones MDS .Therefore my ex husband is contributing to a child that is neither his or is living with her mother. I dont mean to sound like I'm being flippant but there are lots of variables that will not be fair depending on everyones circumstances even some of the high earners probably haven't the disposable income required to pay the contributions and mortgage payments are not accounted for, I could go on forever. I just know I am as always hugely grateful my daughter has an award and that without the dada,whatever the contribution, it will be impossible for my other daughter to continue. By next year swanprincess the new measures will be well under way and you will have a good idea of what the contribution will be.

I will pm you what the test covers when I can wrestle the laptop from my husbands clutches..... It's hard work on a phone .

Fantastic news for your DC's All4dancers and Sparkledust!......well done to them! Tulip there are now 3 Senior teachers overseeing 4 disciplines of dance.

They do a similar test on the pupils at The Hammond every year .Parents receive a very detailed report ..........let me know if you want more information and I will dig one out .

Hi Picturesinthefirelight I have one in yr11 and one in yr8. I noticed that your DD had decided not to try for Hammond. Am I right in thinking she did summer school ? Could you get any feedback on her level of dance if that is what you think could hold her back?

I could be wrong, I'm sure my DD said it is also MT 2's.

Hi Tomuchtallent I tried to post earlier to answer your earlier question unfortunately for some reason it wouldn't post. I listed every performance opportunity a yr7 would usually get at Hammond. Yes the dance students do get bigger roles and it is all done by audition.....it was my DD's audition today for Phantom so fingers are tightly crossed. In the yearly production the yr7 & 8's join together to do a number from a west end show.......last year it was a medley from Matilda it was fabulous. I echo Justamum Mr Williams and the music staff are all amazing ,enthusiastic teachers who bring out the very best in my DD's.They have lots of singing as well as private lessons they have junior choir. If your DD loves both dancing and singing The Hammond is worth serious consideration.

Yes the assessments this year are early,they usually take place around february,the children then put on a performance entitled Work in Progress.Every two years The Hammond stage a full scale MT show involving yrs9-11 and apparently this is why it has been brouight forward. I agree year 9 is a very strong year......Hammond have always assessed the children but not as rigourous as RBS or Elmhurst and for the first time yr11 are being assessed.I presume for their suitability to carry on into Upper School. Although it was around 6 yrs ago when we visited Tring my husband was very impressed with their attitude to the academic side of the school. I firmly believe my elder DD will achieve better results than she would have done at our local school. I know the education at vocational school comes at a price and some of my friends would expect my DD's to finish with a fistfull of qualifications because they've been to "private" school but as I tell them it is an independent education where the children are selected for their talent in dancing and not academic excellence. Wow spannerandpony Russian! That could be more useful than french or conversational spanish.....as ever my ballet brain thought process The Bolshoi perhaps

I've just had a call from the RAD unfortunately the master class has been cancelled . Apparently there are not enough pupils to warrant it going ahead. A shame for my younger DD as unusual for such an opportunity to virtually on our doorstep

Fran darned my daughters pointe shoes and sent them straight to her at school she said they are "awesome" !

That's a fabulous achievement All4dancers ,well done to your dd and fingers crossed for The Hammond. Good Luck