Flexible Fred Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Hi all I know there have been several questions about associate schemes and just wondered what people's thoughts are. In talking about RBS, Elmhurst , Tring BTUK, Central etc, does being in any of their associate schemes carry weight what so ever when it comes to auditioning for full time training ? Do they even take this into consideration do you think ? I mean you would say that a JA must have ' something ' to even be one so would therefore a JA get preference when it came to auditioning ? Not necessarily for the RBS but would Elmhurst say take this child more seriously ? The same applies for SA's and upper school. Or does it make no difference whatsoever ? Just interested on what other people though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat09 Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 In our experience , everyone who applied to upper school was offered an audition. As for results, some from Associate schemes were offered several places some not. I really do think it is what they see on the day that decides on whether a place is offered. There are definitely pupils taking post 16 training that have never been a part of an Associate Scheme. Having said that, of course, associate schemes are a wonderful addition to compliment local training and having been a part of one is a fabulous experience - definitely not to be discounted but I don't think the dancer is taken any more seriously because of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Certainly for Upper School applications, it is nice for those dancers not already in full-time training to be able to put one or more good Associate schemes on the application form. Not only do they give schools a better idea of the standard of training that dancer has had - if they are not at a widely known local school - it also demonstrates a good work ethic if a dancer manages to fit in homework and local training while spending their weekends at Associates. Just my tuppence worth - no idea how much difference it makes to audition panels. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circe Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I can only speculate but I dont think it makes any difference as the panels seem to assess on the basis of the audition not the written info though I guess they are also interested in hrs of dance and range of experience too but the main factor will be performance at the audition/s. Only place that filters on application form I think is Rambert and I cant imagine associate schemes will come into the decision making. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I would think it also works in another way. If the student has been at good associate schemes, is a good standard exam wise and does so many hours dancing a week, the audition panel will expect to see that reflected in the student and wonder why if not. A student with less training but enormous potential will not be discounted. My main thought about taking on a non vocational student would be potential injury. To suddenly go from a few hours a week to a many hours a day takes a certain body type, and there is a greater risk of injury just due to sheer fatigue. It's a huge step up and they can't go that carefully, as they have a lot to fit in in 2 1/2 years. Someone who has done a few hours with their local teacher and 1 or 2 associate schemes probably has more hours built into their body - not always of course. Strength and injury must be a big consideration for an audition panel at 16. Much more important than just a nice physique and good facility. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Every person is looked at equally and individually to see if they fit each schools own criteria. I don't think the panel have time to look where a student has trained or done what during an audition. They may review a students CV to decide perhaps. I really do believe that everyone who auditions, gets a fair crack of the whip. Those who are already a part of an associate programme clearly already have talent and good physique to have got in. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitingmum Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 I am not sure what age you are asking about. The only thing that I can add related to year 7 is that except for 3 foreign students all students that made it into RBS this year were JAs from RBS. Majority of Elmhurst final auditionees were also JAs from either RBS or Elmhurst. I don't think they take this into consideration as such but I guess dds are already filtered/trained to some degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Autumn days Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 (edited) I am sre that schools judge only what they see before them. It may well be true that the majority of children offered places a the top schools have been JAs etc but this wont because they ARE JAs but because they have already been proven to be good enough to be. There will be children at audition who are either from overseas, as has been said and those, who for whatever reqson, have never even auditioned for JAs that will be equally good and they will stand an equal chance. Remember that not all JAs will get vocational places and also that not all associate schemes are equal - some are more selective than others! Edited October 18, 2015 by mum in a spin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eowyn Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 Speaking from my own experience with a dd in Y7 at vocational school I would say yes it helps as they will obviously have proven to be of a high standard, but equally it is still possible to get a place without it. Most of the other girls in my dd's year at school were JA's and the majority of those we met at final auditions were also either a JA and/or an Elmhurst associate. However dd has never done any associate schemes (simply because we never really knew about them) and she was still offered a dance place at both Tring & Hammond. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted October 18, 2015 Share Posted October 18, 2015 My dd was a RBS associate and did attend vocational school. These are brilliant for extra training and help when applying to summer schools. However they definitely do not help in any way at auditions. The panel without doubt assess the students infront of them. The panel are not interested in exam grades, competitions or the amount of lessons taken. They are looking at ability, potential, facility and physique. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisiblecircus Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hi all I know there have been several questions about associate schemes and just wondered what people's thoughts are. In talking about RBS, Elmhurst , Tring BTUK, Central etc, does being in any of their associate schemes carry weight what so ever when it comes to auditioning for full time training ? Do they even take this into consideration do you think ? I mean you would say that a JA must have ' something ' to even be one so would therefore a JA get preference when it came to auditioning ? Not necessarily for the RBS but would Elmhurst say take this child more seriously ? The same applies for SA's and upper school. Or does it make no difference whatsoever ? Just interested on what other people though A good associate scheme will enhance a dancer's training and improve her technique. That is what will assist her in an audition, not simply the fact that she has been an associate. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I don't believe they help in the audition itself. The panel will choose on what they see on the day from the candidates facility, musicality etc. My dd went to lower school having never been an associate as it was not logistically feasible for us. However she was one of only two in her year that were not ex associates and at times she found that hard. The others all knew each other, or of each other from workshops, performances etc. There were a few girls who thought it was ok to tell my dd 'she wasn't as good as everyone else' as had not been an associate'. Things like that are hard to manage when they are 11 or 12 living away from home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piccolo Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I think it's more the influence on a child's dancing of a specific teacher or school held in good repute by the vocational schools that would carry any weight. Some of them are also associate teachers and some of them aren't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I think being an associate also helps when you are applying for over-subscribed courses, summer schools, workshops and so on, as many of the application forms ask for this information. It gives them more information as to the level you are working at in addition to your grades etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Jane that sounds awful. .. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amos73 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Agreed SarahW, how unpleasant for your DD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amos73 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Agreed SarahW, how unpleasant for your DD. Sorry, agreeing with SarahW, that sounds so unpleasant for your DD, Jane! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Very spiteful behaviour. One could argue that she is better than the associates because she had been chosen without extra training. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eowyn Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Gosh Jane that's awful. My dd is one of the only ones who isn't an ex-associate as well and so far I haven't experienced anything like this thank goodness! I did worry when she went that she wouldn't be as good as the others and would feel intimidated, but thankfully she is doing fine and loving every minute :-) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletqs Posted October 24, 2015 Share Posted October 24, 2015 It really doesn't make any difference IMHO I have had equal number of students gain year 7 places with or without associates and all our 15+ students have gained places with full funding without being in associate schemes as they don't attend them but we do our own specialist free work classes. I certainly think the upper school ratio of senior associate to school is very very low so do what is right for your child and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now