Izzy_Ballet Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 Hi everyone! I am thinking of auditioning for the Hammond lower school dance to start in year 8, so I was wondering what type of exercises you do in the ballet and modern classes, what type of solo to prepare, and what they do to test your flexibility? It would also be helpful if you could tell me what kind of ability/grade they expect you to be at so I can see if I am ready for this (it’s a big jump from just dancing for fun a few times a week, but I have been thinking about it for a while). Would you also recommend doing a few extra classes to prepare for the audition? Thanks and sorry this is so long! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy_Ballet Posted August 4, 2019 Author Share Posted August 4, 2019 Just noticed this year the audition says you had to do a vocal solo? Is this optional or do you have to sing? Not much of a singer myself and I only want to go in for the dancing (mainly ballet)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 My dd auditioned 6 years ago now sober experience is probably out of date especially as there have been retirements and staffchanges since then. The ballet class was fairly simple. She was borderline back then & advised to work on her technique but it was her sense of performance that tipped the boundary for her on being accepted. Her feet were checked but I can’t remember what else. Singing is compulsory but the dance is the main thing. They know that many don’t have experience and children have been known to just sing happy birthday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 My dd’s experience was also a long time ago, so as pictures says, there have been staff changes since then, so things might be different. There was a ballet class which was comfortable for dd - I think she was in RAD inter foundation at that time but I do recall that quite a few of her year group had not taken the inter exam when they started year 7. I remember her telling me that they did pirouettes and were encouraged to give doubles a go even if they had not tried them before. I think that your potential and not your grade is important here. Dd did a ballet solo, but I do recall a conversation some years later with a teacher who said that the panel rather liked to see another genre as they saw a lot of ballet in the ballet class, and what they were looking for included a love of performance. Dd did prepare a vocal solo (one that she had used in a festival dance) but as pictures said, I have heard that people who did not prepare anything were asked to sing happy birthday. I think that if you can sing a little, it does show your versatility and willingness to embrace everything, even if you really want to focus on dance. I'm sure there are forum members who have more recent experience than ours, but don’t be afraid to call the school (or ask your parent/guardian to do so for you) if you have questions that are not answered. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farawaydancer Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 This was the schedule for this year’s auditions. Dd thought the ballet was around grade 4/inter foundation in terms of some of the things they were asked to do but there was plenty of simple things too. She said about half did a ballet solo and half did something else. Everyone had prepared a song for her particular audition. 8.30 a.m.Arrive at The Hammond. Please report to The Performing Arts Centre Welcome by the Hammond Principal. CANDIDATE 9.00Candidates taken to change and prepare for audition 9.15 – 10.15Audition – Ballet class. (Parents/Guardians should contact the Hammond prior to audition should they require further explanation or are uncomfortable with this procedure). 10.15 – 10.40Flexibility Assessment 10.40 – 11.00Modern 11.00 – 12.00Dance Solos in any chosen dance style 1 minute maximum (teachers or candidates own choreography). Please record your music on a USB STICK. 12.00 – 12.30Lunch (School will provide, please let the school know if your child has any special dietary requirements). 12.30 – 1.45 Vocal warm up (in audition group) followed by: 12.30 – 1.45 Vocal Solo – 1 minute long. Sheet music is preferred and should be provided clearly marked. If sheet music is not available a backing track can be used. However, backing vocals are not suitable. Backing track on a USB STICK. 2.00 – 3.00/30Non Verbal Reasoning Test (NVR) for all years 7 & 8 candidates. English and Maths papers will be forwarded to current school for completion. 3.30 – 4.00Audition candidates visit boarding house (if appropriate) where they will receive a tour and refreshments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farawaydancer Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 And this was the recall schedule. 9.00amArrive at Hoole Bank House Welcome by Principal 9.30 – 10.30Audition – Ballet 10.40 – 11.15Creative Movement 11.15 – 11.30Light Refreshments will be provided 11.30 – 1.00Audition – Musical Theatre Workshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy_Ballet Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Thanks for all the replies! I feel a bit better about auditioning now 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milzmam Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 Anyone auditioning for Hammond for Sept this year entry and which year groups? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 I have 3 pupils auditioning for Year 7 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy_Ballet Posted January 16, 2020 Author Share Posted January 16, 2020 I’m auditioning for year 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milzmam Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 Good luck to everyone auditioning next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 My DD auditioning on Monday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milzmam Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 On 18/01/2020 at 14:24, Calea said: My DD auditioning on Monday! Were there many at audition on Monday? My dd is trying for year 10 but just curious how many places in years 8, 9 and 10 there are compared to how many auditioning. Hope your dd audition went well 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 They are flexible on places but the number of MDS awards available depends on various factors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 On 21/01/2020 at 18:08, Milzmam said: Were there many at audition on Monday? My dd is trying for year 10 but just curious how many places in years 8, 9 and 10 there are compared to how many auditioning. Hope your dd audition went well I think my daughter said there were about 20 in her group - boys and girls! We are waiting to hear on a y7 place they said they take 20 children in y7 and there were 11 mds awards for this year group but the years above only had a few! Hope this helps and good luck too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milzmam Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 9 hours ago, Calea said: I think my daughter said there were about 20 in her group - boys and girls! We are waiting to hear on a y7 place they said they take 20 children in y7 and there were 11 mds awards for this year group but the years above only had a few! Hope this helps and good luck too! Thanks @Calea that is helpful. We knew year 10 entry would be hard and funding even harder but it is her dream so still giving it a go. Hope you don't wait too long for outcome of your dd audition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Has anyone heard from Hammond yet from Monday’s audition ? They are normally very quick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 7 hours ago, tutugirl said: Has anyone heard from Hammond yet from Monday’s audition ? They are normally very quick @tutugirl we are still waiting too! They did say approx. 10 days! Fingers crossed we hear back soon! 🙏 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Results are out . By email . I refer to last Monday for Year 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty’s mum Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 It was an amazing yes for us today... so exited... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milzmam Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Well done everyone. Anyone yes for year 10? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 @Betty’s mum - congratulations! It’s a yes for us too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Congratulations ! Is that a yes an invitation to funding finals ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty’s mum Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Yes for the funding finals... now just the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 @tutugirl - yes for funding finals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Well done everyone ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty’s mum Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 @Calea Congratulations, I think we chatted in the boarding house, you came from Christchurch, is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 @Betty’s mum - yes - didn’t you use to live in Bournemouth? Congratulations 🥳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betty’s mum Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 @Calea yes that’s us, still down there a lot to see family & friends. See you again on 25th... xx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calea Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 @Betty’s mum - look forward to seeing you again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flower Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Does anyone know how long Hammond takes to send out results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milzmam Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Flower said: Does anyone know how long Hammond takes to send out results? Our results took about 5 days. Were you at audition on Monday? There is a seperate thread for Hammond 2020 auditions on here aswell Edited February 4, 2020 by Milzmam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flower Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Hi Milzmam, Yes we were there yesterday. Thanks I will go and look for that thread x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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