dasalo:

Sorry, if I may ask are you currently taking MEP with your secondary school? Also, I am assuming you are applying to the Music Faculty?

No I'm not taking MEP, but I do have grade 5 theory, ABRSM certified. Yes I am, through vocals.

Hey I’m applying for DSA-JC and there’s a component about a music listening exercise which includes an analysis of a Bach Chorale. Any tips on how to write an analysis? I have no idea how to

Desperate Dancer:

And since I am a foreign student, would there be different tests that I would have to take? Would there be other arrangements needed to be done before the audition? Are there scholarships for international students?

From what I know, international students have to take a math assessment... I think. I'm not very sure. The website did not make it clear whether the scholarships and bursaries are available for international students, so you may want to clarify first because the fee for ASEAN international students are quite high, especially for year 5 and 6.

Sorry, I don't know much

dasalo:

Your playing the French horn will help in musical knowledge and note reading. Most art form curriculum time ends at 5.15-6pm. It's up to you whether you wanna stay back for your own practise. Most stayed back as the music rooms are conducive for practises. School closes at 10pm so all have to go home by that time. It's really up to you.


Year 2013 you are in Sec 4 right? Call SOTA at the start of the year and tell them your interest in doing a transfer and ask for the earliest audition dates. Tell them you are also keen to retain a year ie. you join them as a Y3 student instead of Y4, the path which most people take and also sometimes recommended by the school, chances are higher that way.

Before you take that leap, pls seek your parent's consent and intention of retaining a year in the new school. End of day, you must ask yourself why you wanted so much to study in SOTA? What is it that entice you to study there? How much do you know about the IB diploma?

I would transfer next year if I could but I wish to finish my O levels first instead of just transferring there mid-year. But I'm not actually sure whether I can try for year 4 or 3 if I audition under DSA-JC.

I know quite a bit about the IB diploma actually, because my older brother is currently in an IB school. The only difference is that my six subject will be a lot more stressful.

For your latest post:

I emailed the student admissions officer at SOTA about available places and she replied that the number is not confirmed even when I asked whether there would be at least one slot available. That is what worries me.

Furthermore, I don't mind retaining a year or two, but I'm afraid that the DSA-JC category may limit me to only entering the audition as a year 5 or 6 applicant.

dasalo:

Hi Minmin,


I'll answer your Qs in Blue in the quoted box. Remember, call the school for absolute accurate answers as regulations changes from time to time.

minminXP:

Hi, first of all, I'm not a parent. I'm an extremely worried student.

That's no need to be unduly worried. If you want a singing career, there is always other avenues. Just do what you do best now and do it to the best of your ability.

I'm a secondary 3 student currently schooling in SCGS (Singapore Chinese Girls' School Secondary) and I'm extremely interested in enrolling in SOTA and auditioning next year. Hopefully, I'll be able to attend SOTA as a year 5 student in 2014 instead of heading to a mainstream Junior College.

It is exceptionally tough if you want to join them as a Y5 student unless you are really good academically. Why? Because Y5/6 is the IB yrs where you have to do the 3 compulsory component namely TOK, EE and CAS. While CAS is the equivalent of CIP in mainstream school, it'll probably be easily tackled. It is the TOK (Theory of Knowledge) and EE (Extended Essay) you'll need to submit an essay consisting of 4 thousand words which is tough.

I have some questions about this school, and I was extremely worried when I read the entry requirements on the website.

Some background information about my current academic situation. I heard that SOTA is extremely stressful with long hours, ending around 6PM.

(YES)

I am actually used to this because as a Secondary 3 pupil, we have to stay back until 5PM for compulsory remedials and my CCA (Concert Band) ends close to 7PM and it about 2/3 times a week. I normally get home around 7/8 PM every day of the week.

My results are not good, and I've been struggling because of the high standard graded papers.

You are required to choose 3 subjects as High graded papers too.

I have some questions about SOTA:

1. I do extremely badly in A Math, does that affect my chances badly?

They do not do A math. No

2. I want to apply for the Music(Vocal) sector in SOTA, but I heard that only 4/5 students get selected every year. Any information?

As in DSA in Y1? or transfer students at higher level? Figures unknown actually, if one is superb, not an issue

3. How many students audition for singing normally?

DSA? or Transfer students? I don't have the exact figure and I'm sure they do not reveal.

4. My best subject is English and Literature, and I recently (actually, today) obtained 2 distinctions for the Australian NSW English writing and comprehension test. On the breakdown of the results, I was put in the top 6 % and top 2 % islandwide for English. Does that help?

Yes, so I assume you have no problem writing essays. The 2 subjects will become one in SOTA as they only do Literature. NSW scores helps. Below link shows projects for Literature Sub.

http://sotaliterature.wordpress.com/category/event-reviews/


5. I do not have much experience in the vocal area, but I have performed a lot under band. Am I able to use my performance experience for my portfolio even though it's not under the sector that I am applying for?

You performed in a band group as vocalist or play an instrument? It will help if you are a vocalist and applying under music faculty (vocal). It is important to list your experience.

6. What do SOTA really look for? I heard that they're harsher with their older candidates.

Yes, I think it applies to all schools. Every graduating student's results will reflect the school's name.

7. Are the school hours at SOTA around what I am currently experiencing?

Nope, depends on the art form you are in. Dance students being the longest. Maybe 9 or 10pm depending on how hardworking the student is, some other art form students stay just as late. Anyway, school compound closes at 10pm, so all must go home. Dancer's parent, care to share your experience?

8. Does anyone know what the vocal curriculum at SOTA is like?

Similiar to music students. They do all the same studies except that their instrument is voice, so they'll sing to practise.

9. I currently take vocal lessons outside, but I am not very experienced as I have just started. How does that put me at an advantage/disadvantage?

Disadvantage to be honest, if you are going in at Y5. Don't be disheartened with my answers. Carry on with your vocal lessons, it will be of use in the future. I'm also taking vocal lessons at my age..*shy to say.

10. Does SOTA look at current technical ability or potential?

If you are doing DSA in Y1, they look for both ability and potential. All higher levels, excellent ability.

11. Does anyone have any videos of the current year 4 students singing onstage? I need to gage my standard against them to estimate how much I have to improve to match their standard by the time I go for the Talent Academy auditions next year.

SOTA has very few vocal students esp at higher level, so...not many vids available.

Sorry for the barrage of questions. And thanks so much!

I hope my answers to your Qs does not deter you from applying to SOTA.

Thanks so much for answering, I definitely will still apply to SOTA.

I'm in the school band and I play the French Horn, but is that still able to be used as performance experience?

I'm actually okay with school ending at 6PM, because I normally leave school at around those hours anyway. I'm talking about the hours for the vocal students.

And one more thing: If I audition next year as a secondary 4 student, am I allowed to try out for the lower levels? I need not audition only for year 5, am I right?

dasalo:

Those vids are from Y6 students actually.

Below are students from Y4 but they are theatre students (not sure about Phoebe and Geraldine)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEU8Lxexpi4

Those who form band group are mostly mixture of students from different faculty. eg JIMG (juice in my guitar, lead guitarist is a VA student, I think)

Thanks for the link to your cover. I am going to be very honest with my comments hope you don't mind. I am not a musician nor a qualified \"judge\" but just a parent who has followed thru my dd's music studies for the last 14 yrs.

1) pls do not sing foreign language songs if you are going for auditions. You can't connect your feelings with the songs unless you know very well the contents of the song but that again, you'll lose out on diction. It's risky. Btw, your Korean pronouciation is good!

2) You probably have quite a high range of vocal ability which is good but there's no \"firm\" foundation in the quality. You may want to call it \"power\" but it's not all of that. Your voice \"floats\" alot during the entire song. When you hit the high notes, you sounded very strained, (did you feel discomfort after the whole song?) You had to raise the volume to hide the strain which is a fault picking point.

Do you have an english language cover?

Oh thank you so much for the link and the honest comments. How do you think I match up to the current year 4 students, though? I don't have an English cover yet, but I'll be recording one after my exams at around mid-October though. I'll post the link when it's out.

I have one more concern. Are there always open spaces for each arts section for the DSA-JC thing? Because I heard that the number of places are dependent on the promotion rate and whether the management wishes to open spaces for new students. Is it possible that there will be no spaces open at all for vocal music?

I checked the website and auditions for this year to transfer to year 4 is over, and sec 4s are only eligible for the DSA-JC thing, which I'm assuming will admit auditionees to year 5.

dasalo:

Sorry, I cut your post.

Before I help answer your Qs, look at the youtube links of the students.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFJFzwtQDco&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqrtDzaw4KQ&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjxDZSkmVZk

These vids are from their top singing students

One more, you will have better chance if you audit for y4 instead of y5.

It's quite okay, thanks for the links, I was searching for videos but I couldn't really find many. Are they current year 4 students?

The french one and the one at the concert sounds really really good.

SOTA seems to favour students with powerful voices. What about students with gentler voices? Do you mind listening to my cover and giving me a comment or two? I'm planning to attend vocal workshops and competitions during the holidays to improve before going for the talent academy.

Never mind the language, and sorry if the mic cracks around the middle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glrtqcKLAFM&feature=plcp

I was thinking of auditioning for year 4 too, but the auditions for me to transfer schools are long over, and if I want to audition for the next one, I am only allowed to apply for the year 5 category under the DSA-JC section.

Do you mind taking a look at my other questions?

Happy Mama:

Hi minminXP, thanks for sharing. May I know the Overseas Exchange Program which you mentioned, applies to lower sec or upper sec? Thanks.

It was opened to secondary 2s and 3s and took place in June this year. Most students that attended were from the top 2 triple science classes. There was another humanities trip to UK, but this one had students from many different classes. Although most of the students who were accepted took full literature. This UK trip was open only to sec 3 students. There were many other trips as well, such as the Math trip to Korea, although I am not clear on the details for the rest.

mamakata:

Hello, my DD has been accepted into the IP for 2013. I'm keen to hear from parents who have any info on:

- the IP is a new programme so there isn't that much info, but any feedback on the previous school based programmes for stretching higher ability students?
- we like the school as we have the impression it is a good, well rounded school that's not too stressful
- how bad is the traffic jam at the school during morning drop off and after school?
- is there a school bus service that picks up after school for different CCA finishing time? We live in the east and the travel logistics does not seem straightforward.

Thanks!

Ermmm...
I'm currently a sec 3 student at SCGS (no I'm not a parent ^^\") so I guess I can help a little.
Well, when you get into the top classes, the stress is definitely a lot higher, especially in upper Sec. Expect your daughter to pull a whole bunch of all-nighters to get good grades. With exams starting next week, I have lessons from 7.40AM-5PM and continue studying from 6PM onwards to the wee hours of the morning. I take only 8 academic subjects.
In lower sec, there're weekly tests every tuesday. But in upper sec, tests can be on any day of the week. These tests replace SA1, so they're also key in obtaining good overall grades.
When one is in a top class, or a leader like a prefect, they have higher chances of being accepted to participate in overseas trips such as the University of California Exchange Prog for Math and Science.
In terms of well-rounded, there's actually a lot of emphasis on doing well in academics and in CCAs. But sometimes this can create a lot of stress on us students. I know a friends in a top class and stressful CCA who has obtained medical problems such as a problem with the nerves in her hand. But if your daughter doesn't overdo it like my friend did I'm sure she'll be okay.
The traffic jam is really really really really bad. Get her to take a school bus and the problem will be evaded.
Unfortunately, there is no transport system for secondary students after school unless it's the morning school bus services. I take an hour and a half to get home everyday because of the lack of buses to my house. It's quite a time waster. Maybe you can ask your daughter to take the circle line at botanic gardens?

Hi, first of all, I’m not a parent. I’m an extremely worried student. :‘(


I’m a secondary 3 student currently schooling in SCGS (Singapore Chinese Girls’ School Secondary) and I’m extremely interested in enrolling in SOTA and auditioning next year. Hopefully, I’ll be able to attend SOTA as a year 5 student in 2014 instead of heading to a mainstream Junior College.

I have some questions about this school, and I was extremely worried when I read the entry requirements on the website.

Some background information about my current academic situation. I heard that SOTA is extremely stressful with long hours, ending around 6PM. I am actually used to this because as a Secondary 3 pupil, we have to stay back until 5PM for compulsory remedials and my CCA (Concert Band) ends close to 7PM and it about 2/3 times a week. I normally get home around 7/8 PM every day of the week. My results are not good, and I’ve been struggling because of the high standard graded papers.

I have some questions about SOTA:

1. I do extremely badly in A Math, does that affect my chances badly?
2. I want to apply for the Music(Vocal) sector in SOTA, but I heard that only 4/5 students get selected every year. Any information?
3. How many students audition for singing normally?
4. My best subject is English and Literature, and I recently (actually, today) obtained 2 distinctions for the Australian NSW English writing and comprehension test. On the breakdown of the results, I was put in the top 6 % and top 2 % islandwide for English. Does that help?
5. I do not have much experience in the vocal area, but I have performed a lot under band. Am I able to use my performance experience for my portfolio even though it’s not under the sector that I am applying for?
6. What do SOTA really look for? I heard that they’re harsher with their older candidates.
7. Are the school hours at SOTA around what I am currently experiencing?
8. Does anyone know what the vocal curriculum at SOTA is like?
9. I currently take vocal lessons outside, but I am not very experienced as I have just started. How does that put me at an advantage/disadvantage?
10. Does SOTA look at current technical ability or potential?
11. Does anyone have any videos of the current year 4 students singing onstage? I need to gage my standard against them to estimate how much I have to improve to match their standard by the time I go for the Talent Academy auditions next year.

Sorry for the barrage of questions. And thanks so much!