School Of The Arts, Singapore

[Pixie28]

JRLam:

Hi Pixie28, congrats to your dd too! It must be a huge relief to at least get the CO for now... a good morale boaster for today's PSLE Oral

Do you know, what's the PSLE cut-off point for SOTA now that you have the CO?

Also, what do they do in the Junior Academy? What is the duration and frequency of the program? How different is JA from other Ballet classes?

What grade is your dd? Is she doing RAD or CSTD? Were the steps they were required to do during the audition similar to what they learn in their ballet lesson?

Thanks for your advice.

:thankyou:

There's no cut off point for admission. They just need to qualify for the course offered by SOTA which is the express course.

For dance JA, they were given a taste of life as a SOTA student via ballet and modern dance classes. Each session lasted around 3hrs held once a week for a period of 6 weeks. It's more of an open class I think no fixed syllabus.

My girl is taking Grade 5 of RAD. The audition is more like the classes at SDT and perhaps those at summer school (she has not attended any summer school though). I guess summer sch conducts open classes type? A ballet foundation of at least grade 4 RAD is recommended by SOTA. Not really sure how to explain it but based on what my girl told me, the steps are not taken out of RAD syllabus. SOTA has its own syllabus. Most important is the ability to recreate the exercises that they have been taught on the spot. And perhaps natural flair for it.

[Ragamuffin shinobi]

There's no cut off point for admission. They just need to qualify for the course offered by SOTA which is the express course.


For dance JA, they were given a taste of life as a SOTA student via ballet and modern dance classes. Each session lasted around 3hrs held once a week for a period of 6 weeks. It's more of an open class I think no fixed syllabus.

My girl is taking Grade 5 of RAD. The audition is more like the classes at SDT and perhaps those at summer school (she has not attended any summer school though). I guess summer sch conducts open classes type? A ballet foundation of at least grade 4 RAD is recommended by SOTA. Not really sure how to explain it but based on what my girl told me, the steps are not taken out of RAD syllabus. SOTA has its own syllabus. Most important is the ability to recreate the exercises that they have been taught on the spot. And perhaps natural flair for it.[/quote]

Heard that as long as you qualify for express...but they did mention that their average is about 230 points.

Wow, your girl must be really good to start ballet in P3 and be in grade 5 by P6! Lol...I really don't know what an open class is. In Summer School, they went by a range of age and grades so she was in a class with kids from grades 3-5, and between 9-12. Guess they didn't quite follow syllabus either coz some girls were doing RAD and others, CSTD. And SOTA has its own syllabus? I really thought ballet is pretty much ballet everywhere...Quite obvious I am clueless!

Think JA is really good for the kids to get a better idea of life in SOTA. As much as dd loves dance, I am not sure if she will love it that much!

Thanks so much, Pixie! You have been extremely informative! :thankyou: hope your dd found the oral exam good today!

[Pixie28]

Ragamuffin shinobi:

Heard that as long as you qualify for express...but they did mention that their average is about 230 points.

Wow, your girl must be really good to start ballet in P3 and be in grade 5 by P6! Lol...I really don't know what an open class is. In Summer School, they went by a range of age and grades so she was in a class with kids from grades 3-5, and between 9-12. Guess they didn't quite follow syllabus either coz some girls were doing RAD and others, CSTD. And SOTA has its own syllabus? I really thought ballet is pretty much ballet everywhere...Quite obvious I am clueless!

Think JA is really good for the kids to get a better idea of life in SOTA. As much :snooze: as dd loves dance, I am not sure if she will love it that much!

Thanks so much, Pixie! You have been extremely informative! :thankyou: hope your dd found the oral exam good today!

You're most welcome. She found it ok thanks

When the time comes, look out for news of the JA if any. If they still have it by then, try and get your kid nominated. Nomination should be towards end of P5.

[Desperate Mom]

Hi ikkinique,


Thanks for sharing so much. I have a couple of questions if you can help me with:-
1) Out of the 20-30 music students per year, how may are piano or voice?
2) Do they get exemption from theory subject if they have obtained the ABRSM theory?
3) If the kid has not gotten a theory in Gr5, will they be able to have practical lesson around grade 7?
4) There are some saying that SOTA piano student is not able to with competition (e.g NPVC) bec they don’t have the time to perfect their pieces due to the overwhelming schedule. For scholarship and furthering studies in music in prestige music academy will only consider winners. Is this true?
5) Last but not least, do you mind sharing with me your grades in music when you audited for SOTA at P6. I hope my gal stands a chance.

[dasalo]

Desperate Mom:

Hi ikkinique,


Thanks for sharing so much. I have a couple of questions if you can help me with:-
1) Out of the 20-30 music students per year, how may are piano or voice?
That depends, there are no fix quotas to how many students they will take for each faculty. No deserving students will be denied.

2) Do they get exemption from theory subject if they have obtained the ABRSM theory?
No, SOTA doesn't not teach theory subjects leading to ABRSM exams. Students will have to take a few subjects within Music theory eg. History Overview, Critical listening etc....

3) If the kid has not gotten a theory in Gr5, will they be able to have practical lesson around grade 7?
If you are talking about ABRSM then NO. You need to pass your theory G5 inorder to advance to higher grades practical.

4) There are some saying that SOTA piano student is not able to with competition (e.g NPVC) bec they don't have the time to perfect their pieces due to the overwhelming schedule. For scholarship and furthering studies in music in prestige music academy will only consider winners. Is this true?

Again it all depends on the student. If the student manages his or her time well and is diligent, he or she will be encouraged. As for scholarships and entry to prestiges academies, winners add on to their credentials.

5) Last but not least, do you mind sharing with me your grades in music when you audited for SOTA at P6. I hope my gal stands a chance.
Sorry, this Q I can't answer on her behalf as I do not know her personally. My dd1 auditioned after her G8, I have a neighbour with only G3 was admitted to voice faculty 2 yrs later.

Hi Desperate Mum,

I'm a parent of a Y6 student in Music faculty. If you don't mind, I would like to help ikkinique answer your questions. He/She is in Y5 and probably preparing for their semester exams.

Look for my answers in Blue in the quote box.
Hope my answers help. Ref to their website for more info
http://www.sota.edu.sg

[Carpe diem]

Hi Dasalo/ikkinique


I am new here and enjoyed all your sharing.

My dd received a CO for music - vocal, she does not have any music qualification at all but enjoys singing.

1) SOTA has said they do not require any music theory background but can anyone (parent or student in Music) share their experience whether this would be a problem to catch up with the rest of the class.

2) SOTA does not give out individual breakdown of number of students per art form, so does anyone know what is the rough breakdown out of each cohort of 200? I’ve heard that from biggest to smallest it would be VA, Dance, Music orTheater.

3) Is it true that if one applies for more than 1 art form and is successful in both the auditions, the respective HOD of each art form will sit together and decide which of them will get the candidate so that SOTA only offers 1 CO even if one is qualified for both?

4) Do you know of anyone who switched art forms during beginning of Year 1?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

[smurfalone]

dasalo:

Congratulations on your dd getting a CO in SOTA. Welcome on board! :rahrah:

Luckily you audition for flute, better chance of getting in. Piano is tough.

:thankyou: Dasalo for your warm welcome to SOTA.
We had the same thoughts, thus we chose to auditon for flute instead of piano.
I have been reading all your post/replies over the past months which were very useful. You have given us a clearer insight of life at SOTA from a SOTA parent's perspective. Thank you for sharing all the information & SOTA experiences.

Yr DD1 is into which year at SOTA (music) ?
How's the curriculum so far in terms of art form(music) and academic as compared to mainstream school ?

[dasalo]

Carpe diem:

Hi Dasalo/ikkinique


I am new here and enjoyed all your sharing.

My dd received a CO for music - vocal, she does not have any music qualification at all but enjoys singing.

1) SOTA has said they do not require any music theory background but can anyone (parent or student in Music) share their experience whether this would be a problem to catch up with the rest of the class.

As long as the child has strong passion in that field, he/she will excel. Your child needs to put in more effort than others in the Music history segment. Bear in mind, vocal in SOTA isn't the musical kind. What I have seen so far are all Opera singers. There is one exceptional student who is actually doing piano switched to Jazz/pop singing. In this case, she is still considered a music student. So I guess it's ok for she is doing extra within the faculty.

2) SOTA does not give out individual breakdown of number of students per art form, so does anyone know what is the rough breakdown out of each cohort of 200? I've heard that from biggest to smallest it would be VA, Dance, Music or Theater.

This depends on that year's intake. Only the school knows the statistics or when your child starts school. During my dd1's time, it was VA, Theater, Dance, Music. I think. That founding yr's stats isn't accurate.

3) Is it true that if one applies for more than 1 art form and is successful in both the auditions, the respective HOD of each art form will sit together and decide which of them will get the candidate so that SOTA only offers 1 CO even if one is qualified for both?

Should be the case, otherwise, how would the child cope? There's no need for 2, just concentrate on your best art form. You are encouraged to take up extra instruments if you are able.

4) Do you know of anyone who switched art forms during beginning of Year 1?
Yes, I know of another student who switched from Music to Theatre. That was done in yr2, I think.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

[dasalo]

smurfalone:

dasalo:

Congratulations on your dd getting a CO in SOTA. Welcome on board! :rahrah:

Luckily you audition for flute, better chance of getting in. Piano is tough.

:thankyou: Dasalo for your warm welcome to SOTA.
We had the same thoughts, thus we chose to auditon for flute instead of piano.
I have been reading all your post/replies over the past months which were very useful. You have given us a clearer insight of life at SOTA from a SOTA parent's perspective. Thank you for sharing all the information & SOTA experiences.

Yr DD1 is into which year at SOTA (music) ?
How's the curriculum so far in terms of art form(music) and academic as compared to mainstream school ?

My dd1 is in Y6 music. Music is wholesome with lots of exposures be it in performing or learning. Academics is rigorous, \"xiong\" (in hokkien). :yikes:
Be prepared for long hours and study hard. No time for anything except their art form. Sorry, I can't compare anything with the mainstream for both my gals are in SOTA. My dd1 had only 1yr experience in mainstream and that was :rahrah: land yr, sec 1.

*Some I heard no need to study, they are the smart ones i think.

[Carpe diem]

thanks dasalo.


within a music cohort would you know how many are instruments and how many voice?