Lema Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Hi I've been trawling through old topics and posts much of the afternoon looking for hints, tips and advice on what to expect from final auditions and thought it would be easier to just start a new thread asking!! My daughter has got through to Elmhurst finals and we have no idea what to expect so would be really interested to hear from people who have been through it all at Elnhurst but also any of the other big schools as I'm sure others auditioning this year would love to hear and learn from your insight, thank you so much in advance ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Number of years since by dd did lower school final audition for Elmhurst but will tell you what I remember. Only one parent was allowed to accompany due to space and it was an all day event but this was in Mr Kelly's day. For parents a proper tour of school and talk then sent on way to collect dc later in day. For dc day included tour of school and boarding houses. Ballet class and physio assessment. No pointe for lower school and upper school was told it was very basic. There were basic English and maths tests but told these wouldn't be taken into account when offering places. Had to provide a packed lunch and ate with current students. Some hanging around whilst waiting for turn with physio. Seem to think started around 9 am and finished 4 ish. Good luck. Tell dd to just to enjoy the experience. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Thank you Jane that's very helpful, didn't realise it would be an all day event so good to have a heads up! ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anon2 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Might have changed, number of years since we were in that situation. Hopefully someone with more recent experience can confirm if it was similar. Did spend the day discovering Birmingham City centre. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 When dd did Elmhurst finals there were 3 groups ! Each did a ballet class , physio assessment , non verbal reasoning tests and a tour of the boarding house. They did this in their groups and parents were asked to return to the school when their child's group were touring the accommodation ! There were approx 37 girls in total, grouped alphabetically, and I believe 12 were chosen. Good luck to your dd ! Enjoy the day x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 When dd did Elmhurst finals there were 3 groups ! Each did a ballet class , physio assessment , non verbal reasoning tests and a tour of the boarding house. They did this in their groups and parents were asked to return to the school when their child's group were touring the accommodation ! There were approx 37 girls in total, grouped alphabetically, and I believe 12 were chosen. Good luck to your dd ! Enjoy the day x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 I'm so glad I asked as had no idea they were to he tested and it's good to know so I can pre warn my dd that she'll have to sit a test!! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 We just got a couple of practice non verbal reasoning books for her to do so she didn't get too stressed about it ! She saw them as puzzle books and enjoyed doing them ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 Oh great advice thanks cotes du rhone might look for some too to give her an idea of what to expect, don't know if she's ever done any before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooZoo Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Having been through all this last year, here is my little bit of advice. Auditioning is so exciting and there will be happy outcomes and sad ones. If, like us, you audition for a few don't forget you also need to focus on your non-dancing alternative. What will this be? What are the good things about this (alternative) school for your child? If, after all the auditions, you are "stuck" with this non-dancing school you want to make sure that your child is still looking forward to going to it (or staying at it). It's hard not to project your own hopes on your child but I firmly resolved to greet any disappointment with a shrug and an "oh well, never mind, let's stick with (school) then" so even if my DS was upset, he would not think I was. Disappointment for yourself is hard but if children think that they have in some way disappointed their parent, I think that is worse. We did such a great job bigging up DS's local school, I know he wouldn't have minded in the least if that is where he went (nor would we, although in the end he did end up at vocational school). So, in amongst all the excitement about the vocational schools, don't forget your alternative and keep reminding your child of what is good about that school too. 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 Thank you zoozoo, I am very lucky to have an extremely level headed dd, Infact when she received the good news yesterday she was very calm and just said "that's great mom but I'm not going to get too excited as it could all still end in a no, I am proud of myself for getting this far though" and to be honest we have always took the approach of an audition is just an opportunity to have a class in a top class school with the expectation of nothing more coming of it and I have found that way of thinking, although some call it negative, works really well for us as a family, as if dd doesn't achieve a yes from an audition she's still just chuffed to have got to do a dance class at "Elmhurst" or "The Royal" etc ???? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 That was exactly our approach to auditions too Lema. DD was thrilled to have danced in places she would not otherwise have seen 'from the inside' and have had class with different teachers. It is good to stay balanced as the 'no's' usually outnumber the 'yesses' for the majority of applicants. And Zoozoo that is one of the best pieces of advice I have read on here. You definitely never want your child to feel that they are letting you the parents down by not being offered a place, nor should the 'back up' non dancing alternative feel like what your child is 'stuck' with. Ultimately we all want our children to be happy. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 Totally agree 2dancersmum! Xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Does anybody remember more exactly what time do the Elmhurst finals finish? I've read above that it was probably 9am - 4pm ish. Is this what others remember as well? I'm just trying to work it out if I'm going to make it back to work on time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 It depends on what group you are in Happymum ! When my dd did finals there were 3 groups and each rotated and did a ballet class, a physio assessment, non verbal reasoning test and a tour of the boarding accommodation. Good luck x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Hi happy mum I don't think you will make it back in time for work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Depends what time you start work (or have I missed that bit of info?) ;-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 No you didn't JulieW :-) I did wonder how Tulip knows? Am I so addicted to this forum that I post more then I think I do? Anyway, I live about 1h20min drive away from Elmhurst (good driving conditions etc). and need to be at work 17:45! So if they finish not later then 15:30 I should make it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regattah Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Will the upper school finals take a similar form to the lower school ones? (Except they will include pointe, of course!) And also, is it just one day of finals? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Sorry with auditions taking up a large chunk of the day, I pressumed you would not make it back to work, and with you not giving further information, wouldn't have wanted you to have been stressed trying to get to work, I was only trying to help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Sorry with auditions taking up a large chunk of the day, I pressumed you would not make it back to work, and with you not giving further information, wouldn't have wanted you to have been stressed trying to get to work, I was only trying to help. Of course Tulip, and I really appreciate your help! You are right that auditions are stressful enough - I shouldn't ad to it another stress - rushing to work. But I had to cancel so many sessions because of my DD's auditions that I thought I should try and work on that Tuesday... But I guess I'd better cancel. Thank you once again! My previous post meant to be funny ... I honestly spent too much time on this forum recently (I won't survive the auditions without it!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 It's the sort of stressful day where you could have an accident rushing to get back. .. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loulabelle Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 What well balanced little girl! I'd give her a place! Good luck to her. ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamy11 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 COuld anyone please tell me what we can expect at the RBS/White Lodge lower school finals for year 8 please? Are all year groups invited on the same day, do they take a class together etc and how the day is structured? Also, how long do you have to wait to get the dreaded emails? Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hello balletqueen, there was already a thread about what to expect at finals: http://www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/8255-final-auditionswhat-to-expect/ I have merged the two threads so that we don't have multiple threads on the same topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lema Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 I too would be glad to hear of others experiences, year 7 for us, for example what do they class as an informal interview with the candidate?? Thank you ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamy11 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thank you spanner and pony, I was aware of this thread but couldn't see anything in particular that relates to the rbs white lodge finals? If anyone can ease help answer any of my questions posted above please, now thread number 24, I would be really grateful, thank you! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I've edited the title to include "RBS" and "WL". It might also be worth reading through the "Questions about Lower School auditions" thread pinned to the top of the Doing Dance forum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonrothbart Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I would try to look forward to the WL final auditions rather than be a little apprehensive of them, as it will be a day you will probably remember for the rest of your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I agree with Vonrothbart - it is a bit nerve-wracking, but do try to enjoy it - it's a lovely day and something you'll always remember whatever the outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamy11 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks vonrothbart and Julie, are you able to answer any of the questions I posted above? Thanks : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vonrothbart Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 PM sent balletqueen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I'm sure Vonrothbart has filled you in by PM. There have been some discussions on this in the past, so do keep reading through old threads - you'll learn a lot. But the year 8, 9 and 10 intake will be on a different day to the year 7s (usually with the boys, unless that's changed). There's not much point me telling you more as my son went there 10 years or so ago, I'll leave it to the newer parents! We got our result by letter - they used to send them out very quickly after the audition weekend (when the older years and boys were on a Friday with the year 7 girls on the Saturday - but I think that was different last year?). Most people got their letters on the Wednesday - we didn't and I spent a frantic 24 hours waiting and wondering whether or not to drive to the school to get it if it hadn't arrived by the Thursday!! Luckily it did I'm kind of glad we didn't have Facebook and so much information on the ballet.co forum at the time - I just had a few phone numbers of fellow JA parents who were auditioning too and that was it - I remember spending quite a bit of time on the phone that day (hfbrew probably remembers it too!) I do remember the final audition being on a lovely sunny day (as they often are for some reason - I also helped at a few on the PTA stall later) and the children loved it there - the main problem is that they come out wanting to go there even more than they did before they got there! 3 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