Inchwise Music · Music Pathways
Music Assessment and Pathway Report
A one-to-one assessment of a young musician’s current playing, with a written report for the family. The report sets the student’s playing against the UK routes open at their age and on their instrument, and gives a practice plan and a timeline. It is for families who have not yet decided where, or whether, to apply.
Who it is for
- Families new to music education in the UK who want an independent view of where their child’s playing stands.
- Students considering a specialist music school, a conservatoire junior department, a music scholarship at an independent school, or conservatoire study, who have not yet chosen institutions.
- Students changing teacher, or moving to the UK, who need a clear starting point.
- Families planning two or more years ahead of an application.
Families who have already chosen institutions may prefer a Mock Audition and Written Report, which follows the published audition format of each named institution.
How the assessment works
- The assessment is held online by live video call, or in person at Inchwise Music, 528 Fulham Palace Road, London SW6 6JF.
- Before the session, the family completes a short questionnaire: age, instrument, current teacher, exams and grades taken, competitions, current repertoire and weekly practice.
- The assessor is a professional musician who plays or teaches the student’s instrument family.
- The session lasts about 60 minutes. The student plays two contrasting pieces and scales, works on a short passage with the assessor, and completes sight-reading and aural exercises. The session ends with a conversation with the student and a parent.
- The session is recorded only with a parent’s written consent. Recordings are used to write the report and are deleted 30 days after the report is delivered.
The written report
The report is delivered within five working days of the session. It covers:
- Playing: technique, sound, intonation, rhythm, musical understanding and presentation.
- Sight-reading and aural skills.
- Repertoire: the level of the pieces currently studied, and repertoire for the next stage.
- Practice: the current routine, with priorities for the next three to six months.
- Routes: the UK routes open at the student’s age and on their instrument — specialist music schools, conservatoire junior departments, music scholarships at independent schools and conservatoire undergraduate entry — with the application windows each institution publishes.
- A timeline for the next 12 to 24 months, including the point at which a mock audition would be useful.
What the report is not
The report is not a prediction of an admissions decision. It describes the student’s playing on the day of the assessment and what institutions publish about their entry. Each institution makes its own decisions, and only its admissions office can confirm them.
Inchwise is not affiliated with any institution referred to on this page.
Booking
Fees are given on enquiry and depend on the instrument, the level and the format, online or in person. To arrange an assessment, write to info@inchwise.co.uk with the student’s age, instrument, most recent grade or current repertoire, and the preferred format.
Mock auditions for named institutions: Mock Audition and Written Report. Published application and audition dates for September 2027 entry: 2027 entry dates. All institution guides: Library. 中文版：音樂評估與升學路徑報告.