January to March 2019 music thread (Title edited by MNHQ)

Lotsofmilk yes we have done piano summer camp (Chetham’s) but not that much still for 10yr old (then 9) pianists... I like the whole social aspect of jd, the kids at Guildhall seemed friendly and supportive of each other in that workshop and none of his primary school friends can relate really. Also since he spends hours on the piano play dates are a bit infrequent so would love it if he made some other music friends who “get” practising etc

Thank you busyspinning! Yes zeemama finding local ensembles in the area at the right level is a challenge, we rely a lot on extra workshops/courses etc. in the school holidays.

Busyspinning, yes it is so tricky. I would just drop it but ds totally keen and one weekly lesson is never enough for him and having trouble finding local music activities for his age and level. We are relatively close to jd (30 min direct train) but teacher is on our street!

Lotsofmilk I remember you talking about jds and looking for a teacher before Christmas I’m so pleased you’ve found someone . The jd decision is so difficult when you don’t live that close to one, with the right teacher I don’t think you necessarily have to go - but it’s hard work putting everything together !!

Thank you lotsofmilk! His whole piano journey has been non stop but things will hopefully slot into place. 🤪

busyspinning that’s really lovely that he can continue to play with his old teacher. It is a special bond when they have been with one person for a long time, DD was the same so I was super stressed looking for someone new. Hopefully she has made the right choice 🤞Good luck to zeemama with whatever you decide

Neleus, thanks, this is good advice. Hopefully by the time his teacher will know (and stay another year!)...

I think when you receive an offer varies as some get it on spot. But I remember we had to decide which JD to go by the end of April or early May. Then all the paper work started so it shouldn't be too late to make a request after you accepted or got an offer. JD needs to know who are coming before starting the allocation of teachers! I asked once we received official offer letters. If I were you, I would let him go for the audition and enjoy the experience, then think of all the logistics once received an offer. It sounds like he'll get a place though!

Really appreciate your responses, do you think it would be ok to ask after receiving an offer or mention at audition? How soon after the audition do they tell you and how long do you have to accept? That piano workshop teacher who said would be personally auditioning him already knows who his teacher is and that my son is v attached to him (but also dying to come to the Guildhall!).

Aw, sorry, double post... I'll blame the slow response of the internet!

DS once had two piano teachers, just for one term. But the teacher at JD acted as an assistant teacher to the other teacher, and although they never met nor talked, they shared comments written on a note via a pigeon post (DS). It didn't create any confusion as it was clear who was driving the lesson. I think two drivers wouldn't work for young DCs.

DS once had two piano teachers, just for one term. But the teacher at JD acted as an assistant teacher to the other teacher, and although they never met nor talked, they shared comments written on a note via a pigeon post (DS). It didn't create any confusion as it was clear who was driving the lesson. I think two drivers wouldn't work for young DCs.

What I found was, RAM Primary was the most flexible, Guildhall was negotiable for young DCs and RCMJD was a big fat NO apart from some special arrangements like Purcell pupils etc.

I am not sure if you are allowed to see your old teacher (for lesson) even just for one off arrangement during holidays. Holiday courses, master classes, special one off lessons with a particular teacher, all agreed by JDs are only allowed?

To be honest it does make sense though... Although I felt sad about leaving DS's old teacher, once new teaching started, we didn't think of arranging any one off lesson with him. So many changes can happen once you change teachers so going back to old teaching is a bit counter-productive.

However, you may be able to negotiate to keep the same teacher if you aren't talking about RCMJD,? Especially yours is still pretty young (and Guildhall did say they would consider when we asked).

Committed sorry

THanks for your responses, yes I can see how it would be impossible to have 2 teachers and certainly would never want ds to lie. They can spend a whole hour on one bar if need be, his teacher is very particular. Problem is the teacher says he is thinking of leaving but not sure so perhaps ds can apply and when he hears check with him again and them..? I should mention this teacher also lives 1 min away so ultra easy and convenient and charges me reduced rate as ds so keen and commited.

Sorry cross posted with Druid !!

Ds’s old teacher said it would be quite confusing to have 2 teachers with both setting their own work and working on aspects of technique etc- and perhaps differently

But maybe you should just apply anyway and see what happens - ds had a really special bond with his previous teacher and I know they are planning to continue to play together ( for fun) even though ds now has a new teacher because they just get on so well -
For a long time ds wouldn’t entertain a new teacher but when circumstances eventually dictated that it was necessary it went surprisingly smoothly ( even though I aged considerably in the process ) and like I say now ds is keen to work with the new teacher for a while , even though it’s a very different relationship to that which he had with his first one

sometimes a leap into the unknown can be scary but end up being really beneficial good luck whatever you decide

We have been having similar discussions here with DD(13). We are a long way from London but have been struggling to find her a new teacher for post grade 8 so I was thinking maybe we should apply. She didn’t click with the local teacher everyone recommended which was tricky. Luckily over the holidays she had a trial lesson with someone else and definitely wants to work with them so we will be putting applying for JD off for a year or two.

Thanks Druid, this is so stressful as only reason we only considered this particular jd is that his teacher is there (and has been for years). DS was so excited to audition, now I don’t know if he should.. how would the jd even know if you’re still seeing private teacher and what about non term time?

Thanks busy and Bostik, yeah this is really putting me off as thought it would be more of a complimentary thing and thought his teacher could just request to have him in his timetable. My son is piano obsessed and plays hours every day and was like a fish in water but don’t want him to have to make an impossible choice :(

Hi Zeemama, no answer from me, just a similar experience in that we were seriously considering trying for a JD (DD, 10, plays violin) but her teacher said that we would probably have to drop her if she got in as the JD would take over tuition completely. This wasn't for us as DD also has a tight bond with her current teacher and we feel she has a lot more to teach her... for the moment at any rate. I'm guessing this may change at some point. Would be interested to hear others point of view and in general what age/level JD becomes more appropriate :)

I think they have to change teachers for any of the jds ( apart from those who go to say Purcell and are allowed to just play in the orchestras etc) it’s for this reason that my ds isn’t going to apply for a bit as he’s just got a new teacher who he wants to work with . They can however have their old teacher in the holidays I think -

Hi everyone, I have a question for anyone who has dc at any of the JDs in London. We had a visit at Guildhall and my son (10)got to play a little bit in a piano workshop with the head of dept there who encouraged him to audition afterwards so came home very happy. His current teacher is on piano staff there and was the one who mentioned the junior dept to us initially. Now said teacher told us ds may be forced to drop him if accepted?? (Teacher is uncertain he’ll be there too much longer due to busy concert schedule). Definitely would not want to drop this teacher who has a tight bond and raised his level of playing considerably. Anyone have any experience with this? Assuming he’d even get in haha not sure to hope for that now... tia