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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

How difficult to get in JD in London?

36 replies

Pippap1 · 21/01/2019 00:20

Hi everyone.

My DS just turned 10. He is a violinist and just started viola. He is interested in JD (especially RAM Primary, as it is the nearest one) but I am afraid that it is highly competitive to get in as a violinist. His standard is Grade 5. As just started viola, he can manage to play Grade 3 pieces but he is still struggling to read c clef and sight-reading is disaster. He is reasonably but definitely not prodigy. He loves music so much and practices hard.

How difficult to get in JD as a violinist? I am afraid that violin requires higher standard than other instruments. So, I am considering to wait for another year until his viola reaches also Grade 5 standard as he loves viola equally with violin but he would love to challenge this year.

OP posts:
folkmamma · 22/01/2019 10:54

Good luck!

Original poster
Pippap1 · 22/01/2019 10:42

Hi Neleus, thank you very much for your encouragement and sharing your friend's DC's audition experience. The information is very helpful. Yes, she sounds similar with DS. Hopefully DS can improve viola a bit more until April. Even if DS cannot get in this year, I believe this audition experience would be a good experience for the next year. But hopefully DC can get in as he loves music so much.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pippap1 · 22/01/2019 10:39

Thank you for your comments! I just submitted application to one of JDs!

OP posts:
NeleusTheStatue · 22/01/2019 09:36

Sorry, grade 4 violin, not 5!

NeleusTheStatue · 22/01/2019 09:32

My friend's daughter is a bit like yours, Pippap1. She auditioned London JDs last year. She was 10 (Y5). She was about to take grade 5 piano (her first piano exam) and another grade 5 violin in the following term (she did grade 1 & 3). Pianists also face to fierce competitions and many DCs reach a lot higher grades than her for her age. But her teacher thought she would be a good candidate. She is a natural musician, has good ears and creative mind. I am very sure plenty DCs looked a lot better than her on paper but she won a place at every JD she auditioned!

folkmamma · 21/01/2019 14:54

Hi Pipp! My DD got into one of the London JD's on violin / viola last year at 10 - she played G6 pieces on violin and had literally been learning viola a few weeks at the time and we self-taught a movement from the Bach cello suites. As Neleus says, It's not all about grades. I believe what they look for is sound quality, solid basic technique and potential (musicality and the like) rather than very high grades. We were also told of post-G8 children who weren't successful. There are a mix at her JD - she is by no means the 'worst' and they range right through to complete prodigy!

Viola is definitely a bonus - there aren't many.

Go and have a look around - ours is very open and will let people come in to look around most weeks. You can also request advice consultations at most of the JD's which will give you an idea as to whether or not to go for it.

Her progress has really accelerated since going in September, I'm so glad we did it!!!

NeleusTheStatue · 21/01/2019 10:27

Also, they don't normally test sight-reading for the second study. He can just pick one viola piece he can play very well.

Good luck!

NeleusTheStatue · 21/01/2019 10:11

He loves music so much and practices hard
JDs would love these qualities of your DS. Smile

As you pointed, violin is very competitive and it often requires higher standard than other instruments. However, JDs look for mostly potential and passion. DCs should display they are able to follow the curriculum, which around G5 would be good enough for young age, but certainly JDs don't care less whether they are G5 or G8. I know those who passed higher grades (G7, G8 or more) couldn't get in and those who were lower grades or no exam experience could get in.

If he is up to it, let him try this year. Why not? You can tell him it could be a practice run if you like to minimise his disappointment, then try again next year. But I think he has a very good chance to succeed. Viola as a second study is also great. RAM Primary would definitely love that.

Original poster
Pippap1 · 21/01/2019 00:43

It is junior department of music conservatoire s such as Royal Academy of Music.

OP posts:
Helpmedecide123 · 21/01/2019 00:36

What is a JD?

Original poster
Pippap1 · 21/01/2019 00:22

Sorry, there was a missing word. "he is reasonably musical"

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