Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Music Junior Programs

261 replies

MissScotland · 02/01/2021 16:26

Hi lovely mamas,

I'm trying to look into and learn about the different junior music programs with a view for my DD to start next year. She's in year 5, grade 6 on the piano (will be taken in March), grade 3 violin, grade 5 theory (distinction). She's super musical and talented with a passion for composition too.

We are looking at the primary academy and RAM, Junior Guildhall and RCMJD. At the moment she has two piano lessons a week, one at home and one at school and a weekly theory/composition lesson. We think she'll get quite a lot out of a junior program, socialising with kids with the same interest and playing in different groups.

I was wondering if you can shed some light on a preferred program. At the moment I'm leaning towards RAM simply because it's the closest, but we are will to drive further for a good reason.

Also, is it common to apply to more than one program in the process? How hard is it to get in?

Another question that might sound silly but I'll give it a go anyway - is year 6 a good year to start? With 11+ exams and music scholarship exams and auditions for secondary schools I wouldn't want to push her too much. She's only 9...

I'd love to hear your thoughts, tips and insight, ideally from first hand experience :-)

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Emily201 · 04/04/2022 20:14

@MissScotland @doesanybodyhaveamap @Jovanka @horseymum Thank you so much for all your help! DD got offers from RAM and Guildhall and we are waiting for RCM result now! Didn’t imagine we could achieve this several months ago!

Musicschoolquestions · 03/04/2022 07:44

@Emilyviolin666 - thank you Emily & yes she did Smile very exciting

Emilyviolin666 · 02/04/2022 21:15

@Musicschoolquestions

We had our result back one week after the live audition *@Emilyviolin666*
Thank you so much! Hope your DD got the offer!
LSSOaudition · 02/04/2022 07:59

Has anyone heard back yet from JRAM?

Musicschoolquestions · 01/04/2022 12:09

We had our result back one week after the live audition @Emilyviolin666

Emilyviolin666 · 01/04/2022 11:04

Anyone already done the live audition for RCMJD? How long does it take for them to give the result?

yodaforpresident · 31/03/2022 16:12

it's of course.

yodaforpresident · 31/03/2022 16:11

Thank you @LondonMum20222 DD is currently being taught by a singing teacher who was a chorister themselves so we trust him. I will look out for that thread as I know its controversial.

LondonMum20222 · 28/03/2022 17:50

@yodaforpresident Somewhere on Mumsnet is a very lively debate (!) about the appropriate age to train young singers - I can't remember if it was an 11+ music scholarship debate or a JD debate. But I would just ask the admissions staff at each of the JDs you're thinking of applying to, and get it direct from them. And if the JDs won't, if you're in London you could try CYM as a stop gap until she's 12 so at least she's getting all the other musical training?

Musicschoolquestions · 28/03/2022 17:34

We were asked on the form to state grade of most recent exam taken and mark. But there will be young musicians accepted who have not sat any exams.

yodaforpresident · 28/03/2022 17:17

@LondonMum20222 thank you for that. She is 10 and currently plays cello, piano and sings. Voice would be her first study and I think that not all JDs accept voice until age 12? She does have a very comfortable grade 5 distinction in singing.

LondonMum20222 · 28/03/2022 17:03

@yodaforpresident The Grade 5 distinction requirement is really meant as a guide - a JD would rather see a grade 5 distinction than a grade 7 pass because they're looking for inherent musicality (not just someone who's practised for hours and scraped through their grades). I wouldn't worry at all about the particular mark. We certainly weren't asked. (We were never even asked for proof of any exams taken). It's more so that parents and teachers have a general sense of the overall standard. It also depends on what instrument they play (violin & piano are historically more competitive, and cello now too because there are so many young cellists). How old is your DC & what do they play?

yodaforpresident · 28/03/2022 16:44

Thanks @Musictimesthree - yes agreed, I just wondered if there was any more subdivision so a comfortable distinction rather than a 130 (which is still a fantastic mark by the way). We’ve definitely been asked for class and score for courses before.

Musictimesthree · 28/03/2022 14:18

Hi @yodaforpresident, I don’t think we were ever asked about the actual mark, just the class (pass, merit…). The decision is based on audition and potential.

yodaforpresident · 28/03/2022 13:12

I have a quick question about the requirements for JD. When they say Grade 5 distinction level - do they mean a high distinction?

Iheartonon · 26/03/2022 15:54

Still no email so far.
How old is your DS?
My DD is also grade 8 in piano.

Jesse21plus · 26/03/2022 14:01

Not yet…. Do you know if they only send audition invite end of today?

Iheartonon · 26/03/2022 12:14

Anyone got feedback from RCM PIANO today?

Musicschoolquestions · 21/03/2022 13:29

You’re welcome and good luck to your DC in their audition.

Emilyviolin666 · 21/03/2022 12:37

@Musicschoolquestions

Did they send the invitation on the last day of the invitation deadline?

Yes, her audition email arrived in the afternoon of the date they said it would in the original info for applicants pdf.

Unfortunately she was not happy with how she played in her audition. But still, it was a good experience for her and there is always next year.

In all our dealings with them, I have found their admin to be very good.

Really appreciate for the answer! Smile
Musicschoolquestions · 20/03/2022 15:10

Did they send the invitation on the last day of the invitation deadline?

Yes, her audition email arrived in the afternoon of the date they said it would in the original info for applicants pdf.

Unfortunately she was not happy with how she played in her audition. But still, it was a good experience for her and there is always next year.

In all our dealings with them, I have found their admin to be very good.

Emilyviolin666 · 20/03/2022 14:49

[quote Musicschoolquestions]@Emilyviolin666 - my DD had her audition this week but that wasn’t on violin or piano which have different timescales. I think the original bumpf said invitations for live auditions on those instruments will be issued on March 26th?[/quote]
Thanks very much! Hope your DD’s audition went well. Did they send the invitation on the last day of the invitation deadline?

Musicschoolquestions · 20/03/2022 09:30

@Emilyviolin666 - my DD had her audition this week but that wasn’t on violin or piano which have different timescales. I think the original bumpf said invitations for live auditions on those instruments will be issued on March 26th?

Emilyviolin666 · 16/03/2022 16:14

Are there anyone else applied for RCM JD this year? Have you heard back yet?Smile

Emilyviolin666 · 15/03/2022 15:42

Rcm audition already? Congratulations! We thought the audition date us after 29th March. How long does it take to hear back from them?

Swipe left for the next trending thread