Music Junior Programs

@disorganisedmummy Hi! (I think this is dm im not really very familiar with this site). I would love to chat about trinity with you further. Did you have any specific questions or just want like a general view of the day and preparation before september? Also if you need any teacher recommendations i'd be happy to give some. Personally i don't do violin but i know a lot of teachers who do since a lot of them run quartets which i've been in. Let me know!

Hi User2005, thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us. My son who is 15 next month has just got a place at Junior Trinity from September on violin. He auditioned for GH 2 and a half years ago but didn't get in. Ds is Autistic and I have been so impressed so far at how helpful and supportive they've been through the audition process and now we're about to start talks via Zoom about violin tutors. Ds is so excited. It would be lovely to chat to you more if you'd like to pm me?

Hi all! Just stumbled across this thread. For those thinking of applying to JD id say go for it! An audition at the very least can't hurt and from my experience theyre not there to scrutinize you, and is done quite informally. As for me im currently in my 4th year of main programme at Trinity JD and have been going there for around 10 years, (with string time) Remember if your child is still too young for main programme you could always apply to band or string time which is for primary school level. I absolutely love it there definitely the highlight of my week! Everyone there is amazing and the lessons are enaging and imformative! As well as this the concert opportunities (before covid) were amazing! We do a winter concert at St Lukes , a spring concert at the chapel around February half term, a spring concert at black heath halls just before Easter break, a summer chapel concert around may half term and a big summer concert and prizegiving ceremony at Southbank centre in early July/late June! As well as this we have weekly tea time concerts where you get the opportunity to play with an accomponamist in front of an audience on site. I don't want to sound biased but i do really think it's one of the better JD's out there. I have a friend who goes to guildhall JD and she doesn't like it there. Lat time i spoke to her about a month ago she said she had only been onsite a couple times for a quartet lesson since september as opposed to trinitys 3 week rota. I also don't know any other JD that has as many concerts at different venues like Trinity. Not to mention the facilities and buildings are fantastic. I actually saw Dwayne Johnson filming fast and furious just outside the entrance once! Safe to say i coudnt recommend Trinity enough. If you have any questions about anything regarding trinity or JD's in general do feel free to ask, i'd be happy to help!

There's also nothing wrong with auditioning and not getting in. She learnt something each time. My DD took three attempts to get into the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Perseverance will be necessary to progress in music, even if not aiming for a career in it. Enjoy the process of preparing as well as the outcome. You can only control your side, not who else applies etc.

@LuluKentGirl I would definitely go for it (if she's keen!) I had the same anxiety as you (my DC had only been learning a year and a half when we applied, and I didn't want to put them through the audition process if they didn't stand a chance) but it's true that they look for potential and spark, not polished performers. It's been said on here many times, and the music conservatoire teachers have since confirmed it to us - they turn down grade 8 distinction candidates if those students don't have the spark and musicality they're looking for. They're much more interested in raw talent - even at a relatively early stage of a student's learning.

A lot of us on this thread have been through the audition process this year and our DCs are taking up places in Sept so do ask any questions you need!

thank you, that's great to hear. so is it right that she would audition in early 2022 (she will be 10) for entry September that year? so going into Yr 6...

@LuluKentGirl It sounds like she had made amazing progress. The application for our JD was in February so you have plenty time. Ours doesn't say a grade but looks for potential which makes it hard to know but her teacher suggested she try. Some places offer advice lessons where you can get some feedback. Good luck whatever you decide.

@LuluKentGirl she sounds like she's at the right sort of level to me. Harp is sought after too. So although violin is competitive (and even then, my DD got into GH playing at G6 level at 10) harp will be a big asset. They do look for more than their 'grade' standard though- basic technique, musicality and potential are much bigger indicators of success especially for younger children.

Good luck!

Hi, jumping on this thread. how do you know if your child is the right standard/level for a Junior music program/school? My DD is 9yo (yr 4) and taking Grade 5 violin this term. She's progressed quickly - Grade 1 in Dec 2019, then Grade 4 in Dec 2020. She also plays the harp. i know how super competitive violin is, and she is not a prodigy - but she learns quickly and enjoys playing and performing. i don't want to embarrass her by applying if she's way short of the required level. any ideas?

I have applied to a couple of funds but not heard back from any. Maybe look if there is something very local eg try searching your area and ''educational trust".

Hello - just to update everyone, DC decided on RCMJD. Good luck to everyone still trying to make a decision.

@dinosaurinmybelly will send you a PM

Hello - not having any joy with funding here :(
It is looking increasingly likely that we won't be able to accept any offer.

@MissScotland congratulations and well done for reaching a decision - that is no small feat! For those on the board accepting offers and completing bursary information, are you having any luck with finding open applications to funding foundations, particularly for wind instruments? I note the JDs' preference for seeking other forms of funding in addition to the bursary application.

@horseymum Yes, I think it will be a steep learning curve, but in a good way (hopefully!) And what a fantastic opportunity for them all!

@WordsandMusic2020 thanks, I think it's going to be a steep learning curve. I expect she will need a bit of time to process what she learns so not a bad thing to have fewer lessons. We did have the option to have longer lessons but can't afford it! I think for a double reed, 45 mins is plenty. Currently looking at any funding options to ease the cost a bit.

DS had been taking lessons at school prior to JD so school holidays meant no lesson for us always. But JD's term ran shorter than DS's school's so it went down from 11-12 to 9-10 by joining JD... Also, we didn't dream of changing the proposed schedule sent by JD so just joined without requesting any extension and were sort of told off by the teacher 45 mins weren't long enough for DS. It was too late to change the schedule by then so DS had 45 mins 1-1 for a year while others at his level had an hour or more. We just didn't know so many things...

@horseymum From everything I've heard, they make such amazing progress during term time at JD that the lack of holiday lessons aren't an issue (as long as they're still practising!)

Depends on the instrument and standard, but Wells run some, pro Corda is wonderful. Then there is also Cadenza.

Are there good summer school/camps anyone could recommend?

I hadn't really thought about holiday lessons once at JD. We barely had a week off this year as not much else to do! 30 weeks will seem like a lot less than usual. I guess we'll see what happens, it's all new to us.

You must have dropped off the mailing list because that's how we heard about it. Have you been getting other comms from them? I'd sign up again in case there's more over the summer.

There's also loads of Benedetti courses every month. We're not doing them as we've just about had enough of online stuff, but there are some great mini courses and I suspect they'll continue over the summer too.