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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:
WordsandMusic2020 · 12/04/2021 19:45

@MissScotland Really glad you had a good chat with Krystyna and that you're closer to a decision!

Original poster
MissScotland · 12/04/2021 09:45

We're leaning towards RAM now for various reasons. Had a long chat with Krystyna on Saturday which was really lovely.

OP posts:
WordsandMusic2020 · 12/04/2021 09:18

Where's everyone netting out with decisions? We're still deciding between RCM and Guildhall (we are almost at the "making lists of pros and cons" stage) and fear we won't make a decision for a couple of weeks, once we've had consultation lessons etc. I just wish times were normal and we could actually go and spend a Saturday at each of them.

Ashard20 · 11/04/2021 09:00

It's also worth bearing in mind that the junior department admin staff are probably working from home and also, in my experience, seem to have part-time roles.
@Wrinklyeyes has made a good point about different instruments having different timescales.
There is nothing worse then waiting for news! Good luck to anyone still waiting to hear.

violinandpiano · 11/04/2021 08:27

Congratulations 🎉 all offers. I agree the teacher is more important than JD. It is better to check who will be your DC’s teacher if you accept the offer.

JazzTuba · 10/04/2021 06:25

@Wrinklyeyes I think you have it in one. I am sure virtual auditions have required JDs to adapt their assessment timetables. Each JD will have its own evaluation process and schedule to work through, taking into account different DC ages and instruments. Also worth factoring in the Easter Break - several JD staff may have been on holiday which has resulted in some decisions being made later. But the waiting is hard! I did follow up and ask JD to acknowledge that they had received the audition information just to make sure we hadn't failed at the first hurdle. Wink

SE13Mummy · 09/04/2021 09:54

It's not a no until you receive a no @disorganisedmummy! My DC's audition was a real life one because it was a few years ago so I'm sure that makes things more straightforward anyway as the panel were all there at the same time. Also, DC was younger and the gender-instrument combination was a less usual one so that may have had a role to play too. Don't discount joining a JD for sixth form either - lots of teenagers do.

Wrinklyeyes · 09/04/2021 08:43

Also - just bear in mind that DCs from this thread are all applying with different instruments and at different ages so reported experiences of some will not be the same for everyone. The reviewers won’t be the same (am assuming) for different instruments.

doesanybodyhaveamap · 09/04/2021 08:42

Also SE13's audition was mid April, so if Trinity generally send out offers end of April / May then that sort of fits to get a quick result?? Maybe it would have taken longer if they had had an early audition. x

Wrinklyeyes · 09/04/2021 08:38

Disorganised - it’s really hard waiting (I know!) but I wouldn’t try to compare the timings of things from auditions held in previous years - which were probably in person & not dependent on staff reviewing video auditions from home - with this year’s pandemic conditions.

WordsandMusic2020 · 09/04/2021 08:37

@disorganisedmummy Just by way of reassurance, at least two of the conservatoires were sending out results while still doing second round assessments so it's by no means over. There's also the argument that if you haven't had a no, he's still in with a shot...

disorganisedmummy · 09/04/2021 08:19

SE13mummy Thank you so much for your post. It's lovely to hear that your dc had a wonderful time at Trinity. I've convinced myself that it's going to be a no as it's been over a month since we sent the audition videos in. If you head within 5 days I can't understand why they would need to keep us waiting for so long unless it's a no. This will be ds's last chance to apply really because this time next year he'll be preparing for GCSE's.

SE13Mummy · 08/04/2021 23:37

@disorganisedmummy the real life vibe at Trinity is lovely too!

When my DC auditioned for Trinity, they received an offer within about five days - the audition itself wasn't until mid-April and we weren't interested in anywhere else so there wasn't the same pressure. My DC has had a very happy five years there and I've been impressed by the pastoral side and the genuine desire to meet the young people where they're at, encouraging their broader musical interests and being willing to be flexible rather than sticking to a rigid pathway.

Original poster
MissScotland · 08/04/2021 17:10

@Emilyviolin666 we haven't yet

OP posts:
WordsandMusic2020 · 08/04/2021 07:15

@disorganisedmummy I'm sorry your DS had a bad experience at his Guildhall audition. I do think engagement with the school at audition sets the whole relationship. We've been so impressed with Guildhall's engagement, and a bit put-off by RCM cancelling virtual open days and general lack of comms. But it's nigh-on impossible to get an actual feel for any of these places in the absence of being able to visit. Hence why I think decisions are going to be particularly hard this year.

And I really would be surprised if you didn't hear from Trinity before May 1st. Both Guildhall and RAM reported results much earlier than expected - I think they set late deadlines largely to give themselves some wiggle room!

Emilyviolin666 · 08/04/2021 01:33

@WordsandMusic2020

We got an offer from RCM JD today. No idea how to make a decision on which will be best for DC (it's between Guildhall and RCM as our two faves). We've had a brilliant experience with the Guildhall so far and I feel we have a really good sense for their programme and their ethos and I sense that the pastoral care is excellent. Much less contact with the RCM and I don't really have a handle on them at all. If anyone has experience of the RCM and can input thoughts - esp on the pastoral care, whether there's a high level of internal competition and the strings dept - I'd be super grateful. Good luck to all those still awaiting news.
Congratulations! Which instrument did you apply?
Emilyviolin666 · 08/04/2021 01:26

Has anyone else heard back from RCM for piano?

WordsandMusic2020 · 07/04/2021 22:56

@JazzTuba I will be surprised if we don't take Guildhall given the good experiences we've had with them thus far, but I suspect there'll be a fair amount of procrastinating before any decisions are made!!

JazzTuba · 07/04/2021 22:22

@WordsandMusic2020 congratulations to your DC! That’s wonderful news. You have been so very positive about GH...But I don’t envy your decision.

horseymum · 07/04/2021 21:22

Lovely to hear more getting offers. I wonder if they mean at the latest by 1st may. This would mean there might be one or two more later offers due to some people turning down their space before the deadline for accepting your place.

WordsandMusic2020 · 07/04/2021 20:50

@MissScotland Thanks! It was quite unexpected, tbh...

Original poster
MissScotland · 07/04/2021 20:38

@disorganisedmummy I'm sure there's nothing to be worried about and what she told you is true for Trinity. The deadline for offer acceptance for RAM and GH and I'm pretty sure RCM is May 1st so they must send offers way before that.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissScotland · 07/04/2021 20:36

@WordsandMusic2020 Congrats on RCM offer! That's awesome!

OP posts:
disorganisedmummy · 07/04/2021 20:13

Wordsandmusic I haven't seen anyone mention Trinity at all. Unfortunately ds didn't have a very good audition experience with GH which put him off auditioning again. We didn't bother trying for RCM/RAM as they seemed to want prodigy level musicians and ds is a violinist so competition would be phenomenal. We were recommended to try Trinity. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

WordsandMusic2020 · 07/04/2021 20:09

@disorganisedmummy I'm sure she's not fobbing you off! I haven't seen anyone on here yet with Trinity offers. And with Easter in the way I'm amazed any of them have got their offers out tbh. I know it's AWFUL but you have to try not to panic (she says, having panicked for the past month!) Fact is, until you have a no, you still have a chance of a yes.... But I agree it's awful for the young people having to wait, esp when they've put heart and soul into the auditions.