Music Junior Programs

What a huge amount of choice in London, in Scotland we just have one conservatoire and two state specialist and one private school. There may be some Saturday schools as well but nothing like what there used to be. The instrumental music service is struggling in many areas as councils cut funding, so the numbers go down, ensembles suffer and people don't put a value on learning an instrument. I hope that things pick up after covid otherwise it truly will only be for the well off, which is sad.

Mine went to the CYM. It was the only place she auditioned for. We didn’t know that there were any other junior departments elsewhere and we only heard about CYM by chance. It has a lovely vibe. It was only a couple of stops on the tube for us, and that was important.

Thanks for your responses. Interestingly we heard back from RCMJD first (couple weeks ago) and closely followed by GH. The Junior RAM material stated not to expect results before April, so good to hear all the wonderful results from you all. Congratulations! - to all those who were successful and all young musicians with the courage and aspirations to have a go!

We looked at jd's, but dd wanted music during the week too.
Just Saturdays wasn't enough, although it leaves time during the week if they have other hobbies.
She was told from the first audition that no other ensembles were allowed unless one of the national type.
Certainly no other music lessons.
So, she went to specialist music school and boards. There the emphasis is on music with a bit of academic thrown in, which is perfect for those wanting to be musicians.

@JazzTuba - we are also waiting to hear from Junior RAM. Have heard back from RCMJD, we didn’t apply to Guildhall.

Hello @JazzTuba. Yes I think most of us heard from RAM (Primary or Junior) a week or ten days ago, so I think worth emailing them to find out results.

When did you hear from RCM? I think that's the one most of us are still waiting on!

Guildhall definitely win the efficiency award!

Hello there:

New to this thread and all the comments on various JD's have been most helpful. I note many people have heard from junior RAM, and that is the one JD outstanding on our side. Have heard from RCMJD and Junior GH - just curious if most have now heard from all JD's they applied for?

Thanks @manuelandviolin - I think you're right, that all schools / conservatoires will always have some students who love it and some who don't! And that's great your DS had such a positive experience at RCM.

@WordsandMusic2020 DS left RCMJD prematurely simply because of his school choice for Y7 (last-minute decision). DS's musical experience was limited to a non-musical state primary school, so we were not immune to any 'serious' institutions. Yet we didn't find them overwhelming nor intimidating. They were relaxed and friendly. DS was very happy and loved his Saturdays. However, I know some negative experience of others. It didn't sound like the same place because it was so different from ours. Though I guess you will always find happy and unhappy people at any place.

@MissScotland Ah, yes that's quite a specific query. Hope you're finding the info you need.

@manuelandviolin May I ask why your DS only stayed a year? (Obviously don't answer if you'd rather not say!) And did he find RCM relaxed and friendly or quite serious? (My impression is that RCM is a bit more pressurised than the others, but that might be just the experience of the few people I know who've been there).

@MissScotland What are the differences you've noticed so far? Other than the fact that RCM / Guildhall are pretty much all day, whereas RAM is only the afternoon, we've found them to be pretty identical (instrumental lesson, choir, orchestra, chamber music, musicianship): the only difference seems to be that RCM / Guildhall you get an hour of each and RAM is about 30/40 mins of each. Have you clocked other differences too?

@MissScotland def agree there are no rights or wrongs and at different times different things matter to each young person - many at JD reduce down their timetables of yr 11 to balance gcses for example. you have some great options!

@MissScotland Your options are all great, so unless you are after a particular course or teacher or atmosphere, my recommendation would always be to pick the nearest one. Obviously, everyone has different priorities and I respect that. It's just for us, like you, distance and time were on the top of the list, partly because mine was still at primary school age. It saved us so much time and energy which was very important (for us) to be able to enjoy and sustain the full experience.

@MissScotland We were there only one year and a bit so our experience is rather limited but DS absolutely loved it. He had known only school music before joining RCMJD so it was a huge jump as you can imagine. Naturally, everything was so new and exciting to us. We miss the buzz, and people. We really liked Guidhall too, but it was too far for a weekly commitment. I know many people are willing to commute a long way but I didn't want that for DS. RCM was a 10-15 mins drive for us.

Yes me too- our JD commute is 4-5hr round trip and there are people with much longer/more complicated journeys. Dd starts classes at 9 and finishes at 5 so it’s is a very long day; Sunday is simply sleeping, ho,eWorld and catching up on the house stuff (me)

Just had a read through all the comments. Huge congratulations to all those with offers already! Exciting times ahead! Tricky deciding which JD to choose when there are no open days for those with multiple offers.
I was a bit taken aback at the post that thought 25 mins may be too far 😳 It’s all a matter of perspective I guess. We had applied for RAM PA but pulled out due to covid - this would’ve been a 6 hour round trip at best!!

Has anyone heard back from RNCM juniors yet?