Autumn / Winter 2025 Music

@Comefromaway that must be frustrating - brilliant he's doing so well though. Given what he wants to do it sounds like he's set up to get plenty of work, guess the only problem would come if he changed his mind and wanted another type of job where the actual having of a degree matters to tick a box...and it feels like they should get a bit of paper for all that debt.

But maybe I'm just old fashioned!

@herbaceous ESO have let us pay in stages. DD2 is keen and the rep looks good - though agree it is expensive.

I've heard almost nothing from her since she's been back at school except that she's first bassoon in Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, and quite scared. Also seems to be in two wind quintets. I otherwise got a photo of some nachos she'd been making that looked a bit burnt.

Oh, and she appeared on the school insta in a skirt so short that other parents sent me texts about it. And no blazer, on the day on which she was receiving an honorary scholarship for academics so presumably had to be visible in assembly. Not sure that bid for deputy head girl or woodwind head she's planning next year will be very well received unless she changes her clothing choices.

She's back on Friday for LSSO so at least I'll get to hear from her then if she can bear to be at home for more than five minutes..

I know but it is SO frustrating. The resit was because he spent three weeks in Paris over Easter just before assessment deadlines working on a show over there. He ended up with a recital, a presentation and an essay all due on the same day so the essay never got handed in.

I'm still dithering about the ESO residential course. DS wants to go, but isn't totally mad on it, and it's v expensive. And he's really only needed to bump up the numbers of horns in the Mahler.

However, it would be an amazing experience, and some of his other orchestral experiences aren't now going to happen because he's in the Rodolfus choir!

Choices... choices...

@Comefromaway - sounds like your DS has found his groove. I think once you're 'in' with the pit band crew, you're set for life! Easy to see why graduating has fallen down his priority list.

We are definitely coming to the end of the student journey. After a slight blip of a little (written) resit, ds is about to start his final year of conservtoire.

However, at this point I am convinced that he is not going to graduate. I want him to, but he isn't bothered at all. He is thinking that he doesn't want to do an MA after all and just go straight into working, which to be fair, is already happening.

He is currently working on a show about to open in London and has been offered a week depping on a national tour. Then there is 2 months of panto. A possibility of some sound design work next year too.

Dh and I will try and convince him to graduate but he saw conservatoire as a means to an end (and he hates the written parts of the course).

@northerngoldilocks - the festival actually came first - its well worth looking at if you can get to Wimbledon as they have some amazing performers - we heard Ben Grosvenor one year. I'm not sure what happened to the orchestra - there is a thing to fill in on the website to express interest.

Thank you so much @Londonmummy66and @northerngoldilocks, so helpful! I’ll pass on the info to him and see which one he would like to audition. This is the first year he’s able to commit to an orchestra all year round, as he was a chorister and couldn’t get involved in any Christmas and Easter courses.

@BBLY _ I had a cellist who did LSSO - standard was roughly Grade 8 but is lower for violas. Worth a try as the focus is on orchestral ability - her auditions included being conducted through the excerpts.

LPO has a Junior artists scheme but the standard is very very high.

Thames youth orchestra is brilliant if you are able to get to Kingston for rehearsals - both of mine were invited to bump for their tours and the younger one then stayed on as principal of her niche instrument and playing violin/viola when that wasn't needed and had a ball. They tour every summer - usually northern Spain departing in the afternoon of GCSE results day.

Mine also did Maryatt Players in WImbledon - not sure if that is still going. It was a strings only orchestra at I think Easter and had some really inspiring coaches/conductors.

hi, he is 14.

Hi all, long time lurker here and occasional commenter. Would love to get an idea of all the different orchestral opportunities in London and nearby for my string player of grade 7/8 standard please? I’m aware of NYO, but have now heard about LSSO, NYSO, LSO? What are the differences please? Feeling a bit overwhelmed. He’s taken part in Chineke! junior’s summer course before and loved it. Thank you in advance for any advice.

Thanks all. Yes big fan of Benedetti sessions, they did one a year or 2 ago. Also big Pro Corda fan but i think littlest may need to wait an extra year before hopefully joining sibling there and it's pretty long for a first residential. I think i would prefer a 2 to 4/5 nights for her first one.

Thanks for Glos academy recommendation, that looks interesting!

Hi @IcyAquaSloth! I’ve got a little string player too (DS, 7yo, violin). I’ve also been looking at courses for him - he will be 8 by next summer which I think opens up a few more - but I’m not keen on him doing a residential at this age. I think he’d probably be fine I’m just very overprotective (PFB syndrome still strong!), so will have a look into ones that he could maybe attend during the day and stay somewhere nearby with me at night. I’ve heard really good things about Viva strings.

Also keep an eye on the Benedetti sessions which are non-residential weekend sessions dotted around the country. DS has done it twice now and absolutely loved it.

Hello @IcyAquaSloth Gloucester Academy of Music do fun summer residentials for 8+ mine did them for a few years - they do music in the morning, activities in the afternoon, more music in the evening and have a concert for parents at pick up time. https://glosacadmusic.org/sessions-and-ensembles/holiday-courses/summer-holiday-residential-courses/

@IcyAquaSloth your eldest would be old enough for Pro Corda (start at age 8) they are in Suffolk but do run other courses in London and the North. DD enjoyed it for cello - mix of technique, chamber and larger groups. She’s never made it to viva as she had to cancel the one year that she could go.

My eldest did nyso at end of year 3 so that's potentially an option if little one gets in, but its quite far distance wise. Tempted by viva strings potentially too but don't know anything about that one.

Hi @IcyAquaSloth welcome! Music residentials are fab, mine have loved them. I don't know any that do them for that young, maybe others have some ideas. There might be some where you'd have to stay too.

Hi,

I have 2 primary age singers/ string players (violin for the 10 yr old (G5) and cello for the 7 year old (G2).

Thinking of getting the little one to audition for a short residential next year as she has seen her sibling go off on adventures for the last few years and seems keen so if anyone has any recommendations for mini cellists please let me know!

We should be Ok for boys, though I can imagine a fairly gender-fluid approach to gang members!

Think auditions are end of next week... or next. As yet to be confirmed!

West Side Story is a great one! Not nearly enough boys in drama at DD’s school - our money is on Chicago for hers! She has a straight play to do in October first (auditions this week) before they’ll announce the musical though. When are auditions for your ds?