Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

I think they must@chocolateisnecessary or possibly they have friends/ relatives that they stay with in London?

Someone at RCM suggested getting on at Gloucester Road as it's quieter. I think on home days for Chelsea, we may actually travel with DD, as that concerns me more.

Do the parents pay for accommodation the night before? This is the bit that always confuses me. We’re in Cardiff and we can’t get there in time on the train network. Transport and hotel costs would hit the thousands.

College Confidential and The Student Room are also really useful for information on summer programmes and courses.

From what the heads of RCMJD and JRAM said, some children travel/ have travelled from quite far away to get there - Ireland was definitely mentioned and I think France too. We are just over an hour out via train which I am very grateful for. DD knows other children at these and Guildhall JD and talked to them about it.

I too had never heard of JDs before this thread! If I had, we may never have moved out of London and life could be very different!

Good point @northerngoldilocks - that should be perfect for him then.

@StuntNun if it’s any consolation, I went to conservatoire without having done any of these things except for NYO, which I only knew about because I saw it on TV (Mahler 1 at the proms in 2004!). Now my kids are going through it I randomly Google things, but this thread is genuinely one of the best sources of info out there!

Word of mouth for mine and social media. His school music teacher recommended he apply for a specialist school but also told us about jrncm as an alternative option.

I find all these acronyms JRNCM / NCO / JD etc. completely baffling. How do you hear about all these opportunities and how to apply for them? All my DCs have had music lessons, decades of lessons between them, and I had never heard of any of these things before joining this thread.

Thanks @northerngoldilocks id completely forgotten that - she took DS’s group both times he did Benedetti and he really enjoyed it so that’s great!

I will report back! Just hope that there are others his age as it’s quite a wide range.

Has anyone’s child been to this or anything similar?

https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/short-courses-summer-schools/find-a-short-course-or-summer-school/summer-strings-course-intermediate

I still think DS is too young for a residential (he’s just turned 8) but would love him to do some ensemble playing this summer, so this seems to fit the bill.

Thanks so much @TheTurn0fTheScrew, that is really reassuring to hear!
It makes total sense that the timetables are tailored to the individual—I think for a 10-year-old, having those extra breaks and a slightly "lighter" day in the Foundation section is probably a very good thing. I’m glad to hear the "no external teacher" rule is only for the same instrument; it's a relief to know we don't have to upend everything else just yet!

@Charlottesweb82 – it sounds like our DCs will have a very similar start. It'll be great to see how they settle into the Saturday routine!

@Charlottesweb82 the timetables are individualised so one student's might not look exactly the same as another's. My eldest had a second study, and also liked to be busy and took an extra academic music class, so had a really full timetable. My younger DC is very firmly single study only, and so has more breaks. At times she's been offered additional classes (compositional analysis, a second chamber ensemble etc) but is quite clear that she prefers a lighter timetable.

A external teacher for an instrument not taken at JRNCM is completely fine. They just want to avoid a student being given conflicting advice on the dame instrument.

@s005109 I’ve sent a couple of questions back to JRNCM regarding foundation timetable for DS (also age 10). His offer is just for piano but everything points to timetables catering for 2 instruments. Does this mean he has 2 hours teaching on piano etc (seems a bit intense!). Also can he still have his external teacher for violin only if he’s only doing piano at JRNCM. Lots of questions but we’re very excited for the opportunity!

Thanks for the info. I think what I’m going to do is as you suggested and just fill in all the forms. Like you said only upside!

@s005109 I've got a DC at JRNCM, and I've just PMed you.

Thanks so much @horseymum, that’s really helpful!

That makes sense about the permission for competitions—I hadn't thought about the teacher/school representation aspect. DS is definitely keen to keep up his NCO involvement, so it’s good to know that’s a common path.

The point about ensembles is what’s playing on my mind slightly. The JRNCM handbook mentions Foundation students follow a "shortened curriculum" until their stamina and technical levels are up to speed , while the "Full Juniors" have a whole range of afternoon orchestras and big bands. I'm just hoping he doesn't feel too "left out" of the big group stuff in that first year!

@s005109 congratulations on the offer! Hopefully someone else can tell you about your specific establishment. For us, if the are having lessons on an instrument they can't have lessons with another teacher. You need permission to enter competitions and festivals as you are representing the teacher/ establishment and they should be preparing you for them as part of lessons. Loads of kids will do NCO/ NYO etc. Again, you need teacher's permission, they will usually have to give a reference. If they are in ensembles, you will find it harder to take time off because other players are affected if your child is t there so time off has to be specifically requested. It's maybe less strict when they are younger. We didn't get a timetable till the week before starting so she didn't know which ensembles she was in. You might get more details soon about what the day covers. Probably some singing and musicianship.

Hi everyone, jumping in here as a newbie!

Massive congratulations to @Charlottesweb82, @MusicallyMe and @Theoneiwantedwastaken on the JRNCM and RCS offers—such a relief when those emails finally land!

My 10yo DS has also just had an offer for the Foundation section at JRNCM. We are absolutely over the moon!

I did have a quick question for the seasoned pros here. I noticed the handbook says Foundation students follow a "shortened curriculum". Does anyone know if they still get much ensemble or orchestral time? The handbook says students must seek formal permission before undertaking any concerts or festivals not organised by JRNCM so we have a feeling that we may have to stop other musical ensembles unless we get permission? DS did NCO regionals and a training section of a philharmonic orchestra this year and absolutely loved the buzz of a big group, so I’d hate for him to miss out on that "big sound" experience while he waits to become a "Full Junior".

Would love to hear how others find the balance!

We were really impressed on the tour - there was a lot to take in!

Congrats to all JD acceptees!

Re ear plugs for choir, in my 20 years singing in choirs, with pianos, and DS's 10 years of constant rehearsals, I have never seen or been aware of anyone wearing ear-plugs. Is it a thing? I occasionally see people wear them in front of the brass section, or piccolo player!

DS had a jolly day with the choral scholars in Oxford this weekend. Workshop at Queens, tour of Magdalen and evensong in New. He's now totally bamboozled about whether to choose Ox or Cambs, and which college. If he would be lucky enough to even get in, that is...

Just had the email. Accepted to RCS juniors