Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

Hope you can work it out nearlynever. I'm sure there is still MDS/bursary funding out there, orgs work really hard to make music accessible.

I guess the pressure comes from having to do Menuhin, Grumiaux or other major international competitions at some point, this is hard work.

Crikey, this really is top end stuff. A very different world indeed to our youth orchestra and grade exam shenanigans!

Thank you so much @Ubertomusic - I now have a plan for today which makes me feel a bit less overwhelmed!

I will dm you now @Londonmummy66

Can they not confirm at this stage that the offer is for an MDS/bursary place? Paperwork and funds allocation always take a while but if they add the MDS clause to your offer letter, you wouldn't need to worry (well, at least not about their intentions, the gov is another story). Our initial offer letter didn't stipulate MDS, I just double checked that, said we wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise, and they added it.

I guess everyone is a bit uncertain about funding atm due to the government's actions but can the JDs confirm their own T&C at least? Especially those who want your answer asap?

I wouldn't hesitate to ask both heads of department first, whilst you're waiting for the school place anyway, then maybe heads of JD if needed.

@Nearlyneverready - do you want to DM me as I think this might be one where being a bit more specific might help? I have JD/MDS and specialist contacts

Thanks @Ubertomusic

Sorry - I meant a bursary or MDS for the JD. We would not be able to afford a JD without help.

I would need to give notice at the specialist school at the end of the Easter break, but will know about the school place before then. 1 JD has asked for a reply by 1 May and the other asked that we let them know as soon as possible, which is understandable. The bursary decisions aren’t made until a later date though, so I’m worried about picking one and then being turned down for a bursary. The audition for the 3rd JD is a couple of weeks away.

Neither JD has mentioned trial lessons, but great idea to email the department head about teachers.

Re. teachers, you could email head of department at JD and ask who they have in mind. They should also offer trial lessons, that can help to decide. The list of teachers on their web sites are not always up to date but I had a look at bios anyway when we applied, in case there is someone who could be a particularly good fit in your circumstances.

Do you need a bursary for the school or do you mean MDS for JD @Nearlyneverready ?
What are the deadlines, particularly for school?

I don’t think I’ve posted on this thread before, but could really use some advice about JDs. DC has been at a specialist school up to now, but is looking to move. This would mean going to a JD instead, but I am acutely aware of how little I know!

DC has 2 JD offers so far with an audition at a third later this month. DC is also waiting to hear about a school place, so a lot depends on that too. Without the school place, DC would likely remain at the specialist school. Oh, and we will also need a bursary (currently on MDS) otherwise we won’t be able to afford it.

I honestly have now idea how to juggle it. The JDs that have made offers are understandably waiting for a response, but there is still one audition to go. Whether we can accept the offer will also depend on what financial support will be available, so I’m concerned about turning one down then finding out that the other can’t offer the bursary we would need.

Also, teachers - how would we find out what teacher DC would have? There are a couple of other factors that I need to consider, but they would fall into place if I could wrap my head around the above.

Any help/advice would be gratefully received.

How wonderful Sirius and fingers crossed for more opportunities.

@herbaceous well done to yours - amazing score, and to yours for debut @Siriusmuggle and yours for colours @QueenMabby .

Have DD2 back now after her symphony concert - three weeks off. Yay!

Mine didn’t do JD either, although he now assists at one.
We went to watch his professional orchestra debut last night- it was brilliant, very proud moment. He is really hoping that they’ll put him on the extras list. Most of the section have been in the orchestra much longer than he’s actually been born which blew my mind a bit.

We’ve never been involved in any jds (not sure dd would be good enough anyway) but she was thrilled to get presented with school colours for music today. She’s now the proud owner of a hideous stripy blazer.

I think people choose their JD for all sorts for reasons and of course not everyone gets multiple offers.

That's true, we didn't even apply to one of JDs because they were involved in a public scandal and we didn't get an offer from the most selective one on the violin.

😂

@678socks I think people choose their JD for all sorts for reasons and of course not everyone gets multiple offers. I will only entertain sending my kids to the one DH teaches at because after years of having to parent solo on a Saturday they can be his responsibility!!

Piano is essentially a solo instrument, I guess they just have to have more solo performances. I haven't seen ours playing with chamber strings but it may be just an age thing, DD was 10 when she joined so in younger groups. I think pianists her age are still not playing with chamber strings but I may be wrong. Haven't seen that at school either at their age, maybe from year 9-10 if I remember correctly but I miss quite a few concerts so can't be sure.

And yes, it does vary depending on teacher, JD/school and individual combinations of instruments and skills.

I didn't count academic music, composition, conducting etc, only performance classes for orchestral instruments. I don't know much about piano studies anyway, it's DD's third instrument and sadly being neglected in our household.

That would have to be our approach. We don't have the sort of contacts to have a clue who DD should apply to. But she has got to a stage where current teacher is gently nudging her it is time to move on, so she will be changing teachers either way.

I think it is very variable. DD1 at JD was a first study pianist she had an hour of workshop by one of the senior profs each week and that cycled around performance, comparing different recordings and more technique focused workshops so at least one solo performance a month. (Also had an hours sightreading class each week - very scary plus either orchestra or duet and chamber music with the strings)

He is like his mother - wings it until the last minute, then puts in the effort! Let's see how that pans out with A-levels...

His piano approach has got him a performance diploma, so has served him well so far. He's going for the LRSM at Christmas. I think maybe he busks the fingering in lessons as hasn't actually done any practice!

Sounds like caution is the best approach to that wrist, @northerngoldilocks. They're complicated things!

ARSM result is in. A distinction! 46/50. He's very pleased.

He was also made one of four head boy/girls this week.

School report in, full of praise but saying he needs, basically, to spread himself less thinly.

Amusing comments by his piano teacher in school report too - "He needs to ensure that fingerings are worked out more carefully to produce a result that is musically and stylistic convincing. Too often this element is improvised, resulting in what to the specialist ear will sound a little like busking and lacking in care! Occasionally, his natural desire to express interferes with the music. I appreciate that may sound a little odd, but rubato and passion need to be within stylistic constraints."

I don’t know….I sort of thought they went to whichever JD they got into/suited their location etc. I don’t know….

I suspect we will be weighing up JD vs genuinely high ranking youth orchestra. Tricky with three studies, JD might make life easier as everything is in house on one day but it is a massive commitment….

Yes, there is always this risk, even though it's a small world. I guess violinists (and pianists?) pretty much apply to study with a particular teacher, not JD as such.