Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

Different cathedrals have different patterns for choristers and this DC is at a cathedral that doesn't have a choir school and pays a pittance - my DC got 55p an hour not very long ago. Also the girls do half the weekly services and the lay clerks do one on their own.

That seems a very light rehearsal schedule! Seem to remember DS had morning rehearsals every day, and four or five after school or weekends. Plus four or five services.

I hope he enjoys it as much as the chorister in our house! It's a good time of year to increase it, while the days are longer and lighter and you don't have advent/Christmas/Easter to contend with right away. I think DS sailed through his first term as a full chorister on pure excitement tbh!

That actually cheers me greatly @BBLY because mine all seem to coast along similarly. Good to know others manage to make this approach work!

Son has been at rcmjd since he was 8, so we are in our 7th year. He really enjoys it, but he’s not like lots of DCs on here that seem to devote lots of time on music, he seems to coasting through with minimal practice, so I’m not sure if our experience is that helpful 😅 but feel free to get in touch if you would like to know anything more.

Brilliant @Siriusmuggle - hope it leads to much more.

On the rather less glittering end of the brass scale, grade 3 euphonium booked and accompanist (brother) procured. No going back now. I'm going for face-to-face - figured if a thing is worth doing I may as well do it the old fashioned way. Will probably run out of breath in a panic.

brilliant @Siriusmuggle - what a great opportunity- fingers crossed for him that it leads to more (and great on the cv even if it doesn’t)

@Compsearch he loved it! No feedback as yet as he hasn’t seen his tutor. Just really hoping that it leads to more.

Gosh @Londonmummy66- that sounds exciting! Dd has had to withdraw from her summer music tour as she’s made it to a (non-music) international competition which clashes but which she can’t turn down.

dd has (I think) g8 piano and g7 voice happening towards the end of the summer term.

Good luck to everyone with the exams, especially @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest - terrifying stuff as an adult! And @Siriusmuggle what a huge milestone! How did his professional work go?

No exams here (still!). DS starts his full schedule of choir rehearsals this term (now 3x per week!) in prep for being a full chorister from September - I’m a bit apprehensive as to how he’ll cope with it. He’s a funny one as generally complains about all his activities beforehand but then adores them while he’s doing them and refuses to give anything up, so I find it very hard to judge!

We have final degree recital coming up here. scary stuff.

Sometimes a bit of pressure is helpful! No abrsm exams but first conservatoire repertoire exam and an NYO video to make. Lovely concert at the weekend too. A wee break now to get school exams done, then some nice end of term concerts.

That’s amazing @Londonmummy66what an experience for her!

Good luck with your exam prep @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest Are you doing the practical or performance exam? I’m preparing for a piano performance exam but I haven’t been able to squeeze in any lessons lately so I’m stuck in a holding pattern at the moment.

@Londonmummy66 what an adventure! I love bolivia - very high up though - will be hard work for the wind players for sure.

@StuntNun . me! I'm finally booking my grade 3 euphonium. Am I ready? No. Am I terrified? Yes. But we will see.

DD2 also has a bassoon diploma and prob grade 6 piano digital - but she is very aware that it is MY exam that really mattters!

DD1 is on tour in Bolivia - sent me a video of the alternative transport when the tour bus broke down - they're all crammed in the back of a flat back truck.....

I just booked my DS in for his grade 6 piano exam. I’m not sure he’s quite ready for it as it’s only a year since he did grade 5, but he wanted to get it done before he finished year 8. Who else is preparing for exams this summer?

Just posting this in case of interest to anyone - looks brilliant!

https://www.rbo.org.uk/learning/young-people/youth-opera-company

I think my DS has enough singing in his life atm as a chorister, and would only be eligible for the introductory group at this point, but might consider it for next year.

Thank you - that's great to know, particular the positive atmosphere.

My DS did rcmjd for 7 years from 11-18 (left last summer to go to RCM) and absolutely loved it. There is a good mix of solo, chamber and orchestral opportunities. He made loads of friends and it was a really positive atmosphere. Feel free to do me if you have any specific questions

Are there any RCM JD parents here? Can I ask you for your / your child's experiences? It seems great but there is a limit to what you can see on an open day and I would be grateful for feedback. Thanks!

Hey @MusicallyMe - I have a DC at JRNCM. If I remember correctly they auditioned in mid March, and got the result mid April, so hopefully it won't be too long for your DC. Fingers crossed for you!

Sorry to jump on this thread, but my DC auditioned for junior RNCM yesterday, does anyone have any experience of when we would find out?

@CelloMumFlums Congratulations on your two offers! And best of luck for the audition :)

It's hard waiting for results of things, especially when you don't have a set date. Hope they get into the right place for them.
I've been listening to mine both practicing for their orchestra course this coming week, even occasionally together!

Hi @ArtfulMember We have received offers from two with an acceptance deadline of 1st May and one audition still to go. Hopefully yours will come through soon.