Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

Goodness that sounds painful @northerngoldilocks - we have had a lot of relief with arnica cream in this house for bad sprains. Hopefully she feels better soon.

Sorry @northerngoldilocks that’s really rotten luck. Hoping she can rest up and recover double quick!

@Ubertomusic is it an instrument choice thing? If your DD wants to go into the profession she will need to choose one instrument at some point, but probably not for a few years? I know a lot of talented multi-instrumentalists and a front runner emerged usually by mid teens, but slightly depends what it is as you can get away with much less practice on wind and brass as compared to strings and piano, so easier to juggle more if that is your thing.

Ive been thinking about encouraging DS to start piano as it’s so useful, but he’s not asking to learn and I think he does plenty of music atm with violin + choir now ramping up (he’s still 7, in year 3) so my inclination is to leave it for now. Does anyone have thoughts on when is a good stage to add it?

@northerngoldilocks poor kid! Healing vibes from here. Mine definitely fell over a lot when they were growing, so maybe it's that.DD2 also falls over just walking about sometimes but that's because she's in a world of her own.

@Ubertomusic that sounds like a tough decision. What does your DD want - as I'm sure you've realised mine is not a 'narrowing down' kind of girl - more a kind of 'widening out' one . Lots of different musicians needed - depends what they're aiming for. School supportive to both types,

I think recognise DD2 isn't the type to spend all her days perfecting one thing. Unless it's making a bassoon/recorder thing out of a carrot, which seems to have been the excitement of the last few days.

"I was going to tune the orchestra with it, but it's gone a bit mouldy"... classic comment on the phone this week.

Oh so sorry for your poor DD northern! Hope she recovers quickly.

Oh no! Hope it improves soon!

What awful timing, and not once but twice too.

sending healing thoughts.

Oh no @northerngoldilocks that sounds horrible! 🙈 Hope your DD recovers soon!
They're also tired towards the end of term and probably less focused as a result.

I think mine got asked about what music she listened to, other than classical. I also wouldn't stress too much as as I can't imagine she gave more than one word answers and was fine!

But we do have an amazing youth orchestra on our doorstep.

@Comefromaway thank you, we are in a dark spot and everything is miles away (but at least in the same country).

@CelloMumFlums - our curveball was how much practice she did - it was very little compared with her peers so they pulled a lot of faces but she pointed out that she had got to where she had by practising efficiently rather than extensively..........

We've had a crazy March so far... with lots of concerts, three days of MT and a solo moved two months earlier so really half baked... with chops bleeding from an allergy and a blocked nose on top of that 🤦‍♀️

I keep telling myself that it's a good preparation for the life of a musician 😂 but it certainly feels less than ideal.

As the workload is only going to increase, I wonder if it would be better to keep all options open for the sake of versatility or start prioritising and focusing for more advanced and nuanced performance. DD has been stagnating for a while and the solo was particularly disappointing.

@horseymum @Londonmummy66 thank you so much for the super helpful advice! Re the “interview” component of the audition, we have discussed the usual points re instruments chosen, repertoire, experience, why that particular JD and future plans but wondered whether anyone has been thrown a curveball of a Q that we may not have anticipated?! Thank you!

So sad re the Welsh JD. I recall signing a petition at the time as it all felt so unfair and short-sighted..

@chocolateisnecessary I remember when that happened, so sad for everyone.

In Scotland you have to pay the full fees for RCS juniors unless eligible for some bursaries or scholarships.
I would say it's not a must do if you want a career but you would then need to seek out other good opportunities for ensembles etc if none locally as that is a big draw for many. Some of the JDS do occasional sessions for instrument families as well, like double reed days etc. Also not all those going to ours want a music career. Many are there because their parents believe it helps their academics, or they enjoy playing in higher level ensembles.

It really was heartbreaking for the kids and handled in the worst way possible. Quite a few families left for England. The rest of us are basically muddling through! Some provision has improved, some has tanked. I don’t think a JD is necessary as such, but a good one would be a phenomenal experience I think.

I didn't know that @Comefromaway- what a very short-sighted policy.

https://www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme

Music CATs
NameLocation
Aldeburgh Young Musicians Suffolk
Centre for Young Musicians London
Guildhall School of Music & Drama London
Royal Academy of Music London
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Birmingham
Royal College of Music London
Royal Northern College of Music Manchester
Sheffield Music Academy Sheffield
South West Music School South West England
The Glasshouse Gateshead
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance London
Yorkshire Young Musicians Leeds, Hull

Leeds Conservatoire also have their own JD scheme that is fee paying but with bursaries for those with a household income less than £42,875

Not a must and from what I can see those aspiring to be soloists don't bother going to JD at all :)

On the other hand, our former teacher was on a bus from Wales to London every week in their late teens to study with a particular teacher.

@Comefromaway midlands….will have a look then.

I didn't know that @Comefromaway and it's really sad to see what's going on with arts funding in general. I've seen on FB council arts funding has been halved since 2010...

Whereabouts in the country are you? As well as Birmingham there is Manchester then similar MDS funded schemes not attached to institutions in Sheffield, Leeds & Gateshead.

@Comefromaway that is really unfair! Poor children.

Thanks all, guessing also not really a must do if the child is showing signs of wanting to pursue this as a career (today at least 😂)? Would be easier if we still lived down south!