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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Autumn / Winter music thread - 2026/2027

190 replies

northerngoldilocks · 02/09/2026 17:53

Time for a new thread for the new school year!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

OP posts:
herbaceous · 25/09/2026 11:34

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarest

Indeed! It's just struck DS that he has to get his conservatoire application, in the singular, in. He's only applying for the RNCM (for the joint BMus degree at Manchester) and don't think he needs to get a recording in just yet.

In the meantime he's been cast as Jesus in his school sung production of JCS, is working on his French Horn grade 8 this term, is playing in a pit band for 10 days in November, and as head boy is having to make speeches all over the place. Oh, and resit some year 12 papers to increase his predicted grades. Oh, and sing at some bizarre service where he'll get £150 next weekend. All a bit bonkers.

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 25/09/2026 10:27

Thats great news @Mickey33, congratulations to her - busy year ahead! When we watched NYO last year there were a lot of 18 yr olds so hopefully this year its meant that there are opportunities for some new players coming through.

OP posts:
Mickey33 · 25/09/2026 10:04

DD got in on violin for NYO she is over the moon.
Best wishes to everyone, it’s such a long journey with plenty of ups and downs.
congratulations going into inspire and being NYO guest’s these are such wonderful opportunities for teenagers to be involved and who knows where it could lead to in the future.

achangeofnameisasgoodasarest · 25/09/2026 08:47

Huge congrats to all who got something, even got through a first round or just put themselves out there for both NCO and NYO. The whole thing takes immense guts - they are all so impressive to have prepared and reached these standards.

It has just hit DD that she needs to get her conservatoire applications in next week. One of them requires a recording. It's so stressful to try to hold all the things you want lightly and then let them go when it turns out they aren't for you when you have to prepare so seriously for each one.

We will see..

Ionacat · 25/09/2026 08:24

DD didn’t get in this time but we knew it was a long shot as it was her first go and she was thrilled to get to the final assessment day. (Woodwind here!) She’s been offered a leadership role on Inspire and a two day guest residency so she‘s delighted.

Alwaysplayspicc · 24/09/2026 20:59

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this thread (I first posted about 9 years ago!)
DS auditioned 3 times before he got into NYO (cello), so don’t lose heart if your DC wasn’t lucky this time.
After the second try, he was invited as a 2 day guest and subsequently invited as a full guest on the summer course, before getting in the following year.

NYO are excellent at keeping applicants connected in various ways, so hopefully there will be further opportunities for those that missed out this time.

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 24/09/2026 17:54

Congratulations on NYO spots and commiserations to those who didn’t get one this time.

OP posts:
botanics · 24/09/2026 17:53

Violin. First attempt!

NervesAreShot · 24/09/2026 17:48

botanics · 24/09/2026 17:15

Happy to report that it was a yes for DD1!! She is delighted.

congratulations!!! What instrument does she play? How exciting!

horseymum · 24/09/2026 17:44

@botanics Congratulations! A busy year ahead!

botanics · 24/09/2026 17:15

Happy to report that it was a yes for DD1!! She is delighted.

se22mother · 24/09/2026 16:40

NervesAreShot · 24/09/2026 16:04

Also a no here but he has been offered a 2 day guest spot on the spring residential - is this a normal offer after second round? Does anyone have any experience of this?

My dd got a 2 day guest a couple of years ago. It is positive. Means they want to know the player better. She found it positive and got a full guest the following year.

horseymum · 24/09/2026 16:08

Mine have enjoyed inspire activities. Lots of fun even if quite a bit of travel. They have had friends do the two day guest, gives a good insight into the experience of the full course and lets tutors see them in action, really good to get that.

NervesAreShot · 24/09/2026 16:04

Also a no here but he has been offered a 2 day guest spot on the spring residential - is this a normal offer after second round? Does anyone have any experience of this?

chocolateisnecessary · 24/09/2026 15:59

Yeah, same boat here. But he’s been given Inspire which should be fab tho!

horseymum · 24/09/2026 15:45

Well, whoever said NYO emails might start coming out today was right. Sadly a no this year but it was a very positive experience and her sound has developed hugely from having that focus over the summer. Good luck to others waiting and hopefully everyone finds some lovely music making to do throughout this year, whatever level they are at.

Amanda1000000 · 23/09/2026 21:17

Thank you so much for the advice, I've signed up for the NYMT updates and that looks perfect for when he's a bit older. We know someone doing the Birmingham junior conservatoire but it's a long day as we are over an hours travel away. I'm definitely considering county orchestra's too, it's just working out what is worth the time (and cost!) investment. He absolutely loved the NCO weekends so much, he was completely hyper afterwards so I'm happy with going down that route for the residential weeks this year at least.

He's already asked for timpani and vibraphone and many completely unacceptable instruments - it's bad enough I have a drumkit and xylophone in my lounge (with my piano that I love)!

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 23/09/2026 19:36

I’m glad I applied for both my kids. My daughter sent it straight to me to discuss booking. Not clear my son would have checked his emails for a couple of weeks…

OP posts:
se22mother · 23/09/2026 19:11

A very different process this year .

failedasianmum · 23/09/2026 19:04

northerngoldilocks · 23/09/2026 17:55

yes- I posted again saying that the invitations to book an audition have been sent directly to the child’s email address today

oh yes you did, thank you! It only appeared now in my feed, and we see the email too
What a funny process this year.

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 23/09/2026 17:55

yes- I posted again saying that the invitations to book an audition have been sent directly to the child’s email address today

OP posts:
failedasianmum · 23/09/2026 17:41

northerngoldilocks · 23/09/2026 11:45

No. But the potential dates for each instrument are listed on the audition info in case that helps?

those are audition dates for each instrument.
the invites are said to be sent out on the 21st September

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 23/09/2026 13:37

LSSO have actually sent out emails today directly to the child asking them to book an audition slot, so worth asking your DC to check their email! I didn’t get anything as a parent.

OP posts:
Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 23/09/2026 11:45

No. But the potential dates for each instrument are listed on the audition info in case that helps?

OP posts:
failedasianmum · 23/09/2026 08:51

Has anyone received the LSSO audition invites for 2026/27 yet?

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