Autumn / Winter music thread - 2026/2027

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarest I will ask him about applicants to his college specifically. I know it’s not true that everyone has it though because a different friend teaches a harmony course over the summer for Music offer holders, which aims to get everyone up to speed with the harmony standards required - this would definitely not be necessary if they all had grade 8 - he was telling me that there is a massive range, which is more consistent with what the second person told you.

However - and this is pure supposition on my part - I wouldn’t be surprised if applicants at specialist and/or private schools were perhaps held to a higher standard than those at state schools with poor music offerings (Music has v low nos of state school applicants as it is) - and it might also vary a lot between colleges (which is why I will ask my friend about his - one of the most competitive for Music, though they always pool loads so it doesn’t harm overall chances).

@Incertus would your friend know anything about the need for Grade 8 theory? We spoke to the admissions director at one college who was adamant that almost all students have it as WELL as A Level music and that the other colleges only didn't mention it because they 'weren't being transparent'. Then the others told us that practically nobody has it and they're teaching harmony virtually from scratch in some cases.

DD does not have grade 8 theory. Nor is she likely to get it in time. But she is learning to harmonise and would at least have a stab at a chorale.

Best of luck @herbaceous and @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest!

I think everyone ends up loving their own college - I don’t think you can go wrong. @herbaceous you prob know this but eg Trinity and Clare choirs also have tours, CD recordings etc (I’m less familiar with Jesus) and a very full schedule for the choir - obviously they have women rather than boys so for female singers I think they are (or at least were) among the top choices and extremely well regarded.

Maybe the feel of the college itself could help swing the choir choice as they’re all quite different? My friend is DoM at one of the ones you mentioned so if you have any specific qs feel free to DM me!

We were at the open day on Friday too! Are even more confused now... But having looked round more colleges it seems they are all totally amazing, and if he were to be pooled it would all work out fine.

The question is does he go for Kings or St John's, which have amazing world-class choirs, CDs, tours etc and would set him up for life but he would have no time for anything else, including drama which he loves, or something like Clare or Jesus which has good choirs but 'only' three or four services a week.

If he even gets an offer, that is...

Happy new term all! DD2 is firmly back in school - Ucas statement(s) both nearly done, up to her ears in coursework. But seems to also have the first lunchtime concert of the term so she's got to prepare for that as well. She is apparently now also running the school's academic music seminars, so was frantically preparing a powerpoint on how to write programme notes along with her own programme notes this weekend.

Trip to Cambridge colleges open day on Friday was illuminating, where she met musicians like her who are struggling to choose between music and other subjects. AND she changed her mind on which college to apply to. Which is fine except that she sang for the DoM of the other one and hasn't for this one. She'll just have to take her chance. We definitely prefer the new choice but she knows it's a lottery either way.

Good luck to all whatever stage you're at - musical careers do sound terrifying but also amazing. Having spoken to lots of just graduated cambridge students on Friday I'm not convinced that even a sparkling degree from a top uni is making things easy right now. They are all struggling, no matter the subject. Who knows what the answer is for our young people.

@Fishlegs what does your DS play and what does he have in mind by “portfolio career”? It’s a tough old world out there and increasingly difficult to get work, even for those coming from top conservatoires. I’d really press Leeds on their leavers destinations and see if that lines up with what your DS might be interested in doing. Such low audition requirements would probably concern rather than reassure me.

I’d also say that it’s always possible to apply to conservatoire for postgrad even if you haven’t gone for undergrad, so it’s not now or never, as long as he can keep up his practice alongside engineering (which might be tricky!), or a gap year could be a good idea.

I sympathise a lot as struggled to decide myself and ended up applying for a real hotch potch of things and then going to both in the end.

Consultation lesson is a good idea - do we just email the relevant person and ask?

He is going to speak to his instrument and music A level teachers this week and see what they think. He was debating taking a year out to decide what to do, but the person giving the talk on Classical music at Leeds was encouraging people to apply even if they couldn’t get their applications in before Oct 1st, and also stressed that they would be happy to hear G7 level pieces played at audition (which is free at Leeds). So this has suddenly opened up a choice which wasn’t there before.

Might be worth seeing if he could have a consultation lesson with someone at Leeds to discuss his chances and the course? DD had lessons with profs at RCM and RBC before applying which helped nail her thinking down a bit (and meant she had to record her pieces separately for each as the profs wanted different things - she was not popular at school!!!)

The closing date for most conservatoire courses is 1st October, with auditions coming any time after that- more likely November. Would he be ready for that or would a gap year help? Mine got told only do it if you can't see yourself doing anything else as it's tough going at times. But also a privilege to spend lots of time doing what you enjoy. I guess there are lots of people still undecided at this point though, so it's hard. Often kids good at music are hard working and disciplined so could do a few different things. Each audition costs money as well so it's not a neutral decision to say just apply to a few and see how you feel. You can hold offers from unis and conservatoires though so can put the decision off further.

My ds is in Y13 and undecided about studying music or some kind of engineering. He knows the RNCM pretty well and can’t see himself studying there, however we have just visited Leeds Conservatoire and he’s really excited by their Classical Music course. He’s never going to be a soloist, but for a portfolio musical career, does it matter which conservatoire is attended? I have no idea about these things!

(Also waiting on NCO for the youngest. 😬)

Yeah, my eldest has done his NYO recall. Said he made some mistakes so isn’t massively confident. And he’s pretty sure the others are diploma etc. But he came home really happy, with a massive smile on his face. He absolutely loved the day so am chalking that up as a win. They really did that day well.

Ah that’s interesting @northerngoldilocks - suspect will mean results are later. DS has thankfully completely forgotten about it and it’s just the weekends for him so time commitment is limited, so doesn’t really matter to us, but I can see must be logistically difficult with other courses and holidays etc for the residentials.

Yes, often have to prepare more than one set of excerpts. Mine will probably prepare for another two because of the dates of when you hear back. Not going to be a waste of time though, it's always good discipline.

DD did NCO for 5 years and you always seem to wait a long time from putting your audition in and getting results. I think it’s towards end of October for results.

Yes not too long of a wait. It’s her first time and I have said you may have to try a few times and also look for other courses as back up.

Mine got it this week. At least they hear quite quickly. Hopefully it was a positive experience even if they don't get in. It's really hard to judge because there are so many variables.

Hi
Has anyone’s DC done the second round audition for NYO this week? How did they feel about it ? My DD found it ok, but not very hopeful she will be offered a place and wants to forget about it. ( teenagers!).

Exam-wise it will be French Horn grade 8 this term. He's abandoned idea of doing FARSM piano diploma to add to his collection as it's a lot of work in A level year, and 'there's no rush'!

Back to school tomorrow, UCAS personal statement clutched in sweaty grasp.

And we have the first dilemma. DS has been recruited to play in a pit band for a local show. But the reheasal days clash with his school sung production of JCS, one of his favourite musicals, and in which he's pretty much bound to get a starring role.

Yikes! Maintain professional integrity, or have fun in last year of school...

We’re very slowly getting back to it but getting into a new routine is really hard. Youngest at secondary school and fitting everything in feels like a challenge.

We are also having a bit of a gap between back to school and back to music. Worst of both worlds according to DC.