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Original poster

Music College - Sixth Form - ACM

33 replies

rockgodmum · 08/11/2022 13:29

My DS is looking to leave school after his GCSE's next year and study a Level 3 Diploma in music (guitar). He has auditioned at the Rhythm Studio, London but has concerns about London (he's at school in Somerset!) and also that the college has no notable alumni. ACM Guildford seems stronger on the alumni front and we have lined up an audition there in December. I was therefore wondering if anyone had experience of their sixth form programme? He's looking to be stretched and inspired in an encouraging and supportive environment (my words but reckon he'd agree 😀)

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Comefromaway · 09/09/2024 15:52

JBay. I too am sorry to hear that. One of ds's friends went on a downwood spiral there too although some of it was issues he already had the availability of substances etc thetre made him far worse.

Happily he changed institutions and went somewhere where he had pre existing friends and he's turned things around.

Original poster
rockgodmum · 07/09/2024 15:29

@JBay38 so sorry to hear this. I am surprised as they seemed very professional at the Open Day but we were looking at the Sixth Form. Having said that, I expect it might have been no different? I do hope he finds somewhere else that works better for him. Being amongst unmotivated students and staff is so demoralising when you are ambitious and keen to learn.

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JBay38 · 07/09/2024 10:14

My son is in a very dark place after studying for 1 year on degree course at ACM. He was hoping to making friends with like-minded people, collaborate on making music and get some feedback on his own work. There are no clubs, freshers week was just a pub crawl, the tutors all behave as though they have a train to catch at the end of lectures, the studio equipment is in dire need of updating. There is no study area andhours in between lectures with no where to go. Lasting impression, ... they just want your money!!!

drummermumma · 22/02/2024 22:30

Belshels · 22/02/2024 19:10

So fantastic drummamumma!! I expect it will take a while to sink in.

🥰

Belshels · 22/02/2024 19:10

So fantastic drummamumma!! I expect it will take a while to sink in.

drummermumma · 19/02/2024 19:16

Belshels · 19/02/2024 17:31

Hey that's fantastic, congratulations!! What course is she doing, Music? Does she have a long journey?
DD was on wait list at 14 for MT but only 2 places available OOC. Decided it was too far to travel for her so didn't apply again.

Yes music. I still can't believe it. Such a long shot!

Belshels · 19/02/2024 17:31

Hey that's fantastic, congratulations!! What course is she doing, Music? Does she have a long journey?
DD was on wait list at 14 for MT but only 2 places available OOC. Decided it was too far to travel for her so didn't apply again.

drummermumma · 19/02/2024 13:43

drummermumma · 18/02/2024 19:12

@Belshels yes 6th form music performance (drums). Although she's now very passionate about songwriting having taught herself keys over the last year or so. But I feel confident she'll be able to try lots of different stuff there.

So forget all of that. We just heard she got into Brit school out of catchment! ACM doesn't get a look in now!!!

drummermumma · 18/02/2024 19:12

@Belshels yes 6th form music performance (drums). Although she's now very passionate about songwriting having taught herself keys over the last year or so. But I feel confident she'll be able to try lots of different stuff there.

Belshels · 18/02/2024 12:28

@drummermumma that's great, yes same for mine! Is she 6th form too? Mine will be doing the songwriting diploma. She had a fantastic day at Metropolis Studios end October, collaborating with lots of other students. Was so impressed with what they wrote and produced!

drummermumma · 18/02/2024 12:18

Belshels · 18/02/2024 08:32

Hi, DD is going to ACM Guildford after her GCSE's. She auditioned in October and so got her place very early. They have been great answering all our concerns, and showed us the 6th form (diploma) spaces on the campus tour. She has had a very rough ride at school, and absolutely hates it, so fingers crossed she will be a lot happier in a vocational college environment.🤞🏼
Is anyone else's DC going to ACM Guildford?

My DD also going in September. She's very excited. Fell in love at the first visit. She's had enough of school and can't wait to do music 24/7

Belshels · 18/02/2024 08:32

Hi, DD is going to ACM Guildford after her GCSE's. She auditioned in October and so got her place very early. They have been great answering all our concerns, and showed us the 6th form (diploma) spaces on the campus tour. She has had a very rough ride at school, and absolutely hates it, so fingers crossed she will be a lot happier in a vocational college environment.🤞🏼
Is anyone else's DC going to ACM Guildford?

Thesoundofmusic23 · 14/02/2024 21:44

Der ignore me @rockgodmum just seen your updates above.

Thesoundofmusic23 · 14/02/2024 16:32

@rockgodmum where did your DS land up in the end? We are mid application process now to some of these colleges to study contemporary music and it would be great to hear how it’s going for your DS. Thanks 🤩

faffadoodledo · 20/11/2023 17:53

Oh! Sorry just seen he's at Royal Northern. Excellent!

faffadoodledo · 20/11/2023 17:52

ICMP in London? I suggest it because a young drummer friend of ours went there.
I k ow you say not London. But that's where there's a lot of work, work which musicians generally start doing while at college. Making connections too.

Original poster
rockgodmum · 20/11/2023 17:12

@drummermumma no he didn't. Key members of his band (formed at school in Somerset) ended up going to Manchester to study music at RNCM and so that's where we've ended up! Ben is at another sixth form music college here which is sadly proving to be not very inspiring or challenging and as he's also studying alongside students who aren't very motivated its not a very happy combination! Our hope is that the band gets busier and college become incidental. The Extended Level 3 Diploma seems to comprise of several assignments at term and seems to be a very achievable way of ending up with 3 A level points.

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drummermumma · 19/11/2023 19:49

Hi there. Just wondering if your DC ended up at ACM and if so how it's going?

Belshels · 02/06/2023 13:04

We are also looking at ACM for 6th form, as live nearer than Brit school (out of catchment). Daughter loved it at the open day but I have a few concerns.
Organisation and communication is something that I've seen mentioned in reviews, and a few people rubbishing the place.
There are also plenty of good reviews too though, the negative ones are always a concern though.
Also, may be trivial but usually in a college environment there is a cafe and decent places to buy food. I believe the only cafe is the one in the Electric Theatre next doo and that's tiny, more like a bar. It would be so tempting to spend loads of money in the town each day, which would be a concern for us.
Any more info from anyone on ACM would be amazing thanks x

Teddy27 · 15/01/2023 18:03

Has anyone any experience of Purcell 6th form. I believe they do commercial music now?

Original poster
rockgodmum · 13/11/2022 19:11

@taxi4ballet thank you for taking the time to contribute. I appreciate that versatility is both admirable and very useful however he's just totally into guitar which is why we are looking at the extended diploma in music performance and production with guitar as his chosen instrument. It maybe that he takes up drums as an extra in the sixth form and I do hope that one day he is encouraged and develops confidence to sing but piano holds no interest. Parenting becomes tricky at this point (as if it wasn't before!) as, although we can appreciate the sense of a plan b, we also need to respect (and not dilute) the power of single-minded passion. Thanks again.

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taxi4ballet · 13/11/2022 11:34

To be totally honest, if he wants to totally immerse himself in a music career, it makes sense for him to play the piano and sing. Both of those activities will help considerably, particularly if he moves into songwriting and/or composing.

Speaking as the parent of someone who left school at 16 and went into full-time dance training (which eventually went tits up through no fault of her own), it really does pay to have a plan B up your sleeve.

Original poster
rockgodmum · 11/11/2022 15:24

@CrotchetyQuaver thank you for the suggestions. Sadly not quite right. Really looking for somewhere that runs the extended diploma (3 x A level equivalent) that allows for a total immersion in music rather than A level music plus 2 others. Also not sure he'd be that keen on having to do piano and sing in a choir! 😂Thanks again for the suggestion - I appreciate it.

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CrotchetyQuaver · 11/11/2022 11:38

www.psc.ac.uk/life/music
I'd make enquiries here, I know many fine musicians have passed through here and gone on to make successful careers.

Original poster
rockgodmum · 11/11/2022 11:26

@chocolatenutcase ah thank you. It looks fab however unless we moved there I can't see it working as DS (although he has boarded) is really not mature enough yet to handle living independently.

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