Junior Conservatoire Dilemma

[Blueberrypots]

Hi,
my DD1 is 9 and joined a junior conservatoire this year, all day every Sunday. She absolutely loves it, although it is a big commitment financially and time-wise, as we now struggle to have weekends as a family (other children do activities on Saturday, and Sunday she is out all day).

I need to decide by April whether to renew for next year, DD1 is keen, but I have several gripes with it and wanted to know what the others thought.

We pay (nearly)4k per year and the teaching of violin (her main instrument) has been very disappointing, I would be definitely looking for a change of teacher. Also, value for money I don't feel we are getting enough lessons and activities, for example they are not doing an orchestra and theory is freely available elsewhere at the music centre.

They also do a dance class which is great, but not so fantastic for DD1 who is already grade 3 ballet/tap and modern....it is very basic...

I feel that there is no individual interest in my DD1, for example when she went to the local music centre she was constantly invited to participate in music festivals, special performances, auditions, etc...at the conservatoire we've had nothing at all. I have signed her up myself for a music festival, I asked for the opinion of the JC but had no answer back and decided not to pursue it as will just go for it ourselves.

DD1 is very keen and quite talented musically, and she loves the atmosphere of the JC, but when I look at what we are getting for the money I would say it has been a huge disappointment. I also think it was poor to appoint a violin teacher who frankly doesn't know how to teach and doesn't even know the ABRSM curriculum...

Any thoughts? What would you do?

It doesn't sound good, and doesn't sound like friend's experience of the Royal College of Music for example. I would look around for what else is on offer in your area or that you could travel too.

I wouldn't renew under these circumstances. It sounds like there is more on offer for your DD locally. For 4k she could have private lessons on more than one instrument with teachers of your choosing, take part in festivals and join a good orchestra.

I have thought about JD for my DD in the future, but our nearest is about 90 miles away. She is going to audition for South West Music School instead. I'm not sure that she'll get in this year, but she can always try again. They build a personalised programme for the children so that they can remain in their own school AND don't have to travel many miles each weekend to JD.

Thanks for your comments. My biggest worry is that DD1 seems to like it so much, I think she likes the environment and the facilities as well as the social aspect..

Which is great, except it is a lot to pay if she isn't getting a lot of the rest...I guess we have another few months to see...unfortunately the other closest JD is just over an hour's drive away and that's a bit too far really.

This doesn't sound good at all, but must agree this isn't the experience our friends have found at RNCM.
FWIW we decided against a JD for our dd for similar reasons.
She is doing well and many of the concerts she plays in also have the dc form the jds appearing too.
We are lucky that our local music service gives them a fantastic opportunity and we have found excellent local tuition.
Sometimes it isn't the best option, and I have the opinion of "If it's not broke, don't fix it"
However, today we visited Chets and Wow, how amazing!

Thanks everyone - and just for the record, my DD1 is not at RNCM!

I am still unsure what to do, mainly as DD1 enjoys it so much - I hate rocking the boat. She has an exam this term, so maybe we'll see how that goes and evaluate the whole thing with her.

Oh, dear. I have just read my post back again and your response.
I can assure you my error is just bad English.
The RNCM is where some of our friends go so I used it as an example of a good one.

My daughter has just decided to stop the music works course run by the conservatoire.

V v poor organisation and teaching.

No problem Morethanpotatoprints, just saying in case anyone thought that was the case..

I am still unsure what to do - DD1 has an exam this term so I am going to see how that goes as a bit of a gauge too...will have to decide soon whether to renew for next year or not. I am in an unusual situation where DD1 really wants to go and I am sat here thinking it isn't that great! But she is the one choosing to go, I suppose. I will let you all know what we've decided to do!!!