Anyone know CYM?

[NeitherKilnerNorMason]

I am considering it for both my kids aged 10 and 13. Just wondering, what exactly does being a 'division of the Guildhall school mean??

Hello, no one?

Another branch of CYM operates in Saffron Walton I went for a day there with ds and was really impressed. Lovely staff and lots of different playing opportunities but I think a lot less pressured than the jds such as the junior guildhall itself. They are run along the same lines though so you get lessons aural work and the opportunity to play in bands and orchestras

Hi,my ds has been offered a place at the Saffron Waldon CYM from September though he may not start till after October half term. For him this seems like the perfect stepping stone between the music school he's at now and one of the JD's in London. I'll keep you all posted as to how he gets on.

We have one locally, but not sure the Guildhall bit means much here. It's a one-stop shop for music lessons, ensembles, theory, aural, etc but my DDs don't go - they get all those things elsewhere, and the standard is wildly variable from year to year, and between the children that attend at any one time. There are 40-50 children at ours and the majority are beginners, including children trying an instrument for a term before settling on a different one, and very, very few advanced musicians. It looks like fun, but my older DD does other ensembles with children of a similar level to get her fix.

The Guildhall link is not a huge thing but I have noticed the following:

• helps getting access to better teachers, regular and masterclasses
• Guildhall student groups visit regularly to perform and teach
• access to funding to help with instruments

My impression is that not as good a full junior Guildhall as entry is not by formal audition (although don't take everyone) but better than county music Saturday schools as wide range of activities all in one place on one day.

Herts and Essex if you are looking for something more advanced and are based in east anglia Aldeburgh Young Musicians is an alternative to Saturday schools such as the guildhall . They only take students by audition who are already quite advanced . Its approach is quite different so it runs for some weekends plus weeks at a time in the holidays where they work with different musicians and composers. It's not quite a one stop shop though they oversee the students musical education they don't provide 1-1 teaching ( but have access to a network of advanced teachers when the time arises) the emphasis is very much on creativity as well as ensemble playing. Just dropped ds off for his first course and at 12 he was one of the younger students so he should get the inspiration from older pupils which was something he felt he might not have got to the same extent at saffron Waldon.

Trumpetboysmum thank you for the comments on Aldeburgh. I have heard good things about it from others. SCYM is a bit of an extra nearby weekend fill-in for us as my son is already at Purcell and does various county and other things in holidays. I think Saffron Walden is still in its infancy really and will get a lot better as the younger children come through in the years ahead.

I think you are definitely right about saffron Waldon AYM has now been up be running for 10 years and I think that makes a big difference.

I think you are definitely right about saffron Waldon AYM has now been up be running for 10 years and I think that makes a big difference.

CYM is not as prestigious as Guildhall JD but it is fun probably not the place if your children want to be professional musicians but if they want to enjoy music with like minded young people I'd say go for it. I have a 13 yo there and she absolutely loves it.