Junior conservatories, Saturday music schools... (London, SE)

[BadMoodBoard]

Morning!
I am looking for a Saturday music school for 14 year old boy DS. Grade 8 piano, Grade 5 viola, grade 5 electric guitar.
Our restriction is location though. It needs to be within walking distance from Charing Cross, Waterloo, London Bridge, Cannon Street, Sevenoaks or Orpington. Our emphasis would be more on social enjoyment of music rather than competition. Music technology thrown in would be a massive plus. Any recommendations gratefully received (Already looked into CYM). Thanks.

CYM is your best bet location wise.

Guildhall is t walking distance from cannon St.

Doesn't fit your requirements quite but Trinity in Greenwich is easy from round there (change to a bus or DLR at Lewisham).

I don't think they will do electric guitar but do check.

Dd did Saturday morning orchestra until 18, and from that age it was super competitive to get in, generally the kids were in the system from 8 or 9 years old. Viola however is a rare instrument so they will be very keen and may relax entry requirements a bit (senior orchestra for 13+ required grade 6 and above here, not London). We always did the county system, there's private schools out there that may include guitar, but do be warned the parents of the kids that attend these programmes are something else, over half homeschooled or private educated - and they make their kids have no lives but music, whereas mine did all kinds of things, dd2 plays football even and missed a concert due to injury, got scowling faces for that.

Yes, but the Saturday programmes aren't just about orchestras and therefore his piano playing is more relevant. It all comes down to audition but he is potentially ahead of the minimum requirement for Guildhall, for instance
'As a rough guide, candidates will normally have attained a standard of about Grade 5 distinction at the age of 10 and Grade 8 distinction by the age of 16. It is not necessary to have taken any grade examination before the audition. ' From their website.

Unfortunately 'grade 8 by the age 16' often doesn't apply to violin and piano due to its high popularity and also many achieve grade 8+ at much younger age compared with other instruments. However, it is down to how the audition goes and any DC with exceptional potential will have a better chance irrelevant to attainment.

Guildhall seems to be keen on viola. They make all the violinists learn viola for instance. So having viola as the second study may have a strong appeal for them. It may look a competitive place but plenty DCs are not aiming at conservatoires. Guildhall themselves say their successful candidates are not expected to be wanting to be a professional musician. Of course, there are those who are incredibly serious at London JDs but many many DCs go there hugely for social reason, especially OP's DS's age and up. Why not let him try and see how it goes?

Kids I know who go to London JDs often say Saturday is the highlight of their week. Musical and social opportunities are enormous. And many of them choose to go to university not conservatoire.

As with electric guitar, RCMJD has electric guitarists. So I dont see why not at Guidhall as it has more modern approach than RCM/RAM in general?

There are definitely some electric guitars at Junior Trinity which, as has already been mentioned, is an easy journey from the stations you've mentioned. DD1 goes to Junior Trinity and loves the social side of it as well as all the music. The standard of the teen players is fabulous and it feels as though the place strikes a nice balance between nurturing and pushing for progress.