How difficult to get in JD in London?

[Pippap1]

Hi everyone.

My DS just turned 10. He is a violinist and just started viola. He is interested in JD (especially RAM Primary, as it is the nearest one) but I am afraid that it is highly competitive to get in as a violinist. His standard is Grade 5. As just started viola, he can manage to play Grade 3 pieces but he is still struggling to read c clef and sight-reading is disaster. He is reasonably but definitely not prodigy. He loves music so much and practices hard.

How difficult to get in JD as a violinist? I am afraid that violin requires higher standard than other instruments. So, I am considering to wait for another year until his viola reaches also Grade 5 standard as he loves viola equally with violin but he would love to challenge this year.

Sorry, not sure I answered your question! I would say go for one they love and one that shows how technically proficient they are :-) Especially if they contrast well.

Thanks v much folkmamma that's super helpful. Good tip about the accompaniment too!

You can play something impressive, or easier, or avoid something too well-known, etc. Whatever you decide to go for, I would say pick something you feel comfortable, well-connected, and really enjoy/love playing. As folkmama said, they would love to see musicality/personality and reasonably good skills but I don't think they look for super solid techniques for that age. Some DCs can get in by playing something very stretchy, or by playing something simpler. As long as you can display what they want to see, it really doesn't matter I think.

DS played two violin pieces and one piano piece, all of which were well-known, better to avoid to play at auditions pieces. But he liked them and wanted to play them. While the choices may not be perfect, they were good enough for DS to demonstrate what the JDs wanted to see, I guess. DS wasn't particularly super advanced at the time so didn't play any wow pieces neither.

Also, RCMJD usually provide their own accompanist for the auditions so you don't bring your accompanist.

Great advice - thank you Neleus

Thank you Neleus! I just booked one!!

Good luck to your DCs, elevenfuss, and a big yay to Pippap1 for the booking! You've opened the door of the adventure now!

My DS had been just taking lesson at a non-musical primary school when we went through the process. So all those of applying for the auditions, visiting JDs, etc made his rather quiet musical journey suddenly a lot exciting and DS was thrilled at every step. We were not just visiting the places, but got to see interesting people, and what's more, DS was performing to them and got the comments... How not to be excited.

I was scared but enjoyed the excitement too.

I realized I may sound such a pro-jd.  I met some people who weren't as excited and didn't feel the high expense and hustle didn't match for what they got. But for DS, it was all positive and one of the places to be on Saturdays. I appreciate everyone is different.

One of the BEST places....

Hi Neleus, my DS is in the similar situation now. He takes lesson at non musical primary school. The school has a strings ensemble but the standard is not high (about grade 1+).

Even if he cannot get in JDs this year, I am going to bring him to Pro Corda Young String Experience group on Saturday. I would like to give him more opportunities as he loves music so much!

Mine went at 14 and G8+ so I'd say he's certainly about the right standard. Give it a go!

Hi Pippap1. Just thought of the consultation lesson date. I vaguely remember RAM Primary's audition season being slightly later than other London JDs. You may not want to leave too much gap between the consultation and the audition if your DS is planning to play the same pieces? Or is he playing different ones at each occasion?