After joining JD, does DC still need the previous music teacher during the weekdays?

[GreenGarden1]

Hi All,

I wonder if DC need their previous music teacher after they get places in JD? Will the classes in JD be enough for DC? Our teacher recommended JD, but I am curios what is going on after joining in........Do DC need both JD and their music teacher at the same time?

Sorry for the questions. I am have no idea about JD. Any advice would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Not all JDs will have the same rules so it would be sensible to check with the one your children will be attending. I know DD's JD expect their teachers to be the only ones to be giving lessons in the instruments being studied there.

Our JD is very strict re only having one teacher for an instrument - and I think most teachers have the same rule. If you feel the JD lessons are too short you can usually add extra time to the lesson for additional fees (assuming they are not starting on an hour) if everyone agrees. Most HD’s cover aural and theory in seiarate classes so the instrument teacher won’t need to do that which may keanyou ger more solid instrument teaching tone?

Thanks a lot for your reply SE13Mummy and Stringchild! Before your DC got the places in JD, did you know any teacher beforehand? Can your DC choose their own teacher or it will be teachers to pick up DC? I just wonder whether the teacher in JD will be suitable for DC. Can DC actually ask to change teacher if they won't work well together?

Sorry if my questions sound a bit silly. My DC (and I)quite like current teacher. But the teacher recommended DC to try JD, I am just worried about if the worst scenario would happen.

The JD's are generally pretty good at matching pupils with teachers, but if it's not working for some reason then you may be able to change. If there's a particular teacher you want, you can usually express a preference although that teacher may not have space / have a waiting list. Once your DC gets a place, research the teachers, and maybe ask for some consultation lessons (although be prepared to pay!). Your DC's teacher must feel that they are ready, or nearly ready to move on. Lots of us maintain close relationships with previous teachers, who can take on a kind of 'mentor' role as opposed to teacher. We keep in regular touch with my DD's ex-teacher and try to see him in concert as much as we can. And he comes to see her too!

DD auditioned for JD when she was in Y6 and was going to have to change teacher anyway because she had lessons at school. We didn't know who would teach her at JD but are happy with the teacher she has been allocated. She took up a second study (an endangered species instrument) and for the second year, we did request a particular teacher as the original one was leaving and DD was keen to be taught by a female - she plays two instruments that are very much male dominated and had enjoyed the occasional lessons she'd had with a female teacher. She was given the requested teacher as she'd put forward good reasons.

folkmamma,SE13Mummy,druidsong, thank all of you so much for replying my questions! They are very very helpful!!! I hope this thread would be useful for any other parents who have similar concerns!

Our JD specified no outside teachers
for those instruments once they start. DD has picked up a third instrument through school instead.

Excuse my curiosity but what is JD? Googling hasn’t helped me.

Junior Department of a conservatoire (music school)
Children go on Saturdays, whilst still attending normal school M-F, and have tuition in instruments, theory, take part in ensembles etc.

Ah! Yes, I know what you are talking about now. As you were!