Music Junior Programs

[MissScotland]

Hi lovely mamas,

I'm trying to look into and learn about the different junior music programs with a view for my DD to start next year. She's in year 5, grade 6 on the piano (will be taken in March), grade 3 violin, grade 5 theory (distinction). She's super musical and talented with a passion for composition too.

We are looking at the primary academy and RAM, Junior Guildhall and RCMJD. At the moment she has two piano lessons a week, one at home and one at school and a weekly theory/composition lesson. We think she'll get quite a lot out of a junior program, socialising with kids with the same interest and playing in different groups.

I was wondering if you can shed some light on a preferred program. At the moment I'm leaning towards RAM simply because it's the closest, but we are will to drive further for a good reason.

Also, is it common to apply to more than one program in the process? How hard is it to get in?

Another question that might sound silly but I'll give it a go anyway - is year 6 a good year to start? With 11+ exams and music scholarship exams and auditions for secondary schools I wouldn't want to push her too much. She's only 9...

I'd love to hear your thoughts, tips and insight, ideally from first hand experience :-)

Thanks in advance!

@dinosaurinmybelly

Hello - I’m hoping someone with older children might be able to shed light on a couple of things we are mulling over here.

Firstly - was there a discount in fees offered last year when the JDs went virtual / digital?

Secondly - it looks like Trinity support preparation for GCSE and A- level music, Guildhall have a musicianship certificate that looks very good. Have you found that the musicianship classes at RAM and RCM similarly robust, ie with a pathway to a qualification / goal? There isn’t much info available and it’s hard to tell from the info I was sent when I asked.

Trinity offered a partial refund for the summer term last year but within a couple of weeks they had every single session running online, with the usual timetable. Since September, students have been on-site once every three weeks and join remotely for the other two weeks. There hasn't been any reduction in fees but there's also been no reduction in costs at their end. Obviously the experience hasn't been quite the same but I think they've done a brilliant job given the circumstances.

It is possible to study GCSE and A-level music at Trinity but those are additional options and are paid for separately. They are primarily aimed at those whose own schools do not offer the subjects. Musicianship sessions do not prepare students for any particular course or qualification. They are very flexible and driven by the interests and expertise of the individual tutor as well as the membership of the group. Amongst other things, my DC has covered aspects of theory, composition, arranging, writing reviews of concerts... all sorts!

At Trinity, students are allocated to musicianship groups as their timetables permit. Everyone will be in a group but there aren't options. Composition can be taken as a second study.

I'll be interested what my DD will get at RCS for musicianship, they haven't really said as she has done grade 5 theory. I assumed most would have but her teacher said some some arrive at the full conservatoire without it and have to sit in a class practising till they can pass it. Seems like it is good to do earlier rather than later!

At Guildhall you had to do musicianship until you had passed their certificate (usually in Yr 11 but some in Yr 10). After than you were offered a choice of subjects including more musicianship, conducting, composition, jazz etc.

DC did conducting which was amazing as they had the specially trained pianists to follow every move/highlight all your mistakes.....

Does anybody know what happens to lessons during the holidays? I guess some teachers offer additional lessons at home but some teachers live a long way away. My DC is used to lessons every week when we are not on holiday. It seems odd that going to a JD might result in far fewer lessons over the course of a year. I had not really considered this before. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of how this works in practice?

hi it is up to and the teacher to decide but they are not obligated to offer holiday lessons - some don’t and others do; i guess having virtual lessons is an option now if geography is the issue.

@LittleVenetian That's a good point, I haven't considered that...

Our teachers have always been happy to do a few private lessons in holidays. Some people use the break as an opportunity for courses / masterclasses.

@LittleVenetian I've asked about this at both RCM and Guildhall and @Yr10mom is right - it's totally up to teachers and parents if they want to do that (and some teachers just want the holidays off!) Guildhall have an arrangement where you can request, through them, five summer holiday lessons, and then the teacher either approves them or doesn't. RCM it's done individually with teacher. So it'll really depend on the teacher. But they've both pointed out that a lot of students will be doing NCO / NYO in the holidays as well so there's generally a lot of holiday music-making going on anyway. They both made it clear practice was expected through the holidays though!

Interesting, thanks. Do the 5 lessons cost extra?

As for NCO - that's a topic I have not thought about for a while. Haven't they closed auditions this year? I signed up to their mailing list a year ago and have not heard a peep.

@LittleVenetian Yes, at extra cost.

NCO have closed auditions, but they're running an online course at the moment (which they gave access to grade 5+ people who weren't allowed to access this year) and it's so far fantastic, so keep your eyes peeled for similar. I saw on another thread that they're not running a summer course this year, so I suspect there might be more online stuff.

Oh, that's interesting. How did you hear about it? I signed up to their mailing list but did not receive any information about that course.

You must have dropped off the mailing list because that's how we heard about it. Have you been getting other comms from them? I'd sign up again in case there's more over the summer.

There's also loads of Benedetti courses every month. We're not doing them as we've just about had enough of online stuff, but there are some great mini courses and I suspect they'll continue over the summer too.

I hadn't really thought about holiday lessons once at JD. We barely had a week off this year as not much else to do! 30 weeks will seem like a lot less than usual. I guess we'll see what happens, it's all new to us.

Are there good summer school/camps anyone could recommend?

Depends on the instrument and standard, but Wells run some, pro Corda is wonderful. Then there is also Cadenza.

@horseymum From everything I've heard, they make such amazing progress during term time at JD that the lack of holiday lessons aren't an issue (as long as they're still practising!)

DS had been taking lessons at school prior to JD so school holidays meant no lesson for us always. But JD's term ran shorter than DS's school's so it went down from 11-12 to 9-10 by joining JD... Also, we didn't dream of changing the proposed schedule sent by JD so just joined without requesting any extension and were sort of told off by the teacher 45 mins weren't long enough for DS. It was too late to change the schedule by then so DS had 45 mins 1-1 for a year while others at his level had an hour or more. We just didn't know so many things...

@WordsandMusic2020 thanks, I think it's going to be a steep learning curve. I expect she will need a bit of time to process what she learns so not a bad thing to have fewer lessons. We did have the option to have longer lessons but can't afford it! I think for a double reed, 45 mins is plenty. Currently looking at any funding options to ease the cost a bit.

@horseymum Yes, I think it will be a steep learning curve, but in a good way (hopefully!) And what a fantastic opportunity for them all!

Hi everyone,

Since I opened this thread, I just wanted to say that we have accepted the offer from RAM.
I'm hoping to see some of you there in September :-)

@MissScotland congratulations and well done for reaching a decision - that is no small feat! For those on the board accepting offers and completing bursary information, are you having any luck with finding open applications to funding foundations, particularly for wind instruments? I note the JDs' preference for seeking other forms of funding in addition to the bursary application.

Hello - not having any joy with funding here :(
It is looking increasingly likely that we won't be able to accept any offer.

@dinosaurinmybelly will send you a PM

Hello - just to update everyone, DC decided on RCMJD. Good luck to everyone still trying to make a decision.

I have applied to a couple of funds but not heard back from any. Maybe look if there is something very local eg try searching your area and ''educational trust".