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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Music Junior Programs

261 replies

MissScotland · 02/01/2021 16:26

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!

OP posts:
horseymum · 17/01/2022 21:05

I wouldn't have thought it would but you could maybe ask on the music thread for wider comments. Where we are, some students are definitely a much lower level on their second instrument. There will probably be an interview too, where she can talk about what she enjoys etc. We had to do it recorded but they may be live now.

Emily201 · 18/01/2022 00:04

@horseymum. Thank you so much for your feedback! Sorry if you don’t mind, can I know which junior program your DC is at? Try to see if DD stands a chance but not sure which institution would be more focused on potential and which will be more interested in candidates with established skills and experience. Thank you!

horseymum · 18/01/2022 04:24

We're in Scotland but lots of people on the music thread have DC at English places.

doesanybodyhaveamap · 18/01/2022 07:21

I would think she'll stand a good chance at that standard at 9. As horsey says, a lot of it at 9 is about potential. If I remember correctly, the OP @MissScotland DD was a similar level on piano and only a little ahead in her second instrument when she applied and she got snapped up by all of the London colleges.

They all have very different atmospheres, so do as much research as you can and try and get to open days etc too.

Good luck!

Original poster
MissScotland · 18/01/2022 07:25

@doesanybodyhaveamap thank you for the mention :-)
Yes, DD was grade 6 on piano (completed 7 shortly after that. Things were delayed due to Covid last year). She was at grade 2 level on the violin (did grade 3 shortly after). However, we submitted composition as her second instrument, where she was much more advanced.
Nevertheless, I do believe that they look closely at potential, especially with the younger applicants.

OP posts:
Jovanka · 18/01/2022 10:01

I can vaguely remember reading somewhere - I think it might have been RCMJD - that if the standard on the 2nd instrument isn’t quite there yet then that won’t jeopardise a potential offer on first study only - or wording something like that.

But now I can’t find anything like that on their website so it may have been on the application form itself.

Emily201 · 18/01/2022 11:52

@MissScotland @doesanybodyhaveamap @Jovanka @horseymum. You all are so helpful! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and advice! I was wondering whether I was leading DD to a path doomed to be disappointed but really want to give a try now!

horseymum · 18/01/2022 12:20

She may be disappointed but you don't know until you try. Also, it's good to think in terms of the following if she doesn't get in a)she may not be good enough yet so try again b) she may have been good enough but someone else was better, try again next year c)it's a good experience preparing for the audition and interview anyway. If it's in person it will probably be a lovely piano, nice room etc! They might give you advice on what to think about for next time. Does her teacher have experience of getting children into a junior department?
My dd didn't get into a national youth orchestra till her third try ( then it was covid so only online after all that!) There's lots of joy in music but also times when they have to pick themselves up and try again another time.

doesanybodyhaveamap · 18/01/2022 13:30

Absolutely right @horseymum the experience of going for these things definitely teaches resilience. DD has certainly had a bumpy road - a no for NCO actually set her off on a path to a JD (where she was on a competitive instrument and I thought didn't stand much chance) and later on to specialist school. You never know who will spot their potential and what doors will open, even from a tough rejection...

Emily201 · 18/01/2022 20:47

@doesanybodyhaveamap @horseymum. Thank you! Think at least she shall give a try. Even if not be able to get there, at least she can learn where the gap is

Jesse21plus · 19/02/2022 20:14

Hi all, just see this thread and will appreciate some help. DS is invited to audition for JD of RCM and Guildhall. His first instrument is piano. Wondering any mamas can share experience what could be expected during the audition? DS hasn’t done any audition before though he is grade 8. We only know there will be aural test and scales and arpeggios, but really don’t know how to prepare this. So any advice would be appreciated!

Emilyviolin666 · 15/03/2022 15:42

Rcm audition already? Congratulations! We thought the audition date us after 29th March. How long does it take to hear back from them?

Emilyviolin666 · 16/03/2022 16:14

Are there anyone else applied for RCM JD this year? Have you heard back yet?Smile

Musicschoolquestions · 20/03/2022 09:30

@Emilyviolin666 - my DD had her audition this week but that wasn’t on violin or piano which have different timescales. I think the original bumpf said invitations for live auditions on those instruments will be issued on March 26th?

Emilyviolin666 · 20/03/2022 14:49

[quote Musicschoolquestions]@Emilyviolin666 - my DD had her audition this week but that wasn’t on violin or piano which have different timescales. I think the original bumpf said invitations for live auditions on those instruments will be issued on March 26th?[/quote]
Thanks very much! Hope your DD’s audition went well. Did they send the invitation on the last day of the invitation deadline?

Musicschoolquestions · 20/03/2022 15:10

Did they send the invitation on the last day of the invitation deadline?

Yes, her audition email arrived in the afternoon of the date they said it would in the original info for applicants pdf.

Unfortunately she was not happy with how she played in her audition. But still, it was a good experience for her and there is always next year.

In all our dealings with them, I have found their admin to be very good.

Emilyviolin666 · 21/03/2022 12:37

@Musicschoolquestions

Did they send the invitation on the last day of the invitation deadline?

Yes, her audition email arrived in the afternoon of the date they said it would in the original info for applicants pdf.

Unfortunately she was not happy with how she played in her audition. But still, it was a good experience for her and there is always next year.

In all our dealings with them, I have found their admin to be very good.

Really appreciate for the answer! Smile
Musicschoolquestions · 21/03/2022 13:29

You’re welcome and good luck to your DC in their audition.

Iheartonon · 26/03/2022 12:14

Anyone got feedback from RCM PIANO today?

Jesse21plus · 26/03/2022 14:01

Not yet…. Do you know if they only send audition invite end of today?

Iheartonon · 26/03/2022 15:54

Still no email so far.
How old is your DS?
My DD is also grade 8 in piano.

yodaforpresident · 28/03/2022 13:12

I have a quick question about the requirements for JD. When they say Grade 5 distinction level - do they mean a high distinction?

Musictimesthree · 28/03/2022 14:18

Hi @yodaforpresident, I don’t think we were ever asked about the actual mark, just the class (pass, merit…). The decision is based on audition and potential.

yodaforpresident · 28/03/2022 16:44

Thanks @Musictimesthree - yes agreed, I just wondered if there was any more subdivision so a comfortable distinction rather than a 130 (which is still a fantastic mark by the way). We’ve definitely been asked for class and score for courses before.

LondonMum20222 · 28/03/2022 17:03

@yodaforpresident The Grade 5 distinction requirement is really meant as a guide - a JD would rather see a grade 5 distinction than a grade 7 pass because they're looking for inherent musicality (not just someone who's practised for hours and scraped through their grades). I wouldn't worry at all about the particular mark. We certainly weren't asked. (We were never even asked for proof of any exams taken). It's more so that parents and teachers have a general sense of the overall standard. It also depends on what instrument they play (violin & piano are historically more competitive, and cello now too because there are so many young cellists). How old is your DC & what do they play?