Guildhall, RCM, RAM or Trinity Laban Junior Dept for a trombonist?

[Takora]

My son has recently said he'd like to apply to one of these junior departments. He is 13 and about Grade 6 level on the trombone.

I have no knowledge of any of them to be able to support him, so I'm hoping there are people here who might be able to give us a little advice and guidance.

Which of these do you think would be best for Brass and do you think he would have a shot considering his age and level?

We are in NW London, so the easiest to get to would be RAM.

Any other tips or comments would be really appreciated. I'm feeling very clueless!

Thank you in advance

Hi Takora
Don't want to leave you without responses although my dds haven't been at any of those. They've been at CYM, which is part of Guildhall and definitely has trombonists at that sort of level at that sort of age. But if you post on the music thread, there are people with children at some of the JDs who will be able to help I reckon. They are the loveliest people!

Thanks so much. I haven’t been on here much, so wasn’t really sure where to post. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

I wouldn't recommend Trinity. It's good but I think the others are better for brass, and the costs are about the same.

I'd take a look at CYM too - way cheaper!

This is the thread mini is talking about - though we'll probably decamp to a new one for September shortly.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/extra_curricular_activities/4716260-spring-23-music-thread?page=19&reply=128785697

Generally I'd expect grade 6 to be on the light side for JD at that age, but always with these things it's more about potential and quality rather than difficulty of what you play on the day. By reputation RAM is a little harder to get into and Trinity a little easier. But don't know how thay plays out in practice or specifically for trombone. I guess you'd be looking to audition for next September at this point anyway so he'd likely have moved on some more by the time he actually auditioned.

Do JDs do advice auditions or consultation lessons? Something like that would be moat helpful for you to get an idea whether it's worth pursuing.

Thanks thirdfiddle and wottawottawotta. Really appreciate the comments. I've been in touch with all the colleges and we will try and visit and get a feel for them. It would have been great to start this September, but DS's sudden and very delayed enthusiasm didn't help in terms of make the application deadlines!

I think some JD teachers do consultation lessons and I'm looking into that now for him so we can get a clearer idea of where he is.

I'm a little at the Trinity bashing. Ds has been at Trinity for 3 years and this is his final year. He will be auditioning for conservatoire in the autumn. He's a violist but started out on violin. Trinity have been amazing in helping shape him into the musician he is today. They're a little more chilled out than RCM and RAM which suits ds really well. He's v good friends with a su been trombonist who is in the jazz band and symphony orchestra plus lots of other ensembles. It has a wonderful vibe. Very worth while checking it out.

@disorganisedmummy that's brilliant. Trinity is our nearest JD - I've always been too intimidated by those beautiful buildings to let DD have a try at it (CYM is much more 'workaday'). It is supposed to be amazing for jazz too. And it offers GCSE music (at a cost) if your school doesn't do it.

The children I know at the 'top' end of CYM are much the same levels as the ones I know who go to Junior Trinity, and maybe the conservatoire prep is better if you need it, I don't know.

I don't know anyone who has left CYM for Junior Trinity, but plenty to Guildhall, RCM etc, which is why I suggested that as the route on the other thread.

I think probably it depends on instrument too. CYM is heavy on bassoon (two teachers!), which is important for us. The girl invigilating DD's music exams this year who is a Trinity undergraduate, said that even in the main conservatoire there is only one first-study bassoonist student in the whole place, so maybe that's not its forte. Don't know about brass.

An acquaintance's son is a (brilliant) viola player at Junior Trinity and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have chosen it if it wasn't the best place for him for that - she's a musician.

Very good luck to your son for his next step.

Trinity are lovely and it's a great atmosphere and very friendly. I've had a son there and I'm also a musician. It's also our closest. GCSE and A Level teaching on Saturdays and online also excellent. But overall standards are lower. Facilities not as good. Number of ensembles fewer. It's not the best but doesn't mean it isn't good.

I do wish we'd done CYM. We're now involved in LSSO and I'm very impressed with the organisation and wish we'd been with them from the start. We did local music hub and then Trinity.

Which is the easiest to get to? Mine did RAM and it can be a long day on top of a school week so I would make it as easy as you can for yourselves.

My godson has thrived at Junior Trinity, and it's very strong for piano. I observed a masterclass there with the junior pianists taken by Roger Vignoles back in the Summer. All students playing to a very impressive level, lots of expression and quick to respond (I am a pianist, so I am fussy where I would send him too!) I have no hesitation in recommending Junior Trinity.