Spring / Summer 2026 music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

Time for a new thread as the old one is filling up and think we can claim its spring now!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

I'd aim for balance of experience over time. You want some of each.

And it depends what the orchestras are, what they're playing, who they're working with. Some things I know DD would never say no to. But if it's for example lead the junior orchestra vs move up to the senior orchestra a year earlier, and they have plenty of years to go with the organisation - leading something is really good experience and the opportunity doesn't come up all the time.

Being leader of orchestra or just principal in any section is really good experience, as they need to develop the confidence not just to follow someone else. However, playing with other players who are better than you also brings you on so definitely recommend a mixture over as said before. My younger one is in one orchestra where most are probably above her, one where she is mid pack, and one where she's near the top in terms of ability/ experience. All different things gained from each. In terms of music difficulty, I prefer playing stuff which stretches me as it makes me practice! Although this term's is easy and my note accuracy rate has shot up dramatically but my practice has gone down!

Thank you for your thoughts! It's mainly clashes I'm thinking about and the time/effort required. We have one group I really like as it's mixed age and the conductor likes to challenge them, DD plays third or second at best and says it's not easy. I tend to go for harder stuff but this one is a very long commute so I was just thinking whether it's worth it if she plays in lots of other weekly groups.

Hearing protection for singers….our choir is in an echoing room with the piano back facing the choir. Nothing can be done about either but the noise level is too high for (particularly) a child’s hearing. Has anyone found any good in ear protection for singers? The loop ear plugs seem to move….
Don’t want to take her out but will have to if we can’t find a solution, just don’t think it is worth the risk.

I am very sensitive to noise and play in an orchestra, I rarely need my ear plugs, unless an augmented brass section is in full flood ( we try to have good positioning to avoid the worst affects), or I'm at a school concert with multiple pipes and drums. I don't think a piano would usually adversely affect hearing but obviously everyone's tolerance and sensitivity is different. I think the earplugs we have are paciti but I'll check.

They are pacato, I was close!

Loops have different sizes and some kids versions- would changing the size help?

Thank you, I measured it (admittedly using a phone meter) was up to 104dB at times…
Apparently (according to the internet) you can’t use normal earplugs when singing as the occlusion possibly causes tinnitus. Have contacted the musician hearing people to see what they suggest.
Will look at pacato too. Loop engage 2 works really well for orchestra concerts when they have to wear them.

@achangeofnameisasgoodasarestits noticeably harder to learn as an adult but it’s partly because your learning ability is “rusty” and it will get easier the more you do it. Forgetting is part of the process of learning so go easy on yourself as you get to grips with your scales.

Well done on your first piano lesson @QueenMabby what an exciting journey you have in front of you.

@678sockscheck the way she is putting the ear plugs in. It’s best if you pull up and back on the helix to get a good fit when putting ear plugs in so that they fit correctly.

My children have earasers, which I bought after doing quite a lot of research (overthinker over here):

https://www.earasers.shop

They would prefer loops however because they are what "everyone else has"...

@MockCroc thank you. Also an overthinker here. Did you read anything about this issue with singers wearing ear plugs (as opposed to very expensive in ear monitors, which I have seen vocalists in bands wear). The issue we have is protection against a loud piano in a small room whilst singing (in a choir)…. Slightly niche 😂
Separately, if this issue cannot be resolved and given the readings were so high, who would say ‘no more choir, hearing is more important..’??

Hope you’ve heard back regarding JRNCM for DC. My DS, age 10, had his offer today for piano. He’s absolutely overjoyed and we’re so excited he’ll be joining similar minded kids. Does anyone know what the criteria / threshold for bursary awards is at JRNCM? Me and DH are what I’d describe as middle income but the fees for JRNCM are still material to us.

@Charlottesweb82 congratulations on the place! He must be excited. At our JD you just tick any protected characteristics plus looked after/ accommodated, etc, how much you will have to pay to travel, and income band and they look each year at the pot of money. Some of the bursaries are for specific instruments. You don't know until just before starting. Sorry, not much help but I would budget on not getting anything, then if you get a bit, it's a bonus.

Congratulations to you son! Yes indeed, my daughter was also offered a place, Viola (1st study) and Piano (2nd study), i‘m so happy for her, now the logistics of trying to get her there every Saturday 🤦🏽‍♀️

Hey @Charlottesweb82 - congratulations on the JRNCM place (and to you to @MusicallyMe!).

I've sent you a (somewhat garbled) DM under a different user name (technology is not my friend this morning) about our experience with JRNCM busaries. Do DM any questions and I'll try to make more sense next time.

Still waiting on the RCS juniors email. Fingers crossed

Just had the email. Accepted to RCS juniors

Congrats to all JD acceptees!

Re ear plugs for choir, in my 20 years singing in choirs, with pianos, and DS's 10 years of constant rehearsals, I have never seen or been aware of anyone wearing ear-plugs. Is it a thing? I occasionally see people wear them in front of the brass section, or piccolo player!

DS had a jolly day with the choral scholars in Oxford this weekend. Workshop at Queens, tour of Magdalen and evensong in New. He's now totally bamboozled about whether to choose Ox or Cambs, and which college. If he would be lucky enough to even get in, that is...

We were really impressed on the tour - there was a lot to take in!

Hi everyone, jumping in here as a newbie!

Massive congratulations to @Charlottesweb82, @MusicallyMe and @Theoneiwantedwastaken on the JRNCM and RCS offers—such a relief when those emails finally land!

My 10yo DS has also just had an offer for the Foundation section at JRNCM. We are absolutely over the moon!

I did have a quick question for the seasoned pros here. I noticed the handbook says Foundation students follow a "shortened curriculum". Does anyone know if they still get much ensemble or orchestral time? The handbook says students must seek formal permission before undertaking any concerts or festivals not organised by JRNCM so we have a feeling that we may have to stop other musical ensembles unless we get permission? DS did NCO regionals and a training section of a philharmonic orchestra this year and absolutely loved the buzz of a big group, so I’d hate for him to miss out on that "big sound" experience while he waits to become a "Full Junior".

Would love to hear how others find the balance!

@s005109 congratulations on the offer! Hopefully someone else can tell you about your specific establishment. For us, if the are having lessons on an instrument they can't have lessons with another teacher. You need permission to enter competitions and festivals as you are representing the teacher/ establishment and they should be preparing you for them as part of lessons. Loads of kids will do NCO/ NYO etc. Again, you need teacher's permission, they will usually have to give a reference. If they are in ensembles, you will find it harder to take time off because other players are affected if your child is t there so time off has to be specifically requested. It's maybe less strict when they are younger. We didn't get a timetable till the week before starting so she didn't know which ensembles she was in. You might get more details soon about what the day covers. Probably some singing and musicianship.

Thanks so much @horseymum, that’s really helpful!

That makes sense about the permission for competitions—I hadn't thought about the teacher/school representation aspect. DS is definitely keen to keep up his NCO involvement, so it’s good to know that’s a common path.

The point about ensembles is what’s playing on my mind slightly. The JRNCM handbook mentions Foundation students follow a "shortened curriculum" until their stamina and technical levels are up to speed , while the "Full Juniors" have a whole range of afternoon orchestras and big bands. I'm just hoping he doesn't feel too "left out" of the big group stuff in that first year!

@s005109 I've got a DC at JRNCM, and I've just PMed you.

Thanks for the info. I think what I’m going to do is as you suggested and just fill in all the forms. Like you said only upside!

@s005109 I’ve sent a couple of questions back to JRNCM regarding foundation timetable for DS (also age 10). His offer is just for piano but everything points to timetables catering for 2 instruments. Does this mean he has 2 hours teaching on piano etc (seems a bit intense!). Also can he still have his external teacher for violin only if he’s only doing piano at JRNCM. Lots of questions but we’re very excited for the opportunity!