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 agree with @678socks there are a lot of techniques to developing sightreading. My son’s teacher has him write in the counting sometimes before he starts. Then, you need to develop the exam technique for how you look at the piece in the 30 seconds and making sure you try out any tricky bits. Make sure he knows that the goal is not to play the sightreading piece perfectly but rather to give a musical performance at a steady tempo. Emphasise the importance of dynamics as they are an easy way to boost your marks. And then, the most important thing is lots of practice - little and often. Sightreading is hard and not particularly enjoyable but, as he gets better, he will enjoy it more. It will also enable him to access new pieces more quickly so it’s definitely a skill worth developing for its own sake, not just for exams.

It makes sense to do the musical knowledge for now. The thing that made the most difference for DC's sight reading long term is playing in orchestras/bands. If it's an ensemble sort of instrument he plays.

Would anyone say NCO weekends are a lot to juggle with everything else? Someone said to me, not sure how you will fit them in. Thinking a good idea to try those with a view to JD in the future

Yes and no to be honest. It depends where you are. We rearrange a lot for them, and it’s a long drive, but I think it’s where she’s at her happiest so it’s definitely worth it for us. She’s in a small sectional too. It does her good to meet other harpists her age at the same kind of level.

@678socks Yes that’s all absolutely true. And we have been trying to work on exactly those areas. But for some reason things just aren’t clicking. Which is why I suspect there may be something else going on with the way he’s able to process the information.
@thirdfiddle Yes absolutely, he is in a Saturday morning ensemble and seems to be doing fine there- but again I very much suspect that that may be due to being able to hear something once or twice and play it… He’s almost certainly leaning heavily on his natural ear. He also seems much more able to sight read something when there is accompaniment/ piano/ an ensemble to slot in with. So again that might be an ear thing. But I’m aware sight reading a skill he is going to have to build eventually so we will keep chipping away at it and hope for the best!

He’s almost certainly leaning heavily on his natural ear.
That is okay, I'm convinced it still helps. Just attempting to follow the part while playing things he more or less knows by ear will help form mental connections.

That really depends a lot on what your 'everything else' looks like. DD had to miss her usual saturday music centre for it, but it's only two weekends in the year and was worth it for the social aspects of playing with people more her own age and the sheer NCO joy factor. They really are expert at giving the kids an amazing burst of musical energy.

I would view them as more of a warm up to orchestra residentials (NCO or otherwise) than a warm up to JD in terms of the nature of the activity.

Hi there, have people been receiving any JD offers recently? We have heard back from one, but still waiting to hear from the other two that DD applied to. One of them said there were lots of applicants this year, so perhaps they haven’t gotten through everyone yet

Hi @ArtfulMember We have received offers from two with an acceptance deadline of 1st May and one audition still to go. Hopefully yours will come through soon.

It's hard waiting for results of things, especially when you don't have a set date. Hope they get into the right place for them.
I've been listening to mine both practicing for their orchestra course this coming week, even occasionally together!

@CelloMumFlums Congratulations on your two offers! And best of luck for the audition :)

Sorry to jump on this thread, but my DC auditioned for junior RNCM yesterday, does anyone have any experience of when we would find out?

Hey @MusicallyMe - I have a DC at JRNCM. If I remember correctly they auditioned in mid March, and got the result mid April, so hopefully it won't be too long for your DC. Fingers crossed for you!

Are there any RCM JD parents here? Can I ask you for your / your child's experiences? It seems great but there is a limit to what you can see on an open day and I would be grateful for feedback. Thanks!

My DS did rcmjd for 7 years from 11-18 (left last summer to go to RCM) and absolutely loved it. There is a good mix of solo, chamber and orchestral opportunities. He made loads of friends and it was a really positive atmosphere. Feel free to do me if you have any specific questions

Thank you - that's great to know, particular the positive atmosphere.

Just posting this in case of interest to anyone - looks brilliant!

https://www.rbo.org.uk/learning/young-people/youth-opera-company

I think my DS has enough singing in his life atm as a chorister, and would only be eligible for the introductory group at this point, but might consider it for next year.

I just booked my DS in for his grade 6 piano exam. I’m not sure he’s quite ready for it as it’s only a year since he did grade 5, but he wanted to get it done before he finished year 8. Who else is preparing for exams this summer?

DD1 is on tour in Bolivia - sent me a video of the alternative transport when the tour bus broke down - they're all crammed in the back of a flat back truck.....

@Londonmummy66 what an adventure! I love bolivia - very high up though - will be hard work for the wind players for sure.

@StuntNun . me! I'm finally booking my grade 3 euphonium. Am I ready? No. Am I terrified? Yes. But we will see.

DD2 also has a bassoon diploma and prob grade 6 piano digital - but she is very aware that it is MY exam that really mattters!

That’s amazing @Londonmummy66what an experience for her!

Good luck with your exam prep @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest Are you doing the practical or performance exam? I’m preparing for a piano performance exam but I haven’t been able to squeeze in any lessons lately so I’m stuck in a holding pattern at the moment.

Sometimes a bit of pressure is helpful! No abrsm exams but first conservatoire repertoire exam and an NYO video to make. Lovely concert at the weekend too. A wee break now to get school exams done, then some nice end of term concerts.

We have final degree recital coming up here. scary stuff.

Good luck to everyone with the exams, especially @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest - terrifying stuff as an adult! And @Siriusmuggle what a huge milestone! How did his professional work go?

No exams here (still!). DS starts his full schedule of choir rehearsals this term (now 3x per week!) in prep for being a full chorister from September - I’m a bit apprehensive as to how he’ll cope with it. He’s a funny one as generally complains about all his activities beforehand but then adores them while he’s doing them and refuses to give anything up, so I find it very hard to judge!

Gosh @Londonmummy66- that sounds exciting! Dd has had to withdraw from her summer music tour as she’s made it to a (non-music) international competition which clashes but which she can’t turn down.

dd has (I think) g8 piano and g7 voice happening towards the end of the summer term.