Recommended Music school/college after GCSE

[peanutbutterbanana1]

Hi,
My son wants to study Music after his GCSEs. I wondered if anyone has any recommendations. We are in Kent so looking for ones in London or south east.
Thanks x

Have a look at the Access Creative College in Hoxton, my daughter starts there in September she went for a taster day and loved it had her audition a few weeks later, they have various courses and they have close links to the music/production and gaming industry. They have some decent alumni too including Ed Sheeran and Rita Ora.

That last message i put was supposed to be I don’t know how to tag people not take people!

Thanks mistress, got lots to look into, will add that one to my list.
Is your daughter starting a diploma or degree? 😊

OP, your son needs to think more widely than just playing bass guitar. My son was similar and went to university to study music - it was a brilliant course for him (will PM you if you like.) He quickly realised that although he was a good guitarist, he wasn't one of the best. Even the best realised that unless their band became massive (realistically that's unlikely to happen) then they would be session musicians. And my son learned just how fantastic you have to be to be session musicians, too. The fact your son isn't willing to do his grades (as mine wouldn't) doesn't bode well - he has to be willing to be challenged if he's going to take this up as a career.

Mine was lucky - he loved writing music and one day someone came in and talked about writing music for film and television. My son's big loves were film and music, yet he'd never thought of incorporating them. That day was a lightbulb moment and now, years later, this is what he does for a living.

Others on the course became studio managers, some went abroad or worked on cruise ships playing wedding-type music (good money but they tend to spend it fast) and others work in music shops. A couple do make a living playing live music, though they supplement it with other work (eg shop work.)

peanut, she's only 16 so she's doing a level 2 diploma - Vocal Artist with an option to change to level 3 in 6 months, I think its great for her to do something she loves and because they also have links within the business, she will get a more holistic view of the music process, so can fully understand if this is something she really wants to pursue in the future.

I totally agree with the thinking more widely part Hollow mentioned, a lot of the students at this college collaborate so the musicians end up writing music for the gamers or the events do promotion for the musicians etc and sometimes then end up changing focus towards another related career.

I’m glad I messaged on here. This is the kind of advice I’ve been looking for really. It’s hard to know how to encourage them when you know nothing about it yourself. He is actually a really good singer too.

I know so far there have been a lack of bassist at his school and on the summer courses and above a PP mentioned at Brit School there is a lack of bassist so I’m hoping that will be in his favour.

I’m hoping once he starts looking further into music as a career then it will open him up to try new things. We have a couple of years left at school.

And the grading....he is really against grading... 😫 I don’t know what we’ll do about that x

Hi, just seen this. We looked at BRIT, BIMM and ELAM last year for or DD - BRIT was closest but she much preferred the vibe at ELAM, just as well as BRIT interview did not go as well as expected.

Have just finished first year and really impressed. The standard at ELAM is very high, but the staff are encouraging and enthusiastic so will do what they can to support effort. As has been said,ELAM has great industry links, DD helped out at Lovebox festival last year, had great work experience placement with a social media company for music artist, and has now performed live events many times. She has gone from shy and awkward to being listed with 2 singles on itunes, and she is one of many talented students there.

One differance with ELAM is that students study Maths and English in addition to the BTEC. So end up with equivalent of up to 5 A levels. If applicants are not up to A level work, they are offered another Maths/English qualification to study.

ELAM is a newish college, but its reputation is growing so spaces are limited. In my DDs year , there were 1000 applications for 70 spaces.

HTH, good luck

Hi again Peanut, sorry I didn't see your message asking if I'm in the music industry. I'm not - my daughter has been applying for sixth forms and had applied at both ELAM and Brit School so I knew a little about both schools.

Good luck

@MistressoftheYoniverse

My dd is keen on attending Access although not til 2019. I would love to know the views of your dd once she has been there for a couple of terms so please keep us updated! I am also looking at BIMM.

no probs will do Bless

Maybe have a look at 'Access Creative College'. They do level 3 courses in music performance and have a college based in Shoreditch, London as well as in other parts of the country.

Can I just say, think long-term as well in case he changes his mind. My DD has a music scholarship at a private school. She chose this option as she also wanted to take A levels before applying to a music academy. Moving forward, she still loves music, but has decided to do a degree in another subject - as she'll have A levels alongside her music qualifications, she'll be able to do her degree when she's 18 rather than having to wait.

DS had friends at BIMM so attended a lot of cheap social events there. His mates who studied there were all happy with what they were offered & passed their courses. I'll ask DS if he can offer any more details.

@mistressoftheyoniverse

Would love to know how your dd is finding Access. We are visiting both music specialist and general colleges. There is a lot to think about.

What year is your child in blessthekids I’m wondering whether to look in year ten or year 11

Ifonly4 this is what we are trying to decide....it’s all so hard to figure out. Will have a look around all that’s available just not sure when to start

That would be great if you could get more info ABitOTT

Thanks foxes will look into that too. Wondering if he will get fed up with the commute tho we are in kent

Same as BIMM tho I suppose the commute was ok for a week but for longer 🤷‍♀️

She's in year 11 now although we did go see a few places in year 10. She is 90% sure that she wants to go down this music route so we are supporting her. If she took A-levels they would all be creative ones so to be honest either way she is specialising. I have said to her that if she changes her mind then we can always change direction.

My son is in a very dark place after studying for 1 year on degree course. He had hoped for the opportunity to make like minded friends and collaboration on music projects and to get some feedback on his own work. Freshers week was just a pub crawl, there are no clubs, there is no study area and there are hours in between lectures with no where to go. The tutors all seem like they have a train to catch immediately after they have performed their lectures, the studio equipment is in dire need of updating. No one is interested in the individual and his talent. Lasting impression... they just want your money!

ACM Guildford, avoid.!! They just want your money!!