Music College - Sixth Form - ACM

[rockgodmum]

My DS is looking to leave school after his GCSE's next year and study a Level 3 Diploma in music (guitar). He has auditioned at the Rhythm Studio, London but has concerns about London (he's at school in Somerset!) and also that the college has no notable alumni. ACM Guildford seems stronger on the alumni front and we have lined up an audition there in December. I was therefore wondering if anyone had experience of their sixth form programme? He's looking to be stretched and inspired in an encouraging and supportive environment (my words but reckon he'd agree 😀)

[Thesoundofmusic23]

oooh I’d like to join. DC likely applying next year - would love to hear some first hand experiences too.

Is your son applying to any other colleges/ schools? Just started doing research now.

[rockgodmum]

@ Thesoundofmusic23 No he has only applied to The Rhythm Studio and ACM. We looked at BIIM but he was concerned that he wouldn't be sufficiently stretched there. The problem - and it's a nice problem to have! - is that he is currently at a school with an amazing music department which has worldclass facilities and in a band who are all grade 8 distinction. However it is also a very expensive school and it just doesn't seem to make sense to pay for him to stay on there when his only passion is music. Being at a music college amongst equally passionate students who are all committed to making a career in music seems to be the right way forward but it will be a wrench and that's why I would love to hear from anyone with experience of ACM to make sure it's a forward step!

[Thesoundofmusic23]

Sounds like his current school is fantastic. Hoping someone can a answer your question re: ACM as we would love to hear about it too.

Is he applying to Brit or ELAM? Maybe too far for you? Not sure where you are based.

[rockgodmum]

@Thesoundofmusic23 No we haven't approached ELAM or The Brit School. Mainly due to location but also I think The Brit School is more of a performing arts college and I think he'd benefit more from one that is simply focussed on contemporary music. Hope we get some feedback re ACM! It would be very reassuring to hear from someone who had experience of the sixth form there as I can only find reviews for their HE college.

[chocolatenutcase]

Have you looked at LIPA 6th form in Liverpool. They do have some students living in Uni style accommodation. Current alumni doing really well are The Crawlers.

www.crawlersband.com/

[rockgodmum]

Thank you @chocolatenutcase It looks great however I can't see any reference to a sixth form programme.

[Thesoundofmusic23]

@bigel I have a feeling your ds went to ACM, would you be willing to share what his experience was like.

[chocolatenutcase]

@rockgodmum look up LIPA 6th form college. It's a separate institution next door to LIPA.

www.lipasixthformcollege.org/

[rockgodmum]

@chocolatenutcase ah thank you. It looks fab however unless we moved there I can't see it working as DS (although he has boarded) is really not mature enough yet to handle living independently.

[CrotchetyQuaver]

www.psc.ac.uk/life/music
I'd make enquiries here, I know many fine musicians have passed through here and gone on to make successful careers.

[rockgodmum]

@CrotchetyQuaver thank you for the suggestions. Sadly not quite right. Really looking for somewhere that runs the extended diploma (3 x A level equivalent) that allows for a total immersion in music rather than A level music plus 2 others. Also not sure he'd be that keen on having to do piano and sing in a choir! 😂Thanks again for the suggestion - I appreciate it.

[taxi4ballet]

To be totally honest, if he wants to totally immerse himself in a music career, it makes sense for him to play the piano and sing. Both of those activities will help considerably, particularly if he moves into songwriting and/or composing.

Speaking as the parent of someone who left school at 16 and went into full-time dance training (which eventually went tits up through no fault of her own), it really does pay to have a plan B up your sleeve.

[rockgodmum]

@taxi4ballet thank you for taking the time to contribute. I appreciate that versatility is both admirable and very useful however he's just totally into guitar which is why we are looking at the extended diploma in music performance and production with guitar as his chosen instrument. It maybe that he takes up drums as an extra in the sixth form and I do hope that one day he is encouraged and develops confidence to sing but piano holds no interest. Parenting becomes tricky at this point (as if it wasn't before!) as, although we can appreciate the sense of a plan b, we also need to respect (and not dilute) the power of single-minded passion. Thanks again.

[Teddy27]

Has anyone any experience of Purcell 6th form. I believe they do commercial music now?

[Belshels]

We are also looking at ACM for 6th form, as live nearer than Brit school (out of catchment). Daughter loved it at the open day but I have a few concerns.
Organisation and communication is something that I've seen mentioned in reviews, and a few people rubbishing the place.
There are also plenty of good reviews too though, the negative ones are always a concern though.
Also, may be trivial but usually in a college environment there is a cafe and decent places to buy food. I believe the only cafe is the one in the Electric Theatre next doo and that's tiny, more like a bar. It would be so tempting to spend loads of money in the town each day, which would be a concern for us.
Any more info from anyone on ACM would be amazing thanks x

[drummermumma]

Hi there. Just wondering if your DC ended up at ACM and if so how it's going?

[rockgodmum]

@drummermumma no he didn't. Key members of his band (formed at school in Somerset) ended up going to Manchester to study music at RNCM and so that's where we've ended up! Ben is at another sixth form music college here which is sadly proving to be not very inspiring or challenging and as he's also studying alongside students who aren't very motivated its not a very happy combination! Our hope is that the band gets busier and college become incidental. The Extended Level 3 Diploma seems to comprise of several assignments at term and seems to be a very achievable way of ending up with 3 A level points.

[faffadoodledo]

ICMP in London? I suggest it because a young drummer friend of ours went there.
I k ow you say not London. But that's where there's a lot of work, work which musicians generally start doing while at college. Making connections too.

[faffadoodledo]

Oh! Sorry just seen he's at Royal Northern. Excellent!

[Thesoundofmusic23]

@rockgodmum where did your DS land up in the end? We are mid application process now to some of these colleges to study contemporary music and it would be great to hear how it’s going for your DS. Thanks 🤩

[Thesoundofmusic23]

Der ignore me @rockgodmum just seen your updates above.

[Belshels]

Hi, DD is going to ACM Guildford after her GCSE's. She auditioned in October and so got her place very early. They have been great answering all our concerns, and showed us the 6th form (diploma) spaces on the campus tour. She has had a very rough ride at school, and absolutely hates it, so fingers crossed she will be a lot happier in a vocational college environment.🤞🏼
Is anyone else's DC going to ACM Guildford?

[drummermumma]

@Belshels

Hi, DD is going to ACM Guildford after her GCSE's. She auditioned in October and so got her place very early. They have been great answering all our concerns, and showed us the 6th form (diploma) spaces on the campus tour. She has had a very rough ride at school, and absolutely hates it, so fingers crossed she will be a lot happier in a vocational college environment.🤞🏼
Is anyone else's DC going to ACM Guildford?

My DD also going in September. She's very excited. Fell in love at the first visit. She's had enough of school and can't wait to do music 24/7

[Belshels]

@drummermumma that's great, yes same for mine! Is she 6th form too? Mine will be doing the songwriting diploma. She had a fantastic day at Metropolis Studios end October, collaborating with lots of other students. Was so impressed with what they wrote and produced!

[drummermumma]

@Belshels yes 6th form music performance (drums). Although she's now very passionate about songwriting having taught herself keys over the last year or so. But I feel confident she'll be able to try lots of different stuff there.