Auditions for Conservatoires coming up - need to chat!

[Kammer1]

DS has auditions coming up for music conservatoires. We live in SE London. He's going to be travelling to

• Birmingham
• Manchester
• Leeds
• Possibly Cardiff

Birmingham and Manchester coming up very soon and we need to sort out travel. Birmingham audition is midday and it'd mean a very early start from home so he wants to go up the night before and stay over in a hotel. I had anticipated this. HOWEVER, he's picked this very moment to come over all independent and wants to go on his own. I'm absolutely beside myself and trying not to panic. I had thought we'd be doing it together!

I'm not against the independence but I really think he's a bit vulnerable to be going alone. I don't want to fight him on it, and I don't want him to see how anxious I am because he'll get his own way anyway, and I don't want my anxieties ringing in his ears. So I'm trying to win him round gently without being hysterical.

For background, he's been in very poor health, both mentally and physically and I think he is going to be nervous about these auditions. He's autistic / ADHD. Which is why I think, on a practical level, it'd be useful if I were there with him.

Any tips for
me - not becoming utterly hysterical
him - places to stay in Birmingham. Convenient for station and Conservatoire. He'll probably be arriving in the evening, so I'd rather he stayed somewhere close to New Street station. He'd need to get himself something to eat. Preferably McDonald's as he has food allergies, and knows the menu and what he can eat.

The whole thing - forms, recordings, prospect of auditions. THE COST. It's all doing my head in.

For the other auditions: Manchester is at 2pm, so he could probably get there and back in a day. With or without me. For Leeds, we have family not too far away so will probably combine with a visit there, which means I'll go with him. For Cardiff, we're not sure yet if he'll be invited to audition in person. He's applied also for one place in London so at least that's straight forward.

I've stayed at the Clayton in Birmingham when working at the conservatoire, 10 mins walk from both New Street and RBC. It's even close to Moor St if that's a sensible option. I have never paid for it myself though, so don't know how pricey it is!

Agree the Clayton would be a good location. Can be pricey though. I wouldn't stay right by new street as the hotels are crap around there.
Obviously you've got Premier inns around etc as well. If you want him somewhere nice/safe that won't break the bank look at Hilton Garden Inn Brindleyplace he would need taxis but it isn't far.

Thank you! Meant to say - he doesn't like taxis, and buses are confusing when you don't know the area. So he's happy to work, with Google Maps. Which is why I'm a bit worried about him walking around at night! Will have a look at the Clayton. Although, of course, Premier Inn was my first thought as it's predictable....

I have to say, I find that bit of Birmingham a nightmare to navigate around, I go the wrong way out of New St every time, even with google maps 🤦‍♀️

I feel your pain! I remember the stress when my daughter went to Chichester on her own from the north for an audition during a major storm and the train dumped her at Gatwick airport. Major meltdown!

She is at Leeds conservatoire - I know you say that might not be an problem one but happy to advise/ask her for info if you need it

Is he under 18? Many hotels only allow 18 and above so double check that as it might not be obvious at the time of booking but could result in being turned away.

I’d put most effort into the 3 most likely/ what he has a leaning towards. He’s got a lot on his list and I’d be tempted to encourage him to cut back.
With trains running so badly, I’d be tempted to always travel the day before and stay in the same hotel chain each time so he gets the benefit of continuity.
Rail ticket buying is an art. Try to get him with ‘open’ tickets rather than on a specific timed journey as buying advance tickets makes changing arrangements impossible and adds to stress.
Agree the same outfit for all auditions and encourage him to travel very lightly but with charging for devices.
(explore buying a two together railcard if you travel with him)
Some years there are lots who apply for particular instruments, other years less so.

I would put my foot down and go with him, it wouldn't be negotiable. There's a time and a place for being independent for the first time and I don't think this is it.

Check also that he has all the piano parts, if being accompanied, and read through the criteria for what he’s to do there for each at least the week before. They don’t always read the small print.
Prep him by saying if they stop him mid way through he’s not to get upset. Sometimes, it’s a fab sign that they only need him to play 50% to make their decision.
Routine is key. Give him the same snacks and food boosts. The same PJs. Suggest food that he can deal with. Keep him in his comfort zone.
If you do accompany him and have to hang around the city for 5-6 hrs while waiting, you can use that time to check out the route he might take to accommodation. Without telling him, you can have your own mission of walking on foot around the area and checking out transport etc.

Just remembered Aston Business School which is v near has a hotel but it doesn't come up on all the sites. Worth a look.

Hello! thanks for your comments.

@Mytholmroyd - oh that is just the scenario I'm dreading. eeek. We haven't got very far in our thinking about Leeds (which I think will be December) but would love to come back to you about that nearer the time, if you don't mind. Always good to get the inside info!

@kitchenhelprequired - he's 19 (applying in a gap year), and looks older than that, so that's all good.

@Hughs - I always find getting out of a station is the most confusing bit! I will encourage him to work it out on streetview in advance

@CrotchetyQuaver - cannot argue with him. He's basically an adult (19), autistic and stubborn as hell. If it were his brother, we'd have a row, slam doors, make up when it's all blown over and then agree I was right. But with this one, I can only guide, I can't insist.

@Mum5net - thank you so much for your tips. You sound like kindred spirit who has been through similar things?!

Anyway, some progress made and I'm feeling more relaxed now about Birmingham. I contacted a friend who works there a lot, whose daughters grew up doing stuff in the city etc. I've booked him the Premier Inn which is 10 mins from the station, and 8 mins from RBC. Got a flexible booking, with breakfast. And noted that check-out is 12 noon which is really handy (I had thought it would be earlier than that). Apparently there are 2 McDonalds close by so that's his dinner sorted. He can also check out and leave his bag there the next morning, and then pick it up before going back to the station. He'll be travelling fairly light but with instrument etc, it never feels that light! I've got flexible train tickets too, so that's good.

And for Manchester, I've booked a Premier Inn by Piccadilly station. It looks like everything is quite a walk away from the RNCM but he generally is happy to walk. I'm less happy with the arrangements for this audition but there's still time to make alternative plans. What pisses me off the most is the trains. No flexible tickets affordable (£350 for anytime return, even with railcard!!!) which means he can't afford to miss his trains. I can see him onto the train in London, but coming back is a bit of a worry. He's got a London audition the next day which we're going to try to move. I'm thinking that it might actually be easier to go up to my Dad's in Yorkshire and travel from there.

@ absolutely! My daughter is loving Leeds and her course. Very intense though - she has full on 9-5 and sometimes 7 or 8pm finishes every day. At least I feel like she is getting her money's worth!

Yes it was a real trauma made worse by the train station closing and kicking her out, airport being shut, huge queue at the taxi rank with no taxis, and her phone battery dying and not being able to find a charging point! Fortunately, faced with getting in the car and driving down, I got hold of a wonderful taxi driver in Chichester who drove all the way to Gatwick with her description to find her and pick her up despite trees down and roads closed and take her to her hotel for the audition the following day. A real life saver!

And for Manchester, I've booked a Premier Inn by Piccadilly station. It looks like everything is quite a walk away from the RNCM

It's not a difficult walk from Piccadilly Station to the RNCM though - straight down the road so difficult to get lost and it's a 'safe' part of the city. Plus, on open days, they usually have student helpers at the stations directing students in my experience (having had four kids go to universities/conservatoires).

@Mytholmroyd - oh my goodness. Quick thinking from you! Glad your daughter's enjoying Leeds. I've heard good things about it and it's a nice city. I think my son might also apply to Chichester but we've got until January for the UCAS form I think. One thing at a time. It's a bit overwhelming.

@Mytholmroyd - I recall when we went to Manchester a couple of years ago for a NYO audition (which was at Chet's), we both thought the city was quite small. In a good way. Compared to London, where we live. And quite pedestrian-friendly, I recall. As long as you watch out for the trams everywhere!

My Dd is at RWCMD in Cardiff. Depending on times of audition it’s very much doable in a day (we live in London) it’s walkable from the station & Cardiff is a small city & east to get around.
Lifestyle wise she lives Cardiff, it has lots of unis so lots of students & always loads going on. It also has the benefit of being one of the cheapest places to live!

Exiting New Street station is quite confusing, there are several exits - I was at the station recently and came out of the wrong exit. Fortunately I know Birmingham centre quite well so was able to orientate myself. It might be more difficult for someone unfamiliar with the city.

I know, it is! And it's odd what turns them off about places - she took one look at RNCM and said nope, don't like the big brutalist concrete building and nope to Chichester because 'there were too many old people in the town' 🙄😂

I don't mean to stress you though - all the other trips to London and Glasgow etc went off without a hitch but it is so expensive isn't it even if like Chichester and Leeds they don't charge audition fees.

Following as I have one hopefully applying next year so trying to hear as many people's experiences as possible. I agree that coming out of New Street I always get lost. Google maps is rubbish when you are walking as it takes ages to respond by which time you are going the wrong way.
We visited the RWCMD recently and found it very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. It will definitely be on DC's short list to apply. The city centre is quite compact, the college is in a lovely setting beside a park. The practice rooms are round an old stable block.

Arrrggghhhh! Short notice audition - Cardiff on Thursday. Not a bad thing but means adjusting our plans this week and he has to get his head around it. He only submitted his first round recording on Friday (2 weeks late) as he got an extension as he'd been ill. So can't really complain about the quick turnaround.

Information about the audition isn't very clear though. Requirements are muddled and the link for directions was broken. So he'll have to email for clarification tomorrow.

Audition is at 3pm so he can go on the day although will need to get on his way quite early and it'll be a long day. OMG it seems very real and terrifying now. Of course I am not showing how anxious I am.

Any tips re. walking there from Cardiff Central much appreciated. He hates getting taxis. I'm so so so nervous for him. Need to get a grip. The next few weeks feel overwhelming.

I was going to recommend Premier Inn for Birmingham. I’ve stayed in both many times and the New Street one is next door to McDonalds. My husband went to Birmingham Conservatoire when it was the old building.

my son is at Leeds. It’s a great place to study.

@Comefromaway - Premier Inn Exchange Square booked for next week. I might actually ring them and ask for directions which I can write down for him. Train booked. Sorted. Manchester the following week - Premier Inn booked. Train not yet booked as I'm too shocked by the price but must get on with it. Trinity audition needs to be moved as it clashes. Waiting to hear from Leeds (had to turn down first audition date). But now a bit thrown off course by Cardiff on Thursday.

My son’s friend auditioned at RNCM and found the process to be not very inclusive.
Leeds was much more welcoming.

Walking from the train station to the music college in Cardiff is easy and will only take about 10-15 mins. Straight up St Mary street and up past the castle. Cardiff is a great city and a lovely place to live.

thank you @MerchSwyddEfrog This is the first audition and it'd be really nice to start off with a good experience!