Conservatoire offer holder days

[Kammer1]

Anyone else with kids going through big choices?

DS has offers from RNCM, RWCMD, RBC, RCS and Trinity, with scholarships at 3 of those.

It's probably between Manchester and Birmingham, but also visiting Glasgow as he did that audition by video so wants to now visit.

He is cool about it all but we're overwhelmed on his behalf. Hadn't expected quite so much choice and needs to make a decision v soon.

Not this year but we were there a couple of years ago. 6 offers, mostly with scholarships. He ended up rejecting the one with the biggest scholarship and hasn't regretted it for a moment. Offer holder days were pretty helpful. If you want any info on RNCM I might be able to help.

@Kammer1 - he's at the RNCM today!

Wasn't particularly taken with it at the audition, so I'm hoping today is a better experience.

He's had two taster lessons this morning which were good apparently!

He likes the city very much. Avanti West Coast trains, not so much!

Which department is he?
mine has found that there are a lot of performance opportunities, even in the first year which you don’t get everywhere. Also halls are next door which is a bonus.

He's a wind player.

Playing opportunities are one of the things he is keen to know about. He is concerned that, if he's not top in the pecking order, he won't get as many chances. He's obviously good enough to get in, but hasn't been offered a scholarship there and likely won't be the starriest of that intake for his instrument.

Whereas, somewhere else, he might just be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, and hence more opportunities. Perhaps.

He's had rough few years: state school (where he'd outgrown the music by Year 9), local music service (great at first, then outgrown), JD during covid years (frustrating). Didn't make NYO (although he got as far as in-person auditions). So there will be others who are much more experienced and have achieved more. That said, he's having a fantastic gap year, hoovering up spare places in amateur orchestras around London and is having a great time. He's working hard at his playing so should be in good form come September.

I wrote a huge reply but it got lost. I’ll try to remember to re do it when I have WiFi!

@Siriusmuggle - ah it's so frustrating when that happens. Thank you for your efforts and hope you might be able to post later!

I’ll try again! Mine is a brass player so the same school as yours. In his first year he did the opera, brand new orchestra, various projects. So far in his second year he’s done symphony orchestra, wind orchestra and brand new orchestra. So lots of performance. Some conservatoires only use 3rd & 4th years for their top orchestra, at RNCM you get recommended by your head of school, in addition one of the symphony orchestra concerts each year is done on blind audition so anyone has a chance. There are also numerous chamber groups, quintets etc.
On my son’s instrument they have a practical class which spans all year groups from 1st up to post grad. So they all know each other and learn from each other. I don’t know if this applies to all instruments though.
At some points he’s been taken out of performance groups because he was in too many at once so in our experience no shortage of opportunities. Have a look at their Twitter or instagram to see what goes on.
where ever he decides to go it’s really exciting that he has a choice to make, I’m sure he’ll end up in the right place.

Oh and he also didn’t get into NYO!

Yes, well decision made here. My daughter has accepted a place at RNCM. I hope your son enjoyed the offer holder day.

A great choice 😁

He really enjoyed the offer holder day. Loved the city again too. But still thinks Birmingham would suit him better. Going back there this week for a consultation lesson. Then there's still Glasgow - going next week. I'm very not keen as it's so far away.

The whole process is ££££. Arghh!

Did your son come to a decision? I hope he enjoyed the offer holder days and they’ve been helpful.

Not quite there but most likely Birmingham!

Brilliant, hope he has a great time! As much as I’ve (mostly) enjoyed exploring the options with my daughter - I (and my bank account) was very glad to reach a decision and the end of the process!

@Juno300 - he's accepted Birmingham. And in the end decided not to even visit Glasgow which was a,huge relief as it would have been really expensive.

It's been an interesting few months. Good experience in many ways. Bank balance needs to recover now!

I can't wait to pack him off.

That’s great! Congratulations on getting there - both to your son and you!