Conservatoire applications

[Violasrule]

Is anyone else looking to apply for a 2025 Conservatoire place? We have just started the process and it’s a steep learning curve!

We’re aware that for some of the more prestigious colleges it’s useful to have an idea of which tutor you would like before you attend the audition. Has anyone else come across this?

@indigopotion I know you said your DC wouldn't want a gap year but there are loads of things you could do to stay immersed in music - lots of weekly amateur adult ensembles, youth orchestras, start a chamber group, teach, work or volunteering with music groups, enter festivals and competitions. At the RCS juniors you can do a gap year on Saturdays. Better you know now I guess so can plan.

Thanks @horseymum for all those great suggestions. Maybe his resistance is more about wanting to keep on moving along with his peers and not be left behind. He's at a specialist school so he feels like he will be ready to hit the ground running at conservatoire. But I will certainly bring up all those ideas when the time comes.

Hi , @indigopotion Jackie Zhang was on bbc young musician and is studying his degree in the rcm.
He isn’t 18 yet so Rcm should be ok for your son.

@indigopotion I'm sure it won't come to it, he'll be really well prepared for auditions and will be able to find ones that don't have that age restriction. I just know several who have done a gap year at juniors.

Thanks @Maryward . It's good to know RCM is an option. DD is there and knows some 17 years olds - Scottish and American students I believe. They were not able to sign up for some of the freshers activities but other than that it's ok. I just didn't realise that the Scottish cutoff dates would make some conservatoires out of bounds for him without a gap year. I feel bad he will be limited in his choices but we have time to figure it out. Thanks @horseymum you're right a gap year with Juniors, NYO, etc could work well if he gets his heart set on RAM.

Ooh Guildhall today !! Nervous , hope it goes well.

Good luck

Lots of luck @Maryward !

Hope it goes/went well @maryward
It's exciting seeing what everyone is doing as DS doesn't get started until December.
Those of you with DSs, what are they wearing for their auditions?

DS at Guildhall this on too, he will be the scruffy one there, not going down in his school uniform. I think whatever they will comfortable in. And good luck, Maryward

Round here the few 6th forms we have don't have uniform and of course the colleges don't so don't worry. I don't think anyone would go in uniform to be honest.

The auditions we've been to the boys had jeans and a hoody or black trousers and shirt or lounge suit and tie, quite a range.

How did it go?

Hi, dc said played well.
But didn’t feel that they were friendly ?? Said only head of strings spoke. 2 men on the panel who were silent!! Dc wore shirt and trousers.
We shall have to wait and see 😉

DDs teacher warned her last year that Louise Hopkins would be a bit....brusque in the audition, she's just quite a character apparently and that's how she is with everyone. It's great DC played well!

Oh I see! Just her manner then. Good to know, thanks @indigopotion I was thinking dc must have said something to annoy her 😛

Maryward My relative auditioned at Guildhall last year and got an offer. He thought it wasn't very friendly too and went elsewhere. He plays piano.

@Carthorses I see. Wonder why she acts like that if it’s putting people off? I suppose though if the teacher is there that you want to study with it doesn’t really matter.

Yes, my DC found it very unfriendly - so it sounds like it is their common approach. Now, why would they be like that? Perhaps they need to watch their own video on the audition process!

DC should remember auditions go two ways - they are auditioning the school too, to see if it is a good fit. If they come away not comfortable with how they were treated, that is important information to have in making their decision.

Yes, you are absolutely right, and whilst DC understands that, it is still unsettling for these youngsters. A learning experience, and now Guildhall slips down in the wish list

Louise Hopkins has a reputation for being pretty formidable.
DS auditioned last year and found she warmed up as his audition went on, but apparently you have to be pretty mentally strong to be taught by her.
I do wonder how that kind of teaching is still acceptable in conservatoires.

Hello, can I join you all? My dd is applying for conservatoires.

she had an audition at TL last week which she said went well. I am finding it all nerve wracking as she is trying to handle the whole process herself, which is admirable, but due to ASD does get a bit sidetracked at times, and not always the best at taking in info.

@ElfDragon
yes of course you can, I’m finding it a very supportive and informative thread.
my dd was a RWCMD last week and TL today. We’ve had a very intense few days not helped by some adventures with the travelling.

all the best to your dd. Mine doesn’t have ASD but she gets very anxious and is a young 17 (August birthday)
lots of the applicants she’s met have had a gap year and can be almost 2 years older than her depending on birth date!

We’re somewhat fortunate with travel - dd wants to be within commute distance, even though she won’t stay at home, so she’s just looking at London conservatoires. We visited RNCM, and she did like it, but just too far away as we are in the South East. I think she considered Leeds too, but that got dismissed fairly early on due to course content/style, I think.

Im not sure dd has spoken to any other applicants! She’s a mid-year birthday, thankfully, but her brother will be the same as your dd when he starts applying, as he is end of July. I hope your dd got on well today. Dd said her audition was really comfortable - she was nervous going in, but really happy when she came out.