RCM, RAM, Guildhall JDs 2024

[MultiMusicMum]

I haven't seen a thread for this years round so thought I'd start one. I have a DS and a DD applying for these three.

We had our GH auditions this week and have come away a little shocked... DS had a great audition, it was well organised and panel was warm and friendly. DD's audition was an absolute shambles, no warm up time, the audition format was thrown out the window and the head of department was rude and actively critical throughout the audition. She came away crushed. She is 12 and Grade 8 on her primary study (which is not piano/violin) and in a national orchestra. She's now really rattled with RCM and RAM auditions this week. Would appreciate all and any advice on those audition formats please - types of questions, aural tests etc.

Many thanks in advance music mums! x

Congratulations on all offer holders. We get the offer too

Did anyone else get any offers from RAM or RCM ?

Yes we have had news from all of them now - mixed bag of results, but some offers which is great. Are you still waiting @Mickey33 ? Best of luck to everyone!

We got offers from RCM, Guildhall and RAM PA. We decided to go for RCM.

My Emily is learning both violin and piano with junior guildhall professors every weekend , however We live 100miles away from London. Does anyone also travel far for London junior conservatoire. I am thinking if move near London is easier for that... Not sure in year application of school around London... Anyone has same issue... Please share useful information and your opinions, thanks

Congratulations to all that have had offers this years. You must be all amazing! My DS is not old enough to apply yet but I've been watching this thread trying to learn how these auditions work.

@MultiMusicMum sorry I can't help as we'r not at that stage yet but if we were to get to study with one of the JDs, we are about the same distance away as well. Luckily we can travel by train it's quite convenient. I would do just however you feel is the right thing to do and whatever suits your family the best. (Again not very helpful advice )

I have a question about the entry requirement. Almost all 3 JD's entry requirements are grade 5 for under 11. Two want distinction. Does anybody have any experience of a young (age 8) violinist getting in? I can't believe they use the same standard for an 8 years old and a 10/11 years old. DS is currently 7 and passed grade 4 in March. He's currently working on grade 6 pieces. He can pass grade 5 easily even now but I doubt he'll get distinction, either now or in March next year. I'm wondering whether it's worth applying for next year? Or wait till he's improved his tuning to be distinction level?
He's a really fast learner and is making rapid progress all the time but it's just tuning on a violin takes time. His violin teacher can't believe there'll be any 8 years old getting grade 5 distinction because of tuning . Please let me know your experiences so I can assess whether he stands for a chance or not.
Thank you!

Sorry that was meant to be for @LIZMOONLIGHT

@chickentikkasalad, the grade 5 requirements are more of a guideline from my understanding. It is the audition that counts. At Guildhall they say that they expect a child to have reached grade 5 distinction by the age of ten and grade 8 distinction by sixteen. However, it is the playing at the audition that is where they will decide whether a child is likely to be a good fit or not. It sounds as if your little boy is doing very well and has an excellent teacher. Grades are fairly arbitrary at the best of times and it sounds as if, quite rightly, your son’s teacher is concentrating on his technique and suitable pieces for him that are an enjoyable challenge, rather than pushing him into one exam after another. He will learn more this way. Always remember that learning a musical instrument is a marathon rather than a sprint and that when it stops being enjoyable, something is wrong.

@Violinist64 thank you so much for your wise words! He only did that one exam and I don't think they'll do another one anytime soon. DS only did it to get beavers badge lol.
Yes his teacher is very good at working with young children. She finds pieces that's enjoyable but also that'll teach him the things he needs to learn.
They both really want to try the JD's next year. I'm just not sure whether he'll be good enough by the time. I may as well let him try anyway like you said if the grade 5 distinction is only a guideline. His playing is very musical and expressive just the tuning is not perfect!

In my opinion visiting the JDs and knowing the different atmosphere, have auditions are great experience for musicianship even if didn't get in straight away.

Agree with you @LIZMOONLIGHT. Thank you! He's had a visit to RAM off a private arrangement and he really liked it and is determined to go to one of these places one day!

That's great! He can apply all of JDs and choose the one suit him the best!!

Yes @LIZMOONLIGHT you never know until you've tried it. There's nothing to lose - only experiences to gain . Guildhall says they have a pre audition assessment to assess the suitability of your level for auditioning. That might be helpful as well!

I guess I'm nervous because I don't want him to feel rejected and I don't want his bubble to burst too early! But one day he'll have to come out of that bubble and face the real world I guess..

I don't know much about violin but from what I hear at JD student concerts they all always seem to play things that are within their capabilities but really well. Instead of sometimes what you hear in other places is players doing pieces that are too hard and it not really always coming off. So the piece is chosen to be hard to sound impressive but actually it just highlights any errors. What I mean is, better to play something lower really well. If your DC can deal with the fact he may not get in first time, I would audition. Often i think it would be a ' not yet' rather than a n outright rejection.

@horseymum you gave had it spot on with DS. He often prefers harder pieces because he feels the easier ones are not challenging enough. But they're just not challenging in the way he's interested. He doesn't want to spend a lot time getting it 'perfect' but much prefers learning new pieces. I don't want to force him either as he's only 7. I guess have to wait till he's mature enough to have the patience. And I don't know how he'll react if it's a no for now. He hasn't faced any real failures yet in his violin/life. At lease I still have a few months to decide...

He's got to still enjoy his playing though and maybe the maturity to spend ages on a piece develops at different rates. Often they can be really motivated to try harder pieces, nothing wrong with that.

Thanks @horseymum, yes there's definitely a level of maturity required in terms of polishing a piece. He's really determined to get in though hopefully that will change things slightly.

My DD auditioned when she was 7 years old. At that time she was playing Grade 7 pieces. I would say they were seeking more for musicality and potentials from the younger kids. They tested aural and sight reading as well. My DD is perfect pitch and her tune was good so that maybe one of the reason she got in.

@ViolinMummy007 wow that's impressive grade 7 at 7 years old! Now I know what level is required! DS just turned 8 and he's only sitting his grade 5 exam next month. He was playing grade 6 pieces prior to the exam preparation. He plays musically but does struggle to keep it in good pitch all the time. Sight reading is really good though.

Just to add, I was at a JD open day ( not London) recently and they specifically said they didn't take grades particularly into account as you can say 'I'm grade xyz' but actually only have played the three or four pieces for the exam. They highlighted that abrsm is not a curriculum, but more of a snapshot. If you only play those pieces, you've missed out a lot. ( Not that there's anything wrong with grades and they do use them). It's fine to say what grade you are but they want to see a desire to learn as much as anything. They also took into account how long you had been playing and the circumstances eg a 25 minutes group lesson or a long private lesson. They were looking for those who had potential. They also have to balance numbers so that there are enough ensemble opportunities. This may not be the approach other places take though.

I know that this is an old thread but I don't think that there has been a new one since?

Could anyone tell me a little more about classical voice as a first study at each of the JDs? We have visited them all and loved them all!