Dear all. I have a 9 year old son who has just done his Grade 6 piano and Grade 3 violin practical exams (both strong distinctions). The school he’s currently in isn’t strong musically and sadly neither me or husband have any musical aptitude. Son desperately needs more support beyond the 30 minutes he’s currently getting per week with the wonderful external teacher he’s had since he was 6.
We’ve discounted Chets in Manchester as we’d prefer him to stay in a mainstream school, plus I’ve heard some negative feedback about the hot-housing environment there. Hoping someone with experience and / or connections with specifically the junior school running at RNCM can give some insight.
Also any frank feedback on whether he might be good enough to get a place! Some context, my son has got to a Grade 6 level on piano in a little over 3 years (violin grade 3 in two) supported by the half hour weekly lesson from the teacher plus about 3-4 practice sessions each week which last no more than 20 minutes. All the other time he spends on our Schimmel piano playing is coming from some drive within himself.
I’m just concerned if the typical 9 year old applying to RNCM is grade 8 distinction and practices for hours every day, then my son has little chance of getting in.