Royal Chools Requirement, 8 or dip Options

[Martin.Walters]

Just something irritating me.. and I dont know why because I dont have to worry about it for years.

Royal schools require you to have a Grade 8 with distinction ~ Would a diploma qualify ?

although Diploma is higher, .. ?

[Tixylix]

I don't see why not - a distinction at Grade 8 is the minimum standard they request, and obviously a diploma is of a much higher standard than this so if anything you'd be in with a better chance than someone with only a Grade 8 distinction.

[Mad Tom]

Royal schools require you to have a Grade 8 with distinction

Where has this idea come from?

The Royal schools require A-level music or equivalent, one or two other A_levels or equivalent, competence in English, and evidence of potential as a performer (for which they recommend looking at the requirements for Grade 8 of the various boards).

Nowhere can I find any requirement (as a condition of entry) to have passed grade 8, and certainly none to have passed it with distinction.

[SueHM]

Bits of paper won't get you in - a performance at grade 8 distinction level or higher, might!

[denmark77]

Exactly - the admissions requirements usually phrase the entrance criteria in such a way to suggest that your playing standard should be equivalent to a Distinction at Grade 8 (minimum) and this is what is expected at audition. But I would guess that the easiest (or laziest) way for the admissions staff to judge your playing standard, prior to audition, is to look at your practical result. So a bit of paper showing the words 'Distinction at Grade 8' provides a fair idea of performance ability, but is no substitute for that all-important audition.

denmark

[kingsley13]

I only have a grade 8 merit. Will places look at my application, see it and discard it because it isn't a distinction, even if I am capable of playing to grade 8 distinction standard, as I didn't play my best on the exam day and I have improved a lot in the year since the exam. (I'm only 15 so I don't really need to think about stuff like this yet though)

[Tixylix]

I only have a grade 8 merit. Will places look at my application, see it and discard it because it isn't a distinction, even if I am capable of playing to grade 8 distinction standard, as I didn't play my best on the exam day and I have improved a lot in the year since the exam. (I'm only 15 so I don't really need to think about stuff like this yet though)

If you did your Grade 8 a year ago and you're only 15 I expect they'd be expecting you to have improved a lot in that time and thus it may not matter, but I don't have any personal experience of the application process.

[vectistim]

I only have a grade 8 merit. Will places look at my application, see it and discard it because it isn't a distinction, even if I am capable of playing to grade 8 distinction standard, as I didn't play my best on the exam day and I have improved a lot in the year since the exam. (I'm only 15 so I don't really need to think about stuff like this yet though)

If you did your Grade 8 a year ago and you're only 15 I expect they'd be expecting you to have improved a lot in that time and thus it may not matter, but I don't have any personal experience of the application process.

A grade 8 merit at 14 is very good going, when it comes to it make sure you put the qualification date in (all things being equal admissions tutors would expect someone who gets any sort of grade 8 at 14/15 to have progressed further by the time they're 18 than someone who gets a grade 8 distinction in the session before applications are submitted) (Not quite the same but admissions tutors could see from my form that I took my GCSE maths at 14)
However, its quite possible you could get a diploma sometime during sixth form.

[Bass Clef]

I only have a grade 8 merit. Will places look at my application, see it and discard it because it isn't a distinction, even if I am capable of playing to grade 8 distinction standard, as I didn't play my best on the exam day and I have improved a lot in the year since the exam. (I'm only 15 so I don't really need to think about stuff like this yet though)

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the royal colleges etc. audition everyone who applies before the deadline. Remember that there are other important elements of your application, such as personal statement and references.

[Mad Tom]

I only have a grade 8 merit. Will places look at my application, see it and discard it because it isn't a distinction,

You have not read my earlier response on this thread!!!!

[bnanno]

All Conservatories list Grade 8 distinction as a guide to the minimum standard of playing required. Then it depends on the talent they may see in you in your actual audtion.

Everyone who applies within the dates gets an audition. So you don't need to worry on that front.
However, competition is strong, and there a large number of applicants for every place on offer.

It also helps if you are a player of an instrument that is less common. One year it could be the viola, or the bass, etc. Certain instruments maybe listed as those of"need".

Your CV, personal statement are all important, but the audition itself is the key: your talent.

[Invidia]

Depends on the instrument and the place. I'm not getting into discussion about which schools are harder to get into because it will just start a debate and spoil your thread, but say for example you wanted to apply to RCM on a popular instrument such as the piano, then you'd need a standard more like LRSM distinction to stand a chance.

[lyndon80]

There is no requirement for Grade 8 distinction!!!

A friend of mine went to Royal Academy in 98 without having a Grade 8 at all (he was working towards it when he applied!!!)

I also know a singer who went to the Academy never having done a singing exam in her life. And she got a scholarship!!!