Hi I'm Eleanor or Ellie...

I'm 17 and in year 12. I play flute clarinet piano saxophone and guitar but have really given up sax and guitar, clarinet is on a backburner for now and only began piano in september.

I had a hopeless music experience in GCSE so learnt nothing so big catch up for A level at my new school.

I'm aiming for A's in my 4 AS subjects (music, music tech, psych and eng lit) and then to take 3 on (dropping eng lit) and to get A's in the others at A2.

I began real enthusiasm on my flute this year really, I have taken guidhall exams all my life (up to 6). I have decided to skip grade 7 and go straight to 8 whilst making a switch to ABRSM exams. So I've also been learning from Grade 0 - 5 theory for a couple of months and aim to take the exam on Feb 27 (i just need to pass - i'm not worried about distinctions here). All in preparation to be able to take grade 8 flute in the summer, after my as level exams.

Really i want distinction, to get into some orchestras so i have some experience before music college.

Oh yes music college. Really I think I want to go to RCM but I am also interested by Birmingham. After that I want to play professionally in orchestras and possibly teach if I have time/after a bit of time to settle down with a family.

I feel a bit snowed under really - do you think i'm pushing myself too far?

I'd appreciate anyone's support or advice from people who aimed high.

Thanks

Wow
im doing Music GCSE (next year)
Want to do those exact same A levels
AND want to go to the RCM/birmingham
(also plays flute picc. and piano)

Are you buy any chance my twin?
ROFL.

My advice would be, athough its cheasy, aim for the moon youll end up in the stars, so basically aim for A's and youll get in the area, Aim for D's and youll get around that area.

not very good but hey

Oh wow! I just realised you're hello cello!

I think we may be twins...

I always say "Aim for the stars and you might only reach the moon but aim for the moon and you might not leave the ground."

yay!

I think it's good to aim high as a general rule - if you reach for the stars you may at least catch the moon! Four AS levels is pretty normal, and I hope the Music department at your new school is good, so that you are helped to do well in your Music subjects.

As to flute grade 8, it's impossible for anyone on the forums to know how you'll do, as no-one has heard you play, but I'm sure your teacher will enter you only if (s)he thinks you will do well. Practice is the key, and particularly performance practice so that you have the chance to master your nerves a bit before grade 8.

Do be aware that London colleges like RCM are very difficult to get into, even with a diploma. That need not stop you applying to RCM, but make sure that you also apply to some less popular colleges.

As for feeling snowed under, I think that's pretty common in year 12. You will know if you reach a point where it's all too much, but until then I'd follow your dreams. It's always better to try to achieve your dream; even if it doesn't happen in the end, it's good to feel you gave it your best shot - and if it does happen you'll feel really great about it!

I was in the same situation as you, violinist and decided aged 15 to go for music college, unfortunately had 9 years of bad teaching behind me and absolutely no idea of technique. I'm taking a GAP year next year and my new teacher reckons I have a good chance (maybe even of a scholarship) at music college next year

However to get good quickly...
-I dropped all other instruments so I can practice 4 hours a day, much less than many violinists at my age.
-I basically put academics on the backburner as frankly you don't need A levels for music college (just as back-up). I would strongly recommend you drop one, probably music tech as this is blacklisted by most unis, to free up more time to practice.
-If your teacher isn't top class, get a new one (sorry to be blunt).
-Get some consultation lessons with conservatoire teachers, these can be like mini-auditions and give you an idea of how far you have to go before being accepted into music college.
-Don't rule out unis like KCL and Manchester which have free instrumental lessons at conservatoires and also get you a "proper" uni degree - I applied to these two this year.

Good luck. Don't give up!

Did you know that a Grade 8 pass on an instrument earns almost as many UCAS points towards University/College admission as a good A level, and a DIstinction at grade 8 earns more!

So if you get your grade 8 early that takes some pressure off your A-levels.

Apart from pointing that out, I just wanted to say that you should listen to Berkshire Mum!

Best wishes

pass at grade 8 is 55 UCAS points, which is equivalent to D at A level or A at AS. Merit is 70 and distinction is 75 (C at a level is 80).

Unfortunately very few unis use UCAS points to give offers, and they tend to be...less academic courses and unis who do so. Grade 8 is good, obviously, but it's really how you play, not what certificate you have.

That's what i've been worried about. I really want to be the best but am afraid i've started too late.


I've dropped the guitar and sax. I think the piano is probably kind of important so I do keep it ticking over as it seems to help with everything else. My clarinet is on a backburner but I don't know if i should leave it completely because i would like to do a grade on it after my flute gr8


My studies are still very important to me, surely if I manage my A's then it'll make me a more appealing candidate? Good grades must be important? As for music tech, it's not too complicated and i enjoy it - it gives me broader music ideas (pop and jazz aren't covered in my a level) than just having a level music

Don't worry about being blunt i'm looking at new teachers at the moment. It's hard to know what to do though as my old teacher has suddenly given me a lot of interest very recently and obviously she knows me very well so I don't know if it's more beneficial to stay with her or not.

I thought that consultation lessons were to help you choose your professors and stuff. Can you explain more?

I have looked at the manchester courses and other similar ones from other unis but the difference in facilities and opportunities for playing etc. are quite different...?


Thanks everyone for your supportive comments and stuff. Berkshire Mum, you're right so thanks

Not really - look at music college entrance requirements. Candidates from specialist schools rarely do more than 2 (music + music tech), your audition is the deciding factor, and a good audition = get in, pretty much regardless of anything else.


Yes, they can be. I have just taken a (long) lesson with a famous violinist to get some ideas on how much I need to do to get into music college. This guy taught my current teacher when he was at RCM, and is now retired, but my current teacher came along too (unusually). He was incredibly blunt, was kind about some aspects of my playing but explained how much work I have to do on other aspects, and showed me what kind of things I can do to sort myself out. It's not so much hearing new things that helps, but hearing them in a different way form someone uninvolved who isn't going to try and make you feel good. Also teachers tend to be a little out of the loop on conservatoires and getting an opinion from someone in the know and who might be involved in the auditions process is very worthwhile.


Facilities not so much, oppertunities yes, but bear in mind that at uni you will be nearer the top of the pile and get more oppertunities (concertos, recitals, higher orchestra positions etc) although the people you'll e playing with will probably be less interested...the environment is different.

Thanks bohemian, certainly given me some stuff to think about, much appreciated