Hey,

So i've just started doing AS levels at the moment. We are currently getting loads of talks about thinking of courses we might apply for at uni, so we can go and visit uni's.

I have been thinking I would like to study music at royal welsh college for music and drama. Only thing is i'm only grade 6 (haven't taken exam yet as still have braces ) on my first instrument (cornet). They ask for distinction grade 8 and i'm unsure as to whether I will be grade 8 in 2 years (remembering I have to apply next september). I've been thinking they probably won't even consider me if I haven't even got grade 8.

So what i'm asking really is what things should I concentrate on to get my standard up in a short space of time? Is it realistic or should I take a gap year to improve? Do they take in to consideration of 2nd and 3rd instruments, if so what grade? Would it be better to just go to a uni?

Any help and advice will be appreciated

Lisa x

Hi,

With regards to the grade 8 distinction, that depends entirely on the person, and we don't know you, so can't say. I'd consider how long it has taken you to get to grade 6 standard first. If Music is something you REALLY want to do, and grade 8 in 2 years doesn't seem do-able, I'd consider a gap year.

With some instruments like Cornet, they may not be as strict with the Grade 8 Distinction seeing as it's not as common. Music Colleges are more interested in talent and potential, they don't expect you to be amazing when you join (but grade 8 would probably help).

You need to be a high standard on your main instrument, but they would of course be interested if you can play other instruments too.

In answer to your question about considering university instead, it depends what you want to do with a music degree. If you're hoping to go into performance, they Music College would seem to be the obvious place, but if you're hoping to teach music, then university might be better as they seem to be more theory based.

Good luck!

It is worth remembering as well that you're likely to be auditioned to see if you're Gr 8 standard - so having a Gr 8 certificate isn't a necessity. Of course it helps but it is not the "be all and end all".

Why don't you get in touch with the Uni and share your thoughts, exactly as you've done on this forum? I know Uni seems a long way off and maybe a slightly daunting thing, but I'm sure the people there are just human beings and they should be interested in helping someone who might end up being a really good student of theirs! If you're 16 (?), you don't know things like that yet, so they can hardly think bad of you for asking. If anything, I think it'd show a bit of initiate and determination!

If you decide you're going to work like crazy to get in, you may as well make sure you're on the right track! Get as much information from them as possible - it'll help your decision.

Hey,

Thanks for all the replies, I think I would rather do performing so RWCMD is probably my best choice over uni.

Sharing my thoughts with the uni sounds like a good idea. How would I go about that? Write them a letter?
I think at the moment without the advice from them, I will go and audition anyway whether I am grade 8 or not. As it can't do any harm can it? and it will give me more practice at doing auditions. Then even if I don't get in, I can then take a gap year and I will know what to expect the following year.

Any more advice will be apreciated

Lisa x

Hey music fairy

If it's any use to you, I did not achieve a pass at Grade 8 until after I'd applied to uni, and still received offers, as they all expected to hear a performance at audition, and I played Grade 8 exam repertiore at each one. I was surprised to be called for interviews at all, as I had only passed grade 5 several years earlier and had taken a break from practical exams, mostly to concentrate on Theory...

The situation at RWCMD may be different as they will attach more importance to your playing ability prior to audition.

denmark

I'd look on their website for an open day, and if that seems too far away (they are often in the summer term) then make an appointment with the undergraduate admissions officer. Making an appointment means you will have more time to talk properly to them and get their advice. They may advise you take things like Practical Musicianship examinations to prove your musical potential, possibly advise a change of teacher, an upgraded instrument if that might be holding back your progress, possibly other experience they would take into account like orchestral experience that is at a high level. They may have a junior department you can audition for to try to accelerate your learning, may be able to put you in touch with masterclasses and such like that could improve your performance. They may even be prepared to hear you audition at your current level, or let you take a lesson with their teacher (for a fee) to get their comments on what you are doing. You will certainly not get anywhere by sitting and wondering, so get out there and see what advice you can get. They would prefer to see your statement says you didn't get your grade 8 quite yet but you went to this course and that course and used your initiative to push yourself forward rather than you got your grade 8 and then sat on your backside waiting for the audition date.

Remember that music colleges eat, sleep and breathe music, when you are not at lessons or practices you are at orchestra or ensemble, so if that lifestyle puts you off when you are trying to prepare for the potential audition then it's probably not for you.

Final piece of advice - apply everywhere. You may set your heart on one place and love it to bits, but you might not get it. And we are not always right about how somewhere comes over on paper, you might get your bottom choice and absolutely adore it there.

Good luck.

If you're considering Royal Welsh then go and have a look at the open days of other conservatoires, you never know, you might find that you like another just as much
Also, I totally agree about contacting them, I'm applying there at the moment and they've been so friendly and helpful with everything. Also, it may not be an oppurtunity to talk seriously about whether to apply, but I know that there's an open house event going on there on the 31st October, which would be an oppurtunity to go and see what they do.
Best of luck with everything

I don't mind eating, sleeping and breathing music I do that anyway =] I will definitely find out when the open days are. The open house looks good will try to go to that.
I'm not sure of other places I would like to go to. The music colleges in london look good, I've got a friend who is currently studying at RCM and loves it, but I don't think being that far away from home is me.

If you live in Bristol, it's not too far, it's an hour and a half by train to where I am (same line as you), so it can only be 20 minutes on top of that. My parents told me once they went to university, they hardly went home anyway because you have so many distractions like friends, studying etc, that you just don't feel the need to go home that often. My Mum lived near Wells and went to Manchester university, and didn't find distance a problem, there's always the phone.