Should I apply for the Royal academy of music?

So, I would really appreciate some honest opinions!!
I'm 16 years old music scholar and currently studying for my AS Levels and I have been playing piano for 10 years and violin for 8 years. I am sitting my grade 8 exam in both instruments next term! At school I do orchestra, choir, chamber choir, pop band and I was also part of a county orchestra.

At first,my parents made me do piano so that I wasn't just academic and at first it was a bit of a chore but now music's become my life, which is why I also took up the violin.

My A level options are : music, history, economics and English literature. At GCSE music achieved A*.

Basically, my parents didn't think music would be more than a small hobby and that I would become so obsessed with it, and when I told them I wanted to do music, they were not very happy.

My back up course is to do English Literature or Law but my dream is to do music at the royal academy, and I just wanted some honest opinions on whether I would stand the slightest chance of getting into RAM and take a risk?

Thank you!

So, I would really appreciate some honest opinions!!
I'm 16 years old music scholar and currently studying for my AS Levels and I have been playing piano for 10 years and violin for 8 years. I am sitting my grade 8 exam in both instruments next term! At school I do orchestra, choir, chamber choir, pop band and I was also part of a county orchestra.

At first,my parents made me do piano so that I wasn't just academic and at first it was a bit of a chore but now music's become my life, which is why I also took up the violin.

My A level options are : music, history, economics and English literature. At GCSE music achieved A*.

Basically, my parents didn't think music would be more than a small hobby and that I would become so obsessed with it, and when I told them I wanted to do music, they were not very happy.

My back up course is to do English Literature or Law but my dream is to do music at the royal academy, and I just wanted some honest opinions on whether I would stand the slightest chance of getting into RAM and take a risk?

Thank you!

.

I hope you won't feel too disheartened, but the honest (and realistic) answer is no. If you were a singer or were learning an instrument which isn't as popular (such as the double bass), I would say you could seriously consider it. Where violin and piano are concerned, however, it will just be too competitive. I am saying this because I was in a similar situation to yourself- I started off playing violin 'as a hobby', then happened to get good at it, at least compared to others at my school and in my local orchestra. I actually wish my parents had taken more of an interest in my A level and university choices, as there were all sorts of things I could have done (in areas such as science and maths as well as in the arts), considering that I did well across the whole range in my GCSEs. My parents' indifference to my choices led me to choose to study music as, not having seen what else was out there, I thought I was good and had a chance of becoming a professional orchestral musician. Not having been given any realistic advice from either parents or teachers, I tried to get into prestigious music colleges such as the Royal Northern and was gutted when I didn't get in. However, I later found out that people selected to study at places such as the RNCM and RAM to specialise in popular instruments such as violin or piano had very often been to music school, had been having tuition from a teacher at one of these prestigious colleges or had been attending Saturday School at one of them. They had also usually taken Grade 8 by the age of about 14.

I wouldn't like to tell you what to study instead, but I have read in the press that English Literature graduates do not have particularly good employment prospects these days. I am not so sure about Law, so you might want to find out more about your chances of getting a job in this area, although I have seen articles claiming that far too many people do Law degrees compared to the number of available jobs. I don't know how good you are in science subjects but perhaps it would be worth pursuing them? I know of a few people who were in youth orchestras who went off to study medicine, but there are a wide variety of degrees you could do having studied science subjects. Of course you could always do a university degree in music (which is what I did) but think carefully about whether you really want to do this, as there is quite a high chance of you ending up teaching music (rather than being a professional performer) if you choose this route.

Hi lilypark_

I've never posted on this forum before - but a random google search has brought your post to my attention. I felt compelled to answer after reading the first response to your question.

Before I go on - a little about me. I completed my undergraduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music and am currently auditioning for master's degrees at the Royal Northern, Royal College and Royal Academy of Music. I've had short break from studying - in which time I have played on multiple occasions with one of the best orchestras in the world and have quickly established a thriving teaching practice - not to mention being in regular demand as a freelance player in orchestras, musicals and operas across the country - as well as having won prizes in two top music competitions. I'm a flute player - so I like to think I know a thing or two about competitive instruments. I'm not telling you this from vanity's sake - but so that you hopefully understand I have an opinion worth considering on the matter. I did not go to a specialist music school.

Undeniably - the standard at every UK music college is very high due to the volume of people applying. This is even more observable at the top institutions (RAM, RCM, Guildhall, RNCM, RCS) as many of these are the first choice for people applying from the world over. This competition is increased dramatically as a piano, violin, flute, clarinet, trumpet (etc) player.

If music has become your LIFE - then you should be the exact sort of person these institutions are looking for. You need to be able to play your pieces and scales to a VERY high standard in auditions (start preparing NOW) but equally you need to demonstrate your utter desperation to pursue a career in music. No matter how good you are - if you don't demonstrate this craving to pursue music professionally in your audition - you will stand little chance of getting in (in my opinion). From a technical point of view - everything you can't do: assume your competitors can - and work like crazy on it.

Many of my colleagues (who have likewise gone on to very successful careers as orchestral musicians, chamber/solo musicians and teachers) have never taken a grade exam in their life. This is absolutely no indication of your ability or potential. I know one such player who has failed their ABRSM diploma exam (three?) times and sits in one of the top seats in one of the countries most prestigious ensembles. I myself failed grade one flute (not to mention the collection of GCSE Bs and A-level Ds (plus one fail) I picked up a school).

My advice to you would be to have a consultation lesson with a TOP teacher at several of the institutions you're interested in. I wouldn't limit yourself to the Royal Academy by any means. There are many, many good players coming out of traditionally less prestigious colleges (RWCMD? BC? LCM?) who are going on to very successful careers. One of the current young hot properties in the orchestral world is an RWCMD grad (and is beating Guildhall, RAM, RCM, RNCM students to most posts). Meet as many people as you can - go on summer schools and for lessons with teachers at the colleges. Professors at either of these will be able to tell you how suitable your playing CURRENTLY is for music college. Above all - work hard - and listen to as many great performers as you can.

And if you don't get in to music college? No biggy. If music really is your LIFE and your work and determination reflects that you will give yourself a very good chance of succeeding.

I know two maths graduates and one languages graduate who are three of the most successful flute players in the country. Similarly, I know dozens of music college graduates who work in retail, law, as doctors - etc etc..

Get some professional advice! Please feel free to ask any questions.

P.S. Absolutely no disrespect to the poster above. Theirs is a valid opinion - but I thought you should see the other side of the coin from a music professional.

If your dream is to do Music at RAM, go for it! It's horrendously competitive though so do remember that there are other 8 conservatoires you could study at in the UK so it'd be well worth looking into them too. It's your decision what you want to study, not your parents. You need to pick something you'll be happy spending the next 3 years doing and that prepares you well for what you want to do. If you don't get in you could always take a different well respected course at university, I never applied to conservatoires but I'm planning on taking LTCL or LRSM whilst studying Maths in a couple years time

Thank you for your advice, I know it's not up to my parents but they are very controlling over me when it comes to my studies. I think I will apply for Law and I'll leave music to fate. If I'm destined to do it, then something will happen. Good luck with your flute and I hope you get offers from your applied universities

I have to agree with the posts mentioned above, RAM is extremely difficult to get into.

Like mentioned before I don't want you to feel disheartened but the number of places and applicants is just ridiculous. I am a double bassist myself and even with fewer double bass applicants theres still way to many applicants.

You have to remember that there are junior conservatoires and private schools (Wells, Purcell, some others... I can't remember) that all are applying for conservatoires, which isn't exactly fair. (but then music never is)

Anyway the CV from the people who have been given places has been amazing as these schools often have world wild competition.

I have applied to Birmingham and Trinity this year and I would still recommend all the other courses but the standard is still very high. I know quite a few gradutes from LCM who went onto post-graduate study at RAM.

Also grades make absolutely no difference to whether or not they'll give you a place, it really is down to your CV and how you play on the day.

I know a local pianist who has played with some of the top jazz musicians in the country and still didn't get a place at RAM, remember there are plenty of other great conservatoire and some of the teacher often teach between different conservatoires.

Thank you, got an offer yesterday Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, even if you choose not to go into a career of music it will always be a fantastic hobby

I know two maths graduates and one languages graduate who are three of the most successful flute players in the country. Similarly, I know dozens of music college graduates who work in retail, law, as doctors - etc etc..

Thank you so much for a detailed answer. I've been in so many arguments with my parents over this and I'm not disheartened at all by you or any of the other comments, I just needed the truth because all my friends would go 'you're amazing lily' but that's friends for you.
I have absolutely no problem sticking to music as a hobby, I was just worried whether I would ever regret not taking music and look back and think, what if?

Just in case music doesn't work out, I have been preparing for Law, I've received work experience (shadowing) and also experienced some court cases. I value what you say that Law is extremely tough to succeed in after university. In music you need talent, whereas I think if I tried my utmost best in my A levels, I have a chance of getting a good placement after Law

In my music class currently, I have 2 very close male friends who are both massively talented. They're both definite about pursuing music as a career, and I guess I'm just jealous that they can both do what they want...

@Metamorphosis646 […] In my view (although this almost never happens), students are better off spending the money on […] high quality recordings. This is reflected in the biographies of many slightly older performers, who didn't have exams to take, and just spent all of their pocket money on great records.

So, I would really appreciate some honest opinions!!
I'm 16 years old music scholar and currently studying for my AS Levels and I have been playing piano for 10 years and violin for 8 years. I am sitting my grade 8 exam in both instruments next term! At school I do orchestra, choir, chamber choir, pop band and I was also part of a county orchestra.

At first,my parents made me do piano so that I wasn't just academic and at first it was a bit of a chore but now music's become my life, which is why I also took up the violin.

My A level options are : music, history, economics and English literature. At GCSE music achieved A*.

Basically, my parents didn't think music would be more than a small hobby and that I would become so obsessed with it, and when I told them I wanted to do music, they were not very happy.

My back up course is to do English Literature or Law but my dream is to do music at the royal academy, and I just wanted some honest opinions on whether I would stand the slightest chance of getting into RAM and take a risk?

Thank you!