Junior Guildhall Kindergarten or Colourstrings Roehampton, SW London

[Wisteria36]

Lucky DS has reception place offers for both of these Saturday Kodaly schools - we have to decide today which one to go with. I can see advantages in both! Anyone got experience of either?

[whistleahappytune]

Hi there, faced a similar decision years ago between Colourstrings and Royal Academy. They both have excellent teachers, and fantastic musicianship programmes. In the end, I went with Colourstrings and I'm glad I did. The reasons that swung it for me were:

The Kindergarten in Colourstrings leads to one-to-one instrumental classes at Colourstrings, as opposed to group classes in RA (and I think Guildhall is the same). For string players especially, this makes a massive difference.

With Guildhall there's no automatic progession from Kindergarten on to the Junior programme. In fact they do a massive cull. If you are committed to a musical education for your DC that's a problem, as if you're one of the unlucky ones, you'll have to start from scratch, and it will be difficult to then gain access to Colourstrings or another institution.

The other thing is that Colourstrings is a smaller organisation, and can respond to any problems swiftly. I found this incredibly helpful, as opposed to a friend of mine at Guildhall who waited 3 and half weeks for a return call.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want to ask anything else.

[Wisteria36]

Thanks for replying, we're leaning towards colourstrings at the moment. Guildhall offered the place so early that we didn't know about cs so we accepted it but actually colourstrings makes a lot of sense on a practical level for us too. Ds is interested but I think not exceptional musically so I'm a bit worried he will be culled at GSMD!

[roastchicken]

I can't comment on Colourstrings, but the Guildhall definitely does individual string lessons from Yr2. The have group lessons as well in ensemble and rhythm and singing. My DD is in the first year of the string programme there. We have found it brilliant but a real commitment. The level of teaching is just excellent. They don't play an instrument for the first two years, but such good foundations have been laid that progress is quick once they do. This is really motivating for DD.

The selection process is tricky. I think around 1/2 to 1/3 make it through. from my observations, the selection was less on how talented the child was, but more on how keen the child was - not something that parents can control!

[Wisteria36]

Thanks, we've decided on Colourstrings in the end as it's much nearer to home and so less travel time and because of the non selective approach. Great to get some replies though, and to know there's so much good Kodaly teaching going on!

[gabr]

Hi

I wonder if anyone would mind updating how you little ones are doing at Colourstrings or Guildhall please? We have the same decision to make and not sure. My daughter is already attending Colourstrings and just been offered a place at Guildhall. I am under the impression that not everyone at Colourstrings progresses to an instrument from Kindergarden.

[Radiodependent]

Hi, i’m the op, several name changes later! Ds1 is still at Colourstrings Roehampton (though of course it’s moving to Kingston) and doing well with his instrument (not genius level but making good progress!). Ds2 is is towards the top of the kindergarten but we don’t feel he has the motor skills for an instrument yet. We have been very pleased with the support ds1 has had at Cs. He is in training orchestra now and the musicianship classes have ramped up to the point where they are doing dictation and stuff. He plays in other orchestras too but is always pleased to get back to Colourstrings. The top students there are at a very high standard (one 10 year old is going to the Menuin school) so I don’t think ds will outgrow it for quite a while and I don’t regret turning down GSMD as the journey would have been tough. Hope you find the right solution for your family.

[Radiodependent]

Ps everyone we know at cs did progress to an instrument from kindergarten but I have heard that at guildhall some are advised to leave and not progress to one.

[punimitsu]

Hello! So pleased to hear your kids are progressing to well! We’ve just started the First Strings Experience at Royal Academy of Music... DS loves it so far
We had tried for the Guildhall as we live just round the corner.
I was just wondering if anyone else had had an unpleasant experience with the administrative / application team?
We registered in November 2017 in good time, but never received a response.
When I chased twice (April and May) I was told they’d get back to me. They never did!

[Frogusha]

Hi punimitsu - yes, we've always had an unpleasant attitude from GS. For example they had wrong half term dates published on the website last year - I emailed and chased to confirm that I can rely on the website as I wanted DD to go on holiday. They didn't respond, we went on holiday - turned our the dates on the website were wrong and then they wrote to say we had unauthorised absence. So after the end of kindergarten we moved a local music school to us - Youth music centre in Henrietta Barnet school- and what a difference! The teachers and admin are absolutely lovely, they take kids from 2 so my youngest can go to, there is music theory and choir. I just wish we went there earlier..

[punimitsu]

Thanks Frogusha - good to know it’s not me! They do seem disorganised and arrogant... an unholy combination

[punimitsu]

And really great to hear you found an amazing school for your kids!

We’ve only had one class at RAM so far, but the staff have been lovely!

[Loubydoo]

Hi punimitsu - we just found out today that we have a place on First Strings Experience for our little on in September. Are you still enjoying it? Can I just check a practical thing... do you go in with them or wait outside? More importantly, would you recommend it? We are not a classical musical family but wanted to give her the opportunity to have a go and see if she likes it. Thanks.

[Loubydoo]

I meant to tag @punimitsu in my reply above

[punimitsu]

Hi loubydoo... yes, FSE is great!
Just one term in so far. It’s singing, following rhythms, learning melodies etc. for the first year... and yes, all the parents are at the back of the classroom, while the kids sit on chairs in a circle with the teachers.
We’re not a musical family either, but I’d totally recommend it... it’s a great starting point whatever instrument they end up playing in the future!
Bit worried about next year though... what’s it going to be like next year with 30 kids and 30 violins???! 😱😆

[Loubydoo]

@punimistu thanks for the info - it all sounds great and we are excited for her to start. I also applied to Guildhall (which is nearer to us) but doesn't sound as friendly and I understand they cull quite a few after the first year. 30 beginner violins in one room sounds like a recipe for ear plugs!

[yogirl]

Hi. I know this is an old thread but I found it useful back in early 2018 when looking for Kodaly schools for my then 18month DD. So wanted to add my experience to it.
I applied to Guildhall and also to Colourstrings Roehampton, which I only learnt of via this thread (I also put a note in the diary to apply for RAM FS). I was offered a place at CS in the baby class so DD started just before her second birthday. It’s been a huge success. She’s just finished her 3rd kindergarten year and moves into the (all important) reception class in September.

Here are my thoughts.
They are a lovely, friendly and, most importantly, approachable organisation. They’ve had some challenges with the move to Kingston uni and have just moved campus to Kingston Vale, which most parents see as a really good outcome. Then there was Covid-19! They have, in my view, been incredible. Moving straight to online teaching and moving back to face-to-face teaching as soon as they were allowed.

Although starting DD this early has meant an extra 3 years of giving up Saturday mornings (for her daddy 😁) it means she bagged a place early, is used to going, knows everyone in her class and knows what she’s doing. Her teacher (Nod) has also done a great job teaching her to sit, listen and give-it-a-go. Her pre-school and nursery have both commented on this. So I do think the educational outcomes are far more than just musicality. Keep this in mind as those 3 years can seem very repetitive and make you question why you’re doing it this early.

The only real downside to Colourstrings is getting there. Unless you live nearby you need to drive and Richmond/Kingston traffic can be a pain. Lots of parents come up the M3 and from SW/West London. It’s not in the congestion zone and there’s plenty of free parking. If you do live in Kingston you may be able to go to the one after-school class they do in a local church hall… and reclaim your weekends up to Yr2! Covid did at least give us a bit of a break from the traffic so the 3 years hasn’t been as big a commitment as it could have been, but we were glad to get back to face-to-face!

Anyway just to say I didn’t bother applying for FS at RAM and have just turned down a place at GH (and got a very nice, very prompt, reply to my email). I can’t see DD being happy to travel on the tube for an hour each way and and don’t know what parents would do there once children are dropped off (CS has good outdoor space, on-site cafe and parent rooms and pre-covid we bought a Chessington pass and would take her there for a couple of hours after class).

I don’t know if she will stay at Colourstrings until she’s 18. I would prefer somewhere she can get to on public transport, by herself, when she’s older. But unless she’s exceptionally good or bad I think she’ll stay until end of KS2 before we even think about anywhere else.

We are so lucky in London to have all these options (plus North London CS and other music schools) teaching Kodaly and rhythmics. I don’t think it matters at this age where they start so my advice would be pick the one that is easiest for you. It’s definitely more of a test of the parents motivation than it is for the little ones (or so my OH tells me 🤣).

NB. GH have increased their kindergarten intake to 6 classes from 4 in 2021/21.

[somewhereoverthe]

Hello, I am the op of this thread. Lovely to hear your experience @yogirl. My Ds is now going into year 8 and still at colourstrings- I have asked him if he wants to move but he loves the teachers there! My younger child (less talented but still keen on music) is also there and we love the new Kingston vale campus. I believe they have sent several kids on to central London JDs this year and one to a senior conservatoire music degree.