Autumn term 2019 music thread

[thirdfiddle]

September is looming, the old thread is getting full - I think it's time for a new music thread. This is a support thread for parents of children who are into music or indeed just thinking about giving it a try.

Perplexed about starting the piano? Experimenting with ensembles? Concerned about college applications? All welcome here. Huge thanks to those lending their expertise and sage advice and particularly wafflenose for starting the threads.

So, new school year, what's new with your mini musicians?

[thirdfiddle]

And to introduce my clan:
DS is 10, piano and brass. DD is 7, piano and violin. Variously grade 2-3ish both of them. DD is currently the more enthusiastic about music but DS is trying out for his first wind band this term so it'll be interesting to see what he makes of that. Mini string orchestra was DD's favourite thing last school year, I'm hoping she will still love it now she's been moved up to a slightly more serious group. I'm a keen amateur string player myself and trying but increasingly failing to keep up with piano accompaniments for the kids.

[Drabarni]

Hi.
I nc quite a bit as mine is easily identifiable, by studies and school, not fame Busy GCSE year and lots of assessments for place in 6th form, and of course the usual fb networking that is important from such an early age now.
Had a busy summer working at festivals, family of musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers.
We travel a lot, but have a property too.
Back to school Sunday, then back on the road until Christmas, coming back inside for half term.
Looking forward to some structure again but will no doubt be sobbing on monday when dc back at school.

[Boyskeepswinging]

Thank you for the new thread Third! My DS is a percussionist currently playing in probably way too many ensembles but he loves it and it keeps his Xbox habit under control. This year will be interesting as we try to balance his playing and GCSEs.

[PetraDelphiki]

Checking in to remind everyone to come to Edyo.info if at all possible - lovely small orchestra for 9-15 ish!

Dd(12) would like other brass or viola players to join her there!

[PetraDelphiki]

With link I hope ... edyo.info/ sorry the website is pants!

[raspberryrippleicecream]

Thanks third.

I have DS2, brass, piano, voice and organ. Just about to start JD for brass and piano. Organ takes a very back seat at the moment. Just done GCSEs and now to balance A levels and music!

I have older DC at uni, DS1 plays in many ensembles at uni. DD didn't take her instrument last year, but has missed it and is planning to take it this year and join wind band.

[thirdfiddle]

Hi folks, good to have company on the new thread. Drabarni, that sounds like a busy lifestyle. It's interesting about the networking - and that they still use Facebook, I though that was just us old fogeys! Or is fb something else in msic circles?
Good luck to your not so minis with exam years. We only have year 6 SATS to deal with, though trying to use that to encourage DS to pull his thumb out and and put a bit of effort into schoolwork. If he put as much effort into doing work/practice than he puts into avoiding it, he'd do well...

[Drabarni]

third

They have networking classes and mine has a music page where gigs/concerts are listed, with hundreds of musicians as fb friends.
Yes, it's really the best networking tool as you can do so much and it's so easy.
We keep our eye on it, but as a musical family dh has the same friends and they know they are dealing with a minor.
You can get so much out of it even by just posting what you're up to, inspired by, or listening to atm.

[Drabarni]

Boys, ditto with the GCSE's we'll have to keep each other company.
Hopefully the level 3 so far in a few subjects can be brought up to at least a level 4, so much work this year.

[Owensarmadillo]

Hi everyone
Wouldn’t mind some musical company
Dd is just about to start a different school for 6th form and is doing music A level music as one of her choices. Anyone else?
She plays clarinet ( Abram grade8) and piano ( no grades but doing well to my untrained ear)

[Boyskeepswinging]

Waves to Drabarni! Yup, this year is where it all starts to feel a bit serious. It's the balance between keeping up with his music, doing the best he can in his GCSEs and squeezing in some time for a social life! A really interesting school trip has already had to be abandoned as I'm already getting concerned about how much time he'll have for revision with all his playing commitments. It really brought it home to me on GCSE results day earlier this month - that's us next year - gulp!

[PaddingtonPaddington]

Hello I’m an occasional poster. DD plays violin and piano and also going into year 11 so GCSEs rapidly approaching. As well as school orchestra and string group she plays in a local string group outside of school which has been really good for her confidence and sight reading. She’s got an audition next week for another orchestra and really nervous about it as she really wants to get in.
Thanks for starting the autumn thread.

[cocopops]

Thanks for the new thread- I managed to hide the summer one and can’t seem to access without undue effort!

Well DD had her induction today at RCS JD. She can’t wait to start next week. All change for her- not only has she changed piano and oboe teachers to RCS , she has also changed her voice teacher as this is her Nat 5 year and I didn’t want her missing lessons at school for it. Fingers crossed it all works out !

Loved the vibe at RCS- wish it were me but that would be 30 years too late!

[raspberryrippleicecream]

Owensarmadillo DS2 is going into Y12 and doing A level music. He will be the only one in his cohort.

[Owensarmadillo]

Cool Raspberry
I think there will be 5 or 6 in dds A level music class . She’s doing edexcel exam board.

[Drabarni]

Boy's it's a hard balance. Mine has found a new passion this summer and has learned to scat, oh dear
Back tomorrow and so ill prepared.

[hopelesschildren]

Hi, How do your dc choose their exam pieces? For some instruments it hasn't been too difficult as most exam pieces are on YouTube, However for one of them there seem to be a choice of 10 pieces in each category, all different books and struggle to find them on YouTube (although some are in a related instrument).

[Lotsofmilkonesugar]

Thanks for starting the new thread thirdfiddle
hopelesschildren you could ask the teacher to play through the list so they can choose, although if there’s 10 options that would take a while! As they get older they often have favourite composers/genres anyway so you can narrow it down. We often learn a few pieces from each list and choose closer to the day, better value out of the books that way!
We’re slowly gearing up for the autumn term, DD is looking forward to starting some new repertoire after working on the same pieces for a while, DS1 is moving to a French horn teacher from a general brass teacher for his grade 6, younger ones have done very little over the summer so need to get back into practising.. might be painful!!

[Jensboys]

Thanks for the new thread. We’ve had a busy summer of music. DS1(15) with LYWB and Brass Academy. Will have to see how he copes with GCSE’s and music commitments this year. DS2(10) been busy with NCO and Brass Academy. Soon to start Junior Guildhall, with a new trumpet teacher. Not sure how this will pan out but I hope the experience will bring on his technique and playing.

[thirdfiddle]

My kids certainly haven't chosen from whole range of exam music, teacher has just given them some pieces with maybe one or two options. Sometimes she plays them a couple in the lesson to choose between but it's never been the whole list, or even the whole book for piano where they are in the same book. Do you need to choose yourselves hopelesschildren (I'm sure they're not!)? I'd go for familiar tunes or composers, styles DC like (they like the jazzy ones!), books that might have other pieces of interest later. And maybe one or two spare to give DC some choice.

[thirdfiddle]

Sounds like some exciting new starts lotsofmilk and jens!

[Comefromaway]

Ds has spent the summer creating a 2nd keyboard part and click track for his school musical.

It’s GCSE year. We have no idea how he is going to do. His autism means he has trouble focusing (except on music where he is hyper-focused). Trying to get him to knuckle down to Grade 5 theory to support uni applications in a few years time. He’s pretty good at theory, just not the sitting and doing a paper bit!

[hopelesschildren]

Thank you all for replying suggestions. Problem is that we don't have the books yet, and most books only have 1 or at most 2 pieces from the whole exam lists.
Dc likes to choose her pieces herself...

[thirdfiddle]

Do you have a teacher on board? They'll likely have enough of the books for some choice. Plus any ones you found on YouTube for a few extra? And any in whatever book DC is playing when not doing exams? I wouldn't expect to try all 30, I don't know anyone who does that teachers included.

[thirdfiddle]

Oh, and was also going to say - try IMSLP for any classical options. Won't be the right edition/edit but gives you (or DC) an idea of the music.