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Original poster

What to do about DD2s school music teacher- advice please.

30 replies

Downnotout · 11/10/2011 22:02

DD2 has been having singing/ piano lessons at school for 3 years. She is 9. In singing she is working for grade 3. Piano she has been working to grade 1 for ages. She has passed all her exams at distinction so far. Is placed 1st or 2nd in music festivals.

She also sings in the junior section of a very well known choral society, and has been a soloist for them- she won their special award this year.

Her music teacher was not entering her in local music festivals last year as the age group was under 12 and she said there was no point as DD was too young but her choral teacher suggested she enter a couple and she came 2nd in both ( beating others from school 2 years above.)

I think her school teacher has taken offence at this, but there was none intended and I did check with her beforehand. I have found out today that she has entered some girls again for festivals and not DD. As for piano, she has been plodding away at grade 1 pieces for two years, we have been through two different sets of grade one books and theory books and still she has not put her in for her exam. DD has been ready for sometime.

Last year the teacher suggested DD would be a candidate for music scholarships by year 6 and told me she should be able to get to grade 5 singing and grade 3 piano easily by then. She also plays another instrument.

DD is frightened of her teacher. She says she shouts if she gets things wrong. I have heard of other children giving up because she can be really nasty to them. I think she is sapping DDs confidence.

I don't think DD is a prodigy or anything but she loves her music. When she's alone at home she learns things off you tube like Time to say Goodbye, flower duet, Ave Maria but says that is her "secret voice" and that she's afraid to sing that way in front of her teacher. She is also doing exams through Trinity Guildhall as her teacher says the Royal College of music ones are ridiculous for young children. Her choral teacher disagrees and says they are better.

I'm not musical so I don't know. But she hasn't been entered for any exams this term and is learning a piece from Glee?.. In singing and having perfected her grade one pieces is starting a different piece in piano again. Does this sound right?

OP posts:
Original poster
Downnotout · 12/10/2011 12:30

Thanks for your replies.

I feel silly having let this continue so long without questioning her methods tbh. I think she wants everyone to pass with distinction, that is why things move so slowly. DD passed her grade 2 with the highest % the teacher had ever had so it looks good for the teacher but gets very dull when you take a year to learn 3 songs to perfection.

I know grades and music festivals aren't the be all and end all but i do think they're valuable experience and if the teacher is entering others but not DD, when she knows she sails through them makes me Wonder why.

DD gets so much more out of the choral- regular concerts, the opportunity to sing solos, workshops and most of all, encouragement. All for £3 a week as opposed to the very expensive lessons in school.

I think I will ask to speak to her ( we never get that opportunity funnily enough) and ask around for alternatives.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
snailoon · 12/10/2011 12:02

I would switch piano teachers immediately. Ask for recommendations for a good piano teacher from other parents and teachers of other instruments who have children themselves if you know any.
Would her choral coach give her singing lessons or recommend a teacher?
I would try to find a teacher who realises that learning music isn't about exams and competitions. Exams can be useful at times, but are quite an artificial goal. Many professional musicians and serious students don't bother with them at all.
Certainly, she shouldn't be scared of her teacher.

LittleMissWoodscommaElle · 12/10/2011 11:49

No singing exams are better as such but they do have different emphasis.

ABRSM are mor of a classical approach to be honest the syllabus is rather old fashioned (same pieces as when I did them 20 years ago and they can put some children especially older beginners off.

trinity are a mix of classical/legit style musical theatre (think Oliver & Sound of Music rather than Wicked.

London College do musical theatre exams - these are very popular and kids are encouraged to sing in a range of styles from legit (old fashioned musicals as above) to more popular styles.

A good teacher will choose the exam board accoring to the interest and aptitude of her pupils. I also beleive that children whilst learning good technique should learn that different voice qualities should be used for different types of song.

it sounds like your dd needs a change of teacher.

snice · 11/10/2011 22:09

I don't know a lot about this but I do know that I wouldn't send my daughter to a teacher she was scared of

snice · 11/10/2011 22:08

I don't know a lot about this but I do know that I wouldn't send my daughter to a teacher she was scared of