Summer Term Music and Music Exams Thread

Should be fine - it's expected, often specified, and I'd encourage my students to do so as stylistically appropriate.

OTOH, I was marked down in my grade 8 violin for playing Vivaldi with a) extremely little vibrato and b) loads of ornamentation. And I know it was that, because the mark was noticeably lower than my other pieces and I've always had good intonation etc. not used vibrato to disguise it! Think he just thought "Oh, she can't do vibrato in this one and doesn't know what the notes on the page are..."

DD1 had a reel in one of her very early recorder exams - poss grade 3 - and that was uneven too (not jazz tradition obvs, but it's the same difference really). She got a distinction so it was obviously ok.

Apparently tonight's show was a triumph. I'm not going till Friday, they should have ironed out issues with the fake blood by then.

No, that should be fine. DD2 has done 'the jazzy piece' in her flute exams, and she has always 'swung' (jazz inégal) - I'm pretty sure the music gives that direction too (but can't check right now). She's done that for grade 3 and 4 flute certainly, possibly not grade 1 or 2, seems a long time ago (but only 2 years). DD2 is doing a jazz standard for her grade 8 singing, and she's swinging that. DS has had jazz pieces in his standard clarinet exams too, and swung them. But if you're not sure, have a listen to the CD.

I have a daft question, didn't want to start a new thread and hope somebody in the know can help.

Ok, would you get marked down if you were playing a jazzy piece but not in the jazz exam and you were swinging and bending notes?

I have looked in the rules, policies etc and can't find the answer.
The piece involved she swings like a gud un but maybe not what they want to hear in a non jazz exam.

It's show week for us here. The DCs will be hearing the people sing all week and twice on Wednesday and Saturday. Luckily DD1 is all better - she would have been devastated if she had had to drop out. Bizarrely DS seems the most excited one, even though he is only background chorus at all times, whereas DD1 has a small feature part and DD2 has a bigger feature part. I'm very proud of DS though because it looked like being a bit out of his comfort zone (he enjoys stage acting but is less enamoured, usually, of MT) but he has completely embraced it, and really thrown himself into the whole process.

And after show week we have the small matter of DD2's piano and singing exams!

Theas - will your DD be going to recorderfest in Birmingham?

Will there be anyone left who actually wants to listen to classical music?

Herc Really glad to hear your DD1 is home now.

Thea DD1 not auditioning, has another course NYRO week. She doesn't even fancy the playing day, as had so much on this term.

Ishouldbeweaving that sounds similar to DD1's previous school. when she left last year, 'orchestra' was down to about 8' with maybe 5 showing up regularly. But plenty of X-factor and BGT hopefuls. AS music didn't run this year due to lack of applicants

My Dcs Junior school (state) has an fantastic reputation locally for music, they have an amazing curriculum leader in school who does fantastic things with them, but obviously that is possible because the head and governing body thing its important.

They are visiting and playing for other local schools currently to try and inspire other children to see what is possible.

And as already stated, my older DCs secondary is also amazing. It is out of catchment for us but well worth the bus fares. They have excellent well subsidized lessons in school, and it is compulsory to play in one of the big groups. DS1 is part of a programme with them visiting primary catchment schools and playing for them.

Our Music service went through a bit of a downturn locally a few years ago, I actually wrote to the LA (encouraged by the instrument teachers) the term there were no groups available except for the Grade 4 and above band. Since then the Junior group has started again and the Youth Orchestra which is developing from Junior to Senior, there are some very enthusiastic people involved.

We live in quite a remote, well spread out County, an hour away at least from any other kind of music provision so I think we are lucky to have the service we do.

Having v little music provision for children encourages initiative. My DD plays in 2 adult ensembles. She joined them when she was only around gr 3 standard and clung on somehow, and is now accepted there on merit rather than out of kindness! But she's musical. Not so easy for those who aren't particularly. I wonder how much music will be left when this generation grows up. I heard someone worrying about that recently - talking about a drop in people who are good enough to go to conservatoire, because there is simply no music in schools.

I was interested to hear about the audition Wafflenose, thank you for telling us about that. Good luck with exam week Teabiscuit, I hope it goes well and well done to Clobbered's DS for the G7 theory result.

On music in state schools - DS's school has 1300 pupils so it's a big one but there appears to be next to no music in school other than X Factor wannabe singers. There is an ensemble of about five, they are all from my son's year and I have a suspicion that he's hunted them down and press ganged them into playing at lunchtime. I don't know how many musicians are hiding and don't play in school because it's not cool, no doubt they will surface next year when DS starts GCSE music.

Hedgehogs we are so lucky too. Loads at school, and the schools music service is now an independent organisation and managing to keep going too.

Herc - this all sounds amazing. Where we live there is almost no music in state schools. Our local v large comprehensive doesn't have a single instrumental group. Where you live makes such a difference to musical opportunities.

Hello teabiscuit. Good luck to your DD.

Waffle I'm glad your DD had such a positive experience. Good for her. Hope you have a nice relaxing summer now.

Herc my DD was off school for 3 days last week, with compounded minor ailments, again. If it had been something more serious I doubt either she or I would have realised it straight away. Hope she continues to get better.

DS2 is off to secondary for Primary Music Week, they have a wonderful week of ensemble, orchestra and singing, DD is helping so also has a week off schoolwork.

Various concerts happening too, and I have just returned from a shopping trip to kit DS1 out for his school band trip next week.

Yes working from Trinity books. When we did ABRSM I didn't feel like the practice books were completely relective of the exam.

As long as the practice books you have are up to date, the examples given in them should be exactly the same standard as the ones in the exam. Stupid question, but are you working from Trinity books? (There are all sorts out there!)

Just heard today that DS2 (13) passed his Grade 7 Theory (Trinity). Taught him myself so we're both chuffed to bits :)

Hello ..new here and it's an exam week for us! DD has violin G4 and Piano G2 both Trinity. Anyone know how if the sightreading and Aural at G4 is comparable to that in the Practice books?

Phew, it must be a relief, waffle nose, to have the audition out of the way. Enjoy your summer!

Thanks raspberry and weaving :) it's been a horrible few days but she's back home now and much better. I'm almost able to smile about giving her a right talking to on Wednesday about manning up and not staying off school for every little imagined ailment. Almost.

Hercshipwright, I'm glad to hear that your daughter is out of hospital, it must have been a horrible time for all of you.

Sorry Herc I hadn't read that bit properly about your DS1. I'm glad she's doing OK.

As I said, Dd1 auditioned at Easter.

Circular - thanks. She's much better, and home now. It's been a hideously worrying few days though.

Who has a DC auditioning for nyro other than me?

I know they all play plastic basses but I agree most are not from the first batch to hit the uk virtually ( 1992 , the receipt is still in the case £105 or £115 I believe) and I agree it does have an elastic band working the key, and a very dodgy top C sharp- but all keyed basses do! She'll have to cope.

I'll offer her my great bass to try maybe... ( she won't be able to reach - it's a Lockwood- direct blow and keys that look like a Sputnik !)

A decent bass is, well, not affordable is it. The schools recorder sinfonia have some lovely light Yamaha ones but we don't have access as they've all left now.

Herc London NYRO playing day not till 29 June, and auditions going on that day. Hope your DD is fit and well soon.