Summer Term Music and Music Exams Thread

Waffle it sounds like you two are naturally musical - DD started cello at that age and I think we were still on twinkle a year later - she completely refused to do anything outside lessons. She then suddenly got enthusiastic (that is actually agreed to practice) and took grade 1 last Easter at age 7 and will take grade 5 when she has just turned 9. On the other hand she did grade 1 clarinet this week after two terms of lessons. For a non-musician like me it's all a bit of a mystery. Dd now planning grade 1 singing and piano in dec, along with grade 5 cello, grade 2 clarinet and grade 2 or 3 theory. I, on the other hand, have no intention of agreeing to such a plan!

Maybe cello is going to be her 'thing' like recorder is DD1s?

She is doing well isn't she. Especially as she is learning a new clef too.

Mine have never done Initial so I have no idea what's involved.

Thank you Theas, that was a lovely way for me to start the morning.

Beautiful voice - loving the clips of all of your children Theas and Waffle!

Gorgeous Theas. You are right to be proud of her.

Well they are public domain postings so I can't see why I can't share. Audio not video so don't expect the pic to move lol

Firstly " the day job" as it were ( she's singing the 3rd part on the right in the photo )

Then... Um letting their hair down ( again she's hamming up the " bass" ). Blatantly stolen from her brothers barbershop group.

So, " hobby" music can still be great fun and good quality!

Good luck to your DH, and to you!

We are waiting to see what the new repertoire is for Trinity and ABRSM to see which way to go next for DS2. His teacher now does both boards depending on child and the pieces on offer. She is intent on DS2 being ABRSM Grade 8 on piano though.

Have fun with your trombone summer. With two trombonists here I am a big fan.

We'll have G5 theory next year. He says he wants to take G6 too because of the composition, we'll see how keen he is about that when the time comes. This is going to be the summer of the trombone, we found one we could borrow for a while and it's currently living down the back of the settee. It's embargoed until after his audition at the end of July. His arms must be four inches longer than the last time he played one so he might find that the positions aren't where he thinks they should be.

I'm looking forward to a year with no exams (other than theory which he could pass today) because I am hoping that DH isn't going to rush to G8 piano. The new repertoire comes out at the beginning of July so that's something to look forward to. Or not.

I'd like to see it Theas. Can you PM me the link if you don't want to put it publicly.

And Waffles videos were lovely, her DD is gorgeous.

Shakyisle Well done to your little misses.

Separate exams won't happen here for any instruments learnt at school because they only do one session.

Next year will include Grade 8s for DS1 and DD, Grade 5 trombone for DS2 and Grade 5 theory, possible autumn but more likely spring.

Piano exam for DS2 dependant on board and theory.

He is going to have formal clarinet lessons when he starts secondary in September, rather than the ad hoc lessons he gets off a friend at present.

But it will be his 3rd (4th if you count Cathedral Choir) and I am going to discourage exams, I think. He will also have his RSCM silver award to do.

Really pleased his teacher didn't enter him for Grade 5 trombone this term. She wanted him to have fun with his music and enjoy the last term of Year 6 which he is. School orchestra is going round some other local schools to encourage them in music-making, plus lots of other things going on. And the Y6 musical in July

Waffle posted a video and I missed it? waah!

Is it OK to link to u tube thing of DD1? I'm v proud and it shows where you can be at 20 even if music is " just a hobby". (and it's lready public domain, audio only so I'm not causing any isshoos with posting other peoples " kids" or anything)

Gosh lots gone on since I was here last!

Good luck to all the auditionees and exam kids, and nerves of steel for the mums!

We are kind of coming out the end of all this now. DS has , possibly taking his last music exam. (recent CBSO youth audition... rejection- expected as conservatoire locally and students audition from there) .

Music service audition awaited then maybe grade 7 clarinet for DD2 but she's not that fussed - just 15 so ages to get to 8 before end of education.

It's a younger version that they've run a few times to cater for talented younger children. The Feeder scheme has a lot of teenagers on it, so I can see the point of a younger scheme.

Waffle - From what you've said about her I think she has a good chance. But they may put her in the induction scheme (they sometimes put some of the younger children together in a small group which meets less often, just for a year while they grow up a bit). On Sat there was a just 8 year old who had grade 4 cornet.

DD is taking 3 ABRSM exams on Wed, including Gr 5 Practical Musicianship, which should be interesting.
She attended an audition for SWMS at the weekend. She was in it last year but they have to re-audition. She'll be upset if she doesn't get in this time.

I am hoping the children take exams at separate times in future. Two at once raises the stress levels - for me! Good luck to everyone!
Best wishes to the Mr, i shouldbeweaving.

Congratulations to the Misses Shakyisles, it's a lovely feeling when it's all done and dusted.

I still have three evenings practice to look forward to before DH is done, by the time he was finished last night he was smiling so there's hope that Thursday might not be a total nightmare.