May Music Thread

*obviously the friend's daughter got into NLCS not my friend.

I have a friend who got into NLCS and while innate ability is obviously needed (due to the fact that no amount of practice will get you into such a school if the dc isn't naturally academic) a lot of preparation was needed. I personally wouldn't give myself false sense of security just because my dc is academic, states schools come nowhere near preparing their pupils for the London private selective schools. No matter how bright a child is if they didn't hear of a maths concept before they will not know how to deal with it, the state school curriculum is not designed for the high ability pupils.

Green definitely prepare but don't forget it isn't the end of the world, I know it feels like it is but people do get good, great even, careers even if they didn't go to private selective schools or grammar schools. I work with a lot of people who went to normal state secondary schools and they now have a great career. I've also worked in the past with two privately educated people (well known schools) and they were reporting into me, not a privileged upbringing person.

Woolley thank you! It will be a while (hopefully).

Kutik hard to say, obviously a music education is required on my book, at dd's level now I wouldn't hire a teacher who only passed grade 8 for example. Our piano teacher went to RAM and she's great. But I don't think she's great just because of that. It is also her patience, knowing when to be strict and when to laugh (as an aside her and dd were laughing their heads off today during lesson for some silly stuff they were trying to do on the piano), being experienced. You need to try otherwise you'll never know.

His daughter played in school chamber music for a couple of years but has never had a private lesson. She is very bright, and has been learning piano for more than 3 years and got G2 distinction a year ago. She must be at least around 3-4 by now (didn't ask). She practises regularly. She is aiming to get in a secondary school with the first class music department. She wants to join in their school orchestra but feels she wouldn't be qualified (as the standard is quite high). She has more than year to prepare. Hence, the disparate daddy, trying to help her.

My friend is looking for a new violin teacher for his daughter. He found one who studied at RAM so booked the first lesson next week. He disparately wants a really good teacher who can help his daughter in a massive way. He is hoping someone who studied at RAM should be good enough. He asked me my opinion, but I'm afraid I have no idea... Any idea anyone...?

Thanks Fleur, and good luck for that exam day!

Green, have you read the website of the schools of your choice? Or have you visited the open day? Quite a few mention clearly on their website that they are keen on innate than attainment. Obviously DCs should practise to familiarise with the papers, but all I wanted to say was no need to panic at all. I'm saying this as I GOT PANICKED when realised everybody around me had been preparing for a long time! I'm not a very organised person so I felt I missed a boat! But now, I've learnt more realistic views since then, hence am not panicking. Just wanted to tell you....

Your DD has so many to offer and that's exactly what many private schools are after. She must be more attractive than those who just studied, studies and studied.

But I totally understand your anxiety. A brilliant thing is your DD is still Year 4 - plenty time!

Woolley this link should help you

www.federationoffestivals.org.uk

Dd's teacher told us she requested dd to do clarinet exam first then another pupil then piano. So first experience, exam in one session the same day. She should be fine.

How do you go about finding festivals other than your most local?

Dd is thrilled that she will be singing with the choir in the winners concert at ours, the instrumental bits were a useful if steep learning curve.

Loose, definitely, parents should get tickets(should be for siblings too).

For some reason we are fine with VR, she didnt have high score in the NVR tutor test however she loves NVR (she thinks of them as a game) also the tutor never says if it could be an issue. To be fair, compare to children who are doing extra works and being taught at home/by tutor ofcourse then we dont deserve to be compared. I just need to plan for everything going forward carefully as to us 11+ is the most important. I feel like I am playing a dangerous game here compare to all my friends/people I know that delaying the 11+ prep as much as I could and encourage her on all other activities. The is a (big) possibility that we will not good at anything.

Kutik: mine cant never compare with these boys, we only aim for an usual pass, I have a long list of schools within less than an hour public transport and I will need to drop to 4 mid next year and yes, I am planning for private.

I paid £110 for the exams last week. Sometimes it feels ridiculous.

Thanks TheSecond that's what I heard. Focusing on VR.

For those whose children are doing the academic test for the SWH consortium, mine found the maths very straightforward, but the verbal reasoning a bit trickier.

Just had the request for DS2's grade 6 entry fee: £73.50!

I think they play on July 13 - will be in the morning but I'll confirm nearer the time! He's a lucky boy! If I'm able to get in I'm sure I can film some of it...
Green - don't panic about the maths as there's plenty of time (school will be doing loads more) and Mini is a very bright little girl!

Loose what a fab opportunity
Green I'm sure with some practice mini green will be fine she sounds like a totally switched on and intelligent little girl ( with lots of other interests which is so important)

loose wow wow wow. How exciting 👍
green don't believe everything tutoring agencies tell you. They want your business. That said, we had to prepare DS and it was fine

Green, I heard some schools had music space as well. Maybe your DD can try both academic and music.

However, if you are after grammar schools then I think it's a different story as exam results are only key for the selection! But I am not entirely sure.

The brightest boy's case is a bit extreme, I know. What I wanted to say was, don't need to work heavily or unhealthily. It can be counter-productive. Just a healthy level of practice for familiarisation, and bits of filling the gap would do.

Green, can we one day have a chess play date or something with minigreen before her solo career shot off.

Re 11+, I'm sure practice will help, but selective independent schools are always trying to weed out those heavily tutored. Two boys I know got in one of the best in the country without much practice. One of them didn't do well in the exam - he couldn't finish all the questions of two out of three papers, yet he was offered. He is in fact the brightest child I have ever met (people say he can go to university straight after primary school...). He wasn't just trained enough for exams, yet the school could see through (he probably made some errors for simple questions but got right for the most complex questions). So I assume the schools are putting lots of effort in finding those who are naturally bright. We hear people who passed say that they passed because they prepared well. But most of them may have got in without much preparation in the first place. Your DD sounds very much intelligent so if she is starting the preparation now, she will be totally fine. I don't think lots of cramming is necessary.

Having said that my views towards 11+ seems to keep changing - a while ago I seek for advice here and was given lots of useful advice. Since then I have learnt lots more about 11+, and now I feel very much relaxed (well, at the moment).

Green you've got a lot of time till the 11+ exam, you can concentrate on it and do it I am sure. It is quite expected that even though dcs are top of the class they do need a lot of practice and extra work for the actual exam, the school curriculum doesn't prepare them for it.

Thanks all! I am in love with our piano teacher, before every exam she calls or texts with next steps plan for dd, repertoire suggestions and what she feels she needs to achieve. She's asking for my opinion in a determined fashion though just to ensure I am happy with it too.

Loose that sounds fantastic, would you confirm when? Maybe it will be just before the game and transmitted on tv? Hope you get tickets

Fleur: that is actually our goal too, to play well in various festivals(we have got rid of the theory part). Our teacher plan for us is more for solo musical career while my short sighted vision is only to finish the grades then she could be on her own, does whatever she wants to.

We found a tutor for my daughter(11+), its a group tutoring, an hour a week. After an assessment and 2 lessons then I was told that her strong area is writting and her worse areas are comprehension and maths. I know that comprehension is our weakness because we are not taught at school however maths came as a quite surprise to me. I have always thought maths is her thing, she has never had less than perfecr score in any test at school, her standardised score last year was very high, the last meet the teacher meeting I was told she is still at the top group among 3 forms. Aparently this isnt good enough for the 11+ exams. Apparently everything needs practice, similar to music. If we dont practise then we will be behind, doing ok at state school apparently isnt enough, parents still need to roll their sleeves. Well, something to think of this weekend.

I am hoping parents get tickets!
That would be an amazing bonus, wouldn't it?!

Fleur, sounds exciting! It seems your DD is entering a new chapter of her musical journey.

Fleur totally agree with the teacher - she sounds wonderful!
I think DS2 has done just enough piano practice to get by this week and no real cello practice!
DS1 came back buzzing from concert band rehearsal on Wednesday. Apparently they'll be performing at Wimbledon tennis one morning during the tournament - I am hoping parents get tickets!

Fleur - sounds a good plan. Solo performance opportunities are what my dc lack. Haven't gone the festival route so far, but maybe I should investigate it further. Must do some research and see what's available here.

Had a call with our piano teacher last night, she called to discuss the plan after the exam, she wants dd to concentrate on two tasks, grade 5 theory and next year's festival, she wants her to go big on the pieces next year for the festival before doing any other exams.

She said she's happy to work on the next steps but rather than put a time line on the next graded exam focus more on improving performance confidence via festivals while progressing with her music development and do another exam when dd wants, be it grade 6/7/8. She'd rather dd stop the motivator factor being an exam and keep her motivated by other goals to reach such as local festivals, one of them being a well known international one.

I agreed completely and I feel it is the right path.