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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

May Music Thread

784 replies

Wafflenose · 01/05/2017 15:59

Hello, and welcome to the May thread. It's a public holiday in the UK, but my school is open and I had to work today, which is why I've only just got round to it! This is a place for parents of musicians of ALL levels, and adult learners, to chat about lessons, practice, scales, concerts, exams, and whatever else they'd like to! We have lots of regulars, some occasional posters, and sometimes people who just pop in to ask a question. It's a friendly place.

I have two daughters. Goo is 11 and in her last term at primary school. She's working towards her Grade 8 Flute (some time next year) and playing from the Grade 4 Piano book (currently refusing to take any exams, and putting off the first proper performance!). Rara is 8, may or may not be doing Grade 3 Cello this term, and is approaching Grade 2 Clarinet.

Both of them played the recorder for years, starting as preschoolers. They reached Grades 7 and 3 respectively, but sadly neither has really played since the music festival a few months ago. They are obsessed with their Flute and Clarinet, and really enjoy Piano and Cello. There won't be many opportunities to play the recorder at the secondary school they will attend, so much as I love it, it's probably a good time to quietly drop it. Recorder has given them both lots of opportunities, confidence, reading skills... and festival prizes!

Goo does NCO and South West Music School. Rara isn't that level at all when it comes to music, but is gifted with her hands. Instead of practising the cello and doing her school spellings today, she completed a lovely sewing kit without bothering to look at the instructions, and also made a lovely crafty construction from card and coloured paper. Both girls are keen on drawing and playing computer games. Rara swims and Goo plays sodding netball and dodgeball, which have both been responsible for multiple injuries over the past few months!

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onlymusic · 26/05/2017 22:41

Just a quick pop in to say hello and to share info about my holiday reading.

This book is brilliant and an absolute MUST read for any potential musician

www.amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Orchestral-Musician-Aspiring-Professionals/dp/1900357232/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495834580&sr=8-1&keywords=Becoming+an+orchestra+musician&tag=mumsnetforum-21

A lot of practical advice, insight info and just an interesting reading....

Wafflenose · 26/05/2017 21:41

Annoying evening. I feel really crap, keep losing things, and am just not up to it, so I'm STILL packing. Rara tried to help, but couldn't find things right under her nose. Goo was done quickly, sat in the middle of the chaos making smart arse remarks and whining for a video. Please tell me it will all be worth it!

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Kutik73 · 26/05/2017 20:39

drummers, how exciting for your DS! He is such a lucky boy!

We are supposed to be away too but I don't know where and how long. DH just told me to pack beach stuff. He didn't tell me we need passport so I know it will be somewhere in UK. Not sure if I really need to pack beach stuff... It seems raining...

Minimusiciansmama · 26/05/2017 20:10

Enjoy your holidays ladies!!

waffle look forward to seeing pics when you're back!

Trumpetboysmum · 26/05/2017 19:51

Have a great holiday Waffle we are also going away here I'm still in total denial about the packing and am going out for a rare evening out with my dh in a minute !! It will get done in the morning !!

PetraDelphiki · 26/05/2017 19:50

Can I point you all in the direction of my thread about the Esher and ditton youth orchestra please?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/2939438-Esher-and-Ditton-Youth-Orchestra-Surrey-needs-more-players

It's a lovely little not too pushy orchestra desperately in need of more player...dd will join in September! And it's only 5 weeks at a time so we don't have to give up all family time!!

Wafflenose · 26/05/2017 19:27

I am trying to pack for camping - we are getting up at 5am and leaving by 6. I have a streaming cold, feel bloody awful, and it's chaos here, so there won't be photos or videos until we get back. But it's a Yamaha 372, open holes, solid silver head joint, would have cost just over £1000 IF we'd had to pay full price (we didn't!). She tried five in the shop recently, wanted to like the one with the gold lip plate, but fell in love with this one!

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AlexandraLeaving · 26/05/2017 18:48

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

drummersmum · 26/05/2017 17:26

It will also be a first taste of being a drummer on the road and having to deal with the gear in and out of the van. Oh dear 😆

drummersmum · 26/05/2017 17:24

Just heard that next autumn DS will be going on tour with the big band (to another European country) which is great fun news for him.

hertsandessex · 26/05/2017 11:37

Minimusiciansmama Thu 25-May-17 20:47:20
Can I ask you ladies about MDS funding please?? .... I'm completely new to this bit of it all. when a child is eligible, and has a place, is it still not a given that they'll get the funding?
We've had the official offer of her YYM place but it's definitely not something I can do without the grant. I kind of just want to steel myself in case I've a battle on my hands.

I asked this exact question and the answer was yes - the offer includes finance according to MDS criteria one way or other. I was worried about quitting elsewhere and then finding out in say July or August that there was a problem with MDS finance but they said this was impossible. Worse case there was an MDS problem somehow the school would fund the place according to MDS rules. (This of course assumes you comply with the MDS application and meet criteria etc.)

Icouldbeknitting · 26/05/2017 11:27

Congratulations on the new flute, I hope the effects of a new instrument last longer than they did here (a week). I've just got back from the repairers - DH managed to drop his cornet and DS's tuning trigger came apart. I don't know which one of them was more upset, there wasn't much to choose between them.

I've just had the details of the european band trip in the summer, the coach arrives at 3 o'clock for a 4 o'clock departure. I've forwarded the email to DS and I'm waiting for the stream of expletives when he realises that this is AM rather than PM. The plus side is that traffic should be light at silly o'clock.

drummersmum · 26/05/2017 10:40

May half-term has always been dedicated to revision in this house since yr 7 because final exams are always the week after. This year however he's going a few days to the Hay festival with two friends and revising when he's back. I think it'll do more for his learning than being locked up in his room for a week.
waffle so glad about the new flute! A photo please? Wink

Doubleup · 26/05/2017 09:55

Glad Goo is enjoying the flute Waffle. There's nothing quite like a new instrument to inspire more playing. DD1 was the same when she got her oboe. It wore off after a while 🙂 Getting that instrument was the best thing we did for her playing and sound though.

Wafflenose · 26/05/2017 09:14

Goo is thrilled. She is happily contributing a small amount of her savings towards something she wanted so desperately! She doesn't want to tell the teacher about the flute, but is planning to wait for her to notice! Grin

This time tomorrow, we will be in Cornwall. I can't wait! I have to work today and haven't started packing, but it'll happen at some point. Don't worry though, the June thread is all under control.

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Doubleup · 26/05/2017 08:44

Got one still in school today and one with an INSET day. A beautiful morning for den building and then a party this afternoon. Then NCO Regional rehearsals book ending the hols and a week of hard slog. DD2 is having a bit of a crisis of confidence in the lead up to the exam, but we have 5 full weeks to address it.
DD1 has end of year exams first week back and has done virtually no revision so far! Quite typical for her. Almost hoping that she will fall flat so that she learns before GCSEs. Is that mean? She can always intersperse the revision with preparation for an audition for a school music scholarship. She narrowly missed out in Y7, but everyone has to re-audition for Y10/Y11 and she has as good a chance as any I guess.

Will be trying to fit in some fun things too....

Minimusiciansmama · 26/05/2017 07:53

waffle I hope Goo has a lot of fun with her new flute!

Last day then holidays!! We've got lots of fun with music workshops and dance workshops then a trip to London, plus the monkey loves her holiday music lessons!

Trumpetboysmum · 26/05/2017 06:40

Sorry just managed to catch up. Gilly it musy have been so scary for them Flowers glad she has felt able to go out and hope things start to calm down near to you now.
Waffle great news about the flute hope Goo enjoys it
We're nearly at half term happy holidays everyone Smile there will be lots of music practise here but hopefully lots of relaxing too im exhausted

Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 22:57

Ah of course- thank you Smile

gillybeanz · 25/05/2017 22:53

Mini yes waffle is correct. They fund anyone who is eligible if their organisation is part of the scheme.

This shows all the organisations
www.gov.uk/music-dance-scheme

Wafflenose · 25/05/2017 22:44

No - they fund those who are eligible.

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Minimusiciansmama · 25/05/2017 22:30

It sounds really scary, especially for the children. Thoughts to you all xxx

Fees are £3700. Financially, we are eligible, by quite a margin. The director said she will be ok because she turns 8 in the academic year she applies. I was just worried whether it's a case of they only give a few out or if they fund those who are eligible

YYM- Yorkshire young musicians. Smile

gillybeanz · 25/05/2017 22:03

I think it's different for the jd's though.
I can remember when RNCM jd was £3, 600 and the MDS would have covered it all for us, but we were low income at the time.

How much are the fees?

gillybeanz · 25/05/2017 22:01

Hello all, thanks for all the comments and well wishes. She's from under the duvet and went out, but it's really bad near us atm. Bomb squad with one of those robot things an arrest and raids on 2 properties near us.

Anyway this is about music and I just wanted to say thank you Thanks

This is how MDS works at dd school.
chethamsschoolofmusic.com/about/fees-and-finance/

Wafflenose · 25/05/2017 21:29

If your income is in the correct bracket, you will get a full or partial grant. Do check the rules for your particular provider though - funding for ours starts at age 8. Not to alarm you - they are probably all different.

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