Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

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!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
se22mother · 24/05/2017 22:30

Gilly hope your daughter, and all her friends are ok. Terrible experience for them.

se22mother · 24/05/2017 22:29

Greenleave for a Catholic Church a smart, but pretty dress. Not too dressy or casual iykwim. Pm me if you need any advice on the quirks of this branch of church.....

Not much practice has been done here recently due to a school residential trip, and a big family party. Not sure the teachers will be impressed. She was told today she got merits in the two dance exams from last term so is happy.

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 22:26

Thought about your DD when I heard this on the news Gilly Flowers

gillybeanz · 24/05/2017 22:11

No practice here and an extra week half term
Not doing too well atm. My dd had to leave everything at school including instruments, couldn't go back in because of the cordon.
She is finally sorting it out in her head, coming to terms with what has happened, when an arrest around the corner from us this afternoon.
Poor child has had enough Sad
Anyway I thought for anyone who hadn't seen it, this proves that even in our saddest and most despairing states, music wins through.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/watch-chethams-pupils-send-manchester-13081668

Fleurdelise · 24/05/2017 22:02

callme no date here which is good news.

No practice at home from the wind orchestra, just sight reading.

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 21:35

kutik: no orchestral music ever brought home to practise. Only now are parts sometimes copied where additional work needed. If he's a strong sight reader, he'll be fine not to.

Greenleave · 24/05/2017 21:30

Prada: its a Catholic, thanks for your note, will manage to take a picture.
Fleur: diving into your search now.
Herts: I hope mine can try in few years time, I have read it along the last couple of years and really like it.
Kutik: we are only 2nd line for a trainee Orchestra so no practice has ever been needed.
Can I complain when its hot then I dont heard any music in this household any more. Our violin lesson is rescheduled for tomorrow because we are away from Friday and I am sure she wont be impressed.

Kutik73 · 24/05/2017 20:55

Those who go to orchestra - how much do you practise their pieces at home? DS has been playing without home practice as the music was not given. But today all the members received the music for home practice. DS says he doesn't really need to practise as he can play them fine. For my non-musical eyes, his part doesn't look too complicated, and yes I can see he can probably sight-read them. But, I suppose there is more than just being able to play the notes? Surely they are expected to practise at home?

drummersmum · 24/05/2017 19:19

To all the Ed Sheeran fans here, catch up his Desert Island Discs (the radio program ). Worth a listen. Nice guy.

callmeadoctor · 24/05/2017 17:59

Can anybody recommend a pop song piano book for grade 4/grade 5. (just about to do her grade 5, no date yet. Have you a date yet Fleur?) She also like Ed Sheeran stuff Grin

hertsandessex · 24/05/2017 17:14

Ealing - applying is not so hard. Getting past the first round on the other hand :)

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 17:13

Neither did I Prada; that's why DD was so outraged (she wasn't with me) Wink. Not in me I'm afraid!

I am looking forward to the day we hear of MOTY applicants on here! There's a few of your DC in the making...

Pradaqueen · 24/05/2017 16:51

Very jealous Ealing... In my old job I met loads of celebs. Never once asked for a selfie or autograph. Regret some of it now...

Green - I think a smart plain dress or similar will do for playing in church assuming it is c of e or Catholic. If it is baptist, Pentecostal or similar I'd go very dressy as those guys know how to dress for a Sunday!

hertsandessex · 24/05/2017 15:16

Apologies if somebody has already posted but just noticed that BBC Young Musician 2018 is now open to entry. Maybe of interest to anybody at or above grade 8

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3RSyRqD5y9QXlR38g0p5JX1/how-to-enter

Fleurdelise · 24/05/2017 14:29

Green these are the books on my wish list ready to be ordered

W.A. Mozart Nineteen Sonatas For The Piano Pf (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0793526019/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1NyjzbGEGJB6N?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Chopin Complete Preludes, Nocturnes and Waltzes: Piano Solos (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0634099205/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4OyjzbTSBBDAQ?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Classical Real Repertoire for Piano: Grades 5-7 (Trinity Repertoire Library) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/057152334X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UPyjzbYXNP75J?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Greenleave · 24/05/2017 13:53

I completely forgot to book my planned proms hence missed it, gutted, very jealous (especially with the selfie there).

Fleur: if you have any mozart/choplin book that you would recommend pls let me know, we have all Choplin pieces saved in our car so it has been our favourite since.

Anyone here has children playing in churches then what do your children wear? We agreed to play in a small church every Sunday morning, starting with 1-2 pieces at first then might extend it later. (We never go to church and we dont have any belief-not religious for one bit)

Fleurdelise · 24/05/2017 13:44

Just got two of the piano music books delivered that dd's teacher asked for after the exam (I have a big list as I like to buy them rather than download/photocopy) and I am quite excited, can't wait for the exam to be over so she can move on. One is Encore grade 5&6 and the other is Bach inventions.

Next order is Kuhlau, Chopin and Mozart and the clarinet books you lovely ladies recommended.

Exciting times Smile

Minimusiciansmama · 24/05/2017 12:35

Good result drummer

We cant do the NB prom anyway - we aren't in London and it's too far on a school night!

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 11:24

A great tip Drummers, spontaneity at its best!

drummersmum · 24/05/2017 11:08

ealing yes she lives in the hood 😉 You have my respect, the famous detest selfies. We were once in town and it was lunch time so we thougt let's pop in Wigmore Hall and see what the lunch concert is. It was NB and there were still tickets! It was so not London to be able to do something like that.

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 10:46

Haha, she has that impact! We went to see her same time as Prada at RAH in 2015, was amazing. Not so amazing was me recently having breakfast locally with her sat at near table. And me failing to get a 'selfie' with her. What would I do with an autograph? DD accusingly proclaimed. I am so not built for this generation Grin

drummersmum · 24/05/2017 10:16

The sorrow over NB being sold out has muted this thread Wink

Pradaqueen · 23/05/2017 17:34

The Nicola Benedetti prom is sold out at the moment. In 2015 I bought tickets in the front row about two days before on a resale website. It was amazing!

LooseAtTheSeams · 23/05/2017 12:31

Brave Double for auditioning! Hope there's good news.
DS1 on day 2 of languishing at home with itchy skin (recurring problem in hot weather) leading to expensive last-minute cancellation of lessons! I really hope he goes to concert band tomorrow!
DS2 wilted slightly in the sun yesterday - lugged his cello home while wearing his black blazer and was radiating heat when he got in. Changed straightaway, ate enormous plate of cheese and biscuits and then snored on the sofa for half an hour!

drummersmum · 23/05/2017 09:52

double jeez. Hope it heals soon. No other auditions this week I hope!