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Original poster

(Mostly) August Music Thread

842 replies

Wafflenose · 28/07/2017 14:29

Here's a new thread for August, but we're starting it a few days early, because you lot have managed to be super chatty this month! I wonder if things will slow down in August due to people going away... maybe or maybe not?

I'm Waffle, a teacher of woodwind - mostly recorders and clarinet, but I have a couple of flutes currently, and teach saxophone, piano and theory when required. I am determined that the music threads should be open to ALL, including complete beginners and adult learners. It's a good place to discuss lessons, practice, concerts, exams and our generally hectic lives!

I have a DH who plays the guitar for pleasure (no lessons) and two girls. Goo is 11 and has her Grade 7 Flute (March 2017) and Grade 6 Recorder (December 2015 and now pretty much stopped Sad ). She has been learning the piano for 15 months, is refusing to perform in any way, shape or form, but will probably take Grade 5 next year. Rara is 9 and has Grade 3 Cello (July 2017), Grade 3 Recorder (December 2016 and also ceased) and is working towards her Grade 3 Clarinet... probably next spring. Goo is off to NCO Under 12s on Sunday, and we need to pop out to get her some shoes and general supplies in a bit.

I have just realised that we will probably have Grade 8 Flute and Grade 3 Clarinet going on in the same session, Spring 2018. Oh dear! If Rara bothers with Grade 4 Cello, we'll probably have that at the same time as Grade 5 Piano, next summer. Double oh dear!

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6
drummersmum · 06/08/2017 20:54

Great string ! Star

stringchild · 06/08/2017 20:38

Loose - it was amazing😀 Kids worked so hard and the music choices were so good.

raspberryrippleicecream · 06/08/2017 20:25

Loose me too!

I've been wondering how the concert went too. Have a safe journey back everyone.

LooseAtTheSeams · 06/08/2017 19:16

ealing it was back in March...
drummers what a lovely thing to happen! You're right, though, they won't get any sleep. But it's worth it!
Hope everyone's had a lovely day and managed to connect with each other -although I'm sure the random trumpet mum suspects she's missing out on something good!

drummersmum · 06/08/2017 18:10

In fact DS and his roomate have so much to discuss I doubt he'll get any sleep Shock

drummersmum · 06/08/2017 18:09

alexandra you bet! Wine
I just left DS at residential. Roomate his age happens to like the same jazz band and they talked for an hour non-stop before being joined by 3 others and then they all started talking jazz and you wouldn't have been able tk tell that five minutes before they didn't know each other. It was formidable to behold. I in turn made friends with some parents who happen to be jd parents at the jd DS is attending in September so that was extra nice. A gret day, I feel happy leaving him there and now waiting for my train...

ealingwestmum · 06/08/2017 17:38

Alexandra, good to see there are more of us approaching the magic version 5.0 Grin

Loose, you going first? Unless you have slipped through the back door?

Kutik73 · 06/08/2017 12:41

2 x 4/4 violin are still here with me. I have no car this weekend as DH took it to have a boys' long weekend in Warwickshire. So that's my excuse why I haven't returned them yet (the dilemma is still alive after all the wise advice...).

At around 10.15pm last night, I received message from DH telling me about their action packed first day, then now DS was having tea happily. DH was probably proud to show me how hands-on he was, but I wasn't impressed with the late night supper. My other half has extra-ordinary energy level so always plans crazy schedule, especially when I am not around. I hope he send DS to bed earlier tonight, especially if he is going to have another crazy day tomorrow....

Minimusicians, DS was a bit like your DD. He was super energetic (like his daddy) and could tackle so many things with high concentration. So naturally he achieved well in wider areas. However, I felt the time to make a decision was fast approaching around this time last year.

2016/2017 was quite a year for DS, juggling all the high requirements. He liked all he did so he dreamed to have 10 days a week or 48 hours a day so everything would be fitted in. But a week will always stay as 7 days only, and at last very recently he had to make a conscious decision, well, at least for now, to be able to make most of the opportunities he is given.

He will still does all the activities he has been doing (apart from Saturday schools and cubs as they clash with JD and orchestra), but hopefully no more crazy commitments in a team sport, at least next two terms as JD is starting and we need to find a balance for the new schedule. He is still young, so this decision is not permanent obviously and can be reviewed again. I hope you will find a good balance for your talented DD. As you say, her "Duracell bunny" skills will keep taking her far and further.

LooseAtTheSeams · 06/08/2017 11:45

I'm feeling old - '67 baby here! Still, I haven't grown up yet!Smile

AlexandraLeaving · 06/08/2017 11:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trumpetboysmum · 06/08/2017 11:08

Thank you Smile

stringchild · 06/08/2017 10:29

Trumpet thats lovely; if you are in cars i suggest the Botanical Gardens (you have to pay) or Cannon Hill Park as v close and easy. both have cafes and excellent 'play grounds' :)

Trumpetboysmum · 06/08/2017 10:00

String I was probably the very tired slightly stressed out one last week !! Blackpool is a really long way from Suffolk and we were in the middle of moving house! Now in the new house so are taking them both back to their new home after the concert Shock

Trumpetboysmum · 06/08/2017 09:58

I will look out for you we live all very the country but have used this as an excuse to meet up ( plus as our family live all over the place they don't often have a chance to see either of my dc perform ) off to find a park now so the children in the group can run off some energy.
NYO inspire sounds great I think he's a bit young yet but I'll look into it in a couple of years time

stringchild · 06/08/2017 09:58

hi Trumpet we will be a random group scattered across the Hall as have had to buy disabled and non disabled seating - Trumpet think i spotted you last sunday now you have described yourself! so excited to see them but also to get dd home :)

Original poster
Wafflenose · 06/08/2017 09:17

10 of us rolled up to watch Goo when she was in under 10s, because I had family nearby. Just the four of us today. I am wearing blue and white trousers and top.

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raspberryrippleicecream · 06/08/2017 09:17

We haven't been to a NYO concert, but DS2 loves the NYO Inspire days, when you play alongside some of the current members. They rehearse for a day in sections and orchestra, then do a sharing performance. Last time we had Enigma variations.

They always say the NYO kids aren't sprinkled with fairy dust, they have just worked hard and taken advantage of any opportunities.

Trumpetboysmum · 06/08/2017 09:10

Waffle I will be in a large group of 10!! we've had a family trip to watch him. I'm short and blonde and will be in her jeans and a blazer !!

Schwanengesang · 06/08/2017 08:46

Thanks to everyone sharing their stories on here. It's good to hear what you've all done to give your kids a good musical start. Sorry to those who have had tough times! We are living the kiwi dream after many years slogging it out in UK academia. I gave up on academic life as I couldn't get a job here, but also because I had realised that I honestly no longer cared at all about my area of academia. I had always cared far more about music, and it no longer seemed right or honest to be forcing myself to pretend to love my academic career when it was taking such a toll (trying for grants, temporary jobs overseas, etc) and other people were desperate to do stuff I just couldn't be bothered with. So now I have no career prospects at all, but I am happy as I have DS and DH and the mental space to think about music as much as I want to, and the time to do music and teach DS. I embarrassed myself today by almost crying with happiness when DH said he would love to get my old student violin fixed up so he could learn enough to play trios with me and DS in future. DH is far more musical than I am so will no doubt overtake me pretty quickly!

Greenleave · 06/08/2017 08:38

Midlife: we were there last night. My daughter was very impressed. The woodwinds played wonderfully and blew the audience away in the second section. It was a great inspiration.

Original poster
Wafflenose · 06/08/2017 08:35

Hot hoodie!

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Original poster
Wafflenose · 06/08/2017 08:30

Rara was a puke-tastic baby. She threw up several times a day until she was 1, and at least once a week until she was 7. We still have problems in the car - even when we are going to her swimming lessons in the next town. Goo doesn't have the same issues, but threw up spectacularly on the way to NCO. She scoffed loads of fruit and smoothies, then fell asleep hunched over in her hit hoodie in the hot car. I had to wash the hoodie out when we got there, and my car smelt of smoothie for some time! She didn't want me to tell you, but there you go!

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LooseAtTheSeams · 06/08/2017 08:19

I think NYO will be on TV tonight, will check.
It's always interesting to hear how dcs pick their instruments. The only one both of mine were interested in was the double bass. That could have been complicated! DS1 still thinks it's a 'cool instrument' but says he's put off by the portability issues! DS2 preferred cello once he got to try it out.
DS2 was very ill as a baby until his heart operation at 9 months - couldn't eat much, didn't sleep unless I was holding him. Thank goodness he was transformed by the op! Mind you, the challenge now is to get him to wake up in the morning...

Original poster
Wafflenose · 06/08/2017 08:18

I will try extra hard to find you (and not some random trumpet mum) Trumpet. I will be wearing The Shoes and a pink flower in my hair! I'll be with my tall, dark haired husband, my little mum, and Rara, who is short with light brown hair and a fringe. I think we are in row N.

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Minimusiciansmama · 06/08/2017 08:14

drummers I ageee with you about the boundless energy- I have one such absolute bundle of bounce and nonstop enthusiasm. We couldn't do the life we have if she didn't. Dance was her first love before she discovered music and she's still as committed to her dance as she is to her music so music practice happens at 630am as she's dancing 4/5 times a week plus music lessons, band and orchestra. Music gets increasingly more of her time these days.... she's a bundle of drive and determination. She refuses to ease off on either at the moment, and is making brilliant progress with both. That said, think after this coming year we may reach a point at which we have to chose which is going to be her focus, when we see outcomes of auditions for such as NCO and the Royal Ballet associate classes come round. But her "Duracell bunny" skills definitely serve us well!