September Music Thread

Dd has a tutor simply to retain her place in a London Private in year 7. My sister in the south west is always trying to convince us to move for a more peaceful life. If only there were jobs in my industry there we would seriously consider it.

Non-selective London borough where I live and a good local school in walking distance. We bought the house pre-children and when the school's reputation wasn't so good. It was transformed by the current head some years back so we were lucky, to be honest, and the boys are happy although DS1 now has itchy feet!

I don't think early start of competition make children achieve any better than those who had gentler start in their later life.

But you cannot blame on where you live as making the whole 11+ thing so stressful is partly your choice - because you can still keep it as stress-free as possible even in London by not sharing your anxiety with your DCs.

My DS is still blissfully unaware of the competition he is facing to. Partly because one of his best friend is a little Einstein and got in St Paul without much preparation so that's how it is for him. But also not having tuition helps keep him away from all the business. I'm sure those who receive regular tuition for specifically 11+ are much aware of it (of course). I'm worrying and panicking inside, but DS doesn't know that!

That made me smile drummers

Just had an e-mail inviting DD2 to be part of the live stage band for the junior music festival that the local Music Hub organises at the local theatre for all the local primary school choirs. I had just signed her up to do her school's choir at it. Need to check with her teacher if she thinks she'll be up to it. It requires two evening rehearsals and then three days in a row it would be 2-9pm for rehearsal and performance with three different blocks of school choirs. Quite a lot for a 10 year old!

Good luck minifleur, go get 'em. minikutik too!!!!
misti they are here to take our place, aren't they? It's just that one doesn't expect it to happen so early. DS is now better than me at almost everything - except at my professional trade and at house chores! He's half my brain: my walking wikipedia, my name-reminder, my fact-reminder.

London, the same as any other big cities in the world, offers variety of choices for people from variety background in all areas for anything including schools. Within 1km from my house there are 6 primary schools, 4 states, 2 privates for example, there are also 6 nurseries. Within 45 mins travel by public transport for girls there are 14 private secondary schools to choose( not including Tiffins and state schools). Thats why a child will always have a school to go to however from the top of the list to the bottom, it could be a massive swing as the numbers of children trying for these many choices (multiple exams) are also huge( the top ones could be the top in the world's ranking) and the bottom ones might not be able to help to send your children to Univ. London children then had to compete at many levels unnecessarily too early. In my working life in the city, I hardly ever come accross anyone who comes from London. Many of my talented colleagues or bosses or bosses boss (if they are English) they come from everywhere in this country. To me which means the rural/non london children might be equally competitive later on and had a much quieter, gentler childhood.

Hi there,

Alex, my DH mentioned; The day thou gavest Lord is ended, Lord of all hopefulness and Love divine all loves excelling.

Usually, the vicar has some suggestions too.

Waffle, you are very lucky for that sense. We need a choice as nowhere is guaranteed. We are actively advised to put 6 schools on the list to avoid the danger of being located at a most undesirable school by the authority. We have nothing suitable to DS near us, so aptitude entry is only hope. So gaining a scholarship is not the main target but we HAVE TO use that as a way of getting in a school. DS will go through science/music aptitude at 3-4 schools, and if he failed there is no way he could get in any of them. So we will know if we failed state entries by the end of October. If all is failed, then private school is only way for us...

I have also lost my post... So here you go, re-writing...

string, indeed theory paper may be required at private school's auditions (I don't have the details yet though). But in any case I didn't mean to make time for the preparation as I assumed it wouldn't be more than grade 5 level (or would it??). Plus, DS will have theory lesson weekly at JD so thought it would be enough. Your DD also started JD when she was Year 6 so she had received some theory lessons by the time she sat for 11+. You mean you did extra work at home on top of that? Admittedly JD doesn't run many lessons a term though... DS is already juggling between homework and activities, not sure if I can squeeze any more into his schedule...

I just wrote a huge post (as usual) and lost it!

For some reason I can only post from the app.

I was saying thank you for all the good thoughts for dd's audition and the good advice.

TheSecond we were practising some questions last night (funnily enough) and I realised I need to tone it down as dd sounded arrogant. Q: did you do any exams? A(dd): yes, I did grade 5 piano last session and grade 3 clarinet after only one year of playing! (which is really funny as she is an introvert and the opposite of arrogant/show off so hearing it was like "do I let her sound like that for once or explain it doesn't sound good")

Ultimately I said to her that she needs to mention 3 key things: clarinet (in any context), wind band and piano festival (and prize if poss). She needs to find a way to mention it in a natural conversation without sounding like she is reading from a script.

Good luck to all DCs doing exams, auditions, MATs, 11+ etc. We should be done by Tuesday and then get on with the next music projects (and grade 6 scales).

Misti that's quite funny (your DS being better than you so quick) kids and young people learn so fast!

Purcell pupils were just from a different world last night. I mean... I am not sure dd will ever play like that. Ever. Didn't tell her that though. She loved it too.

Well done mini Fleur. Try not to stress too much fleur - if she can get a good grade 5 pass on a bad day I am sure it will be fine! for you this weekend ;)

I sympathise with all you Londoners/SE people going through the school selection wringer. Glad we are no longer in London! We had very little choice of schools (unless prepared to board) and although DD applied for a selective class at high school, it wasn't stressful because recruitment was very transparent (we knew the criteria and knew that she was a shoe-in). DS is just in a regular class in our catchment high school, although we have accidentally lucked out - he asked to take German as an optional third MFL and because the classes are grouped by options, the result is that he's in a "nice" class of relatively studious teenagers.

Anyway, on the music front: it's official, DS is now a better guitarist than me. Our classes are doing the same pièces and I have to get him to help me .

Kutik - dd had to do theory plus general papers with her scholarship applications at two schools; doing it the same time as the academic prep was a v heavy load and we actually dropped a number of applications once she had secured some good options. Think we would have all gone not-so-quietly crazy if we had gone on past Dec..... Is DS looking forward to JD? we start back next week, first week is auditions for ensembles/orchestras so really only gets going in Oct

Great news, Fleur!

We visited two state schools yesterday - both are highly regarded and sought-after as long as I know. They are school No. 3 & 4. 3 has a reputation as a pushy school, so I was not sure. But they were much nicer than I expected. The facility was fab. 4 has more tatters building, less fancy. However, Ds and I both loved it. I could see DS would be happy there.

DS has almost zero chance for 3 anyway due to the distance. But 4 offers music places. Obviously very competitive, therefore they shake off many applicants by using MAT for the first round. They won't allow the successful applicants to perform at the second round too. It's purely down to aural, and I would say, lottery (to me). Anyway, DS has to go through the dreadful MAT. I really hope he will follow miniFleur's successful footsteps...

One more school to see this weekend, which is also on top of my list. It's nice to have a choice, so I am hoping I like the school No. 5 too.

TheSecond, you are amazing!

Green, yes, I am hoping this will be the case for this time around!!

found, schools do seem to prefer children not to be prepared, and I think they dislike 'prepared' answers in fact. But for the peace of the parents' mind, it would be helpful to know what's going on behind the closed door!

woolley, the preparation for music scholarship is nothing compared with the preparation for 11+ exams, I suppose, so hut off to you! Those who apply for a music scholarship are those who are committed to music largely anyway, so they just can play some of the polished repertoires for the audition. The aural bits are worrying though due to the ambiguity! Applying for a music place at state schools is a total agony too..

Good news Fleur

We are totally bogged down in entrance exam preparation and music is suffering. I'm glad we decided against music scholarship preparation too.

dc was already at school when she had her music scholarship interview. I didn't know it was that day, I thought it was the week after. During the weekend I suggested her to practise for her audition."but I already did it earlier this week" was her answer....

Loose: a private party for a jazz band, how cool!

Kutik: remember he usually does much better than your thought!

Interview: My friends son was interviewed for a private school scholarship place. He didnt remember what was asked except what subject he likes best at school and he said "PE". He was then offered a sportscholarship on top of his academic:)) Had he remember what his dad told him that it was science and maths then the result could be different. :))

I swear my most tortuous moment in recent years was sitting in an interview like this with my son but basically being told not to say a word. Of course he had practiced answers to some extent but then when the questions came he just went freestyle missing out what I thought were important things. I tried the stare but the little bugger wouldn't even look at me :)

Green so glad it went well with new teacher! Did you say Mini is starting clarinet as well?
DS1 has his first gig coming up next month in a little jazz group a friend has put together. It's a private party so I won't be there watching him!

Second - I may be instilling some of that in DD2, reminding her that she plays guitar as well as bassoon.

TheSecond - wow you are good :) you will have a queue of parents booking you for pre interview practice soon!