October Music Thread

Kutik, can you talk to some parents at both schools. Those whose opinions you trust?

It was unrealistic of me to think that DD could get by on one 1/2 hour lesson per week. Especially considering that exactly two years ago now she was playing open strings and did grade one 18 months ago. She is playing g5/g6 pieces. She is good but needs more input than I can really afford right now. Emergency lessons covers the guilt somewhat..

Although her teacher wouldn't be coming to accompany her for NCO if she didn't think DD had a chance, I think!

Good luck to miniNiggle!

I feel it’s too silly to turn down School B as it’s has such a good track record. School A is doing well but not as much as School B. However, School B has a reputation of being full on and I hear pressure to do well is very high, whereas School A is more relaxing. I saw happy rates of pupils - School A is the highest rate of over 90% in our area, and School B is just over 80% which is a bit lower than average, somehow it’s reflecting the rumours...

I have only 10 days to decide....

Glad we aren't the only ones Trumpet. Just dropped DD at half day auditions for county strings ensemble. One of the youngest at just turned ten, but it should be a good experience.

Good luck for the end of next week niggle I'm sure it will be fine. Usually just before an audition or something they hardly play the specific pieces in his lesson but there have been occasions where I have sat and listened to pieces being pulled apart just before something important. I will be sitting quietly stressing as I know how hard ds has already worked but he always sees these sessions as positive ( and we often have emergency lessons before important things too !!)

That was supposed to say many

Why would it be awful gilly? Not your sort of music or too kany solos so awful to watch ( I know this feeling well)

Gosh, everybody's so busy
Mine has been mostly sleeping, eating, repeating since Tuesday.
I can't keep up with you all, it's lovely to read about all the auditions and exam prep.
Mine is now mainly playing Baritone and singing Soprano, and the other is touring with a fish related thing.
There's a lovely concert coming up for dd and it looks like the night is going to be a sell out. Not sure if I could sit through it though and she wants us to go, it's dh B'day on the day and it would be like hell for us both.
I know that sounds bad, there's plenty performances we wouldn't miss for the world.

Thanks drummers, suppose you know which school I’m talking about.

Honestly, DS seems to be having his time recently. We got another result yesterday. DS sat a borough test which was a bit like IQ test (on the day he missed great part of jd). His score was the top 1%. There is a part selective school in the borough and they take top 5% or so of the test. They also have a nice music dept. Unfortunately it’s too far away to consider for us so we won’t apply.

DS struggles with comprehension and also has horrible hand writing. So it was a real confident booster.

minikutik you're a champion

Good luck everyone auditioning for NCO!

Good luck to Double, String and Waffle minis for NCO auditions. We are next Friday. Had a lesson today on just one audition piece and the teacher pulled it apart. Seriously, every second bar had an issue. And DD has taken, very recently, to having a straight thumb on bow hand. As a violinist, this is v bad and needs to be corrected. Just when she has developed a beautiful wrist movement. I was feeling quite negative about the whole thing, but I asked DD afterwards how it went, and she said she felt much better, as she knew the piece was just wrong.

I know I have occasional disagreements with her teacher, but shall step aside here and let them get on with it. We agreed 3 lessons next week before the audition to hopefully sort things out!

Niggle, just read your post. So kind and heartwarming. Thanks.

Thank you all!

We have to discuss whether DS should still go ahead with private options during the holiday. The exams and auditions for privates are in January so need a quick decision!

The school we got an offer is not selective academically yet has good results which I see as an evidence of good teaching. They have fab indoor and outdoor space so pupils don’t need to travel for sports which is quite rare in London. They have the exclusive partnership with Trinity Music College and have a great music dept so offer lots of musical activities and opportunities.

Still, obviously privates offer better facilities. But if both can help DS reach to his maximum potential, for a budget tight family like us needs to see something more in privates to go for it by having such a nice state option. Need to list up pros and cons!

Good luck on Sat Double, and all those who are auditioning during the half term!

Great news Kutik, thank you for sharing.

Good luck to those with auditions and I hope that the rest of you have a lovely quiet half term. We live in one LA and go to college in the neighbouring authority and the holidays don't match so the county ensemble residential is in the week before the holiday starts. I think the absence has been authorised in that no-one has said that it hasn't been authorised and if they ring on Monday wanting to know where he is it will be too late. By then he will be in yet another county.

Hey, Kutik, that's fantastic! It is so good when you see the work and talent of your mini is recognised and you think, it is not just us, the music teacher, etc. It is externally, independently, verifiably a fact that, yes, potential and talent is obvious to those looking for it. I'm sure it makes the last couple of weeks struggling with colds worth it. Half term.

Kutik yay! Way to go!
Waffle good luck for the auditions and for half term! Good luck to Doubleup

Oh no that's a shame waffle good luck for Tuesday string
Oh no double many condolences hope it all goes ok

That's a shame Waffle. I was looking forward to a nice quiet half term at home, but I now have to go up to the north of Scotland for a funeral. Going to take 4 days with travel before and after.

Kutik - well done :)

Waffle - are you tuesday? we are (different venue).

Excellent news Kutik! And good luck for Goo's audition Waffle. DD2 is exhausted from last night's sleepover, but it has still been a struggle to get her to bed. Hope that a good night's sleep does the trick before her NCO audition tomorrow....

Kutik that's fantastic news . Waffle that's good news too enjoy your break away and good luck Goo for her audition- she'll be brilliant I'm sure