January Music Thread

Mending, my DS thinks the notes are just suggestions! He would do well in jazz i think! His teacher does do improvisation as well when they are not in exam mode. Exciting about the first bass lesson, I love playing bass, just going back to orchestra tonight, lots of sight reading ( a strong point of mine as I rarely practice!)

I think dd1s music needs "you are not being chased by wild horses " on it! Dd2s should say "this is an instruction not a vague suggestion" . Ds is pretty good so far.

On another note, first bass lesson done and went very well

drummersmum - ah, I will show your post about the timpani to DD when I am back home. Am away for a conference at the moment - have left a list of practice instructions for DP to supervise. We'll see how that goes!

horsey brilliant idea. For DS2's NCO audition music, I wrote VIBRATO! STRAIGHT BOW! at the beginning of every line of his slower piece. He said it was 'like I was there'

python how lovely and thoughtful! I hope you have also planned a nice treat for yourself for all the empathising/organising/supporting/nail biting. And that goes for all the parents of auditionees

I think we all need a poster to stick on piano/music stand which says 'slower, use the correct fingering!' . It is my most used comment for Ds. He is however reaping the benefits of practice at the moment though so that's good! Don't envy all these entrance exams. We're in Scotland so none of these opportunities ( or so few and far apart). Just glad our council still has music ensembles.

I've got a lovely card my son will be getting to celebrate whatever his audition results are. It's a pop-up organ, which for him is just perfect.

Good luck with all the school entry exams.

I've just booked a summer school for DS2 and they recommend travel insurance. After last summer's broken arm I can see the point with nonrefundable fees! Any advice on where to look?

And that includes in-school interviews, auditions, 13+ and conquering scales also!

So lots of bottle opening should be happening this month then! That's a much better way to see and handle 11+! None of DCs who took/have been taking this challenge should be disheartened whatever the outcome. Bravo to all.

kutik same here. We always celebrate when the task is over and done

Kutik quite right! It's a big achievement to put yourself through tests and exams/auditions and definitely celebrate the effort!
I regard it as a good omen when there's a cake shop next to an exam centre!
Good luck to all the minis in their auditions and entrance exams. DS1 has an audition/interview today but it's for the school he already goes to so not very exciting!
I began my role as cello scales tyrant last night, which mainly consists of repeating 'no! Go slower until the notes are completely accurate!' I am not DS2's favourite person at the moment!

Hi all. I am new to the thread, although I've been following since the beginning of the year. It is so lovely to read about all the achievements! I also have a query about an exam result. DS got his report today, and the mark for one of his pieces was very low. Then in the comments, it said that 'Unfortunately, the...was not played.' This was not part of the piece, so I am wondering how many marks he may have lost if the examiner thought he had missed out an entire section, which he definitely hadn't. Is it worth appealing? I'm disappointed to hear that they won't change the marks under any circumstances. Thank you in advance. :)

Kutik and Taggie, we believe in both here - celebration of finishing something and celebration of good results! Just an excuse really.

Good luck to your minis Kutik, Python and WindMum.

Just had an e-mail from DD2's guitar teacher saying that she thinks that she should do an exam, probably this term. DD2 has been on the same pieces for months and has lost the will to live. Quite honestly, I'd be happy enough with her just moving on to new material. She is on her third teacher in just over a year and the teacher missed 4 weeks last term through illness. I'm amazed that DD hasn't quit before now.

Glad you agree! DH thinks I just want to open the bottle sooner than later.

Achievements are a wonderful thing, but efforts and challenges are most admirable.

Absolutely kutik - I always celebrate finishing a task rather than the result. In the competitive field I work in, there would be few celebrations otherwise...

The bubbles are not for celebrating the happy results but for celebrating the end of the challenge so they will be open on the day when all is done, not on the result day! It could be next week or the following week depending how things turn out.

Thank you Taggie! I have bubbles in the fridge waiting to be open!

Thank you for your comments about my gs exam grade. It is a good grade, I agree, but his mum and teacher feel that he’s been short-changed. I wasn’t with him, but what would o know anyway? 😀.

Gs has already moved on from it all, but I do feel for his mum. Thanks again.

Plus, 2 marks below a merit is high pass. So it's a good mark.

I don't see any reason to repeat the exam either , best to just move on he coped well with learning the piece at short notice so well done 😀

Double, sounds like your DD did very well today! Great start!

Frigglet, I have never done appeal so sorry can't give you any good advice. But if your GS is already working towards g3, he may as well focus on g3 rather than retaking g2. I don't see any merit repeating the same grade unless your GS is particularly keen.

And good luck to the other DC sitting scholarship assessments!

Hello all. Just popping in again, if I may please. I had great advice last time but there’s now a new problem- can anyone help?

Some of you remember that my gs had to learn a piece of music for his grade 2 at short notice. Well the exam went fine - one slight hitch on one note on the scales and one hitch on one of his pieces. Apparently else was good. He go his result in on Saturday and his teacher says she feels the marking for all the six students who took the exam that morning was harsh.

There have been some discussion about submitting an appeal for all the students, but re my gs, he was 2 marks below a merit. If relevant, for his grade1, he was 2 marks off a distinction.

Well, the deadline of six weeks to submit an appeal is next week Friday. His mum is torn because

1. the teacher still hasn’t received the written comments yet
2. even if abrsm end up agreeing, they won’t change the mark, only offer to refund exam fee or give voucher to allow retake
3. gs is already starting to work on his grade 3 pieces, with view to take exam in summer.

So, any insights or experiences re appeals pls. Will they allow a late appeal?

Is it worth appealing? Gs will be taking independent school exams next jan; will a ‘pass’ for grade 2 really be so much worse than a potential merit. Do you think the potential letter allowing the re-take suffice?

Will it be crazy to potentially get gs to do grade 2 Again at Easter? ESP given that the deadline for applications is in two weeks?

(I’m sitting here with gs mum, who’s giving all the info. Sorry for long message; just don’t want to miss anything relevant out.)

Huge thanks, in advance.

Thank you !