January Music Thread

Happy New year everyone!
I have 3 kids, dd1 is 12 and plays violin and piano, dd2 is 9 and plays flute and newly double bass, and ds is 7 and plays drums and piano. Both dd's are in a talent program but no grades for any of them.

Not sure what the year will bring. Dd1s teacher thinks she really need to join our JD equivalent but the system here means we need support (and payment) from the local music service type organisation, and that is proving challenging...... I need to try again and get answers but basically he wont give us a straight answer and his boss is even worse, when i pointed out he was making descisions without the facts she told me he har gathered all the facts before he made the descision and it was irrelevant that the 'facts' he had based his descision on were untrue the descision stands and will not be revisited
It's all a bit like trumps alternative facts..... luckily out neighbouring district has pretty much adopted the kids and put them in their regional talent program (different region)

Trumpet - i wish i had known what a positive difference there would be; its like a weight off her shoulders and i would say her technique is really zooming on in a way it hadn't for a while.

String that's exactly why ds isn't taking grade 8 ( though I'm sure he will at some point) he's so motivated by practice when it's all about playing interesting exciting music and getter better to be able to play it- without the pressure of exams

Dd is a year 7 music scholar, choirester, and torn between music and science! In the NCO for 5th year (clarinet); in love with her cello post grade 8 - so much more relaxed and excited by her learning now doesn’t need to think about grade exams

I am still reading the thread regularly even though I don't post much :)

I have DD16 who plays piano and guitar, but she is in the French equivalent of Y13 and mocks/ university applications are eating into music time this year. She is in the third cycle of the French conservatoire system (equiv. diploma) but has no formal exams planned. Concert coming up in Feb at which she will play the Fantaisie Impromptu and will also accompany some of the younger string players.

DS14 plays electric guitar rather well but I doubt he will ever take exams. Takes lessons with a local jazz professional. He has also started teaching himself piano, and I'm toying with the idea of getting him some private lessons as I think he has potential to be quite good (he can only play two pieces but they are both about grade 6 standard).

Mum to DD age 11 taking grade 6 piano, grade 6 clarinet, grade 6 theory (yes continuing after grade 5) and grade 3 (and more than likely grade 5 too) singing this year. She's in NCO for her 3rd year this year (u11s) on clarinet and looking forward to starting back with regionals soon.

This term concentrating on Festival participation - 4 woodwind classes (7 pieces all grade 6-7 standard) and 6 piano classes (8 pieces from grade 1-7 standard, age class is a grade 1 piece, including a full concerto) great for developing performance skills and getting feedback from ABRSM examiner who is the adjudicator! Also scholarship entrance exams and assessment tests this month.

Lots of practice going on over the holidays!

Happy New Year all . I'm mum to ds 12 ( nearly a teenager now ) and dd 10. Dd has 2 maybe 3 ( I hope not) music exams possibly this term grade 1 for both piano and cornet and maybe grade 3 in performance. Ds is excited to be in the NCO again this year ( under 13's) studies with AYM at Snape Maltings and is about grade 8 trumpet now although no plans to take the exam in 2018 ( I think) . He also plays piano and I have plans that he will take grade 5 theory this year !! I enjoy singing and as we start a new year I am promising myself that I will make more time for music making this year as well as being ds's PA and taxi service!!

Happy new year!

I'm mama to a little one who plays clarinet and piano. She's working towards G5 clarinet and has just taken G3 piano. She's v excited to be in regionals for NCO this year but already looking forward to this year auditioning again to try for nationals, sigh! This year she's hoping to start bassoon and we are excited for lots of new adventures!

Happy New Year

I have DS2 15, heading towards Grade 8 piano and Grade 5 organ before summer. He also plays trombone around Grade 7-8 with no exams and has just started euphonium. Plays at school, in various Music service ensembles and will be heading to NYO inspire in February.

DD is 17, playing saxes, and plays in various ensembles. Main focus is Uni applications, A levels and driving test at the moment.

I also have DS1, brass player almost 20, studying Physics at uni but also hugely involved in the student music society.