August Music Thread

I think there's another compulsory one Druid. Not sure though! We'll see - if it's an option, I'm sure they'll bring it up anyway. Getting ahead of myself 😘

folk I know it’s a little different but my oldest three have all taken languages early to facilitate more options - as we speak French/Russian/Farsi/Dutch(/Croatian on Wednesdays...) at home doing various exams made sense so they have something to show for their polyglotism, and has for example enabled DD1 to do two whole different languages plus triple science and still have an option to spare (which she’s now decided is going to be music, thanks everyone!). However I feel it may be slightly different for music as recognitions like grades/diplomas plus general experience can all be completed out of school, and she’ll definitely not be bored in year 7-9 music - from what I can tell it’s mostly just messing around, no-one really takes it seriously at that level and they see it as a good break in the timetable (which can feel intense and difficult in year 7!).

And if it comes to GCSE and she can’t find time in her timetable, I imagine it must be possible to do it externally - DS did dance with his dance school in year 10 as opposed to with his main school. DD2 is also planning on doing this!

Universities tend to be suspicious of applicants who have spread out their core subjects over several years, with low grades and multiple retakes. This tended to be a pattern with modular GCSEs. Students would 'cash in' what they had and move on, retaking as and when possible. Schools put their weakest students onto this track so that they would leave with something.

One or two subjects taken early with top grades is fine from a university point of view. DS1's school (who gets ~40% their cohort into Oxford/Cambridge) used to do maths early with the top sets, so that they could get going on the A level course in year 10/11.

Folk in Noo's case, she could do the music GCSE as an easy option with her cohort, or do it early, or do it as an external candidate. Or not bother at all, and do Grade 8 theory + performance diploma instead and go straight to music A-level.

X post I'm slow... If it's about fitting in more courses she wants to study, you could look at doing music outside school completely? Generally given all the time on extracurriculars I'd say less GCSEs not more, but I do remember that stage of not wanting to give anything up yet!

Folk, re taking music early - perhaps another option might be to start it late. Ask if she can skip school music lessons and have a free period to practice for a year or three and join her peers in year 10.

I don't know how much the curriculum has changed, it was always an easy lesson for those of us who already did a lot of music. Then it's quite nice to have an easy lesson sometimes, and we spent a lot of lessons hanging around in practice rooms "composing" (aka playing stuff from shows/queen songs that classmate brought in). Maybe they make them do more work now though!

hmmmm, all good points! maybe not then.

My thinking was that it might enable her to do triple science instead of double if she wanted to when the time comes - she will definitely want to do drama, and has to do either of french/spanish and geography/history. They can only choose 3 options if doing triple science. Although double science served me well enough so it might not be that much of an option. And i suspect with Noo, completely irrelevant anyway..... lol!

You know me, always over thinking / planning!!

Cheers to druid

Re taking GCSE early, I was warned that some universities don't appreciate that. Apparently they prefer those who juggled all in a year (limited timeline) to those who managed to score high over a few years (understandably they didn't need to juggle as efficient as those who did all in a year). Perhaps better to check the benefit of taking it early.

Ds doesn't get loads out of school music lessons though he is set his own work . The head of music even told him that the start of the gcse course would be more about getting everyone else up to speed !! Ds will do his own thing and see it as an enjoyable gcse - I think he's going to have enough on his plate with the other 10 subjects he is still asking ( daily at the moment) to go to music school . I've said ( again) that we will see how it goes !!

Whole back on GSCE Music....

Thinking of asking if DD1 can do it early, maybe start the course in Y8. Thoughts?? Too much???

Just not sure she's going to get much out of actual music lessons in school!

Thanks Taggie. That's what DH said from his own experience.

string, you are wise to let her have a rest after such an adventure of adjusting to new environment, juggling schoolwork, scholar's duties, JD, NCO and more. I am sure she's charged well and is now so ready for the tired Christmas!

Strangely DS going to the boarding school has calmed down some of my worries. I just couldn't see him being a happy child juggling all the commitments thrown at him on top of daily long journey. I think I can imagine him being more capable at 13 or so, but he doesn't appear mature enough and organised enough yet. No doubt he'll have packed schedule at the school he is going though it's different kind of juggling which he can probably handle better than juggling multiple things at multiple places at this stage.

Patrick - yr7 is also a v tiring adjustment to any school; we didn’t overload this summer (end of trip 7) for that reason. Expect a tired Christmas holiday!

Patrick he may have a bit of a slump a few weeks in, after the novelty has worn off but before he feels completely connected to his new environment. We see this a lot with new undergraduates ('5th week blues'), and I remember it from school. In most cases, it is a temporary phase, and the school will be experienced in dealing with it. It is also not unique to boarding school! DS1 struggled a bit towards half term when he started senior school as a day boy.

So - if there is a slump, try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know).

Thanks LouieLouie. As you say we will sort things out as needed so yes all should be fine. However, DS has a habit of surprising me with his unpredictable action (him wanting to go to music school was so out of his character for instance). Hope it won't happen too often so that I can catch up and can deal with any situation in time!

It’ll be fine Patrick’s- if he needs you, you’ll know and you’ll sort it out. You know him better than anyone- mini will be fine.

Thanks Loose. Yes, I hope he'll blast off to the Moon.

DH reckons DS will enjoy the first week and possibly the second week also but once the reality starts kicking in the novelty of being away will soon wear off and DS may feel differently for the whole thing. DH is planning to rent a tiny place near the school if DS starts missing us terribly just to be closer to him, or change him to be a day pupil if his homesick gets really serious.

DS reckons he will be fine. Let's see....

Patrick - It sounds like your DS is really ready for his new school. I can’t wait to hear how he and all the other DCs get on. I am dreading all the 11+ (Pre test) drama next term . At least we don’t have to worry about scholarship auditions yet.

Patricks thanks so much but remember your DS is going to have a blast at his new school! Best of luck to him!

After having gone through all the worries for 11+, I can't face to the fact that GCSE is so so stressful and that it'll be only a few years away (well, 5 years...)....

and to Loose and all the parents.

Patricks DS is definitely relaxing! He doesn't need to enrol in sixth form until next Monday and starts the week after.

It was lovely to see you again Double. Yes, we'll definitely go to the town.

Taggie, I am glad DS liked NCO experience. I thought he may say 'enough'. A lady at DS's new school said coming to their school would be like attending NCO residential course everyday. DS can't believe his luck that it'll be his everyday from September.

Massive well done to those who have finally come out of the other side of GCSEs. Hope everyone received results wanted and now relaxing and enjoying the rest of the summer.