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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

September 2018 Music Thread

905 replies

folkmamma · 01/09/2018 08:21

Hi all! Our lovely host Waffle is away at the moment and has asked me to start this months thread.

Here is a place for us to share stories, ask for advice, and generally support one another through our DCs (and in some cases our own!) musical journeys. All are very welcome, from the early beginners to the very advanced. Some people have been regular contributors for years, but we also have a lot of newcomers and love welcoming new contributors to the MN Music Thread team. I became aware of this group about 9 months ago via the NCO 2018 thread and I now spend more time here than on Facebook... Grin.

Over here, I have Noo, just turned 11, violinist, violist and pianist. She is playing at aroud G7 standard on violin (first study) and is starting JD this month, eek!. Noo is also an associate member of NCO and this year joined the Pro Corda ensemble training programme, which she loves above all else! She is also very into musical theatre and regularly performs in professional and semi-professional shows - it is a challenge to juggle it all, but somehow we do. This month is a biggie for Noo as she starts secondary school as well as JD.

DD2 is Moll. 8yrs old and plays cello and piano. She is a very different kettle of fish to big sister - every bit as able, but some self esteem issues, together with a slightly quirky personality, mean her journey is not often quite so smooth (and mine completely turbulent!). Working towards G3 cello this term (although she doesn’t know it yet) and will go for a consultation at Noo’s JD sometime this term also.

I’m sure Waffle will drop in to update us on Goo, Rara and her own musical self once she gets back from holibobs.

Good luck to everyone with back to school, changes in school, new routines and audition prep! I predict September will be a busy month on the thread!

Over to you.... Smile

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TaggieOHara · 01/09/2018 10:52

loose 13 yo DS snap! Poor DS1 is going to have a nasty shock next week!

I have two DSes: DS1 (13) plays the piano; DS2 (10) plays the violin and piano and is also a chorister.

Like folk I discovered this thread after moving on from the nco audition thread last year, and it has been a life line for me as DS2 has become more serious about his instrumental music. He now plays in nco U10s and pro corda. No violin grades yet, but he is working towards grade 4 piano.

Main features this term are 11plus pre test prep, nco audition and loads and loads of choir! I’m excited but also a bit daunted...

LooseAtTheSeams · 01/09/2018 10:07

Thanks to Folk for new thread and look forward to hearing from Waffle post-holidays!
My own piano lessons start on Monday and I haven't done enough practice since we went on holiday. I am setting a bad example!
Anyway, I have DS1 who starts sixth form soon and is working for a performance diploma in bass guitar. He also dabbles in guitar and drum kit.
DS2 aged 13 plays cello (G6), piano (g5) and electric guitar (g4). He has spent most of the summer holidays asleep in his darkened lair or on the computer. He is going to find getting up in the morning a massive shock to the system next week!

Doubleup · 01/09/2018 09:42

Good luck to your DD Raspberry! When does she head off?

Doubleup · 01/09/2018 09:40

Thanks folk for being super-sub and setting up this month’s thread. Lots of change this term for our household too.

DD1 (15) goes into her GCSE year where she is doing both art and music - and probably not enough on either of them so far, so I can see that becoming a scramble. Never one for planning, however much you try and get her to. She also has Grade 7 sax likely and her oboe teacher is talking about Grade 8, although that wouldn’t be until next summer. She auditioned successfully for the county youth orchestra too. Busy!

DD2 (11) plays bassoon (Grade 7+), classical guitar (Grade 3-ish) and is due to start piano when she starts secondary school next week with a music scholarship. She is currently having a week of no practice following the NCO U11s course.

raspberryrippleicecream · 01/09/2018 09:38

Thanks for getting us going Folk.

I mainly have DS2, 15, trombone, piano and organ. Also former Cathedral chorister, still singing on the back row.

He plays in wide variety of school and local ensembles.

I also have DS1 already at uni who plays a lot of extracurricular music and DD about to go who is also taking her instrument with her.