November Music Thread

My dd has been told to hold off any more theory exams for a while.
grade 6 is a huge step up according to her teacher.
She is studying it, but I don't think she's likely to take another theory exam until grade 8.
If they are taking GCSE and A level it isn't necessary, but of course the UCAS points are handy if they are going to study at an institution that counts the points.

I'm tempted to keep DS going with theory, Melting, as I think it would be useful for GCSE music. Don't think he'll be so keen, though...

In a different subject, just spotted this advertised on a FB teachers group:

www.nycb.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1zfb6-DBJSvkLrW1-rkrGi7nP3NNpzLRexJXvCP5il-1rb3Yt0C-1fpkU

Is anyone's DCs continuing to work on theory post Grade 5? I seem to remember at least one DC from the thread - is it raspberry's mini? And Goo?

DD is keen to continue as she seems to enjoy theory. We don't know how she has got on with Grade 5 yet of course so waiting to see there. I have been having a look through some of the Grade 6 material - think my poor grey cells and memory are going to put to the test .

Waffle, I have found my ds2 to be very rigid in wanting to stay with the same music teacher and really not wanting to entertain the idea of a different one. I think it is fear of the unknown. But in fact, I think a change of teacher can be like a breath of fresh air sometimes. So while it might feel like the end to her now, once she has reconsidered, a new teacher might actually turn out to be a good thing.

Thinking of you, Waffle.

For us, a door closing in one area - DS was a very promising junior footballer, fairly brutally deselected from the professional club junior setup - in fact opened what turned out to be a much better door in another area.

At the time, it was really difficult, but it does now feature in the first line of NBB's UCAS conservatoire personal statement as a positive turning point in his life!

Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time waffle, I hope all comes good in the end.

Dd was just 8 when she started a Bb clarinet but was quite tall for her age then.

Voluntarily doing extra clarinet practice here this weekend. Such a turn around from a few months ago. It's been ignore a bit as bassoon concert last week and in two weeks time.

Thank you all for your kind words!

Mood in the Nosebleed household is probably best described as 'cautiously optimistic but nervous'.

This first audition shows that he is not a long way off the required standard, otherwise he would simply have been rejected. That is reason for optimism, as certainly I haven't been confident of that up till now.

However, nor is it the endorsement that an offer would have been, and especially with his preferred institution's audition coming up, all nerves are jangling.

It also starts to feel a bit more real and not an impossible dream, so nervousness (for us as parents) about the long term implications of choosing jazz performance as a post-18 option are more to the fore!

Can'tkeepawayforever I just want to echo what Floot said. The first audition is going to be the hardest because it is unfamiliar. He's been there, done that now and he knows that his performance was fine. It is a nerve wracking time for them (and us) but it will be for everyone else too.

Waffle I don't have any useful advice but wanted to sympathise as it must be so hard for both of you. Obviously I hope she does decide to carry on, even if it means changing teachers - not an easy decision, I'm sure.

cantkeepaway, don't despair - he only needs one full offer. When I did music college auditions, I did Guildhall, RCM, RAM and RNCM. For reasons I can't even remember, I set my heart on the RCM, but got offered a reserve place there and definite offers from the other 3. Lots of people get a mixture of reserves and firm offers, so a reserve offer at this stage doesn't mean it's all over by any means, especially if it wasn't his playing in question.

Everything crossed and double crossed for his first choice.

If Goo's teacher is not part of the issue she has experienced at the CAT maybe there could be a private teaching arrangement? Obviously, if the teacher is part of the issue then I could see why you'd be looking elsewhere. Alternatively, if the teacher is the issue then maybe Goo could stay with the centre but with another teacher? You have probably already been through all this as options...

Is there no way she can stay with the teacher anyway waffle ? I think goos CAT is slightly different to ds’s which only advises on teachers so you are free to go to who you want . Both myself and ds were really worried about him changing teacher - but I think it’s turned out to be a really positive thing ( although it caused me a few sleepless nights finding someone !!) hope it all works out

waffle, that sounds complicated. Hope she can find a way she's happy with one way or other.

cantkeep, reserve place at this stage is really encouraging, good luck with the next audition.

Sounds like you know what will be best... hopefully things will improve soon. Shame if she has to change teacher if it’s someone you’re both happy with though

Cross post! Sorry to hear she is off playing, not sorry about the GCSEs !! 😂

Sorry to hear that waffle , do you think maybe after a short break or relaxing time for a while she will get back to it? Very difficult situation for you 💐

I don't know anything about clarinets Jaffa but your name made me lol.

DS on earning a living:

'Well, I'll probably end up teaching something."

He'd be the third generation of teachers in the family, so he's probably right....