Christmas and January Music Thread *Thread title edited by MNHQ*

2018 has been a year of changes and upheaval for our family - lots of exam stress, changes of school etc. Being able to talk about these things (from exam tips to forgotten coats) has been so helpful and I'd like to thank you all for the support & encouragement that is always available here. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas!

I have to keep my mouth shut as DS plays a minority instrument. On sites that aren't open to Google I don't mind quite as much but here I namechange a couple of times a year to break the link with the old me that used to name the instrument. Nope to that now. I have counted, three concerts before Christmas, one after. This is the same number as I said before the last concert so obviously I can't count to five.

cantkeep, you sound like very much supportive parents and DCs with amazing passion and determination (like many families on this thread). I really enjoy reading the challenges and conquerors and hope to continue hearing the exciting adventure.

I don't mind people on this thread, especially regulars, to know who DS is. In fact I always enjoy exchanging some messages and emails and also the happy opportunities to bump into each other IRL. But I feel uncomfortable to let all the world (readers) to know, for similar reasons to what string says.

We had rather quiet December musically. DS had a few performances but nothing like he always did with school, choir, orchestra, JD, etc. We had a few run but not a marathon!

I havent met any of you in real life (given the large expanse of sea between us!) But i'm not a troll, although im currently feeling rather stiff and rock like so perhaps i am a little Norwegian mountain troll-like .
We're now finished the pre Christmas concerts and lessons for the year so just a small local performance for the kids on the 29th - Christmas music of their own choosing so thats just a case of getting them to agree on duets etc.... luckily its Christmas so chocolate bribes can be liberally applied if neccessary

Yes I think many of us have met by happenchance now or are aware who the dc are; I am fine with that - been really great to meet people from here. I am more wary of those who are reading but never post and not for good reasons! They are trolls too and have different kinds of problems to thiose who invent new lives (I don’t mind them, they generally do no harm except perhaps to their own heads). Rant over!

I can understand the appeal of inventing a different life on line as a diversion. However, the small, specialist nature of the music world is that we do know each other (or each others' kids) IRL so unlike, say AIBU, you don't expect to see the keyboard warriors here and you take people at their word.
I'm easy to identify IRL too (again, small section in orchestra) and have spoken to several of the MN NCO crew at concerts and auditions.

I think it’s hard to spot a troll, I don’t know how those who did picked up on the issue. Glad there’s some good vigilant people around.

Waffle has PM’d me as I hadn’t realised that had been going on, I drop in and out of the board depending on how much time I have/don’t have. Waffle more or less worked out who DD is and who I am too from social media! I think others here know too (or can work it out) as her section in NCO is small but I’d still prefer to remain anonymous. I’ve worked out who a few DC are too, those I see at NCO.

Signing off now for the holidays (as I guess I’m going to be busy) Wishing you all a peaceful break.

I read that trolls are supposed to be malicious or purposefully divisive. I've not read posts like that on the music threads.

Hopefully, will meet some of you in person at regionals.

I have no idea. I’m definitely not a troll , and I think quite a few of you know who ds is anyway !! it’s just so odd and such a shame.

I think that most of us just can't comprehend just why trolls do what they do. Is it attention seeking? Jealousy? Billy Liar? Oneupmanship?

It is very sad as I don't think it is as simple as any of the above explanations.

I hope you all have a nice Christmas. It’s my children’s carol service tomorrow then we’ve got the holidays.

Thanks Raspberry and Zac

Hey, a tip for xmas songs. Have no idea why, something about Harmony and Jazz, but get your kids to play "We three kings from Orient are".
I know dh uses it with Impro/Jazz students every year, sorry don't know more but have learned how to switch off now, it comes automatically,
Have heard dd playing it too

I know Romany- definitely not a troll.
Swinging is real also x

Oops! Patrick!

I've met quite a few of you IRL or corresponded personally. Waffle, Crazy, Zak, Double, Disorganised, Wiifit, Piccolo, Taggie, Petra. Hope I didn't forget anyone!!!!

I've met Lotsofmilk so we can vouch for each other. And though I've never met Romany personally I know someone who knows her in real life!

Lotsofmilk did your DD get an NYO Inspire offer? DS2 initially only had an offer for a day next July, but was offfered a residential place a week later.

I’m a bit surprised anyone would bother to troll the thread as I would have thought it’s a bit boring unless you/your DCs genuinely have an interest in music.... we are certainly identifiable to anyone that knows us, but then I don’t post anything I wouldn’t mind people knowing. Hopefully that will be the end of it 🙂

I'm not a troll and I'm sure Zac would confer this as I can with Zac.
I've never met anyone else on here atm, did a couple of years ago, but poster no longer here.

Cant I am really pleased for your ds, would you pm me sometime with the conservatoire.
I think it's very interesting to see what others dc end up doing, especially with a subject like music where there is so much choice.

Neleus

Thank you so much! It does feel; a bit as if, one day on holiday at the end of Y11, DS told us that his dream was to go to conservatoire to do Jazz.... and suddenly we were on the fast lane of the musical motorway!

WindMum, I own a few names and I switch them depending on a thread but I don't regard myself as a troll and hope no one does! I don't change the personality but just a name so I am quite identifiable especially for regulars and in fact I receive PMs occasionally to confirm their guess which I am very much happy about. I think trying to protect privacy is nothing wrong as long as there is no lie in what you write.

I was away from this thread for a while but has just recently managed to catch up. As expected I missed lots of great news and I would like to say 'congratulations!' to all of them. But I would like to say so especially to NBB @cantkeepawayforever for the offers from conservatoires. He's got a similar background as mine in some ways (although mine is a lot younger so nowhere near his level) so I was excited to see his endless challenges and am simply amazed by how far he could come in such a short period of time (JD included). He sounds very much passionate about what he does and he totally deserves what he's achieved. Wonderful.

Haven't posted for a while and seem to have missed a lot, probably just as well by the sound of it.

DS1 has just finished his first term at RAM and is loving it. He's an organist so is in the midst of his really busy season. He has services at home and in London so will be splitting his time. It does mean he won't be home until later on Christmas Day so we will do family presents when he gets here and the Christmas dinner on Boxing Day.

DD broke up on Friday and has been spending a few days in London with her brother, coming back tomorrow. She's had a short break from practising after a full on first term in year 12 so I got her clarinets serviced. She is missing them!

Well done for all the great results! Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

Although if I do you’ll think I’m a troll too!

Time for a name change I think!

I have been identified before, but fortunately not in a bad way that got me into trouble. Anyone who knows DS2’s musical activities irl and could be bothered to read these threads would know who I was!

A few times, I have asked mn to pull a post of mine because I slipped up and said something that could lead to another child being identified and discussed. A few times, I have accidentally posted as Taggie on other parts of mn, where I would like to remain anonymous . It is a minefield! But my life is sufficiently dull that none of it matters too much...

I do feel sad both about and for people who troll threads like this. Amongst all the lies, there is a truth there, which is that they need validation, support and company, just like the rest of us ‘real’ posters. I truly hope they find what they need in a more socially acceptable, and less disruptive manner.

for us all.