January to March 2019 music thread (Title edited by MNHQ)

Thank you NeleusTheStatue. She’s always happy to volunteer to play in concerts/comps etc so I just hope this “surprising” result doesn’t knock her enthusiasm. She has a school Concert next half term in which she’s playing one of her pieces from today as a solo so hopefully that’ll give her something to focus on. I think I’ll just have a stiff gin and rock in the corner! Although I can read music etc I’m not musical enough to be a really good judge of all the candidates so these results are just as much of a surprise for me....and my nerves are shredded!

Well done to QueenMabby 's DD! Taking part in such an event itself requires massive courage - what's a star.

I also think her being open to her disappointment and having a few tear over it shows her great quality as a challenger. There are too many people who would pretend they didn't try their best and didn't want to win in the first place as soon as they learned their loss. I find this kind of attitude so uncool and actually only emphasises their wounded pride they are trying so hard to hide.

Anyway I agree competitions are so subjective too. I am sure your DD played very well.

Thank you Boyskeepswinging. I’ve told her that if five different people listened to her playing that you’d get five different opinions! Her teacher was there and said she played really well and that sometimes there are surprises (she said it’s always a surprise and never a disappointment!) as that is the nature of competitions. Onwards and upwards. She’s off to ballet now (Exam next month) so that’ll keep her busy.

Sorry to hear that Mabby but as you say, use it as a life lesson. It's how you deal with these set-backs that builds resilience. It is hard but all these comps are so subjective. I remember a school music competition where both the winner and runner-up in every year were pianists The bias of the adjudicator was off the scale! It's little consolation but I do think not always winning the prizes sets you up well for the world of work where it's often not the best performers who get rewarded (speaks the voice of bitter experience).

And we’re done. Phew! No placing this year. She’s only done a couple of comps and has come first or second in all so it was a disappointment for her and we've had a few tears! Still, it’s a good learning experience for her. Hard for me though!

As a music teacher, everyone else thinks I’m calm, but there’s no fooling my own children. If I can, I clear out of the way!

I was meant to be teaching some of the local teens the Trinity vocals exam stuff, but then —dd decided to do another exam this year— life got in the way, so I’ve decided to leave it this year. Has anyone else tried those syllabus?

Yup, another one here who gets nervous watching ... As you know, my DS plays percussion so it's absolutely bloomin' obvious when he's come in wrong. Thankfully he's now learned to style it out but I must admit concerts were traumatic when he was little. He used to knock over cymbals, and drop tambourines and I was mortified because of course everyone could see and hear it!
As I say, now he's older and more reliable it is easier to watch but I still get nervous. But he doesn't know this - I am Mrs Calm as far as he's concerned because I don't want my anxiety to transfer to him. This helps to some extent as I have to put on a brave face and be positive and smiley but inside I'm still sweating! Agree with previous advice to not watch them when performing. My distraction technique is to watch the bows of the strings to see if they're all going in the same direction

Thank you shakyisles - glad I’m not the only one! I can’t look either when she plays. Would it be ok to take a cushion to hide behind do you think?! 😜😂

queenMabby I STILL get nervous for my two children. I get nervous for exams, comps, performances... here we are ten years and seven years of playing for them...and I still sweat every note. I find breathing and not looking at them and not sitting in the first row help.
A little.

Morning all. Well done to all adults learning instruments - my DH bought me a piano for my 40th. Nearly three years later and I can’t play a note but fortunately dd is making up for that!
Hand hold for me today please. Dd has a piano comp today. Anyone else get really nervous when their dcs play in a concert or comp? I get the full racing heart and feeling sick despite not minding whether she comes first or last! Any tips most welcome to help me hold onto my sanity!

Good to hear what is happening from everyone else. I actually got to chat to the Trinity examiner as he has his cup of tea. He was saying how hard it is now to make a living from music. Some of his friends in the UK who are in the big orchestras and teach are now having to go Uber driving!

So...has anyone done DipABRSM? any advice for helping my Dd to prep for the Viva Voce would be gratefully received. She got 9/10 for presentation in ATCL (dress, performance skills and programme notes) so we feel she knows what she is doing there. But the Viva Voce is a new element.

Happy to pass info re ATCL if anyone wants any. If we can, we will, because there’s not much out there.

Back in after issue with log on. DS2 has auditions this week for recorder, trumpet and trombone. Auditioned last year with no luck. Any one of the 3 would be great. His cousin is in the recorder group so that might be nice for them.

Hopefully a bit better prepared this year.Fingers crossed.

Some great tips on some of the other music threads.

The difference between coming in late and leaving early is the register. Come in late you have to be marked absent. Leave early no official record!

Shaky nice to hear from you again. Two Grade 8s in the same session was bad enough here!

Ah, yes I was trying to say I have NC! Love autocorrect!

don’t know where And have no came from! Sorry.

Hi, i’m A very infrequent poster on here. And have no. Sounds like everyone is doing amazing.

Can anyone tell me any recent experience on how fast Abrsm are turning round practical results from special sessions ( ie: invited in to do a series of exams rather than in a public access place)

I know from prior experience that 3 weeks is likely.
I just want someone to tell me it’s sometimes quicker than that as it’s tough waiting!

I guess it will all be forgotten about quite quickly during the fun of half term, and then it will come as a surprise some time in March.

Have a good holiday everyone!

X

DS had a late night concert only a handful times at that age but when he did I emailed school to let them know about it, or I might have even asked if he could come in slightly late next morning. They were usually very understanding but then it didn't happen very often any way. A couple of hours to go now, Mending, then it'll be a holiday. Yay.

Actually, DS was on a heavy training program for his football and had to leave school slightly earlier to attend the after school sessions (an hour drive one way). School let him go without a fuss and it was on a weekly basis. So why not for music also?!

That sounds tough shaky well done for surviving!
The concert started at 7, although ds didnt have to meet up until 8. They hung out in the Green room and ds got to watch minecraft videos on YouTube so he was pretty happy . He was ok this morning and school havent rung so im assuming no crisis. I think an early night is in order tonight

Shaky - that sounds really tough.

Mending - DS2 is 10 and has been doing regular late concerts since he was 9. He is in a choir that does a lot of concerts, so they are very experienced in dealing with young children and late nights. What makes a big difference is how the concert day itself is organised. The choristers have at least an hour of supervised rest time in a quiet room before a concert, and they don't tend to do more than an hour or two of rehearsal. The rest time is separate from being taken outside for a kick about, or going for a meal.

So if you can schedule in some proper rest before a concert, that helps. The next day DS2 is often a bit tired, but he has got pretty used to it now, and most of the teachers are understanding.

Crikey Mending' that's a late finish for an 8 year old. What time did the concert start?

Hi all. It has been ages since i’ve been on here. I still have a violinist and a sax player. Last year was so hard with them both sitting ATCL in the same session. One failed (just) and one got a distinction so you can just imagine what our house was like then...

I do not suggest anyone let’s their kids sit in the same session. Aside from trying to find suitable attire, pay a lot of accompanist fees and settle arguments between siblings for practise times, it’s a lot of money in one go. Then they go head to head. So do not do this!

One has decided to keep playing for fun and will continue in her ensembles and never intends taking a music exam again. The other is working hard on her DipABRSM and technique, choosing new repertoire. Happy as.

Ooh I love Two Set Violin ofc a professional in one instrument starting another won't sound as awful as a kid with no musical experience.
I don't remember my early clarinet attempts as a kid being too bad. They shouldn't squeak, even at a very early level, usually means the ligature is too tight or the parts aren't quite properly aligned, or the reed is knackered.

How do you all handle late concerts and even later to bed, especially on school nights?
I am glad it's friday, my 8 year old played in a big concert last night, it was nearly 10 before he was on stage and after 11 when we got him home and in bed. School starts at 8.15 this morning and i fear his teachers are going to have a tough job today....

DD2 started on a mini bassoon and then a tenoroon before moving on to a full sized one. The small instruments were a bit harsh sounding, but her bassoon now can sound lovely and mellow. The low B flat can sound like a liner leaving port though! DD1’s first student oboe on the other hand made my ears bleed! Lovely tone now, but took a while.

cru, there are some pretty decent bassoons out there for a lot less money, particularly second hand. And then there is the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme where you can buy the instrument through a state school/academy or music service and save on the VAT.