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

If its like previous years, the next application date will be for both July and Leeds in September . You can apply for both.

The reserve lists do move - I had to cancel our July place last year.

No, we didn't apply this time. Its too far for us.

The website says the days are given out on first come first served depending on instrument. But some places are already allocated for unsuccesful applicants for the residentials. DS2 has a place allocated on the July Day. Though he got a waiting list place for the residential so not sure if that has been removed

Thank you. It does sound like it might be simply order of application. I'll just need to be on it for the next one, particularly now I know DS's answers!

Hi from memory dd applied a few of days after it opened, and her friend a couple of days after that

Thanks, String. So did you apply the minute it opened? My DS applied when he got home from school that day but he only got reserve. Am now kicking myself that I didn't do it myself but there were questions that I felt he needed to answer rather than me.

Boys - no idea how they allocate but I guess it depends on numbers applying on which instrument; dd’s Friend has a reserve place and did apply a little later than us I think

@Lotsofmilkonesugar @Stringchild
Many congrats on getting onto an Inspire day! Did you apply the minute they opened applications? Indeed, do they give out places in order of application or do they use other criteria? Just wondered as they are giving a time when applications open for the next Inspire. TIA

Hi Lots - dd also has an Inspire place; maybe time for a mn music meet up if thee are a few of us!

One happy DD here after hearing she got a space on the next NYOinspire day. Is your DS going raspberry ? If so hopefully see you there 🙂

Catkind "Herts I do wonder if teachers are so used to parents pushing for exams they assume we are without listening to what I'm actually saying."

• yes sure that there is an element of that. My kids went to a private prep school and the competition among parents for grades (and everything else!) was crazy at times so I think lots of the music teachers just assumed that was what everybody wanted.

My amatuer orchestra has at least two 80+ year olds, one a former violinist from a national professional orchestra, one double bass player who used to be a music teacher. The only reason he is thinking about giving up is lugging his bass in and out of his car/ house every week. They are still very lucid ( and opinionated!)

So he's 91 now then! Hope he's still playing.

That was last year! Sorry!

Coz I don't live that far to the venue.

Amazing. I am very tempted to go to his concert.

How about this chap? Amazing. www.makingmusic.org.uk/event/whitehall-orchestra/whitehall-orchestra-celebrating-eric-sagons-90th-birthday

Taggie, you don't need to tick both music and language to get all the benefits New Scientist claims. I also remember you as a super violinist so you are very much protected from fast track aging (brain)! At least more than me!

Didn't Milstein play into his eighties?

"Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."

You have many many years to embrace your love of music, cat.

Viola players have longevity - I want to still be playing at 85 never mind talking ;)

Neleus - very interesting! I have done loads of music. But am a lost cause when it comes to languages, I fear.

Regarding exams... DS2 hasn’t done any violin exams, but is starting to want to, just so he can answer the inevitable ‘what grade are you?’ question. This is much more of an issue for DCs not at jd etc.

I am of the catkind school of thought about doing a grade when you are on top of it. For his exam, DS2 will play old pieces that he can pick up easily and polish in a few weeks. The limiting factor at the moment is aural. He has a very good ear, but struggles to describe music in a mature way (mainly because he is only 10).

cat, if my memory is correct you play violin/viola/piano, right? I am sure you will still speak very clearly at 85 when I'll probably struggle to say a word at the same age.

Lol neleus, well I still remember the music I learned as a child but anything else I can't remember from one minute to the next. I think children have scrambled my brain. I do think music was very helpful memory training when it came to studying for exams though.

cat, DS never covered all the exam materials at one go. When you play a couple of instruments at higher grade, it's pretty impossible unless your life is truly devoted to music. As you say, just playing through all three pieces take up a lot of time. You do bits of studies, bits of exam pieces and bits of something else, or just no exam pieces at all and have a go at other pieces for a while, and so on. Then you can fit all going together within 20-30 mins lessons/practice. This way you can avoid boredom of repeating the same contents again and again.

DS is currently learning Grade 3 piano pieces. I am also saying "slow down" and "fingering" frequently. He won't take the exam until the summer so this seems a long way off at the moment! Judging from the discussion here his teacher seems quite balanced and flexible though. She likes grades but also encourages wide repertoire, is happy to follow an interest and will put exam stuff aside to learn new things if it's getting stale. DS definitely needs a goal, whether that be an exam or a performance at school. Otherwise he doesn't really polish anything.

Herts I do wonder if teachers are so used to parents pushing for exams they assume we are without listening to what I'm actually saying. Piano lessons happen at school though so I don't get to hear the conversation - to be fair it could be DC wanting to do exams, it's a morning off school and a certificate, both things they're quite fond of...