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

It is interesting what you all say about music auditions. My dd did her first music festival last year. It was an age category not a grade one and she popped up and played one of her little g2 pieces while all the other children played g4/5 pieces! She still won though!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 The adjudicator talked a lot about her musicality and the “colour” she brought to the piece. I just smiled and clapped - no clue what he was talking about and I thought she had no chance against much more advanced children. Just reinforced how little I know about music!

Neleus

My dd HO Department told me it was amazing how many jumped up kids argued during audition, and answered back.
Obviously worded differently, but I can't remember the exact phrasing
I suppose when they are in the middle of rehearsals or lessons they don't want answering back, although they do accept and encourage a well timed joke, or witty comment.

Ah yes, Neleus we signed some huge terrifying contract like that when DD2 started. Probably aimed at children at a far more advanced level than mine, as it seemed a bit OTT at the time...

snowballs, the DCs at DS's jd were also not supposed to enter any exam/audition/competition/public exposure without the teacher's approval. They also ran aural/musicianship/improv/theory etc but not necessarily exam oriented (apart from g6 theory which was compulsory for all the pupils).

I also agree that potential and teachability are the keys for selection, both at specialist schools and JDs. What I've witnessed so far is those who got in the system may not necessarily be incredibly advanced at the entry but they all seem to have the ability to progress massively once they are in.

You often hear those 'advanced' kids who couldn't make it. It's because the attained standard at the entry isn't massively important compared with the ability to realise the potential and yes teachability for them. And I think they are 'expert' to spot the ability required to thrive in the environment they provide.

Oh, perhaps I should have been more grateful for the accompanist thing. I just assumed it was normal! The centre arranges the practical exams (children can't be entered unless form signed by teacher and head of dept), they sort the theory classes (and decide when they do G5) and run an aural class for each grade which children must attend for the term in the run up to practical exams (all boards).

To be honest, DD2s day is so full there that she can't now take advantage of all they've offered her. In addition to the core stuff (ensemble, lesson, supporting studies and choir) she is now bringing her second instrument for an ensemble and practising and learning duets with another girl under the guidance of her HoD. She turned down the folk group (hated it!)....None of the extras have cost any more.

By the end of it I'm knackered and she's absolutely buzzing. And now she's talking about taking on another 'shortage instrument' - I have no idea where she'd fit that in! It all seems to suit her though and she never complains about going, although the day is longer than school.

I forgot to mention. They aren't looking for the finished product, they look for potential and mostly if they are able to teach them.
Some children just aren't capable of being shown anything and are hard work to teach, these are usually filtered out pretty quickly.
I wish your dd the very best, and if I can help at all, please feel free to pm or post on here.

4strings

I've just seen your post and Zac is correct. They won't ask back unless they think the child has potential.
The fact that your dd really wants to be a musician will stand her in good stead.
Mine went to speak to house master after the audition, it wasn't an interview as such but a laid back chat.
She was asked why she wanted to go to the school, and she said that she was a musician and this was a school for musicians. He said it was the best answer he's been given all day
If she is herself she'll not go far wrong

Glad to know I am not the only one... Suppose Knotaknitter is the winner of a horror incident...

minisnowballs, you are indeed very lucky (and spoiled)! DS's jd was very clear about any exam should be discussed and organised between the teacher and pupil so no special visit neither. They were happy to provide their accompanists but the payment and checking availability were needed to be handled privately. Occasionally accompanists were available for any run through for no cost on Saturdays when they happened to be free though (but we never used the service as timing was never right). Also accompanists were provided for any concert/competition organised by the jd for both rehearsals and the actual performance days. But no, no assistance whatsoever for practical exams! Only exam they organised was theory.

Ha - I sent dd1 off without her violin bow yesterday. Luckily she has a spare (rubbish one) in her case which was apparently 'good enough for school orchestra'. My husband is taking DD2 to cello exam because I am out - I shall be feverishly checking her case for music etc before hand.

Neleus, yes, two accompanists that they can book practise time with whenever they like - then they pick the right day of the two-day special visit so that the accompanist they've chosen is there for them. All very organised. Same accompanists also do the regular lunchtime internal concerts. See what I mean by spoiled !

DS has cello lessons at the school next door to his. One of the TAs walks him over and used to help him carry the cello. He has been known to walk off without it. He now carries it himself. If we get to orchestra stage he is definitely at high risk of leaving his instrument behind!

I drove DS over an hour to a residential course, opened the boot to find his suitcase but no instrument. There went my day.

I've done the empty case. Luckily just to a rehearsal!

I've done letting DS wear a wrong coloured shirt for a concert and we did this passing through the car window thing back then too. Ha.

Just to share my heart attack moment of today...

DS had a performance this morning so I drove him to the venue. Once arrived he had to sort out a few things so I told him to get on with it while I unloaded his stuff (he was carrying many things). I was driving back home in the middle of heavy traffic when my phone rang. It was DS and he asked me where I put his violin. And my eye caught his violin case nicely sitting in the back seat...

I made a u-turn and after 40 mins of my effort I managed to pass him the violin through the car window, just in time for the performance. He missed a proper warm-up, and I missed a doctor appointment which I waited for three weeks!!

Still haven't done bringing an empty case yet...

Does CYM provide accompanist for exams?? How lucky!! DS's jd didn't so we had to arrange one privately. After having experience of piano exams only, (so no accompanist ever needed), the extra expense on top of the exam fee was a bit of shock... And it was for grade 8 so the exam fee alone was quite significant!

Thanks all. I think we will stick with the accompanist - but I do take all of your points. She has accompanied all Dd's sister's exams, so we know what she is like - and she did dd2's first one as well. I know she'll be quiet on the actual day which will help.
Dd2 usually very spoiled nowadays as she has a fab accompanist at CYM for her first instrument who is both encouraging and gives her lots of practice time, but she doesn't learn cello there and of course they only enter their own students, which is fair enough, so she can't use him. I think the fact that cello plays very much second fiddle (ha!) to flute for her, means that she is too aware of her failings with it - plus she does find solo performance an ordeal.
Hopefully it will be OK on the day.

Thank you so much for your advice. You've all been so helpful.
DH is actually very unhelpful as his only memory of music lessons was being forced to learn the piano because his parents had one and wanted him to use it. He doesn't really see any of the other benefits it brings like confidence, listening, perseverance etc.
I think I'm going to see if she can do the extra drama she wants and still carry on with cornet until July. If I switch to a different band that might help as well.
I won't make her practise as much.
We always encouraged her to try new things. I think the downside of this is there are only 7 days in the week!

minisnowballs can you ask around for another accompanist? Does your DD have a piano teacher who could step in? The accompanist shouldn't be intervening or speaking in the exam, so the exam should be easier for your DD than the rehearsal.

In the cello movie themes book, DS's teacher started him with Cantina Band. I'm not sure if the book is in order of difficulty. I'm a non-cellist too.

Hello, ManicGirl. I am also one of those mums who usually want to support what DS wants to pursue so I feel how torn you are.

I was there actually. DS was previously mad on football and he was in an elite team receiving great training. But he changed his mind like your DD, coincidently when he was also 8 (nearly 9)! He still liked football but wanted to do it less seriously so that he would have more time for music. We were quite shocked at first as he was always seen as a sportsman and the change was so not expected. But he was persistent enough for me to start supporting his will and we both started 'a campaign' to DH as he didn't take it easy and was in a total denial of this new DS! There was even tears as DH was so stubborn and DS was so disparate not to disappoint his dad but at the same time he wanted him to be more understanding. It took DH for a loooong time to finally accept his boy genuinely loved music. I still feel a pain by just remembering some incidents happened between DH and DS. Though, now DH is a wonderfully supportive dad (trying to learn to be a music dad but still no clue ).

As DS still enjoyed football, we adjusted the weight and let him continue to complete a course rather than removing him all together. At some point it was too much to handle as his musical commitment rapidly increased but in the end he felt good about that he 'completed' rather than leaving half way of what he started. It was a balancing act, but was so worth it, for him.

So, if your DD still enjoys cornet but just want more time for drama, I'm prone to suggest she could reduce her musical commitment (rather than stopping) and keep both activities at reasonable level and see how things go. Perhaps you can tell her she could drop a band but continue lesson till grade 2, or continue a band and lesson but no daily practice is required etc, then review the situation once the exam is taken or a term ends? In DS's case, music took over greatly in the end. It might happen to your DD too. But it may be good to have the overlapping period?

Actually the exam isn't the problem at all. I think she like the idea of working towards something.
It's more her feeling that she's missing out on other things. She even told me that she doesn't like missing out on school time when she has her 20 minute lesson.
I'm seeing if we can switch to the other band. If she's with he friend in a more challenging group she might feel like she's getting more out of it.

Does she have to do the exam? My dd decided six months ago she didn't want to do any more exams on the piano (or at least not for a while) and that's proved to be a really good motivator as she tackles things without added pressure.

Thanks @thirdfiddle
I certainly don't want her to give up on a whim. I think possibly the exam music is putting her off. I've asked her to request some modern stuff to keep her interested.
At Christmas she was really keen on it - loved playing concerts and volunteering to play to family if they came over.
The band may be the problem. Her friend has recently switched to another band which would be tricky for her to join. And it's not very good. It's a total beginner band and I think she's probably lacking a bit of challenge now she's been there a while.
I think I could persuade to keep going as she really likes her teacher.

Hi Manic, Any chance you can stretch the four activities rule? Is there something particular she wants to do and can't for drama? For example I'd count cornet as one activity - whether she practices at home or by playing in a band it's still cornet practice. (Obviously doesn't help if it's a cost constraint.)

I tend to not let them give things up on a whim or DS would never leave the house. So I think even if she is going to give up, it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask her to stick to it till she's got a grade to show for her efforts. I want them to consistently want to do something for a few months before they take on a new activity, so tend to apply same to stopping one.

Do you think anything particular is putting her off cornet? Is she already practising exam music and if so since how long? My two have had exam music since November and are getting fed up with it now, but at least exams will be out of the way soon.

Hi guys. I'm looking for a bit of advice. Apologies if this is too long!
My DD8 has been playing her cornet for around 18 months. She chose the cornet independently and enjoys playing it and playing in a junior wind band once a week.
I always made it clear that I wouldn't force her to play. I asked her in September if she wanted to carry on and she said yes. She is preparing for her grade 2 in July.
This weekend she said she wants to stop. She is mad on drama and wants to do more of that. We've always said that she can only do a max 4 activities a week and she sees band as a barrier to this.
I don't want to make her do something she doesn't want to do. However it would be great if she could at least get to grade 2. She hasn't done grade 1 as teacher felt it would just delay her taking grade 2 this summer.
I've asked to speak to her teacher but looking for advice. In the last 2 weeks she has been reluctant to practise at home, which she previously did 2 times a week plus band and lesson.