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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Summer term 2019 music

855 replies

thirdfiddle · 01/04/2019 14:50

A new installment of the long running music parent threads. Everyone is welcome from complete beginners to grade 8 and beyond. Thanks as ever to the lovely waffle for starting the threads up and looking after them for years. What are your plans for the coming term? Any exams, auditions, festivals, new instruments? Please come and chat.

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 19/04/2019 17:59

I saw a chamber music concert where the first violinist was using one of those recently neleus! Really cool.

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Finewine54 · 19/04/2019 17:53

Re: NYO, I'm sure like NCO it depends a bit on the instrument....and who else is/how many others are auditioning in any year...apparently its quite usual not to get in first time auditioning, but probably not a bad idea to give it a go one year with a view to being more prepared for the following year - apparently the feedback is good and explains what you need to work on to be successful. Not talking from direct experience, only from what 'I've heard'! :-). But I don't think its impossible to get in if DC are keen and prepare well.

NeleusTheStatue · 19/04/2019 17:52

You can also add a pedal that turns the pages, you know? Grin

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 19/04/2019 17:50

You have to upload a copy of your mark sheet with your application to audition.
Cripes, whatever is the point of that if they took grade 8 at 10 and are auditioning at 15?

Waffle I don't think you should rule anything out when she hasn't even started JD yet. Appreciate you don't want to build up hopes and it's ridiculously competitive but no need to close doors either, I'm sure her teachers will say if it's worth a shot.

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Boyskeepswinging · 19/04/2019 17:36

OK so I just had a quick look at the current NYO membership and I could only see a couple of 13 year olds, both playing high strings. There aren't a huge number of 14 year olds across the whole orchestra either. I do know of players who have gone into NYO rather than NCO but it is quite rare. But maybe that confidence will get her through!

ZakStarkey · 19/04/2019 17:31

Dd has a good app- but it’s for jazz really. It’s called iRealPro- it’s has backing tracks which you can play along too and improvise over. Pretty good app.

folkmamma · 19/04/2019 17:27

She doesn't, but her teacher does. He has a big iPad Pro and has his entire music library on it! Uses one of those funky pens to annotate the music and then emails it to us, with all the fingerings and markings on!!! Not sure which app he uses though. One day....

NeleusTheStatue · 19/04/2019 17:26

Pippap1, I hope she enjoys her time at RAM!

NeleusTheStatue · 19/04/2019 17:21

Thank you, folkmamma. He's away this weekend but will show him once he's back.

Does your DD use iPad app to carry music? I recently bought one but can't remember the name - it's on DS's iPad and he took it with him. He hasn't used it yet though. Don't need it yet but it may be useful in summer when he travels a lot. Wondering which app she uses if she is a user.

Wafflenose · 19/04/2019 17:17

That's what I thought. I don't think most people a year or so post-Grade 8 would have a chance. We have already ruled it out for Goo, because she's unlikely to get there! She has a friend who doesn't want to do NCO any more because she has her eye on NYO instead. Currently 12 years old and EXTREMELY confident.

folkmamma · 19/04/2019 17:12

@NeleusTheStatue I've emailed it to you- see what he thinks 😘

Boyskeepswinging · 19/04/2019 17:09

Waffle indeed, a Distinction at Grade 8 is the minimum required standard. You have to upload a copy of your mark sheet with your application to audition. I would have thought in reality the successful kids would be well beyond that. There's certainly enough kids playing at Diploma level in NCO never mind NYO!

NeleusTheStatue · 19/04/2019 17:08

Oh I see, folkmamma. Not sure which ones he did. You may be right. Must check.

play presto very presto
Please don't tempt the crazy boy! 🤣🤣

Wafflenose · 19/04/2019 16:59

I thought Grade 8 distinction level would be nowhere NEAR the required level to apply for NYO these days? My friend tried out at that level 25 years ago - he was probably the best in the South West but didn't get in. So many of the kids have Grade 8 at 10-12 years old now and apply once they're 5 years further on... don't they?

ZakStarkey · 19/04/2019 16:44

Actually they are not 5 mins! Unless you play presto very presto 🤣

ZakStarkey · 19/04/2019 16:44

Bruch in g minor? 1st or 3rd movement- Neleus?
My dd is super keen to learn movement 2!

folkmamma · 19/04/2019 16:31

Has he done op. 118?? Most people do opus 89 around G6 but this one is much harder....

NeleusTheStatue · 19/04/2019 16:16

Thanks folkmamma and thirdfiddle.

Dancla Air Varie is a great suggestion but he has done them so may like to explore something new (he played one for NCO audition last year Smile). I absolutely adore Sicilienne & Rigaudon. I love the sweetness and cheekiness. As you say it may not be technically showy but it can shine wonderfully if it's played well. However, he has done this also, so need something else...

I'm thinking to leave Mr Bach for this occasion so I'll check the other suggestions (Perlman always presses the right button, especially for DS). Again, many thanks for all the advice.

Taggie, DS knows Praeludium and Allegro very well as it's a current piece of one of his mates but that's part of the reason why he isn't super keen. He doesn't 'dislike' it and actually finds it very attractive. But feels it's a bit 'boring' to do the same piece at the same time as his mate - just a childish reason really....

Boyskeepswinging · 19/04/2019 15:05

Thanks One, that was kind of you. It was totally unexpected.

TaggieOHara · 19/04/2019 14:48

Neleus - sorry realised that I misread your post about the Thais and Dvorak! Have fun with the other pieces!

OneLovelySister · 19/04/2019 14:06

Thank you, thirdfiddle and Neleus.

Congrats on your DS’s distinction, Boys Star

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 19/04/2019 14:00

Thinking about it some more, i think what i'm thinking is the level actually required for stuff like NYO or music college is more "grade 8 no longer relevant level" than actually grade 8 level, distinction or otherwise. Some "no longer relevant" students take grade 8 just to tick the box, but I don't think anyone would hold it against them if they somehow had a bad day.

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Pippap1 · 19/04/2019 13:28

Thank you thirdfiddle, I hope he can get a place, tooSmile

Pippap1 · 19/04/2019 13:27

Hi Neleus, thank you for the information. I also like both schools. My DD is also interested in Viola. So, she may enjoy the opportunity!

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 19/04/2019 13:26

Not if you want to apply for NYO. You need a Distinction in your G8 in order to apply
It is always playing standard though. Ok, if you only passed grade 8 five minutes ago your teacher letter for NYO or music college application would need to be convincing. But they're not going to audition until teacher thinks they're at the right level anyway, it's really not a big deal.

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