Summer term 2019 music

I disliked the praeludium and allegro at that age too (your DS is 10 isn’t he?). My teacher kept trying to persuade me to play it. But it isn’t very tuneful and I never quite ‘got it’. I did play it though, albeit rather unconvincingly.

The Thais is lovely. DS2 (also 10) is aching to play it, but I don’t think he is quite ready. We are working on bow control...

Another super fun piece is the Monti Czardas. Only if your DS at a technical stage when he can learn it fast though! It doesn’t ‘wear’ well! I have refrained from giving it to DS2 for this reason.

The Dvorak romance (not to be confused with the romantic pieces) is a nice performance piece, but well over 5 minutes.

On grade 8 marks - I don't want to detract from the achievement but I thought your actual mark was more for personal satisfaction
Not if you want to apply for NYO. You need a Distinction in your G8 in order to apply (I know you can get a letter from your teacher but you must be playing at G8 Dist level, not just scraped pass level).

I know in theory UCAS points but think in practice academic courses are interested in A levels and anything extra-curricular is more of a tie breaker
As league tables are based on tariff points some uni's will look at total tariff, even those who make offers based on A level grades (they are unlikely to admit this but it does happen as league tables are so important in some markets). Don't forget that G8 Distinction is worth 30 points and there's only 8 points between each grade at A level ...

Neleus- DD's latest piece might work. It's one of the lesser known Dancla Air Varie- Opus 118 no.6. Some of the variations are quite virtuosic and flashy. He could pick and choose which variations to keep it within the time limit. Hard to source, but I can send you a copy of you like?

Thanks Taggie.

He did Obertass for his grade 8 a year ago and really enjoyed it - nicely flashy and cheeky. Something along the line would be good.

I've already suggested Kreisler Praeludium and Allegro as I always liked it. DS thinks it's nice but he isn't super keen for some reason...

We wouldn't probably go for Dvorak Romance and Thais Meditation but will check the others - thanks again for the great suggestions!

Neleus - depends on what you are after and how advanced DC is. A few suggestions: Wieniawski legende, Kreisler Liebesfreud, Dvorak romantic pieces (1,2, and 3 are under 5 minutes), Thais Meditation, Kreisler praeludium and allegro (with a cut in the prelude) wieniawski obertass

If sufficiently advanced: wieniawski scherzo and tarantella, Sarasate introduction and tarantella, Kreisler caprice viennoise

Apologies for spelling!

Of course, there are loads of great short pieces too but I just don't know enough and the pieces DS would say he would like to play are all too long...

We are looking for an around 5 mins performance piece for a G8+ violinist. There are loads of great advanced pieces but they are mostly a lot longer than 5 mins. Would you know any piece that may tick the boxes...?

I was just thinking about the UCAS form, I don't know if they would ask about how many attempts at audition/interview. Others who have been through that process may be able to advise. But, yes, of course Diploma trumps G8 (although v. annoyingly Diploma does not attract UCAS points - G8 Distinction is the max points you can get).

Thank you boys I didn’t know that they don’t ask you the number of attempts.., although hopefully it won’t come to that! I guess there’s also the diploma now so I suppose once you have that people might be less interested in the grade 8 mark.

I'm sure she will be fine but you can resit grades as often as you need/can afford (unlike GCSEs/A levels you don't have to report on how many attempts it took you to get that much wanted grade!). This is what I told my DS, anyway, to take the pressure off him although secretly I was in bits waiting for his result when he did his G8 last year.

Well done on the distinction! Yes it is a pain, DD did her grade 8 so it was a lot of work and hard to forget although we’ve been trying to keep busy and not think about it!

Hi Lots we were just about the last day of spring sitting and got the result yesterday. (Distinction this time and barely scraped a pass last time but that's for the "Are ABRSM exam results consistent" thread. Clearly not in my opinion as he made more mistakes this time than last )

Hope you don't have to wait too much longer. It's agony isn't it?!

Anyone else still waiting for ABRSM results from the Spring sitting? Waiting for 3 results here, I thought it would probably be today before the Easter break, but I guess it will be Tuesday now 😬

Not sure if sharing what I know will be of any help but here you go...

I was told learning to play the viola was compulsory for the young violinists at RAM Primary and the free lessons were given to all. Some liked the opportunity but some didn't particularly appreciate it. As I said I don't know if it's still the case but it was a couple of years ago.

Guildhall said something similar. I can't remember precisely but I think they said they would give all their violinists a term to play the viola out of three terms or something.

Anyway, I got the impression that both jds were keen to give their violinists an opportunity to learn to play the viola. I didn't get the same impression from RCMJD. I know someone who picked up the viola once they got in so the support would be there if you were interested but it wasn't compulsory, unlike Guildhall and RAM Primary.

I have done around 250 recorder Music Medals at school.

Thank you Mitsouko, yes it is true. I couldn't imagine to bring twins to separate school on every Saturday with my youngest. DS is now fine. DD has been supporting his practice by playing piano and clapping rhythms since yesterday so that he can pass the audition at the next time although they usually just compete and argue against each other. I am happy to see them.

Thank you Neleus. I don't know much differences between Guildhall and RAM. We have visited both and selected RAM just because it is much nearer from our house as we live in west. But I remember that they said that the number of violinist they intake depends on the number of violist. So, maybe some violinists May play viola in some occasions?

DS started looking at his new goal now, NCO audition on October. Hopefully he can get a place.

@Wafflenose is a music medal expert!

Anyone an expert on music medals? I'm considering doing them with my recorder group but I had thought the school photocopy agreement covered most music ( actually haven't photocopied any up till now, usually use my own arrangements of folk tunes etc, older music). I bought the copper and silver book and now discover these are specifically excluded from the arrangement. Aagh, no way the school will fund a book per child for 18 kids or their parents. I guess this means I can't play the lovely ensemble pieces now. Shame as I like the look of them, more modern than lots of the music I had been donated in nice group sets of booklets.

I'm very sorry to hear about your DS, Pippap1. But assuming he's only 9 or 10, he still has plenty of time to try again, maybe next year if he's still keen? By then his viola playing would be a lot more advanced. RAM Primary also seems to like nurturing good violists - they were giving young violinists free viola sessions. Not sure if this is still the case but certainly it was a couple of years ago.

Congratulations to your DD1 for gaining a place. I hope her achievement hasn't been shadowed by DS's outcome. I understand it's a tricky situation though.

Yes that is hard and I understand those regrets but there is only so much one family can do.

DS2 auditioned for trumpet trombone and recorder third fiddle thanks for asking. Separately and elsewhere he has nearly finished first year on the uileann pipes.

Hi I have just received "no" for DS. I informed to twins and it was hard. But it is a good lesson because he doesn't practice well what he doesn't want such as sight reading and some exercise for fingers and practices hard for pieces.

Hi Neleus, I am glad that you remember me It is RAM. I decided to just take audition at one JD because I thought it's not possible for me to manage two children going to two different schools. But I am a bit regret about it.

Congratulations to cocopops's and OneLovelySister's DDs! Merit is a good result indeed!