Autumn term 2019 music thread

I have two trombone players, so not rare in my house, but tend to find they are not that common around us. DS1 doubles on tuba and is very in demand for that.

Yes to the p-bones also. You can take grades up to 5 on them.The boys both have them, though not as starter instruments as they were only just coming out then. DS2s was really useful when he chipped a bone in his wrist - he could lift the p-bone but not his brass one. DS1 lent his to his girlfriend for a while as a starter instrument.

OneLovely if you have free reign over instrument choice I'd go for something on the less popular side. Playing a rarer instrument automatically opens up way more opportunities and it's less competitive to get into NCO, County orchestras etc. My DS plays with loads of adult ensembles because locally there just isn't anyone else around.

Trombone is certainly less popular than violin or cello but I wouldn't put it on the "danger of extinction" list.

onelovelysister I agree with thirdfiddle - have a look at the plastic trombones. They’re called P-bones (I think) and come in a fabulous array of luridly bright colours! We have a little p-bone band at DD’s school and they’re amazing!
Smaller than the cello too (that’s DD’s instrument) and much more portable! 😜

Oh, I see - I thought it was a ruse to get them to learn the exam pieces in a low pressure way, or something

What grades are they working towards?

DD has started on her G2 flute exam pieces so it’s on for spring. No clashes to worry about here though, as DS hasn’t even started music lessons.

I was thinking about violin or cello for DS, but a post on here about the relative cost of strings, compared to brass or woodwind instruments, gave me pause, and he’s already changed his mind a lot about what he might be interested in (discussions have ranged from trombone, via drums and guitar, to violin/cello!).

How have you pulled off that subterfuge, thirdfiddle? Are they doing pieces not in the ABRSM ABC lists?

Exam date through here as well, thankfully at the end of the session, as got an audition to prepare for too. She will have had a two week break from playing so this gives us time enough to get back into the swing. She definitely misses playing just now!

Hello all!

Well, DD has her date for Grade 1 harp - 22nd November! Pieces are pretty much there, scales are solid but somehow she’s forgotten how long a minim is in beats so her sight reading is woeful. I may need cake...!

I was so pleased to read your news, Waffle , you have been missed on here. I am a long time mostly lurker on this thread and so like to hear all the news. I have grandchildren, one plays piano and violin and younger one the piano and has just started the clarinet.

woolleybear we’ve just applied for an 11+ scholarship for dd at a local school. In her application form (it was just an “additional information” section) we listed masterclasses she’s done, concerts she’s performed in, her choirs, competitions she’s won and orchestra courses/workshops she’s done (ie in school holidays etc) together with music related others - musical theatre productions, dance shows etc. which also show commitment and discipline.
I have no clue how we’ll do but she’s certainly dedicated to her music so 🤞🏻 that counts! Best of luck to your dd too.

Thanks for such a helpful and encouraging post Knotaknitter

Was good to read through the requirements again - thanks for finding those for us x
Reminding me that I should be sure to check those out for each conservatoire as the auditions come up through the term

And you helped me take on board that he really needs to be at least half an hour early from the audition time they've given him.
So, I'll make sure to emphasise that to him and his sister as time keeping isn't always his strongest point.

You'd think they might include that prep time in the time they give candidates but I don't think they do - they just ask them to arrive with that extra time in hand to rehearse with their accompanist.

Hi def incl the choir work; greatest musical achievement could include orchestras, bands, festivals, first concert. They are looking for a wide interest (and joining in!) plus excitement so it really can be anything she is pleased to have done. Good luck

Hi, apologies I haven't been on one of the threads in awhile and now I've come to ask for help. I have DD, 13, Who plays clarinet and bassoon.

She is currently in the second year of secondary school, when she started we didn't apply for a music scholarship as we decided it was too much pressure on top of entrance exams. Now her music department have advised her that she really should apply for one for 13+. We have received the application form today and are struggling a bit.

They asked for her main musical achievements but as her grades are listed above I guess this is not what they want. When I asked her, she said passing her grade 4 even though her teacher told her she would file, and I'm not sure it's a good idea to write that either!

There is a section which asks if she plays any other instruments, should we just right no or talk about her experiences in choirs. There are already two other sections which we need to leave blank, which detail current musical scholarships or awards and other music related awards Of which she has none!

Any advice? Or any idea where would be good to look for some?

"As part of your audition you may also be asked to complete an aural assessment, a short sightreading exercise or quick-study exercise and a series of technical tests including scales and arpeggios (typically selected from the ABRSM Grade 8 syllabus)."

so yes to scales. DS did not audition there so all I've got is what they tell candidates. He should be prepared to be stopped, started, stopped, started from bar X etc and he needs to make sure he's there early enough for the warm up so at least half an hour before the time of the audition. It's really good that he's stopping the night before because there's nothing worse than worrying about the time when you've a long way to go.

I hope it goes well for him, it's nice to get one done early on rather than them all hitting in a bunch together.

Thanks for all your encouragement - DS has his first audition during half term next week at Royal Welsh.
He can stay with his sister the night before as she's at Uni in Swansea so that's helpful
He was quite excited to get the audition come through and has visited for a consultation lesson which was encouraging.
It's one of his favourites so fingers crossed.
Any advice? I'm thinking practice some scales and singing in case those are needed too? (for possible aural tests)

Hi Waffle. Lovely to hear all your news . My youngest DS (albeit about to turn 17) aso started Conservatoire JD this autumn and is loving it.

He's 19 and in his second year at conservatoire. It's frightening how time flies, I can't believe that your two are as old as they are.

I hope your exam day goes well, our previous peri brass teacher took flute grades one year as a fund raiser which I thought was brave of her.

I remember you! Gosh, how old is DS now?

Well hello there stranger! I've been through several name changes, mostly of a textile nature but I've been here certainly since DS's G8 saga (snowed off at the last minute) and that would be 2013.

I'm glad that the transition to secondary went well, it's always a worry in general and can be a trigger to giving up activities that are seen as uncool or out of the ordinary.

Evening all.

I haven't been anywhere near MN for months, and am just sticking a tentative toe back in the water, so to speak. Very pleased to see these threads still up and running (8 years after I started one for Goo's Grade 1 recorder exam!) and no hairy visitors as far as I can see...

What's new here? Hmm. Our relationship with the girls' Centre of Advanced Training broke down last year, and I removed both of them in the summer. Goo is now 13, and at Guildhall in London. She has flute, piano, general musicianship and composition lessons, plus wind orchestra and chamber group. I spent all spring and summer applying for grants and charitable help, and the upshot is that we are only paying for her transport! She's still a bit of a neurotic overthinker, but currently wants to turn professional. We'll see. New flute teacher seems perfect. Goo could easily put together a successful diploma programme, probably three times over, but I don't really see any point at her age. She passed her only piano exam (Grade 4) with distinction in the summer.

Rara is 11, has realised she has selective mutism (she told me yesterday!) so might be able to advocate for herself in future. She's had a surprisingly OK transition to secondary school. We have left her with the cello teacher she's had since the end of Year 1. Progress hasn't been great over the past couple of years - she was having a rough time at school - but has suddenly overcome some technical and mental hurdles, and is completing her first Grade 5 piece. I stopped teaching her the clarinet after her Grade 5 exam on that in March (passed with merit) and she then had quite a few months off. She's now started lessons at school, and has prepared Grade 6 pieces for the NCO.

I am taking nine music exams on the same day next summer (Initial to Grade 8 inclusive, on instruments I don't play, or just play for fun) to raise money for charity. If that sounds familiar... yes, the idea is nicked. I emailed the lady who did ABRSM Grades 1-8 and she didn't mind me copying!

Good luck with all the auditions. DD wants to be a musician so if she sticks with that, this will be us in a few years. It sounds expensive, some places like RCS do prep days which aren't cheap. Our school does a conservative/college audition prep class so hopefully they are still running that when she needs it. Just now got NYOS audition and grade 5 coming up, hoping for a late date as got a holiday which will take out some practice time.