Contemporary music options for children

28 replies

hillier876 · 21/01/2020 21:41

I have a 9 year old daughter and 7 year old son that love music. but we have a few challenges that I hope to get advice/ suggestions on please.

We live in Surrey and are struggling to find credible options for their contemporary music interests.

My daughter is preparing for:
Singing ABRSM Grade 7
Acoustic Guitar Rockschool Grade 7
Bass Guitar Rockschool Grade 7
Cello ABRSM Grade 6
Piano ABRSM Grade 5
Saxophone ABRSM Grade 5
Clarinet ABRSM Grade 4

My son is preparing for:
Electric Guitar Rockschool Grade 4
Classical Guitar ABRSM Grade 4
Acoustic Guitar Rockschool Grade 3
Piano Rockschool Grade 3
Violin ABRSM Grade 2

Regarding the piano and guitars, they have recently switched to the Rockschool syllabus. They want opportunities to play these instruments in groups, ensembles, etc. Unfortunately, their schools favour classical instrument/ music over contemporary, so options are limited there.

I've reached out to various classes in London but they cater for classical music rather than contemporary.

Can anyone think of where we might find options for group playing and development for primarily contemporary music playing children?

OP posts:

SE13Mummy · 22/01/2020 19:19

When you say contemporary, what do you mean? Pop? Musical theatre? Contemporary classical? Experimental?

Have you had any contact with ACM in Guildford? They may be able to point you in the direction of musicians and/or teachers who are involved with outreach groups (if such a thing exists). The music services local to us run something called Animate! which is a holiday programme but is very definitely more experimental than classical. Is there a youth concert band your DD could join on clarinet or sax? Youth concert bands often perform more contemporary music than the equivalent orchestras.

Original poster

hillier876 · 22/01/2020 09:27

Actually, a lot of people think that but I would say that my daughter practices for a max of about 60 mins each a day in total. 30 mins in the morning (while my son gets ready)and after dinner. Of course there are some mornings like this morning, when she does not practice. This evening she has swimming so may not practice.

My son usually practices in the morning while his sister gets ready. We try to organise it so they eat breakfast at the same time.

Yes, the lessons do cost a lot of money but if they are happy it's worth it.

I found a band where my daughter sang for a while but it was not her type of singing. She may go back playing the bass and my son the electric guitar.

OP posts:

horseymum · 22/01/2020 08:37

Wow, that is a serious amount of practising to do! Does their teacher have other pupils who they could form a band with? Or if they don't have a teacher, ( paying for 12 lessons a week seems quite an ask for anyone I know!) maybe you could approach a local rock school to see if they have pupils interested in being in a band. Look out for summer courses as well, I sometimes see them advertised by local music schools. I think it will be easier once they get to high school as they might meet more people who play rock/pop music. Our region has a guitar ensemble which is acoustic/electric guitars and plays an eclectic range of music. Hope you find something, nothing beats playing with others.

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