Spring 21 virtual music thread

@Chocomel thanks so much for responding. Will start the search for another piece for DC right away.. Was trying to avoid the long task of going through past exam material to find something suitable they would also like, but this seems necessary.

If only abrsm would put a list of all past material on their websites with a sample play of each songs.This would make life so much easier, but alas lol x

On the upside he came into my room last night and talked at me for two hours about his plans and ambitions for the future.

When it’s allowed he wants to put on a show next year and MD it. He says people would be reluctant to hire him with no experience or proof he can do the job so he’s going to create an opportunity to demonstrate it. He’s got something in mind, a 4 person semi staged song cycle that could be performed with a small band, (him, his dad, and a couple of players from college) and minimal set. He wants my help with the organisation, legal stuff (& financing!) he knows some amateur singers who he says would be interested.

I was astounded. My un co-operative, autistic, always in trouble teen has matured so much.

It’s starting to get to Ds not being at college.

Having spent years struggling at school with kids who didn’t get him or accept him he finally started a course he loves, made friends and made music.

Now he’s stuck at home and doesn’t see anyone except us (& a once a week walk round the park with his girlfriend.

His tutors are doing all they can but it just isn’t the same on Zoom.

@lunar1 have you looked at the list of pieces not in the book to see if there's anything there he prefers..?

Does anyone else have a child that hates entire sections of their grades. DS1 is preparing for G5 piano this year and absolutely hates all the B pieces. He's currently decided they don't exist!

Aw, that's lucky, hopefully they'll go ahead for you.

Thanks @horseymum. Her school is set up as a private centre and we haven’t anything about cancelling yet so fingers crossed. They held them last term in person with no issues.

Hi drsambeckett, as far as I know, face to face exams are cancelled for the march sitting, unless it's a private sitting. It's just the online performance ones. Your DD sounds very musical, glad online lessons have worked out well. Mine enjoy theirs too.

Thanks for the new thread.

Just a quick intro. DD(9)is currently preparing for grade 3 cello and grade 4 piano - very much hoping that the exams go ahead at the end of this term! She did grade 3 singing exam last term and has moved onto grade 4 now. Also now a member of NYCGB. Grade 5 music theory at either end of the this term or next term depending on how things continue.

Thankfully online lessons have been really good and she is now learning how to tune her own cello too!

@BringOn2021 I found it! I played Philip Cannon - Saudade on Catherine Shakespeare Lane. It's a wonderful piece and wasn't too difficult. Might fit into the programme, but at 3mins it might be too long an addition.

DDs JD equivalent was reduced by over half for the Autumn term as purely online but she’s so grateful it is happening at all and has really enjoyed it. Spring term is also reduced and purely online but they are hoping to return in person for Summer term.

@BringOn2021 I use this as a guide for pieces www.finchleycatholic.org.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=2408&type=pdf#page52 which is from the music GCSE difficulty booklet. Obviously this is not from Abrsm but might help. Grade 5/6 for the Bach inventions

Not sure they'll need to offer discounts as Spring auditions will be for September entry won't they? (Don't tell me I'm being optimistic as my hands are clamped over my ears/eyes!) :)

It must be so hard for those who have just started a specialist school or JD this academic year. We are contemplating JD this year but don't want to fork out if it's all going to be online. Is there any fee reduction for JDs this year? We only want to do it because of the ensemble playing, we can access similar quality individual private tuition when we choose to move teacher. Both teachers have said DD needs to move on from them so thought JD would be a good solution but not if only online by September.

If you're looking at Inventions though.... there's actually a 1 minute piece called Invention by Lutoslawski that was definitely on a grade 7 list. (It isn't the piece I'm trying to remember for you though!).

I've lurked on the other threads but would be really interested to hear people's experiences of the new performance exams.

DC1 (18) is Yr13 at a specialist music school (started last year) and like @Siriusmuggle son is gutted at losing out on an experience they have wanted for years. The only consolation is that they have been offered a scholarship to RCM next year. Fingers crossed we'll be back to a bit more normal by then.

DD (17) is an ex cathedral chorister who has recently started singing lessons and her teacher wanted her to do G8 practical this term - it is possible that school will have a special visit for exams some time but I thought that performance might be a good back up although it would require a different fourth piece. The downside is that the cathedral system means that she can sing almost anything at sight so would have picked up good marks on that. How have people's experiences been?

Hi @Chocomel Would you mind giving your opinion on whether Bach inventio 4 bwv 775 would be classed as a grade 7 piece. Looking to add this as dc 4th song on their abrsm performance exam.

If not a grade 7 piece, which would you recommend? Many thanks!

I’ve just got one child, he’s year 12 at a specialist music school. He started in September, absolutely loves it and is gutted that he’s got to stay home again now. He’s looking at conservatoires too. He did NCO main orchestra and really enjoyed it.

Lovely to hear the updates here, congratulations Chocomel, what a wonderful dilemma to have!

Mixed feelings on the imminent performance exam recording attempts here. DD is more a recreational player and not aspiring to continue at higher level other than socially, so didn't want to put herself through the angst of scales, sight reading etc having done them on grades 1-7 and for some reason, only on piano, suffers hugely from performance anxiety like doesanybody's DD. But the 4 pieces vs 3 and the one take only may end up being more of a challenge ultimately - we shall see.

@thirdfiddle - string quartet online is one person playing unmuted and everyone else muted - but I can hear that Dd1 is now basically in time and tune. It's a big step given she's reading a new clef (and had never played in quartets with a violin). She has done two in-person sessions last term which really helped.

Super proud of her decision to tackle Grade 5 theory - a big bugbear of hers, since younger sis has already done it, as her DofE bronze skill.

I agree Mendingfences and I wish I could get my dd to stop taking exams. We've had a lovely long break from them because she didn't do g7 because of covid but now she wants to take g8 - I don't see the point and I hate the stress she goes through just before every exam when she is sick of scales and the same three pieces! For me, it's not what is should all be about. I must say her teacher is wonderful and gives her fantastic repertoire most of the time and she's a happier violinist for it. I think the exam pressure comes from other children, or maybe from her wanting to prove she is of the same standard. At least the exams are nearly over and done with! Perhaps this time, I'll suggest that even in the build-up to the exam the other material and repertoire should get an airing and to hell with the mark!

@tobeamockingbird congrats to your son! I went to a specialist school too and so did my youngest. He's just about to leave and has to chose between Oxford or a scholarship to a London music college. Exciting times, but I wish so much I could go back and start again (and not change a thing!). Your DS will have a brilliant time. Feel free to ask any questions.

tobeamockingbird I feel lucky that we basically live in the middle of a field and the only neighbours are my in laws 😁. 3 kids kids who between them play violin, flute, double bass, euphonium, percussion, piano, trumpet and cornet..... dd1 is a violinist through and through, dd2 and ds appear to be going the multi instrumentalist route 😂.
We're not in the uk and there is no tradition of music exams here, and i have come to the conclusion that there are many ways to musical progress (and musical greatness). No curriculum or method be it Suzuki or abrsm is "complete" so on that basis performance exams are no issue, they are exactly what they say on the tin - an evaluation of your performance, just like a standard grade exam tests you against a set of predefined criteria. The Suzuki method afaik uses pieces as the mainstay of learning and graduation to the next stage is based on performance of all pieces from memory, abrsm doesnt require playing from memory, Suzuki doesnt require scales, but that doesnt mean someone with an abrsm certificate cant play from memory or a that kid who has just graduated to the next Suzuki book cant play scales it just means that particular skill wasnt tested in that assessment.