Spring 21 virtual music thread

Both our theory results are also still pending.

Has anyone got their theory results back yet? Today is our 4 weeks since the exam but the results page is still saying pending.

NCO's online course is really good this year. Lots of variety and opportunity.

Oh, that's a shame. NYOS did this back in January and I was starting to think it was hasty and they would have managed something but everything is still going quite slowly. My youngest will have only played in a wind band on one occasion for a come and try before covid and will be at least grade five when ensembles restart in about September probably. She won't know what a conductor is, only a click track!! I'm just holding out for JD being largely in person by September. I'm sure NCO will do a good online programme, it's just nowhere near as good as in person.

NCO cancels all summer courses......

We got DD a full size £250 ish new Chinese made violin at around grade 2/3 which was a decent enough sound to keep her going. We then traded in and got £200 back for it a couple of years ago and upgraded to a 1820s German violin which is her ‘forever’ violin. From the first note she knew it was the the one and then checked with her teacher who confirmed it was suitable. Don’t forget equally important is a decent bow.

Hi @PinotAndPlaydough . How old os DC? Grade 2 to grade 8 is a lonnng way! What does teacher advise?

In terms of resale valued DC decided to stop playing, if not 'trading up' then you are likely to be selling to a luthier or trying for a private sale. The luthier is unlikely to give what you paid for it, as they need to mark up. Typically with violins up to £2000 you're looking at getting 50-60% of value in my experience.

Private buyers are going to be reluctant to spend thousands without having the value checked etc and it might be hard to sell on that way.

Some luthiers will sell on behalf of a client and take a cut, so that's another option.

Of course the ideal is that DC sticks with violin. It is unlikely that a violin that you select now at G2 will be their forever instrument as their musical personality and preferences have not developed yet.

Personally I would advise going for a really good quality student violin at this stage- something like the Jay Haide ones (which as a post G8 amateur I'm actually considering buying for myself!) or similar. It will be robust, well behaved (old antique instruments are notoriously fussy!), will sound great but will also be easier to re-sell if DC either gives up or wants to trade up later. These cost from £1500-£2500 depending on which model you go for. The Ancienne's even look old...

Hi, I did start a thread on this but was advised to post here for more advice...

DDs teacher has said she’ll probably need a full size violin in about 6 months. She’s been playing for a while, it was all very much driven by her and I can’t see her giving up any time soon.
I would like to invest in decent violin, she’s currently working at a grade 2 level and I’d like to get her something that will get her up to grade 8 should she wish. I’d also like something that will hold its value and she could sell if she ever choses to give up.
We have a bit of time to save up (I haven’t even looked at prices yet but know it’s ££££), I think for her the most important thing is good tone as she’s complaining that her violin sounds so different to her teachers.
Any advice or recommendations?

Not that I know of. There are a couple of bursaries but I don’t think she’s eligible as they are for BAME & underprivileged applicants.

As well as the fees there are living expenses. Hopefully she could find a job towards those.

We have a couple of weeks before they need a decision and hopefully we might hear from the other colleges too.

OK, double edged sword here.

Dd has been offered a place but it’s not entry straight into the MA, it’s a 1 year diploma leading into the MA (which given her age and various other circumstances is totally understandable) but that year would need to be totally self-funded.

That's great, I hope she gets to go where she wants.

Dd just had a postgrad interview that she said went really well. They gave her feedback that they loved her voice but she was very young, would she consider doing the course over two years rather than one year. She said yes but there are fee/funding implications. They also asked her about her SEN and how she copes etc which showed they'd thought about it. They will let her know within the week.

The recall and interview last week (Royal Welsh) she thinks went well. This was a definite recall as she had to prepare stuff, there was a lot of improvisation involved which was a bit different to what she is used to.

Thanks! We are also hopeful for in person lessons end of April. School ensembles wouldn't normally start until September though so a long wait. I also realise my youngest has had virtual lessons longer than in person! She only had two taster sessions of the regional wind band too, done so much virtually now. I'm really hoping the council doesn't scrap ensembles. I suspect many kids will have given up too sadly, really hard to sustain interest.

Horseymum that's great news!

Thirdfiddle only private visits for exams. In his case it was at JD and was a 200 mile cross border trip so quite exciting just now! He thinks it went ok but he has done better performances. Which is probably not surprising as the exam and the run-through were the first time he has played outside of his bedroom in a year! Incredible to think all his lesson s have been remote for over a year!

Thanks @Yr10mom - I think you’re right. Will do.

I used to play in an early music group and I'm sure the sackbuts ( old trombones) had extension handles on them!

Thanks all - he’s only just able to reach the longest position by crazily extending his fingers and barely holding the slide at all. And he’s a very tall 7. His teacher is very sensible and not letting him strain for notes that just need a bit more time.

Congratulations to your dd horseymum
I dont have much experience of the pbone (or other plastic brass) but echo what horseymum said, plenty of encouragement if it gets frustrating and also keep an open mind about when transition might happen. One of mine grew like a weed and went from a 1/4 size to a 3/4 size double bass (and come to think of it her sister only played a 1/2 size violin for a couple of months). My brass players have been older when they started but ds isnt that big for his age and at 10 still finds the cornet less effort to hold than the trumpet (although he is definitely a trumpeter at heart and only plays cornet in band)

@horseymum Congratulations to your DD! Wonderful news. There's quite a few of us discussing JD offers over on another thread too if you want to join in!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/4123482-Music-Junior-Programs?msgid=105976312#105976312