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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Autumn 21 music thread

334 replies

thirdfiddle · 18/09/2021 11:44

Well, we started the summer thread on a rainy day so how about an autumn thread on a sunny day?
Welcome all parents of musical young people, from total beginners to total professionals. Please come and chat in one of the friendliest and most helpful corners of MN.
What's new this term?

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New posts on this thread. Refresh page
DivingDolphin · 11/01/2022 18:20

We've also started group observations with Kimberley Wong - Suzuki teacher in Croydon. She seems really great. Anyone happen to know of her?

DivingDolphin · 11/01/2022 18:15

@LuluKentGirl Thanks so much! I didn't realise Junior Trinity started from that young! I'll check it out.

LuluKentGirl · 11/01/2022 16:59

@DivingDolphin definitely check out Junior Trinity in Greenwich not too far from you - they have a 'junior junior' programme called String Time running on Saturdays which starts from age 3 i think. teachers are amazing.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 09/01/2022 20:55

New thread for the new term
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/4449330-Spring-22-music-thread

Ribosome hope someone may have pm-d you, might be a bit specific for public thread. We're not in that world but have heard excellent stuff about Wells, congratulations on place.

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minisnowballs · 08/01/2022 10:28

So good they are finally going back, but how frustrating that it has taken so long, horsey. Ours all back in full again today after christmas, thankfully - though neither of my daughters loving the masks.

horseymum · 07/01/2022 17:46

So delighted that our JD is going back face to face every week but find it bizarre that they are only doing this now when rates are at the highest they have ever been since 2020 when they stopped. They could have been back properly last term. They have more rules than at school so it will be fairly safe but it's a shame they have all missed out on so much.

Ribosome · 04/01/2022 20:26

Hello my child is going to Wells Cathedral school in September. Does anyone have any experience of it?

Siriusmuggle · 31/12/2021 08:26

@thirdfiddle I think his current teacher would try and give him fair advice. He’ll also talk to his head of department. I have an inkling he’ll choose to continue with his current teacher but he’s got a visit to RCM lined up so that will provide clarity I hope.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 30/12/2021 23:35

Ah siriusmuggle, so that somewhat rules out asking current teacher for advice too then.

I don't mind online lessons - doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference for DS, DD finds it harder to focus but will let me help. Really don't want orchestras back online though, they were v creative and tried their best but it was just not the same.

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Notagardener · 30/12/2021 22:41

Dreading the online lessons, although I suspect for one of her instruments DC will just have (another) pause

northerngoldilocks · 30/12/2021 20:10

I'd definitely be booking the summer courses, just checking what the policy is if they have to cancel first

Siriusmuggle · 30/12/2021 18:22

@thirdfiddle one of them would be his current tutor who he gets on very well with. The other would be someone well known too (I can’t remember who though).

Mendingfences · 30/12/2021 18:06

Thanks thirdfiddle
I hope the new term brings new musical opportunities for all. Now do i dare try and book a musical summer course?

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 30/12/2021 17:51

Happy Christmas and happy nearly new year to the nicest corner of Mumsnet Xmas SmileCake
Now fingers crossed for new term being able to restart safely.

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 23/12/2021 20:39

She's 9 northerngoldilocks. As I say we'll see if it transfers to audiences of more than 1! Nothing wrong with being an ensemble player mind you, I think that's the best fun too.

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northerngoldilocks · 23/12/2021 19:53

That's great news @thirdfiddle - how old is she? DD is 8 so hoping she grows in confidence as she gets older as she's a good player for her age.

Itismeman · 23/12/2021 15:06

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 23/12/2021 11:56

northern, DD has been like that, she is happier playing with a group even if it's a string quartet so she's not exactly hidden. Though interestingly was quite calm about her exam this term, so I don't know if that doesn’t count as an audience or if she's growing out of the nerves a bit.

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Original poster
thirdfiddle · 23/12/2021 11:50

12 days of Christmas. Again. This year in the DD improvised not quite sure what the harmonies are but there should definitely be lots of twiddles edition.

Congrats again siriusmuggle! Does he know anything about the teachers he might have at the favourite options?

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northerngoldilocks · 23/12/2021 10:58

@Siriusmuggle wow- well done to your DS. It's so hard to choose anything like that. I guess a ranking that includes financial assistance offered , how 'renown' the course is, what people have done after it, who teachers etc. then it fundamentally comes down to a 'gut feeling'.

northerngoldilocks · 23/12/2021 10:52

Lovely to hear about all the Christmas music that's managing to go ahead. One of the youth orchestras I had booked for both mine has cancelled between Xmas and NY so sadly no orchestra for DS.

DD went to a different orchestra this week for the first time and absolutely loved it. She gets really nervous playing in front of people so hoping lots of experience will help her manage it. She says that it's the fact that 'people are looking at her' that's the issue so maybe orchestra will help as for violins there is safety in numbers, although she was 1st desk of the 2nd violins so pretty visible at this one (apart from for me as the conductor was inbetween me and her!)

Siriusmuggle · 23/12/2021 10:03

The choice is so difficult. Now got 6 offers and 4 scholarships. We’re going to have to spend the Xmas holidays scrutinising course content etc. how on earth do you choose?

horseymum · 23/12/2021 08:46

Brilliant news Sirius, nice problem to have, making a choice.

Newgirls · 22/12/2021 13:01

@Siriusmuggle

Mine now has 5 conservatoire offers, 3 of them include scholarships. He’s down to a shortlist of two but it’s really hard to decide between them.
Wow what a great position to be in!
minisnowballs · 22/12/2021 10:44

Yes, fab news siriusmuggle - congrats. thirdfiddle, she's already planning how to give more time to flute practice - and I'm sure doing things like national youth choir and nco projects this year (even though on bassoon) will help her aural tests etc. So yes, a good outcome in that sense.

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