Autumn 22 music thread

@herbaceous how incredible! He's going to have a blast! Sounds like he is taking it all in his stride too and not getting stressed about it, which is great.

BBC young chorister is amazingly exciting @herbaceous - I hope that he kicks into action this week! Such an amazing opportunity.

In rather less 'prestigious' news, DD got through the audition for her school talent show and will be singing Dance Monkey and playing along on the Ukulele! She is however, absolutely thrilled, so I'm very pleased for her, and anything that gives her experience of performing in front of people has to be a good thing.

She's also talking about playing a piano solo at her Saturday music centre's Christmas show which is both surprising and amazing progress so not sure what witchcraft the new piano teacher has been working. She's planning to play Grieg's 'Wedding Day at Troldhaugen' which is one of the pieces she's been working on so its all good, but sensing will have to work at not getting her hands in a muddle in the 'crazy' sections. Still there are quite a few more weeks before that comes around so guess there's time.

So exciting @herbaceous. Sending all the positive vibes to your ds!

Actual competing!

Tuesday mentoring with Aled Jones, no less, and rehearsal. And interviews with Kate Botley. Wednesday semi final, with five boys and five girls, then three of each go through to the final on Thursday.

Won't be shown until late November though.

@herbaceous how exciting on both fronts - BBC young chorister and Gavroche! Is he actually competing next week or is it the back story filming? Hope he enjoys it! Hope you do too!

@herbaceous Gavroche is a definite result, lovely part! DD would love that one. They had auditions for the touring show a while back, and she really wanted to give it a go, but she's a foot too tall for the kids' parts so it's never going to happen! On the chorister thing maybe he needs the adrenalin? Fingers crossed for him.

Still biting nails to quick over DS and the BBC young chorister thing next week - I'm not sure he's up to scratch. Few flat notes... But he may pull it out of the bag at the last minute! He's up against the sort of kids with professional coaches and their own Twitter pages, websites, albums, etc. Scary!

In Luvvie news, he's got his part in Les Mis - Gavroche! He wanted Marius, but think they've given the big romantic leads to older children. So, it's a great result really.

Recording received and sent off before DD can attempt to prevent me! I don't think it was perfect, but it is what it is, and it was only a "that would be fun" opportunity rather than a really important one.

Sympathy to all who suffer through the audition videos. I think we'll stick to the face to face exams.

Oh god, recordings. Ds's auditions were an absolute nightmare. He very nearly didn't submit his conservatoire one.

He has decided he needs to get better at it and so is doing a series of videoes for TikTok to prepare for next years NYMT musician audition.

DD2 is very much of the 'that's good enough' school when it comes to recorded auditions. It usually isn't in her case.

As a result, she never gets into anything that does not have a live audition (though has never been turned down for anything where she's actually played live or even online in real time). It's a problem. the brave new world of online recordings does not suit her at all. Perhaps when she becomes more mature.

@NotEvenSlightlyReasonable - I feel you on the recordings. We're exactly the same. 46 billion attempts and none of them good enough! At school they do three and choose the best. A much better system!

Dd has first (informal) concert of the school year this week. Playing the piano. Also the possibility of a music "tour" abroad is being mooted....

Just picked up DD's new viola. She's particularly impressed with the colour of the lining of the case, because it's all about the accessories 😂. She did say it sounds much nicer than the old one so hopefully it will inspire her to actually do some practice...

Audition is being filmed tomorrow for a singing opportunity so fingers crossed that goes well. The joy of doing it with her teacher is that there will be no truck with attacks of temperament or making me re-record 73 times while she gets increasingly hysterical about imperfections... she might get 2 goes at it if she's lucky with her teacher recording!

Post exam cake is the best bit! Reward for effort not results. ( Obviously they get praise for good marks but we know it's the hard way beforehand that counts).Try to have her play her pieces in front of any willing audience- neighbour, relatives etc so she can enjoy performing and get used to keeping on going even if she makes a wee mistake. You can watch a whole exam through on the ABRSM website so she knows what happens. Also, the examiners have to stick to a script so won't comment on how well she does at the time, it will be more like 'thank you' rather than well done. Also you don't have to do every exam so you can mix it up with music festivals or just learning a wider repertoire alongside keeping the scales/ aural going. Have fun and no question is too daft on this thread, many of us have been through the same, don't be intimidated that some of our kids are now further on, they all started at the start!

Music exams are generally authorised leave - depending on the time I have either taken them out for part or all of the day

Ha that is good to know. She Will be delighted by promise of a post exam cake trip. I assume it'll be in school time too. School aren't involved particularly but i assume they will be relaxed about us taking her out for the exam?

@thirdfiddle has definitely added the most important thing for exams at this age- post exam cake is crucial. Pretty sure it was a major factor in DS agreeing to do Grade 2!

I'd imagine if her teacher thinks she's ready then she will be fine. In terms of helping you can get her to practice scales (assuming ABRSM) so that she's as confident as possible on those and then as long as she practices the pieces and can play along with the accompaniment it's all good. ABRSM have an app called practice partner if you've not already found it (and if you don't play piano) where they have accompaniments that you can slow down as well as play along with a violinist too.

Yes, she has a teacher through school who did suggest to her that it was either this term or in the spring. My little darling has chosen this term. I think at this age i just worry that nerves or just lack of concentration could muck up an exam and then put her off!

Welcome @Bearyinlove! Does your DD have a teacher? If so assume they have said she's ready? If so will all be fine. Grade 1 is a bit of an intro, a good way to familiarise kids with exams. Obviously need to prepare but it's hopefully a positive experience that spurs them on

Hello. Can i join the group plz. Booked the 7 year olds first exam today, grade 1 violin in five weeks time. I am terrified, not that she knows. She really wants to do it but i am so worried it could all go wrong! Any advice welcome.

Wow - exciting. DD2's school hasn't had a musical since covid, but they are promising one this year. She'll audition but expects the year 10s and Sixth Formers will get the best parts.

She's just been learning a singing piece - a song by haydn which contains the word 'worm'. Which makes her giggle. Perhaps she is not ready for such dizzy heights (or would be better singing in a language that she doesn't understand).

I think it's only bad to leave it out if condensation is collecting in the butt joint.

Have realised DS has two more instruments to add to his oevre - he's started the viola, and likes to twiddle about on a ukelele I bought him for his birthday. He's done so much music, he seems to pick up new instruments really quickly.

Awaiting with baited breath which part he gets in Les Mis - I'm hoping for Marius!

Bassoon?I’m afraid dd2 leaves hers out- but the teacher says that’s fine as long as vertical, so it sort of lives in a corner between a bureau and the piano.

she used to have a tin with kitchen towel in it with reeds - now has a £10 box from Howarths that fits three and sort of holds them in. The reeds last longer now so it was well worth it.

bassoon has definitely been a learning curve for us too (dd started halfway through year 6 and is also now year 9) She loves it- not as much as flute though.

she has some cork grease- her teacher says use Vaseline in a pinch but not the scented stuff.