Autumn 22 music thread

@Mendingfences dd2 can't even prioritise WITHIN music (is it singing, playing, and if playing then which instrument?) and sees expending effort on anything else except related musical theatre as entirely pointless. At some point she'll realise she has to try at other stuff too, but that point hasn't come yet. At least she reads....

The struggle to prioritse is very real @minisnowballs -- dd2 is currently of the opinion that she should just not bother with school..... she reckons her extra curricular stuff give her energy and school just drains her.

@horseymum nice to wind down for christmas. Did your dd do her bassoon solo? Mine managed her piece reasonably well - though one more rehearsal with the accompanist would have really helped! Distinctly heard one teacher asking another what on earth the instrument was when she walked on stage with it though. The programme just had the name of the piece on it and since she'd been playing flute and cello in the ensembles I think the appearance of a bassoon was a bit of a surprise.

First school concert she's managed to be in (bloody covid) so it was a huge deal for her, and her older sister, who variously also sang in two choirs and played in string group, senior orchestra group and the ceilidh band.

Nearly done now. Three days of orchestra for the small one (on bassoon, so a good test of how she feels about playing that rather than flute) and the rest of us can now chill!

@siriusmuggle well done to your DS, mostly sounds positive but there's so much illness in a term like this- must be really hard when you're on stage!

@minisnowballs thats a pretty good reason. It’s so much easier having it all there rather than spending so much time travelling to evening rehearsals etc.

@horseymum mine’s back from first term at conservatoire. It’s his first “normal” Xmas term in 3 years (as for all of you). It’s been a shock to the system and he’s shattered! He finished the term playing in the opera (boast- only 1st year to do so), he’s done a couple of paid gigs which is dead exciting. But he’s also been ill on and off since September- standard freshers stuff but extra tough when performing. He’s still really happy with his choice though.

On the home straight now! One competition today, then just Christmas day in church to play for then we're done and everyone can let their instruments have a wee rest! I'm sure there will be some carol playing at home at some point. Hope everyone has had the opportunity to play more this year than the previous two years. We look forward to more fun and music making next year.

Thanks @Siriusmuggle ! So glad it's been a positive experience. She's a bit younger... one question is whether she needs this yet, but she's really struggling to prioritise and find time for everything in her current set up which is one reason to consider it.

Mine did specialist school for 6th form. 100% the right choice for him so I'm happy to answer any questions. He's now at his first choice conservatoire.

To be fair there are three of us that play and Dh also teaches/performs etc.

Actually, I haven't tried FB marketplace. I looked on eBay and the prices weren't much less than new and the better priced ones were collection only and too far. I will try FB, thank you for the idea.

@herbaceous - big well done to ds for his performance in the final. You must have been very proud of him. One of my favourites too. 🤗

Have you checked fb marketplace @Bluegingerbread - there are often quite a lot of keyboards on there for me locally- though am in london so no use to you

It does seem like a big ask Bluegingerbread - both mine are doing GCSE music (one is Y11) and we've never been asked for anything but a pair of ordinary headphones - the type you get free with most phones or in the pound shop!

Thank you, Comefromaway, that's very helpful. Can't believe you own 9!!! We're in a deprived small Northern town so I'm amazed they think £180 is a reasonable ask for something for just part of just one GCSE. Dance and music teachers here seem to ask for endless pricey extras, I wonder if because it's an optional extra, they think you have money to burn - which we certainly don't!

Ds says that any keyboard with a USB-B output on the back of it will work. Everything else simply comes down to touch and whether she prefers full size keys. As a first study keyboard player he likes using a good keyboard but once used his mates kids keyboard as a controller and it worked fine.

We have this one for example but Ds even gigs with it using it as a synth bass.

www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Native-Instruments-Komplete-Kontrol-A49/2NU7?_gl=114nnypu_upMQ.._ga*MTk1OTY0OTMxNi4xNjcwNzEzNjY1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-dCcBhBQEiwAeWidtavD4lAhjvjJDlu9Tvt6z_ZtBHsC8kKQs2zbmVAO7wWJ38qOL3Ea5BoCjnMQAvD_BwE

but your Dd probably doesn’t need anything semi-weighted or even full sized keys if she’s not an actual keyboard player.

And £180 seems like a big ask. Ds went to school in a pretty deprived area and asking any of the gcse music students to buy a keyboard simply for composing just would not happen. It does make life a lot easier if you can play straight into the software but I really can’t see you needing the Piagero

For just composition I’d have thought any midi controller keyboard would do but I will ask Ds.

i realised the other day that as a family we own 9 different keyboards so he should’ve an expert!

Could anyone advise on MIDI keyboards please? DD is a brass player and just started doing GCSE Music and has been advised to get a MIDI keyboard for GCSE composition. The teacher has recommended a Yamaha Piaggero NP12. I asked her to find out what features we needed as it's £180 and I could do with getting a cheaper one, especially as she's not a keyboard player but she says the teacher just says the Yamaha will have everything she needs. I know they use Mixcraft for composing. Any tips?

Actually, it's BBC2! EERK!

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001g5gx

The next Aled Jones…

Final is on Sunday! 1.15, BBC1.

He did really well then @herbaceous really articulate and enthusiastic. When is the final being shown?

I've just listened and he did great! So poised. Clearly ready for a TV career 😀very well done to him.

Further DS spam.

He was on the radio yesterday! Live interview, no preparation. Came over so grown up!

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dmnjmq?fbclid=IwAR3PpfXufjVds28h5XTQ1fpbfCGnUhG3aFvsrIHqkjyFYHyn0hJq6jjcY

Hello - was on this thread a few years ago when my children were small and was really grateful for the support. Are there any teachers / parents following who have entered a candidate for the new ARSM exam? My son is taking his exam on Saturday and have just had an email from the school saying the examiner is requesting his programme today. Is this the norm? The regulations say it is presented on the day, and I'm wondering if with advance notice, he won't be examined objectively. Am I being over-cautious / ridiculous?

If Bach to Baby are still going, they held lovely local events where your smols can hear classical music performed by pros, in environments where they can clamber around to their hearts' content.

Also check out the London Symphony Orchestra's "baby orchestra" - music & movement morning classes where orchestral players introduce children to their instrument. Fantastic!