Spring 23 music thread

I think that the private schools have done a really good job of encouraging lots of younger kids to play the bassoon. Perhaps they need to now refocus new intakes on the oboe!

At DS's state school there are more flutes than pretty much anything else - they outnumber violins in the orchestra!

That's extraordinary @yodaforpresident . I'm assuming that isn't a state school - I can't imagine them being able to afford the instruments? Our dds' current school (state girls comp) has 36 flutes (i counted the massive flute group) - and that isn't even counting DD who learns externally, a clarinet group of eight or so and tons of saxophones who are often also clarinets. It has, as far as I'm aware, no oboes... and DD on bassoon when she can be persuaded. And an extraordinary number of trumpeters and singers. So random what you get, isn't it?

They are the most popular wind instrument at DD's school - enough of them that they even have their own choir (moreso even than flutes). It's the oboes and clarinets that are sadly neglected here - only two of each.

It's funny isn't it! Round here there are actually a few bassoonists and competition for orchestras is a bit higher as a result - I think some older players have taken up the bassoon as a second instrument. Ours was a first one as DD loved the sound, and the rest is history really. It's oboe that is really rare in these parts!

If you read this thread you'd think every third child in Britain played the bassoon - so why can no orchestras ever find any of them?

We're quite fond of DD2's bassoon - though now she's going to specialist music school with it we should probably stop calling it the 'honk honk'. Didn't even know what it was when she took it up though - she'd just seen it in a Saturday centre concert and they offered cheap taster lessons. The cats still think it's a terrifying predator when she plays a low b flat (mind you they aren't keen on the piccolo either).

Bassoon is great. I got into all sorts of orchestras and shows by playing it, and in fact have just been roped into DS's school orchestra concert as second bassoon!

I didn't know how in demand til recently! It's already given her lots of opportunity, but at heart she just loves the sound of it. Hoping they get to compare tenor clef pieces at a future event :)

Brilliant - she will always be in demand! I am slightly jealous of daughter jetting off to sunnier climes - we're at home with the Year 11, ensuring she does her revision.

Oh that's so interesting about the bassoon - this is what my daughter plays! Looks like they just missed out on meeting each other, what a small world. Hope your daughter has a great holiday!

@georgedawes Yes! DD2 is a bassoonist (well, she's a flautist whose bassoon skills are far more in demand than her flute ones, meaning that her bassoon is rapidly catching up with her flute. She applied to Inspire on flute and they switched her).

Your daughter will be absolutely fine - DD found the music for the residential straightforward - not even any tenor clef (and she's not that experienced with bassoon ensemble playing) and the the tutors lovely and supportive.

Pressed post before I'd finished! She did a big practice yesterday though, which I think has helped the nerves a little bit.

Oh it's Sheffield my DD is going to! And there was only one other inspire player there when she signed up, does yours play a double reed instrument? DD now worried about being the worst player there!

@georgedawes she will have a brilliant time- great they found space. Dd2 has just reluctantly turned down an nyo day in Sheffield on her rare instrument- she was the only nyo inspire player on it (she is off on hols with my sister for Easter and they changed the flights so she can’t go).

She really enjoyed inspire at Easter-though was the youngest on the residential at 13- reckon they are more likely to have younger ones in the day stuff. Hope your dd enjoys too.

@horseymum - hope your dd enjoys the grand piano! Definitely check the pedal, particularly if the piano is on a frame - it may go higher than she thinks! Dd often suffers from a "smudgy" pedal in those cases!

Yes it's a rare instrument and looks like they hadn't filled one of the parts with someone from inspire (it was only an NYO musician covering one part) so can see why she was offered it. She is nearly 13 too so perhaps that makes a difference? It's one of the orchestra days she's been offered.

My child started last year at a specialist music school - they are having a brilliant time!

Great news @Comefromaway - sounds like a brilliant opportunity for him.

@georgedawes not sure what your DD plays (and maybe its something more rare) but its interesting that there is a bit of flex in the age limit. One to consider for us next year as DS will be 13 during that year - though as a flautist it might be less likely!

Well done mini mini snowball! And Mini George Dawes!

We are drawing breath here after a packed two weeks involving two 12-hour Les Mis rehearsals, three show nights, a viola exam, audition for School of Rock, recital with a piano trio, solo spot at local choir festiival, plus all the usual school orchestras and groups, and external choirs. It's all a bit crazy. DS was v grumpy for a few days post Les Mis - no doubt partly 'show come-down' and partly exhaustion. Back to full strength now!

Oh that's brilliant news @georgedawes! Which day is she going to?

Congratulations to @Comefromaway great opportunity.
@georgedawes my DD just did an inspire day and loved it, hopefully youngest will do one at some point too
@QueenMabby we have a festival class at the weekend and youngest has just realised she'll be playing a grand piano which she has never done, so is excited about that. She's also excited her teacher is hoping to let her play her contra bassoon now they are both cold/bug free!

Ah @georgedawes that’s so lovely. I had such an amazing time when I did NYO and still in touch with so many friends from those days. Hope your DD enjoys the inspire day!

@minisnowballs think I know which school you mean - will be fantastic.

Congrats @Comefromaway!

Just wanted to say thank you to Pollyanna for recommending emailing NYO about 12 year old DD, she's been given a place on an inspire day next month 😁 she's so excited!!

@Comefromaway - what a fab opportunity for ds. Well done!

How lovely comefeomaway!