Spring /Summer 24 - Music thread

Oh @Comefromaway that's an awful thing to have happened to your ds. I hope he's able to replace the kit.

The thieves ignored the guitars, Amos and ds’s keyboard. They looked in all the bags to find the one with the laptop. We think they took his keyboard amp as it was a battery powered portable one and was Bose. They probably thought it was a normal sound system speaker.

Oh no, how stressful. I often feel a bit panicky when mine are travelling with expensive instruments ( even though they are insured).

We hadn’t taken out extra insurance because he was supposed to get the vastly reduced student MU rate (except he’d not got around to it). Harsh lesson.

No, our home insurance would only cover him at a university owned halls of residence, not other student accommodation.

oh @Comefromaway that's awful - doesn't happen to be on your home insurance does he? (clutching at straws). Poor lad - that's a harsh way to learn to insure your belongings.

It was not a good weekend for Ds. He gigged Friday & Saturday but overnight on the Friday his friend’s house where he was staying, got broken into and his MacBook, iPad, keyboard amp, external hard drive and the other contents of his backpack, was stolen.

He wasn’t insured for them (his fault).

It's just on the radio, they get to be on TV in the summer! Turns out youngest was playing keyboards. They never actually communicate much what's happening! She plays bass at church though ( slightly less cool!)

Oh wow @horseymum that sounds proper cool (the electric bass I mean) .. what's she playing? I'll try and watch the NYO - though sadly DD2 has gone back to school now so I can't inveigle her into watching it.

I'm bereft, as usual. It appears that the pattern is that I get about two days of missing her and trying to convince myself we've done the right thing by letting her go, followed by a bit of a reprieve where I've got used to the house being emptier and getting my office back (I work in her bedroom).

Then she comes home for exeat and the whole thing begins again.

Pathetic really!

NYO are on BBC 3 this evening at 7.30 pm. Can't listen live as at a battle of the bands for younger DD, playing electric bass. ( It's all about the bass for her!)

Congratulations to @Comefromaway 's DS! And to everyone else whose DC are succeeding.
@Ubertomusic my DD (now at conservatoire in the US and going on to a Master's in composition) wasn't at a specialist music school, but she did oboe, singing (classical and musical theatre), theory at G6 and piano (more off than on) plus choir; while taking 11 GSCE and then 4 A levels, in which (Covid teacher assessed) she ended up with 3 A* and A. It's possible, but you need to be organised about it, though for a talented DC like yours (and everyone else in here), the music won't be a problem. DD wasn't doing JD or anything like that, though.

@northerngoldilocks - thank you for asking. New cello is amazing! It sounds so good. It's really given her a boost of confidence as she can produce such a fantastic sound.

She's playing in a small ensemble next week for a dance show and then a big school concert the week after so it's getting lots of play time already.

Well done to all those amazing NYOers - and good luck to @Pollyanna8234 DS. They are all such an inspiration! And good luck to @mustardrarebit DD next week.

Not much going on here. DD2 has another week at home so we're enjoying her actually being around. The bassoon and flute came on holiday to the Peak District with us and friends- a first for the bassoon. Everyone got used to having Elgar's Romance as a backdrop to post-dinner conversation and she also did requests - some not really very suitable for bassoon, it has to be said.

Today she's been working on her grade 6 singing - which is for next term. I enjoy hearing her sing and she doesn't do so much of it any more, so that's been quite nice.

I'm not looking forward to giving DD2 back to school - just got used to having her home - but she's already chomping at the bit - not to mention eagerly snapchatting a lot of year 10 boys..

Sigh.

Hello again everyone. Just realised why I wasn't getting notifications on the old thread!
Not a lot going on here just now. DD1 has a piano concert at school next week and her Chetham's audition the following day, so practice is happening constantly right now. She still found the time do give DD2 a master class yesterday though. DD2 was getting frustrated with one of her pieces and DD1 helped her through it with a sensitivity she doesn't normally give her sister! Very proud mum moment. I'm not holding my breath that it will be repeated.

Amazing! Best of luck to him!
DS didn't apply, as he's got A levels looming and isn't really someone who goes in for competitions (he's bizarrely not very ambitious or competitive!).
I took part, way back in the day, but only got through the first round.

Thank you! @Alwaysplayspicc
He did and we are off to Cardiff tomorrow. Is your DS doing it?

Beautiful playing from your DS, Pollyanna8234.
Did he apply to BBC YM again this year?

@Comefromaway what a fab experience!
@Alwaysplayspicc we went to the RFH concert, which was amazing! We were able to take DS home straight after. Although we were somewhat delayed (everyone else had left!) as he had lost his railcard. It was in his pocket before dinner, but missing after concert... Home by 11:30pm, and up for sixth form the next day. He is shattered and missing his friends
@northerngoldilocks wow lucky you and DS! My DS would be so jealous as Pahud is his idol

Definitely a long stint, waiting at the airport, tracking the flight up the M6!

It's a long stint, horseymum! DS didn't do the schools stuff today,thankfully, so we just had the drive back home late last night - got into bed at 2am this morning and DS has spent today recovering.

I am so jealous, northerngoldilocks - Emmanuel Pahud is one of my favourite flautists! I bet it was wonderful.

Sounds like lots of DCs with wonderful experiences over the holidays well done all!

@Comefromaway sounds like an amazing opportunity. Kids seem to have a huge capacity for functioning when utterly exhausted if it's something they want to do. DD is returning from NYO tonight after 14 days away ( left a couple of days before course started as grandparents were helping with lifts), countless hours of rehearsals, I don't know how many concerts and is still planning to go to school tomorrow.
@Alwaysplayspicc we went to the Liverpool concert, the London hall looked amazing too. Counting the hours till I pick DD up after final day of concerts today.

Well done to your DS, Comefromaway. He's doing so brilliantly! An exciting future ahead of him.

was anyone at the NYO concert at the RFH last night?
Wonderful playing and especially lovely to spot some DCs from this thread. 👏