Spring /Summer 25 - Music thread

For those going to other further/ higher education, studying or not studying music, I hope they still find joy in music, so many opportunities to continue after school.

Best wishes to those starting conservatoire courses next week and in the coming weeks. All change for some households.

🤣🤣 - I’ve told dd I would take any skirt she wanted to wear to the tailor’s to have it taken up but she’s not rebellious enough!

Thanks @QueenMabby and yes, she's back next Thursday. Currently trying to find a sufficiently short skirt that still fits with the school uniform rules for sixth form, but she's so tiny herself that it will probably have to be one from the school uniform range for 14 year olds.

Thank you @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest and well done to your lovely dd on her results. Fingers crossed for her g5 piano results.

When are you taking her back. Does she start next week?

Ha and thanks @Londonmummy66 a tall order indeed. I shall be intrigued to see how it is actually received.

My brother - who is a piano teacher - heard the recording and reckoned it was ok, but we will see how accurate his assessment is (he teaches trinity and this was ABRSM). I failed my grade 5 piano the first time I took it, and only passed with 104 the second time so have no illusions over the scale of the challenge.

fingers crossed @achangeofnameisasgoodasarest - hopefully will be fine but it is a tall order! DD1 would be happy to help if it doesn't go to plan.....

@herbaceous and @QueenMabby congrats to yours on GCSE results. DD2 is also extremely pleased with hers, which unlock every possible option for the next stage.

Her summer project has been to record a Grade 5 performance piano exam. She has no lessons and started teaching herself just over a year ago, passing Grade 3 last summer, so we're not expecting stellar marks, but it would be nice if she got it over the line as some of her options for Higher Ed would like piano at Grade 5 standard from non-pianists.

Awaiting results with some trepidation, but with some hope of a certificate she can wave at people rather than being given a 'keyboard skills' test.

I know you're all agog - he's decided to sing Early One Morning. So, we'll see!

Off topic as not school related extra curricular but I actually was there for this performance and the Danish choir and orchestra were wonderful. I couldn’t agree more that the BBC needs a radical rethink on this front - it’s shameful that all of the proms aren’t available to watch for the season at least.

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/aug/20/why-doesnt-the-bbc-blaze-the-glories-of-its-orchestras-year-round-not-just-at-the-proms

It didn't sound rude and was a fair comment - I think its harder than some of the ones on the Cambridge list though!

Very good points @Londonmummy66! I realise my question might have sounded rude. Apologies if so! I just meant as it's not a 'complex' song, would people know how hard it is to do well, iyswim. But I'm sure the audition panel at Rodolphus know their onions.

One of mine did it for Grade 8 and scored well - if you do it properly it's quite tricky with the leaps at the ends of phrases - and if you pay attention to the punctuation there are some long lines eg Carry the lad that's born to be king over the sea to Skye all in one breath etc. Also gives plenty of opportunity for de4monstrating expression dynamics and telling a narrative.

Thanks for the suggestions! I've found a PDF of suggested audition songs for Cambridge choral scholarships, so have sent it to DS for his perusal! Full of folk songs like Waly Waly, Sally Gardens etc, so that genre seems the way forward!

Great to hear all the Rodolfus attendees, DD was very sorry to have had to miss it this year. They really are a lovely group.

DD sang She’s Like the Swallow for her G6 singing unaccompanied and also used it for G7 and G8. Good for showing pitch and breath control and expression. She scored 20 or 21 with it every time.

Ooh that's a nice idea @Londonmummy66! Is it 'advanced' enough?

My two always did the Skye Boat Song - good for demonstrating breath control and leaps.

If any London based singer aged 9-18 are looking for a fun and rewarding challenge this Autumn term London Youth Opera are still open for registration. Our dd (grade 6 singer) has done it for many years and loves it!

DS has belatedly applied for the Rodolphus Choir auditions next week. Has to prepare an unaccompanied song. Any ideas? He hasn't done a singing grade since 6, when he was a treble!

Thanks @horseymum . We had the email from Inspire saying she has been accepted but nothing since. Maybe something will come through in September. She’s keen to do something musical in October half term but I can’t find much happening.

Thanks @horseymum . We had the email from Inspire saying she has been accepted but nothing since. Maybe something will come through in September. She’s keen to do something musical in October half term but I can’t find much happening.

@MockCroc quite late for inspire in our experience! It's usually one day near end of October. Ours have been Lancaster but I think they do other places. They need to go to it to be considered for anything else. I think it's been weekend days but I can check back. Mine have enjoyed it and it's definitely led on to other things.

Sorry, another question. Does anyone know when NYO Inspire sends out invitations and what the offers tend to be? New to it. Thanks

Hello, does anyone have recommendations (other than ESO) for an October half term music residential - ideally orchestral or concert band? G8 level. Thanks

Hello, does anyone have recommendations (other than ESO) for an October half term music residential - ideally orchestral or concert band? G8 level. Thanks