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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Spring /Summer 25 - Music thread

706 replies

northerngoldilocks · 14/02/2025 18:04

Time for a new thread for spring!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

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Yingbread · 15/02/2025 06:24

Any advice on buying an alto sax? We will be going to a specialist woodwind shop to try them out, but we don't know much about them. DS will be studying music at uni, is a woodwind student but has only recently taken up sax, so it's very much their second fiddle, as it were. Also they are not a performance specialist. I see Selmer, Yamaha and Yanagisawa mentioned.

BartokRules · 15/02/2025 03:54

@StuntNun great name!

What is your kid singing for G3 SFMT? It's a big syllabus isn't it?

StuntNun · 14/02/2025 21:03

We're ramping up for yet more exams. We have grade 3 drums and grade 3 Singing for Musical Theatre next month and then another piano exam coming up, grade 5 this time. How do other musical households manage to fit all the practice in?! It's very difficult to play piano if there's an electric guitar or a drum kit being played elsewhere in the house.

Original poster
northerngoldilocks · 14/02/2025 20:37

just saw your update on the old thread @QueenMabby - that's brilliant news re your DDs musical theatre scholarship for sixth form.

Also congratulations to @StuntNun for the Gr 6 piano distinction.

We're limping into half term - everyone has had colds so limited practice this week. There was an informal concert at school last night where DD played a violin solo which was a lovely opportunity for her. The only other time she's performed a violin solo in front of anyone other than her teacher has been in a competition so this was a really nice environment for her. It went well for her so hopefully a confidence boost for playing it in the local competition in a month's time. She also played the piano accompaniment for her friend which was very cute! DS opted out of volunteering for a solo but did play with his flute ensemble so all round a nice thing for me to go and see. They've never done this informal concert thing before at school but I'm hoping they will again as it was really nice. Huge variety of performers from instrumentalists to bands / singers so was really nice.

Last day of CYM tomorrow before half term but DS has LYWB every day of the holiday so there is no let up for him. Will make up for the lack of practice this week I guess! DD isn't doing any musical activities over half term but she does really need to do some piano practice as Gr 8 is looming on the horizon so want to make sure everything is ready.

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horseymum · 14/02/2025 20:19

@northerngoldilocks thanks for the new thread! Lots of music things happening here, going to be all the 'lasts' of everything as middle one leaves school this year.

QueenMabby · 14/02/2025 18:49

Hi and thanks for the new thread. I'll continue to mostly lurk and benefit from everyone else's expertise!

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