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Extra-curricular activities

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Music teacher again (sorry): playing in ensemble groups

27 replies

ZZZen · 28/05/2009 10:41

Can I pick your brains again, lovely MNers. Dd is 8, has been learning violin for about a year now and plays the first position on all strings, knows those notes etc. I'm wondering if it makes sense for her to join a group and practice together.

I have the option of a trainee orchestra set-up for dc, the idea is they get used to playing together and working with a conductor over time. They say she could join at this stage.

The other is a string only (violin, viola, cello, bass) similar set-up. I'm leaning towards this as a motivator/social musical activity. They meet once a week for an hour, learn to play songs, canons and dances togehter and it is supposed to be quite playful.

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Bramshott · 28/05/2009 10:45

I'd go for the fun option if she's only been learning for a year. She will also learn about playing together etc in the string group, but it should be a bit easier as everyone will be playing on similar instruments. Plenty of time for 'proper' orchestra later on.

ZZZen · 28/05/2009 10:43

Sorry to always be so long-winded!

Anyhow, I asked the violin teacher and she advised against it, saying her dh teaches a school orchestra and he finds it a waste of time because the dc don't really have much skill at primary age and it is hard work to produce things with them. This is all instruments. So having listened to her dh's complaints all year, she thinks dc don't get anything much out of it at this stage (listening to other dc playing out of tune, getting it wrong etc and also not having their incorrect posture etc corrected in that hour since the teacher is concentrating on other things.)

Would you agree with her thoughts from your experience? Better to leave it till dd is more accomplished?

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