Support group for parents of children taking music exams!

[Wafflenose]

Hello, I'm feeling excited, nervous and wobbly because my daughter is taking her first music exam in three weeks. I'm a music teacher and am very used to getting children through the exams, keeping the parents informed, helping to focus practice, etc, but this is my first experience with my own child doing an exam and for some reason it's more scary than putting other people's children in! I think she will be OK (and the other thirteen I have entered this term) but I'm not!! Any tips for the 'other side' (parents rather than music teachers) for how to keep us both calm on the day would be gratefully received! Does it get easier as they become more experienced? Am thinking not...

She is taking part in the local music festival tomorrow, to gain performance experience. She's wildly excited, and I've got the jitters!!

After 3 weeks ,longest waiting for practical examresult, found out both my boys got distinctions.The cheeky 6 years old got 145 for grade 1.Mad!He made mistakes here and there all the time, even at the practice room.He is really unpredictable.

Bravo! 145 !!! Curious - I am speechless. High scorers concert next I guess? Congratulation to both of them !

Brilliant! Congratulations both.

145! Amazing. The highest one of my pupils has ever got was 141, and the highest score I've ever seen with my own eyes (someone else's pupil) was 144. Congratulations to both of them!

I thought 145 is not really existing. But it's only G1.
Thank you, Pianomama,Roisin, Waffle!

Finally got my little worrier's G5 violin result. He got a distinction. All those tears afterwards - he needs to stop being a perfectionist. Had to wait over 4 weeks for result.

That was a long wait but worth it schilke. Congratulations to your DS.

CURIOUSMIND, many congratulations to your DSs also.

Anyone else for this term?

I have just entered DD for Grade 3 recorder. She's been playing the pieces for months, and driving me round the bloody twist, so I thought we'd get it over with and move on!

She's started having flute lessons, and is meant to be doing Grade 1 next term, followed by Grade 1 piano in the summer. We have recently started on the theory (while her little sister is in the swimming pool, usually) as I could see it being a problem if we didn't...

DD loves exams, although I keep telling her they're not the be-all-and-end-all. So we try to make time for concerts and lots of chilled stuff at home. She is desperate to do the festival again. I think she's going to do the 8 & under solo, 10 & under solo, 9 & under duet with a friend, 8 & under beginners for piano, and the Parent & Child duet - non competitive, this one, which I think is so important.

I'm struggling to keep up.

Just enrolled for November piano exam ..Somehow not very worried just yet as there seems to be lots of time

DS2 is doing Grade 4 piano with TG. The plan was also for him to be doing Grade 3 Trombone in the same session, but his brass teacher was ill today, and as we haven't been given the form or asked for the cheque I'm not convinced it will happen! Actually it may be for the best, he is being made up into a full chorister on Sunday and so gets even busier!

DD and DS1 exams will be next term as school just does them once a year and DS1 wasn't ready for Grade 5 piano.

Lots going on though, all their school and County ensembles are back on and the calendar already filling up of for December with concerts and carol services (and playing carols in the coldest, draftiest, outdoor shopping centre in the country on the 23rd December for 6 hours!) Christmas music is being dusted off and rehearsed. Here come's Santa Claus was being played this evening - or I'm told that's what it was as DD and DS1 both have the bass line (tuba and barisax).

Our festival isn't until Spring, it will be a busy term! Good luck with yours, you are lucky having a non-competitive class for fun. We don't have that luxury!

Just a little moan - exam fees getting more expensive with higher Grades - I wonder why? The examiners having to listen to longer pieces?

I suppose on a time basis they are in for longer so that would make sense.

But you're right, it does seem a lot more for the same physical piece of paper!

It's silly money. I couldn't believe it - even Grade 3 is something like £46. By the time she gets to Grade 8, it will probably cost over £100. Maybe I'll send her out busking to pay for it!

I like festivals. DD is doing five classes, and I've entered for one (gulp) and put a piano pupil in too, so seven classes total - for less than the cost of one exam, and they get performance experience, certificates and feedback. Bargainous. Yes, I do like the non-competitive one, and want DD to learn that music should be mainly about enjoyment. She has decided she wants to play the flute for our parent & child duet.

Good luck to everyone with their preparation. It all seems a long way off now, but I expect it will come round rather quickly!

DS is doing G7 now ..When he saw how much the exam was (by accident) - he said - the examiners should pay him because he "is awesome" . I guess we'll find out in November..

DD1 doing Grade 1 piano and Grade 1 Violin in November, I am very proud of her for getting this far with her instruments and look forward to the experience on her behalf!!

Pianomama,Your DS started JD, but he is still doing grade exam?
We don't have exam this term(Teacher is away for two months) but will do 3 classes each for the coming Festival.

Yes, he hasnt got G 8 yet :) They all do exams but lots lots more as well.

Oh,Pianomama, I thought the grade doesn't bother them. I am sure your DS will do very well anyway.
We have difficulty to choose exam pieces ,because DS1 can't reach octave nicely yet, hope he can grow faster this winter!

No rush at all and JD doesnt insist on grades. Its just nice for DC to get the sence of achievement .Also, UCAS point :). The teacher should pick his pieces really to make sure little hands dont strech out too much :).

Can I resurrect this thread please?
I have DD1 doing grade 4 piano and DD2 doing Grade 2 piano in a couple of weeks. wibble
The tension is growing. Anyone else out there?

Of course you can, Five. I had forgotten all about it!

Are your girls feeling confident or nervous? Are they practising lots, and do you have a date yet?

DD1 is taking Grade 3 recorder on December 4th, but has mostly been practising for the music festival lately. That takes place next week, and she's doing five classes - two recorder solos, a recorder duet, piano solo and flute duet. I have various other pupils and groups involved, so am going to be a bit I think!

Best of luck to your two.

Anyone else?

I think they are a bit nervous as they are not at the well-polished stage yet.
The exam is the 26th November. DD2 has a band festival the day after and she's 'supposed' to be practicing her trombone for that! She plays the recorder in the school group too but thankfully isn't doing anything with that atm.
I'm just pleased it's all going be over before Xmas and they can concentrate on Carols.

DS2 is doing Grade 4 piano and Grade 3 trombone in 3 weeks, both with TG. He's fine at present. I am too really, just a bit concerned because he hasn't had a trombone lesson for 3 weeks - due to some very good and understandable reasons (and to be fair half term was also one of those weeks). His teacher has arranged for someone else DS2 knows to give him a lesson next week.

DD has a ballet exam this Sunday.

I'll be glad when they are all over and we can enjoy December and all the concerts and carol services they are playing in.

Good luck next week Wafflenose. Has miniwaffle got high expectations after her double victory last year?

Good luck to all DC doing exams!

Yes, I think she has, Raspberry! It was almost unfortunate that that ended up happening the first time she ever entered, because it probably never will again!

She is doing the 8yrs & Under Recorder Solo, 10yrs & Under Recorder Solo, 9yrs & Under Duet (with a friend who only started a few months ago and still squeaks a bit, but wanted to try - they are technically three years too young for this category, as both were still 6 on September 1st, so no big expectations there), 8yrs & Under Piano Solo, and Parent & Child Duet (we are playing flutes for that). She won't win everything, and we have talked about doing your best, having fun, and congratulating the winner!

I much prefer concerts and festivals to exams! It sounds like yours have quite a lot going on between them. Hope the ballet exam goes well, and the piano and trombone when they roll around.

Yes, we talk a lot about it being a 'festival of music' and a chance to perform. I do think they need to learn to lose - and win - graciously.

I too much prefer festivals and concerts. I also prefer hearing them play in groups to solos as its much more restful!