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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

New Year Music and Musicians Thread

991 replies

Wafflenose · 04/01/2016 13:46

Morning all, and Happy New Year. I decided it was time for a new music thread too. I really enjoy hearing about what everyone (and their DCs) are up to each term, and it's great to hear from new posters too.

I have two DDs. Goo (10) - the child previously known as MiniWaffle. She's not very mini any more... she's 4'10" and catching up with me. Anyway, she plays the recorder, flute, piccolo and a bit of piano when it occurs to her. She is doing Grade 5 Theory and possibly Grade 5 Flute (if the new teacher deems her ready) this term. Next recorder exam will be Grade 7, but possibly not for about 18 months! Am hoping the new flute teacher will also do a bit of piano with her... we'll see.

And Rara (7) - previously known as BabyWaffle - plays the recorder and cello. I was thinking of putting her in for Grade 1 Theory, but she's not keen, so we'll wait. She is in the blissfully calm position of no exams this term - yay!

We all have the local music festival next month. I think Goo is doing 11 Classes, and Rara about 7 (plus possibly helping with some percussion parts). I have 27 groups, pairs and individuals entered, so am going to be busy for the next month or so.

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Sleepinghooty · 24/03/2016 22:02

Thanks everyone- seems quite a few are doing/ have done it then.

Waffle, that sounds amazing (I'll admit to getting a distinction too, but was also much older and I'm better at maths than music tbh!). I think the plan for Ds is to do grd 5 musicianship next term, which seems ambitious as he'd never done any before last week but his teacher is brilliant so will be guided by her.

NewLife4Me · 24/03/2016 22:05

Green

She just hasn't been inspired to play really. It's taken her years of mucking about to take grade 2, but they have composition classes so she does do quite a bit and has 30 min lesson. The only thing she prefers Piano to is Maths Grin, She asks if she can skip maths to do Piano Shock She has no shame.

Ave Maria, which one folks, I'm so confused.
She likes the Latin but the German lyrics fit the music so much better.
I need to talk her into it Grin
I even found Italian version too, there are so many different flippin copies.

howabout · 24/03/2016 22:26

I vote for Latin NewLife but I did it at O grade because it was my must have to get out of French.

There are some versions with an English first verse which I really like.

All the best for the black beast Green I would always invest in musical instruments over cars and coffees. Loving Drummers thoughts on this.

raspberryrippleicecream · 24/03/2016 23:44

I vote for Latin too, because I love the familiar words.

Pradaqueen · 25/03/2016 11:53

Congrats raspberry on fab results!

Green - enjoy the beast, it really will be a super investment for you all.

Waiting on the G5 theory result... No distinctions likely here, just need the 66! I presume it will be out week after next waffle?

Original poster
Wafflenose · 25/03/2016 11:56

I reckon another week or two, Pradaqueen. Goo now says she thinks she might have a merit, and is hoping to not fail! Grin I am also waiting for an ABRSM Grade 1 Clarinet result from March 15th - an adult who only started in January!

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Musicaltheatremum · 25/03/2016 16:22

Lovely stories here. I played piano from 6-17 got grade 6 distinction in 1976 then failed grade 7 twice aged 16 and 17. Went back to lessons a few years ago and have just achieved a distinction in my grade 7 at the age of 52.

howabout · 25/03/2016 17:14

So much respect for you for going back to it Musicaltheatremum. Huge congratulations.

(Just a wee bit worried now as DD has just got a grade 6 distinction and is starting to work towards grade 7. Please tell me it will all be fine)

Pradaqueen · 25/03/2016 20:29

Thanks waffle! Wow musical! Talk about laying old demons to rest!

Helenluvsrob · 26/03/2016 11:00

I'm so neglectful! Dd2 did grade 7 recorder on Tuesday and I hardly noticed.... Pieces had been there for ages and she's been doing other stuff but why do the scales trip her up so much? I can only think she just doesn't work at them enough and never has. Pieces are easy!

We will see. She's just realised she might have 4xgrade 8 to do in year 13. She's part way to the clarinet, and singing and recorder shouldn't be too bad but I don't see her doing piano. I think maybe she's leaning towards music after school hence this flurry. The others pretty much gave up on formal stuff at this point.

Update on the biggies. Their choir sang St. John passion yesterday .this is the 5th year I've been and it's always fantastic and moving. But dd1 finally put herself forward and did the 1st soprano aria beautifully and ds sang Pilate . Proud doesn't cover it !

Original poster
Wafflenose · 26/03/2016 12:29

That's lovely, Musical! It's never too late, and 52 is young anyway. My new clarinet beginner is 94.

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Original poster
Wafflenose · 26/03/2016 12:30

Ooh, I should add that he's not the one who did Grade 1 - I had four new starters in January! (aged 8, 9, 42 and 94)

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LooseAtTheSeams · 26/03/2016 12:31

Musical - Congratulations - that is a fantastic achievement!
Helenluvsrob, what a wonderful experience - I am in awe of your DCs! I'm sure dd2's recorder scales were fine on the day. My goodness, though, that is a lot of grade 8 work- she must be very dedicated.

Helenluvsrob · 26/03/2016 21:59

Photos on the website so I can share these. Dd solo ing and ds 2nd from right. Red tie in the main photo

New Year Music and Musicians Thread
New Year Music and Musicians Thread
RapidlyOscillating · 26/03/2016 22:46

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

raspberryrippleicecream · 26/03/2016 23:00

Our St Johns yesterday was very quiet in comparison! 9 trebles and 2 each of altos and tenor and 3 basses. No accompaniment. Was very beautiful though.

The back row had 5 ex head choristers from our own Cathedral on it, 2 were back from music college , which was really nice.

Lovely photos Helen . I so hope my DS2 keeps on singing.

Helenluvsrob · 26/03/2016 23:04

Looseattheseams dd2 does a lot of flying by the seat of her pants ! If she actually worked hard and often she'd be really good.... But we don't push her. A cathedral chorister works very hard and knows how to sight read excellently- they have to and it's skill for life to just get on a do something with small amounts of preparation!

Rapidly it's just a huge mad coincidence they both ended up in Nottingham. The choir has been so good for them both. Not only a bit of money, lots of amazing Music etc but a " choir family" that looks after them. And they see each other2x week! They aren't music students though, it's still all " extra curricular " :)

However, I cannot emphasise enough how much they get out of it. I'm sure music will always be a big part of their lives.

RapidlyOscillating · 26/03/2016 23:13

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Helenluvsrob · 26/03/2016 23:33

Ha! They never know what's on the schedule - even when they are 16 as dd2 is- that won't change. She has done much of the repertoire before though now ( she started at 9)

RapidlyOscillating · 26/03/2016 23:38

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raspberryrippleicecream · 27/03/2016 00:16

I'd agree completely. DS never knows what's going on. I chaperone frequently, its astounding how hard they work. If there's a spare 10 mins the Master of the Music will slip in a look at a piece that's coming up. It's full on in the Song Room!

Sometimes when DS mentions he's been working on a solo on his singing lesson, but doesnt know what for, I check the published music list to try and go.

I'd also agree with Helen about relying on excellent sight reading skills outside Choir!

Icouldbeknitting · 27/03/2016 12:37

HelennowseeingthelightwithRob that is a lovely photo. Your daughter looks as if it's all so easy, I suppose that's the skill - making it look effortless.

Greenleave · 27/03/2016 22:38

Newlife: I vote for Latin too:)

Prada: best of luck!

Musical: wow, a distinction!!! I am planning to learn piano too maybe once the baby starts learning, in few years time, you inspired me!

Helen: beautiful pics, she did look effortlessly, they both look very smart and grown up. I would be in tears too!

Slightly off compare to all talents here, I was thinking of putting my daughter to the school orchestra which I believe only play 30 mins a week, do you think its worth to try and any benefit. The downside is she is loosing playing time which to me its very important too(yr 3, just had a piano g3, learning violin g2). I personally think she isnt good enough yet and it might be wasting her and everyone else's time. What do you think?

Original poster
Wafflenose · 27/03/2016 22:54

Definitely do it! At those levels, she is likely to be quite a bit better than some of the others, so should cope fine (at our village school with fairly good music provision, those are typical levels for Year 6). I sent both of mine along in November of Year 1 (aged just 6, and 5.5 respectively). Goo would have been a good Grade 1, and Rara Initial grade at that point. Regardless, it really helps with their rhythm and sight reading, to be playing regularly with others.

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Greenleave · 27/03/2016 22:59

Waffle: thank you, if so I will brave myself to ask, she was begging me to ask and see if she could join, I was worried she might be not good enough yet and will be rejected and/or wasting the whole orchestra's time. I am a foreigner(however both kids were born here) so have no idea about orchestra at schools here. Will need to google now. Thank you