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Extra-curricular activities

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

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September Music and Musicians Thread

653 replies

Wafflenose · 02/09/2016 20:18

Hello to all musicians and parents of musicians, both old and new, beginners and advanced! Feel free to share whatever you like, and ask away about anything to do with music, exams, concerts, repertoire, practice, etc.

We are all heading back to school and work this coming Monday. My daughters Goo (10) and Rara (8) will be going into Year 6 and Year 4 respectively. Goo plays the recorder, flute and piano (just took up piano in April) and I have slapped a ban on exams for about a year - she has been doing too many. Rara plays the recorder and cello, and will be doing whole class brass lessons during Year 4. She's taking Grade 3 Recorder this term, and is about two-thirds of the way through the Grade 1 Theory book, doing it in her own sweet time and bloody annoying unique way. Goo's main project will be NCO and county auditions... not that she's busting a gut currently!

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Pradaqueen · 13/09/2016 07:21

Grin green. Just realised my bank account is somewhat lacking also....

PetraDelphiki · 13/09/2016 11:56

Green - what size violin are you looking for? We have a 3/4 that isn't in use - was about 220 new from old violin workshop in Hampton...

LetLoveWin · 13/09/2016 12:14

We are methodically working through the grades on violin & paino, slowing down a bit now that the level is higher. Have been tempted to skip a grade to save costs, but haven't done so yet! Each grade seems to teach so many specific and carefully stepped skills, so I feel like they couldn't do it without the motivation of the exam at the end. My DS (year 5) will be doing his Grade III violin this term and will do Grade III piano next term if he seems ready (a long way off at the moment!). My DD (year 8) is working towards Grade V on violin & piano, still lots of work to do though, so probably won't be for another term or so at least.

SE13Mummy · 13/09/2016 12:29

Thanks for the links - I'll get looking! At DD's school there's an instrument store they can use but as her case is the same as at least one other trumpeter's, I'd like to know there's a way of locating it if need be. DD will panic if she leaves it somewhere/it goes walkabout so I think it would help her to know that there may be a way to locate it if need be. I need to get an instrument specific policy for her before school orchestra starts next week. Years ago I had one with Allianz I think so that's another thing to add to the to do list!

Greenleave · 13/09/2016 21:14

Prada: thinking of Nov as I might need 2 months saving for it, hahaha, good strings and a good new bow too.
Petra: I am looking for a 3/4 too, thanks for your suggestion, I have few shops in my mind already so I will try them first
We practised Prelude in C minor tonight with the metronome, still in the sightreading phase though. I have to admit that piano is so much more relaxing compare to violin

Fleurdelise · 13/09/2016 21:26

Hello all! Happy shopping for new violin Green!

Had curriculum meeting at DD's school, feeling the pressure, parents already discussing 11+ and so on. Music is going ok, still daily practice of about an hour or so but it doesn't feel like it is enough, we need to skip certain elements so we'll have to somehow find additional time.

LooseAtTheSeams · 13/09/2016 21:36

It's been too hot today - And ds2 has just started his cello practice at almost 9.30. I'm glad he's doing it but I hope the neighbours feel the same way!
Had an upset as our lovely drum teacher isn't teaching at DS1's school anymore and doesn't live locally so we're trying the new teacher from school tomorrow and maybe ad hoc lessons in holidays with old teacher. Such a shame as they just 'clicked' and DS1 has made amazing progress but will be good for him to get feedback from someone new I suppose. That means drum and bass lessons on the same evening but it frees up another evening.
Meanwhile, I have loads of theory homework as well as practice to do!

Greenleave · 13/09/2016 21:57

Fleur: would it better discussing it or you'd rather be quiet? We dont share info or discussing about studying at all with other parents, or is it because we are only year 4. We had an hour today quite relaxing too after a long swimming lesson. Just last year I could never imagine someone could practise for an hour.
Loose: best of luck with theory, I remember your ds1 is sitting g5 this term, has he made up his mind yet. We have decided however havent paid for this term's exam yet, deadline is end of this month for online payment I think

PetraDelphiki · 13/09/2016 21:59

Green - you're welcome to have a try of it you want - no pressure! It's just sitting in a cupboard!

gillybeanz · 13/09/2016 22:09

Hello folks, well another year, here we go.

Have gained a few more instruments over summer, 2 tenors and a soprano which have been played quite a bit.
DD doing lots of impro and transcriptions, gained a few annoying licks and is doing pretty well on 7&8 syllabus pieces.
Nothing else really apart from she's looking forward to some more singing opportunities so she's musically smug atm Grin
She got stickers in maths and house points and her confidence has improved so much, looks like school are really doing their bit.

Fleurdelise · 13/09/2016 22:15

Loose sorry to hear you have lost a good drums teacher, good luck with the school teacher and theory homework!

Green it is good people do talk about it as we feel we know the pressure you are going through but at the same time it brings a lot of panic as I don't think DD is doing nowhere near the level of work other DCs are doing.

LooseAtTheSeams · 13/09/2016 22:24

gillybeanz sounds like things are going great - I am definitely a believer in stickers. DS1 was quietly chuffed to get stickers in biology! It definitely motivates him!
Green yes he decided to do grade 5 this term - having said all that, I haven't paid for it yet, but I will. music is costing a small fortune! I'm doing grade 4 theory book alongside grade 4 piano with the aim of doing grade 5 theory exam at some point. By the way, have you started piano lessons yet??
Fleur impressed by the hour's practice every day. I think my DCs need the lessons to get motivated to practice, though ds2 is constantly playing something on the piano!

exampanic · 13/09/2016 22:46

Paid for this term's music lessons today. 4 lots. Don't even want to add it all up to see how much it is...Luckely Ds teacher usually late withhis invoice😁.

LooseAtTheSeams · 13/09/2016 23:42

exampanic I think the only way to cope is not to add it up! Or to look at the bank statement - although I have managed to spread it out a bit so it's not a hit all at once! Grin

raspberryrippleicecream · 14/09/2016 00:53

For those who remember on the last thread, DD decided to go with clarinet, and the school appointed a woodwind teacher who leads one of the DCs music service bands so we are all very happy!

He didn't realise DS2 played clarinet though, (he plays trombone in band) and was very surprised when DS arrived playing Grade 6 pieces.

Greenleave · 14/09/2016 07:55

Exampanic: I do the same as Loose advice, not to think or add up at all. We were talking about when we are old and our kids grow up. We said the only thing we need is them invite us to travel with them once a year, even just long weekend and they come to us at least a month. Now I realise it might be too much to ask because I havent even done that to my parents)
Fleur: best of luck with studying. its very stressful, just another year, hang on there!

Fleurdelise · 14/09/2016 08:24

Hahaha I made the mistake of adding up all the activities cost together once, plus instruments and kits. Never again, I tell you!

Raspberry I must have missed your post on the last thread, why did you DD have to chose? Good to hear the school is so supportive.

Green thank you, I will survive somehow this year, I am less focused on DD's 11+ as DS has his GCSEs and the stress is higher.

LooseAtTheSeams · 14/09/2016 08:58

Fleur I do feel for you - hope your DS isn't too stressed by GCSEs. What would he like to do after?
Very best of luck to those sitting 11+ and those practising for it. Cake
Raspberry so glad it's all worked out with the clarinet.
Ds1 will meet new drum teacher today. I have told him if school has arranged a shared lesson he's to make a fuss and ask for a separate one or we will find another teacher. I did a double-take at the timetable and he is down with another boy, which wasn't the case last term, although I am pretty sure this one has managed to stick with the old teacher. We shall see! The other lad is a good friend but not a great drummer. Smile

woolleybear · 14/09/2016 10:45

Dd tried out a new band on Monday night and loved it but it didn't finish til 9.15 so I'm not sure if we can continue with that.

We have a place at a rare instruments session run by the council next week so we are hoping we may get reduced price bassoon or maybe oboe lessons from that.

Those along with grade 3 this term and starting theory lessons, new school orchestra and normal band, I think I have to make her choose between the above! Any thoughts? I may have to make the overriding decision based on the too late night!

gillybeanz · 14/09/2016 11:19

woolley
I would choose the one that will stretch them the most tbh, and obviously which on they want to do.
I love the sound of the opportunity for rare instruments, too few opt for oboe or Bassoon.

Raspberry
Really pleased about the clarinet, a good choice I think.

Fleur
It really doesn't do to start adding up the cost, have you not learned yet? Grin

Icouldbeknitting · 14/09/2016 13:55

The bassoon is enormous, when you see people playing it you don't see the bit that starts down at floor level. It's heavy too so if you have a petite child then an oboe may be better.

Ours is going back, I can't say that I'm at all sorry.

woolleybear · 14/09/2016 14:02

Dd is not petite but is only ten so not massive, I was hoping if we got the lessons we maybe able to hire a smaller than full size instrument?

I sat right next to one the other day, they are indeed massive, possibly as tall as me!

gillybeanz · 14/09/2016 15:39

Not sure if this is of interest, but I was really surprised to find out only one Bassoon and 2 oboes at dd school. I thought there would be more, just because I'd heard that parents encouraged these instruments as a greater chance of getting in good schools and orchestras.
With many years of intake 4,5,6,7,8,9, 10, 12 It's not even like older ones wouldn't be up to the standard.
I feel it's such a shame.

LooseAtTheSeams · 14/09/2016 17:12

Oh dear. Need some advice on this. DS came back from drum lesson in a bad mood. Told drum teacher he did grade 4 ages ago and what he's been doing since. Teacher said oh dear, you're ahead of the others. Gave him grade 1 rudiments to do. DS1 did this for a bit (he's a sweet lad) and then said, look this is really too easy and pointless. Teacher said he was still finding his way round so didn't have anything else. DS pulled marching band music out of bag, which is around grade 7, and said I'll play this then. Teacher was impressed but didn't suggest doing anything for next week or ask what he wanted to do.
This isn't going to work, is it? I need to find another drum teacher, don't I?
He then had a small rant about the GCSE music class bedoing too easy but I'm putting that down to the heat and low blood sugar as he's cheered up no end after eating an ice cream, a sausage roll and a lot of melon!
I'm going to my book group this evening and I am taking wine with me!

Sevi2010 · 14/09/2016 17:16

Hi
My Ds is Y8 and plays Trombone. He passed level2. I'm trying to find a trombone teacher that lives near Purley or is willing to travel to our home!
Can you recommend someone, please?