October Music and Musicians Thread

[Wafflenose]

I thought I would start a new thread, as September's is looking unlikely to last for another month.

The music threads are open to all musicians and parents of musicians, no matter what their age or level might be. We have quite a few kids on here who are very serious about music, and plenty who do it as one of many hobbies.

For anyone who's new, I am a teacher of woodwind, and mum to two girls. Goo (10) plays the flute and recorder to a similar level (Grade 7 on both), and started the piano in April - she won't be doing exams on that. She is hardworking, committed, highly strung, and a stubborn little madam. Rara is 8 and far more laid back. She is taking Grade 3 Recorder this term, is a little behind that on the cello, and just this week started learning the clarinet. I don't suppose she will carry on with three instruments in the long term, but we'll wait and see which she loves!

Fleur, I have a singing refuser also which is bizarre seeing as she does musical theatre exams at school. They are funny things aren't they!?

Good luck waffle on the audition.

DS will not sing, no, no no, not ever. When he went away for a week with a group I didn't point out that the timetable included "choir" and it wasn't my problem that he didn't look at the timetable until he got there. That was a valuable lesson on being prepared. On the day they were quite clear that everyone was going to sing, no exceptions and it turns out that he has a lovely singing voice (I know that I am really biased). He was fine with it because everyone had to do it.

Waffle the location and availability of accompanist makes it tricky doesn't it? I think if I was in your shoes and she's fit to do it, I think I'd be asking if they still had the original slot. Part of my reasoning is that I like these things out of the way as soon as possible.

I have two refusers also in my older DC, one reason why they stuck to Trinity.

Chorister DS2 - easy marks!

Another vote for audition asap Waffle.

DS2 enjoyed his organ introduction, and he will have the occasional opportunity to play in church. But I have said lessons only if he drops one of his existing four!

We spent an hour filling in the NYO Inspire form this morning, so fingers crossed he is offered the residential.

I was looking forward to a shorter wait for results, but a 12.30 audition at the other end of the county would have knocked out most of the school day, realistically. Our venue isn't full, according to the web site, so I will try to get her slot back, or a different time. Her pieces sounded gorgeous tonight.

We have a very reluctant singer and completely out of tune(beat) singer too!

Today has been a busy day, hopefully we will have a chance with the violin tomorrow so a little practice before Monday. Also the person who is doing the exam feels no pressure as she thinks "its similar to the school Orchestra audition" which is a good think. I had to tell her that some other similar age children play much better and practise for the audition longer so we deserve it if we fail. She finds it a complete fair.

Prada: do we have to wait until March to find out about the result? The main point is its a great practice and confidence boost to her Indie exams in few months time. MiniPrada is such a warrior, we(mostly me) feel so much pressure with 11+ and not much we (me) could do about it right now. The worst case we will do more Indies andif its needed, we will move.

There are down moments for me these days when feeling I am an utmost looser everywhere, work and socialwise. I'd like to burry my head in the sand and not think. So right now I need to sort couple of things out first, my mind isnt most focused on Music/Academic for now.

Aww Green, don't be too hard on yourself you are doing a great job with your children! In reality, I have put my 'real' career (corporate, high power) on hold these past two years as I knew it was not compatible with supporting 11+ entry (although I am aware this sounds mad when you write it down). I have enjoyed every minute of being around more for miniprada and cannot ignore the fact that she has been the better for it as opposed to having a nanny (who was absolutely lovely). I know I am very lucky to have the choice, many don't. In reality, the only thing I have missed about my job is the PA

Fact is, we can't have it all and I've stopped trying. Most of the research and decisions about childcare fall onto the mother in most (not all) families. Combine that with doing a job well, fulfil pressure to make social engagements, rush about to extra-curricular and raise your children it's no wonder you feel swamped Green!

Chill out today and have or Baileys!

Green - i echo everything Prada has said; the guilt of whether you are doing enough seems much worse in the intense land of 11+ etc; we didn't do the state exams in the end, and have focused on the indies but with odds of 10-1 sitting for each place, it is hard not to worry about whether we should have tutored etc, and means we have to do multiple entries to be sure of having a choice. I too have had to step back career wise, and don't regret it (Well i do sometimes actually!) but am so looking forward to life post Feb. Just be kind to yourself - there are many roads to success at this point and your dd seems incredibly bright and engaged, which is what these schools want, not just scores.

Waffle - good luck with getting the audition slot back; sounds like DD is super ready and you can then relax for half term :)

"In reality, the only thing I have missed about my job is the PA."

I want a PA!



never.

If I win the lottery, the first thing I will do is hire a person whose sole job is to deal with utility's companies. Having not had to do it for well over 15 years myself, I soooooo want my PA back!!

I think I am my kid's PA 🤔

Radio.

My silent mumbling mantra used to be oh how the mighty have fallen. I can't even think that anymore because that would involve me having an ego, had to relinquish that too!

So many of us on here that have taken similar paths to support our DC!

green: you're doing a great job - you just need to ride through the dark days...

I always tell DS that I'm his Pepper Potts (for those of you who don't know Iron Man, shame on you).

Green you're so absolutely dedicated. Your DD sounds happy and confident. And you work full time. Give yourself a pat in the back and a bunch of . And get your DH to do his bit

I am having a wow mother moment. DD took up singing last year and sat G4 in the Spring. She had to choose another instrument as part of her scholarship and I (wrongly) thought voice would not be a "real" one, on top of her violin and piano, commitment wise. I had no idea she could even sing until I heard her in a summer concert.

We're now on half term also known as music catch up. I have just heard her practice her G5 pieces for the first time, accompanying herself on the piano. One german, one italian piece.

I owe a huge apology for ever thinking voice was not an instrument as such - I had just never been exposed to it before as she does all her practice at school, though when, I haven't a clue. We are now really feeling the value of that piano that was the cause of so many family rows in the early years...so pleased we stuck with it through the many brick walls and tears!

Thank you,

I am far from the level of having a PA, rather than keeping my job these days. We earn the same so it doesnt make sense if I quit. He lost his job in the past and its getting even harder so the quiting option isnt there for the family as a whole yet. Mothers do so much more not just physically though, simple thing like mentally preparing what's happening for the next day/meal to all the social activities, schoolings, childcare, family financials, investment, planning and many times things are falling apart. Sorry, this is the last moan.

This morning I made a mistake to go to "Costco" the first time with a friend of mine(in hope for wholesale savings). Well, ended up spending so much and lost the whole precious weekend morning with the kids, meaning, no practice as I got home and they were panicking preparing to leave for the usual Sunday Orchestra rehearsal with their toast in the mouth. Seriously, like what Drummers said, we just need to get them(husbands) to do more.(just tired and stressed so such moanings, he is ok, he just really needs me to tell him whats happening next and sometimes I even dont know what we need to do next)

Green never apologise for having a moan - you have to be able to let off steam! and for this evening. Really sympathise on the job front. I only work part time - except I can't get my teaching hours sorted at the moment, which is niggling me - and do research/writing the rest of the time, so in theory I should be able to organise everyone and myself. Instead, I have days when I wish someone else in the house would actually remember where they need to be and pack what they need for it! I love half term for the break from some activities but usually get stressed about what I haven't done in my own work! And my practising went to pot this week!
But having said that I do think MiniGreen will be ready for her exam and she is definitely sparky enough to get through her 11+ in style when the time comes. I think you should pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Ealing
snap!
We're also on half term also known as music catch up Word by word
I also had a wow mother moment, mine less nice than your DD's lovely voice. It was discovering the perfume that emanates from a male teenager after three hours of drumming in an overheated attic.

Half term also known as music catch up is next week here.

for Green and all other stressed parents.

It does end and they do learn. DS1 had 2 concerts today at uni and apparently organised getting himself and instrument to both, and had an ironed black shirt! Proud mum emoticon required here.

Ealing I have a Chorister DS, and have seen (heard) how his voice has developed, and how much skill and technique is involved. It was new to me. Amazing, isn't it.

Hi everyone. I've posted a few times before about my ds (10) and his violin.
Ds is now around grade 5-6 standard. Pretty solid grade 5 and starting to do grade 6 work. He did his grade 1 exam and passed v well with a couple of points off distinction. He hated the whole thing and said never again so we have never bothered. His violin teacher (pro violinist) and teaches at grammar schools said she would take him through the pieces,scales,aural and the rest. Plus does lots of duets. Ds also plays in a county orchestra and our local orchestra as well as attends music school.

His dream is to be in one of the big orchestras like Royal Phil or such like. He wants to go to music college. We are looking at Junior Guildhall in a few weeks for their Saturday school with a view to him going there at 18 full time. If he likes it,we will apply and hope he gets an audition.

We are told that he has perfect pitch and an excellent musical ear. He also has aspergers which may explain it.
If you're still awake after reading all that,has anyone's dc auditioned for any of the junior conservatoires and if so how did they find the experience?

hi Disorganised - DD is at a JD and it is her version of heaven; it is a very long day (but depends on whether you opt for a lighter first year or not so check out the options) as at her's they have to do aural, theory, plus choir, ensembles and individual. DD is a joint first study which def makes the timetable more challenging. So very very tiring, but also blissful for a child that loves to make music. So we/dd would very strongly recommend it but be prepared for a full day. For DD it is a good alternative to a specialist music school, at this stage at least. She is also lucky that she has ensembles/choirs everyday at school.

oh and she is also 10/yr 6 - so i guess same as your DS

Eau de chlorine is my DD's favourite musk drummers. She thinks being immersed in a pool for 3 hours constitutes a bath. I will never be one to imply girls are more hygienic

Can't help disorganisedmummy but very very best of luck in supporting your DS in achieving his goals. There's a few at DD's school who have been learning there on Saturdays and are very talented, with excellent tuition.

Ealing, hahaha, 3 hours!

Disorganised: I dont have any experience, just wanted to say very best of luck

Stringchild,its ds's idea of heaven too! I hope he loves it when we look round. It will be an alternative to specialist music school too. They are quite far away from us so ds would have to board which he's not comfortable with at the moment.
Do you mind me asking which JD your DD is at or is that not the done thing? We're going to look round Guildhall on 5th Nov and the very nice chap I've been speaking to said he will email us a timetable nearer the time so quite sure what to expect. The auditions are from Jan-March I think. I'm hoping the very long day won't put ds off.
Thanks everyone for your advice and support.

I have managed to get our original audition slot back! It's about 3 miles down the road, instead of an hour away. Goo's teacher reckons she is ready, and Goo tends to rise to the occasion, so she's doing it this week. I have a very special 9 year old pupil auditioning on the clarinet too. Fingers crossed.