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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

October Music and Musicians Thread

589 replies

Wafflenose · 01/10/2016 09:47

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!

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ealingwestmum · 17/10/2016 10:10

👏 Waffle! Good luck!

drummersmum · 17/10/2016 11:21

Good luck Waffle!
We're heading to the Yamaha music store in Soho this evening!

LooseAtTheSeams · 17/10/2016 11:36

Good luck, Goo! Great idea to just get on and get it done, plus much better not to spend all that time in the car.
Ooh, that's a nice (potentially expensive!) place to go, Drummersmum.
Ds2 managed to get a bit of piano practice done yesterday then was swamped by homework so I didn't nag about the cello. Will nag tonight instead!
Ds1 has hatched some crazy scheme to play a Bach cello concerto on bass guitar. I am trying not to think about it too much.

disorganisedmummy · 17/10/2016 11:41

Good luck Waffle

Original poster
Wafflenose · 17/10/2016 11:41

I thought another couple of weeks to prepare would be a good thing, but she doesn't need it, and would just spend that time stressing about the sight reading, instead of cracking on with it. It's actually her greatest strength, and at her previous two auditions she got the giggles because she thought it was so short and easy (lucky girl!). She just cannot see how good she is, though. She doesn't think she's good at the flute, and says she's terrified of triplet semiquavers. I plan to give her lots of those over the next few days!

I am intrigued about the cello concerto on bass guitar! Is that even possible?

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disorganisedmummy · 17/10/2016 11:51

Waffle forgive me for asking but where is you DD auditioning for?

LooseAtTheSeams · 17/10/2016 12:13

Waffle apparently so. He showed me someone on YouTube. The Internet has a lot to answer for! If this ever actually comes off I will insist on recording him!
I think Goo is just amazing!

Original poster
Wafflenose · 17/10/2016 12:38

disorganisedmummy she is auditioning for NCO. She just turned 11, so would have to be Under 12s this year, on the very competitive flute!

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Wafflenose · 17/10/2016 12:39

Loose oh yes, I would have to hear that!!

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disorganisedmummy · 17/10/2016 12:51

Wow,that's amazing waffle. We've been told to consider NCO but we've decided to try Guildhall first and go from there. I think this may suit ds better but who knows.
I'm now trying to decide whether we need to upgrade his beginners violin- a Stentor 1? It's a 3/4 size and he's not ready for a full size for a couple of years. We've upgraded his bow and strings and he can get a pretty good sound out of it but very unsure and am trying to get an objective view. Does anyone have any advice?

stringchild · 17/10/2016 14:00

Disorganised - i will pm you re our JD

Waffle - great that you could change it back! i am sure it will go fantastically. fingers crossed for both of ours, it all seems to have come round so quickly!

Radiodependent · 17/10/2016 15:44

Good luck with NCO everyone, it sounds like a great thing. You're all inspiring me to consider it for ds next year - anyone know if they take basses in the training orchestra (don't think he would be a high enough grade for age banded by then). He is just learning to play in a little Saturday orchestra just now, doing lots of pulse work to help him follow the beat. I was also working on recorder grade 2 with him but he has decided he doesn't want to actually sit the grades. I will try to persuade him to do a festival or something instead maybe.

Original poster
Wafflenose · 17/10/2016 16:32

Yes, they take basses... they couldn't find anyone this year for Training until really very late - into the new year. How old is he?

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Greenleave · 17/10/2016 18:12

Waffle: best of luck this week!

We had ours done today. I think the only good news is I wont have to pay for the expensive week. We were late finding the place and it was pouring and we were lost(so classic). Basically, under prepared. We although definitely will try again next year(hopefully).

Radiodependent · 17/10/2016 19:39

Seriously - wow, he is 7.

Shakyisles · 17/10/2016 19:39

Good luck with the auditions folks. I haven't checked on here for a while, as I'm immersed in a world of giving aurals, asking scales, listening, driving to accompanist rehearsals and tears!
Just want the exams out the way now.

Radiodependent · 17/10/2016 19:41

Sorry that was in reply to Waffle. Greenleave, that sounds stressful. Maybe it wasn't as bad as you think? I guess it's still good experience whatever happens.

Greenleave · 17/10/2016 20:11

I made a mistake of still coming to work and timed to leave on time and it didnt happen and we thought there isnt a need for practising with our accompaniment as we thought we know the pieces well and practised back in June for the exam( we couldn't schedule for it to happen as our teacher was very tight the last couple of weeks). She has never played infront of audiences so she was turning backward and gave the incorrect signals to the piano accompaniment and was panicking managing to be out of tune. I tried to make it as it is disappointed that we didnt do well but I am more disappointed when she doesnt care. Next year I will show her what is NCO, why it could be an amazing opportunity so she is motivated. I only read about it on the deadline day about 2 weeks ago so we deserve what happened. It was still a great experience and hopefully we learn from it for the future.

stringchild · 17/10/2016 20:42

Green - i hope it turns out ok - i never know how ours is going to turn out! ;you may get offered the regional orchestra if not the age banded (and you may get both :)); The Main and under 13s orchestras are playing at the Barbican in December so that might be a good one to take DD to?

TRL · 17/10/2016 20:56

We were there too today Green but got away just before the rain came - torrential doesn't even begin to describe it, does it? You may find she didn't play as out of tune etc as she thinks she did - I can imagine she felt anxious in a strange environment, having been entriely soaked first and not really knowing what to expect. You might both be pleasantly surprised, and at least next year she knows exactly how it is. Is she aiming for Training or U10's?

DD had the 'pleasure' (?) of a fire alarm going off in the middle of her first piece so we all had to evacuate the building and she had to restart her audition 15 mins later when we were allowed back in.... Nerves of steel job, and a huge hug afterwards!

Fleurdelise · 17/10/2016 20:57

Good luck Waffle! Green maybe it wasn't that bad, you never know.

Greenleave · 17/10/2016 21:00

Thanks string, I am now feeling like a looser and gutted, ha, which I know I deserve it and I have someone reading Lords of the ring and giggling, oh dear!!!
TRL: were you there today? Best of luck to your daughter too, awwwgg! Fire alarm, really! I made a wrong turn when it was pouring then we finally came back and parked and was shown that we had to turn left then left etc, we were late so werent listening the instruction properly so was running in the rain to find the room, it was hiding in the end corner

Greenleave · 17/10/2016 21:03

I think we registered/paid for U10, will research to find out the difference.
(Thanks Fleur)

Original poster
Wafflenose · 17/10/2016 21:23

Someone in the NCO office told me that since they formed Under 10s, only children who are still 7 or 8 on Dec 31st go into Training now. If they are 9, they go into Under 10s, or an older orchestra in exceptional circumstances. You don't apply for a particular orchestra as such - there is a girl in our regionals who should be on the same summer courses as Goo, but she was bumped up a year, long ago. I also know a 12 year old who has been in Main for 2 years.

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hapsburg · 17/10/2016 21:30

Green if you are in/near London - you could bring your DD to the NCO concert at The Barbican on 11th Dec if you want to motivate her for next year. I'm sure the audition wasn't as bad as you think though, you may be pleasantly surprised. Mine always comes out of these things and announces it was 'definitely the worst ever'.