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!

Anyone know much about the diplomas? Miss 9 intends doing one next - but trinity or ABRSM? Obviously AB has brought out the new one but do you see any as easier or better? Has anyone had a child go through one yet?

So far all the exams have been AB but those musicians over here all seem to only have trinity diplomas. I always believed they were easier than AB. But what do you reckon?

I would look at what is available locally (DS took LCM but this may not be an option for you) and then compare the syllabus for the ones she can actually take. It's not just selecting a programme and playing it, there could be programme notes and a viva voce as well. The boards have different approaches to the approval of pieces not on the repertoire lists, it might come down to what she likes the look of on the lists.

There is no written element to arsm, the website says the first entries are open from January so I guess no one has done it yet! That's really impressive to be looking at diplomas so young :)

How's Goo today, Waffle? Really hoping the initial wrist inflexibility is starting to shift a bit ...?

I am not sure why they are calling the ARSM a diploma - it looks like a recital certificate/ advanced certificate kind of thing. She could do it as a warm up though, then DipABRSM. Or go straight to DipABRSM in a couple of years.

Goo can now move her wrist a tiny bit, and use her fingers a little, but not much. She keeps trying to play her instruments, but can't. She's really worried about NCO, but I will speak to them tomorrow to see if we can put off her audition for a couple of weeks, or monitor the situation, or see if they have any suggestions. Everything else she was due to do this week (except going to school, and singing with her choir in a concert on Tuesday) will have to be scrapped, unfortunately.

Another week another batch of stuff to learn on various instruments by various slackers.

Birthday soon - what books should I ask for?

(Given that I can't ask for a marimba ...)

Managed to go and pick up the bassoon we are hiring at lunch time today, I have to say, it is truly beautiful and the case is a reasonable size. I did do a sharp intake of breath when then suggested I insure it for £4,000.

Have also picked up dd from her sports tour tonight. No homework but clarinet practice followed by the I can play anymore, I don't know anything. Anyone else's get like this after a whole 4 days away from their instrument?

woolley We've done three whole weeks away from instruments....

We did two weeks in the summer, couldn't see that the playing would go down to well on a campsite! She just always gets really grumpy the first couple of practices after even a few days away.

Less pressure now we are leaving the next exam til next term. First bassoon lesson tomorrow!

Ooh, I want to hear all about the bassoon lesson! I might take it up when I retire.

I have pulled Goo out of County auditions tomorrow, House footie all week, PE, netball and dodgeball clubs, and probably a sports event on Saturday too. BUT the NCO staff were helpful and rescheduled her audition for later in the session - it's a different venue over an hour away, but oh well! Her birthday is also coming up, so she has that to look forward to.

Is she feeling any better Waffle? I'm trying to think back to when DS broke his arm but there have been too many sleeps in between.

She's quite a bit better today, thanks! She is going to attempt a performance with a huge orchestra tonight (about 10 flutes, so it won't really matter whether she is able to join in or not) and begging to play footie on Friday.

Good news waffle. Are they delaying NCO audition?

Yes, I had hoped we could keep next week's open and have a later slot open too as a Plan B, but they insisted on just moving it. It's now pretty much as late as it can be! Such a shame, because she was ready - damn you, sprained wrist! But Goo is much happier now, because the pressure's off.

Glad she is feeling better waffle!

Good news here. 11+ passed 😀🎉👏 so she has a place at the nearest Grammar.

Just waiting now for the other Grammar which has a completely different style CEM test which is out tomorrow. Not holding my breath for that one, it's the one she felt ill in and had a weep afterwards....😢

Well done, MiniPrada! So glad she did well and has a school place.

Congrats miniprada !!!

Hello everybody!

Well done miniprada! It must be such a relief Prada!

Busy times in our world, did not get to visit the music school last weekend as DD woke up and felt sick. We'll visit on their next open day, not a priority at the moment, I'll wait till she's grade 5 and I'll decide then.

We visited the local grammar last night and fell in love. I didn't even actually wanted to visit as I am somehow against single sex schools. However once there I knew it was the right school for DD. Now the problem is that I don't think she has many chances to gain entry, she would only qualify to apply on 27 academic places and 11 music places. They get in the region of 500 applications each year so very small chance. We are now back to square one, heavy preparation as opposed to light.

Well done, MiniPrada! Great to have a school place safely sorted, especially a close grammar one. Is the CEM grammar better in some way or just a different entrance procedure? And did I imagine she did a music schol for one of these two or was that another school?

That must be such a relief Prada.