January Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Happy New Year!

Sorry I'm a bit late starting this thread - I've been away for a few days without internet access. Anyway, this is our monthly thread for musicians and parents of musicians of all ages and all abilities. It's a great place to chat, or to ask questions about lessons, practice, exams, auditions or anything music-related.

I have two DDs: Goo (11 and in Year 6) who plays the flute, recorder and piano, and Rara (8 and in Year 4) who plays the cello, recorder and clarinet. I think we have Grade 7 Flute and Grade 1 Clarinet coming up this term, and also the local music festival and Junior Young Musician competition for Goo. Grade 7 Recorder and Grade 3 Cello are tentatively pencilled in for the summer, but we'll think about those nearer the time. Goo is also in NCO, and lives for it... it's all she talks about, she loves writing to and texting all the friends she's made there, and she is in Under 12s this year. I am a teacher of woodwind and have a little clarinetist who's just got into Under 10s. I hope to have a few more trying out next time.

That was supposed to say dd mistigiri !!

Can I pick the brains of those of you whose DC have been on residential music camp? How old were they when they went? Did they enjoy it? Did they go on their own or with friends?

Never if you count the NCO courses, my DD went when she was 9. We had got her together twice with another girl who lived relatively locally for an hour or so each time (same teacher), but otherwise she knew no-one. She can be painfully shy, but had loved the course. I think the staff can make or break it.

9 years here too never, this summer will be her 4th return to same 6 day residential, not in our county either.

First year she went solo, then meets the same faces each year. Loves it.

Thanks double and ealing! I feel less scared now.

DS went away for a five day musical resi when he was 12 (I think, he might have been 11). He knew no-one there and it was his first time away since the disaster of a school weekend trip when he was 7. He really enjoyed it (helped in no small part by missing the last week of school), there were lots of activities that he enjoyed, the food was good - it was all good. He went on the same course three times until he aged out and has been back since as a mentor.

They all have a common interest so there's something you know you can talk about.

Never, the first thing DD said as we were collecting her from her course was that she wanted to do it the next year. Good incentive to get her to practice for the auditions!

I read the reviews in another forum about this particular camp, which also has a grown-up section. The grownups said it's great if you've got the energy. I expect youngsters are fine.

Never - first one when dd was 8 and she knew no one (and was the youngest there); it went really well although prob 5 rather than 7 days would have been enough - was tired and not completely shiny clean when we picked her up! I think pastoral care is key, and for younger ones being in a relatively narrow age range (as NCO does). That first course when from 8-14 and needs/attitudes are pretty different in that range. Narrower age ranges of around 2yrs have been 'better'.

DD loves her residentials.

Ds went away last year on a brass academy course he was 11 and knew no one but he's fairly confident with new people and had been away before with school he had a great time and was really well looked after . He's going away with the nco this year and I don't think he's met anyone yet on his course but he's really looking forward to it .

Thank you all! I'm much reassured!

I am no longer a Chorister parent, DS2 was valedicted yesterday!

In practice though, nothing much has changed, DS is still singing in Youth Choir and as a Junior Choral Scholar. I was still a bit sniffily as he handed over his Head Chorister medal.

I bet that feels like the end of an era Raspberry but good luck for future singing. Good to know it's all going well.
The juggling continues. DS1 is going to join a jazz group from next week so basically he'll be in a total of three groups spread over two evenings! He has a concert this Saturday as well so should keep him pretty busy. I have to reschedule his bass lessons now but it's in a good cause!

Getting there with my piano pieces. Really need to focus on my sight reading now.

Did you enter for the exam this term, Loose?

Goo just gets busier. She played in her first netball tournament with the school yesterday, is really keen, and wants to join a club now! I'm all for keeping fit, so I've said yes, if she still wants to do it in a month's time, and is willing to give something up (preferably dodgeball, which I'm finding is a complete waste of money!). She's not sporty at all, apart from being a good swimmer and reasonable runner. But she tries hard and enjoys the social side, I think.

Raspberry - doesn't sound any less busy though :)

Waffle - thats great; i am big believer that these young musicians need a sport to stretch them out etc; dd has joined a swimming club and i hope it evens up her biceps (she has the biggest right bicep but nothing on the left!)

Waffle I did indeed! Slightly wish they didn't ask for my date of birth...
Totally agree about the sport. Mine aren't sporty although DS1 enjoys PE at school. DS2 does a tennis class once a week and I'm so pleased he's stuck with it! I am hoping DS1 might go back at some point, or do badminton. At the moment he has an art club on a Saturday but that ends in March so maybe that'll be the time. On the other hand he claims that playing a bass drum in a marching band is quite a good workout!
We're going to try out a cello on Friday (Inset day) - very exciting!

Good on her, stringchild. I'm not a great swimmer, but go for fun when I can. I wish Goo had stuck with swimming - she was amazing when tiny (Stage 8/ competitive swimming at 6) but they have to really want to do it, and she had packed it in by 7.5. She did ballet and country dancing for years, but has swapped those for netball, dodgeball, and gimmicks such as house footy and house tag rugby when the mood takes her. Rara is flexible and coordinated, but not interested in sport at ALL - she is very active though, constantly bouncing and spinning, has a good scooter so gets some exercise on that, and swims for 1 hour per week (also Stage 8) - doesn't want to join a club or race anyone though.

Good luck with your preparation, Loose. Is it ABRSM? I don't teach anyone piano at the moment, so am totally out of touch with the syllabus.

I should add that Goo never actually competed - she was too young. The class was called 'competitive swimming' and seemed to consist of lots of starts and turns!

I had a look at some of the ABRSM piano syllabus but am not too impressed with some of the selections ... But I am a well-known fusspot...

I think it's really important that they keep active ( and have a variety of interests even if their main focus is music ) ds loves sport but has chosen to only do school teams so that he has time for music out of school. I said I didn't mind which he chose but he would have to choose either the local football team or one of his bands I'm also a firm believer in them ( and me !!) having some free time

The great thing about swimming waffle is that Goo can go back to it if she wants to later, especially if she's got the starts/turns basics and may even find her motivation for competitive swimming aligns with her body form and strength when she's older!

Depending on what day of the week you catch me, it is a double edged sword though, especially in senior years, and can cause so many clashes and calls upon one's commitment by each activity teacher, the more advanced they get. And plays merry hell with music development! Whilst competitive, DD's club does have a flexible squad for those older swimmers that have potential/talent, but cannot commit to the hours required from performance squads. It's a great go-between, especially for those DC that are focusing on exam prep but would still like to keep active, although it can have the odd attitude teenager that's only there because their parents have forced them to remain active. Life in a pool is no fun if you don't want to be there though. Mine has decided to chance it and commit 100% as her form is coming to her late, though she may change her mind in later years. And I try and remain un-resentful (though fail at times) as it has a huge impact on parental commitment, but we already do and understand that that here due to our DCs' music challenges!

Y8 and we are already seeing the big divide between the kids that scam a sickie each games time vs those that love all the sports options available to them...such a tricky time, I am, on balance, relieved that I have an active child as I do think it helps her with her multi-tasking all her loves with keeping up on academics (for now), even if paradoxically she has so little time.

My mantra has recently changed from do the best you can to do the best you can, in the time you have available

DD is doing trampolining as a sport and she loves it. She used to dance also but gave it up in favour of trampolining.

Waffle I have a quick question, DD is playing the high E and F this week and she makes a very weird vibrating sound before the actual note comes out. Is this something that the stronger reed will fix? I ordered the 2 strength size but hasn't arrived yet, I am not sure what to advise her to do, she gets quite frustrated. Any advice?

Waffle yes, Abrsm. I have 'Tempo di Menuetto ( Hummel) Pleasant Meadow (Rybicki) and Indian Pony Race (Glover). That's the old syllabus so if I don't pass I will just move on to playing something else. DS2 is powering his way through the 2017/18 one. He loves Bow Chikjka Wow Wow and liked The happy Farmer but wasn't too impressed by section A, although he's doing fine with Allegretto by Vanhal. I must admit I find section A uninspiring as well despite enjoying older music but I put this down to not being ready for more engaging pieces!

I'm with you on that one ealingwest especially when managing ds's excessive homework. he is so driven to do well at everything which is great but he also needs to give himself a break sometimes. I think he is slowly realising that with homework sometimes it's going to have to be about just getting it done and not producing a perfect piece of work ( though I'm sure his teachers would disagree!!)

Trumpet. I think more teachers would tend to agree.

During last year's parents evening, most subject teachers were giving similar feedback. The final one said she was really happy with DD's work, way and above what was required, but...she was worried about DD's long term mental health. Maybe, she should get a hobby or find some interests that didn't consume so much time spent on homework? And it was ok to fail and make mistakes.

I smiled, nodded and thanked her for her feedback, and that I would share with DD her concerns.

I am dreading this year's one. But we did laugh together when we got home...