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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

February Music Thread

746 replies

Wafflenose · 02/02/2017 21:51

Overdue again, this time due to our local music festival. I put in 32 entries, and am now finished for this year, but haven't had a lot of sleep recently!

I am a teacher of woodwind - mostly recorder and clarinet at the moment - and have two DDs. Goo (short for Kajagoogoo in case anyone was wondering - and no, that isn't her actual name!!) is 11 and plays the flute, recorder and piano. Rara is 8 and plays the cello, recorder and clarinet. We are heading towards a half size cello soon, and I think we might have found a suitable one. We're going to try it out this weekend.

The girls have been entered for Grade 7 Flute and Grade 1 Clarinet this term, and I am really regretting it, as they are so under-prepared. But hopefully after a slightly quieter weekend, we can all get back on track.

Please jump right in, ask questions, moan about practice/ scales/ attitude, tell us about your DCs or your own learning... and new members/ beginners are always welcome!

OP posts:
Kutik73 · 20/02/2017 14:59

Some of you may remember that my ds went to a three days orchestra workshop last week. He loved so much that he cried on way home on the last day knowing it's all over! So I was considering to apply for the audition (to be a formal member). HOWEVER, I realised a little chip on his violin next day. He confessed he dropped it on the floor during the workshop. I was talking about having a spare a while back on this forum. I must think this seriously. My ds is very VERY clumsy I'm afraid...

drummersmum · 20/02/2017 15:09

kutik I think the dropping of instruments is quite common... But the tears, that's special Wink

LooseAtTheSeams · 20/02/2017 15:32

drummers no we were lucky - she only needed to file about a millimeter or two off the bridge - if it needed replacing that would have been quite a bit more. I think maybe cracks are expensive, though! I wouldn't want to be dealing with that!

raspberryrippleicecream · 20/02/2017 15:44

Please may I have any links I've missed?

Kutik we've had two dropped and broken mouthpieces for clarinet and Bari sax. Accidents do happen!

NeverEverAnythingEver · 20/02/2017 16:03

We had a broken bow ...

Kutik73 · 20/02/2017 16:08

I just took his violin to a luthier prior to the workshop just to make sure all was fine. Unfortunately I have to go back again. It's an hour drive one way! Well I can buy a gingerbread cookie from the bakery near the luthier. My ds loves the gingerbread cookies from the bakery....

LooseAtTheSeams · 20/02/2017 16:18

Kutik I like the sound of the cookie! Quite a trek for it, though, it would need to be a decent size!Smile
Well I got through some admin for work and the boys returned home from school. There is now bass guitar slapping in one room and excited cello playing in the one next to it. They don't go together.
I am having a coffee break.

drummersmum · 20/02/2017 16:26

Loose ...

ealingwestmum · 20/02/2017 16:29

Haha, fantastic find drummers!

LooseAtTheSeams · 20/02/2017 16:55

drummers I must get them to watch that! Much more like it!Smile

NeverEverAnythingEver · 20/02/2017 18:16

kutik Don't buyt the gingerbread! It will encourage him to drop his violin!

Grin
NeverEverAnythingEver · 20/02/2017 18:16

buy, even...

Fleurdelise · 20/02/2017 18:45

string I loved that video! Your dd is really really good! Very inspiring to see so many talented kids!

Forgot who I sent the links to and who I missed. I'll look later and send on, dd is not that advanced but hey, always a good time to show her off. Smile

Icouldbeknitting · 20/02/2017 19:07

The biggest instrument repair we had was after a cornet flew all the way down a single storey flight of stone steps. It was my husband doing the dropping and it means that now there's nothing he can say about the minor dings and bumps my son has had with his instrument.

It's instrument shopping day tomorrow after which there will be A Decision. I am hoping that it's going to be one of those easy decisions and not one where you're never really quite sure whether you got it right.

se22mother · 20/02/2017 19:57

We are instrument shopping this weekend. Will be eating beans on toast for the rest of the year Confused

11Eleven2017 · 20/02/2017 20:22

Sorry to just jump in here... looking for some advise and assistance please!
DC has a clarinet exam coming up and the school is charging £200 to have their music teacher accompany him to the exam offsite and accompany on one song. Is it me, or does this seem excessive?

11Eleven2017 · 20/02/2017 20:23

Can anyone recommend an accompanist in the south London area?

Fleurdelise · 20/02/2017 20:30

What?! Are you sure it isn't £200 for a few pupils which is meant to be shared between let's say 10 pupils?

se22mother · 20/02/2017 20:39

Where about in south London are you?

11Eleven2017 · 20/02/2017 20:44

croydon area

11Eleven2017 · 20/02/2017 20:46

I thought this was rediculous but DC previous teacher never charged when he did G1... so no experience of any charge or what would be reasonable...

11Eleven2017 · 20/02/2017 20:47

Help please.... 😱😖

drummersmum · 20/02/2017 20:50

Sorry 11Eleven, we've never needed an accompanist (piano and drums with backing track) but it seems excessive... What do you think waffle?

Fleurdelise · 20/02/2017 20:51

If the teacher cannot accompany it is usual practice to pay for another teacher but not £200!!!Shock

We are lucky that even though dds Clarinet's teacher cannot accompany her piano teacher does it and she doesn't charge. I'd say anything up to £50 for a rehearsal and the exam should be enough?

NeverEverAnythingEver · 20/02/2017 20:54

£200!!?? Shock

I'm changing career.