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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:
Greenleave · 22/02/2017 20:03

Prada, I told you that I am dreaming, really hope the basic is learnt then she can be on her own later to be honest. I am bored of abrsm.

I start sitting down with her for maths recently and I nearly lost it the other day, I am googling like mad to find her a tutor these days. I think I need to reset my expectation. I really envy drummers when I read about "mini"drummers, sign!!

se22mother · 22/02/2017 20:07

Prada that is an amazing school (if it is the one I think you mean) and super tough to get in to - know some extremely clever children rejected. Well done to mini prada

LooseAtTheSeams · 22/02/2017 20:25

Well done to Miniprada bet that is a huge relief to have finished with tests!
Also Minichilver sounds very cute!
We're on the grade treadmill for a while yet. However looks like the bass guitar grade 8 will be in the summer and I'm not sure if DS1 will switch to guitar after that or aim for something else. He might be better focusing on percussion for a bit and even maybe his GCSEs!

Kutik73 · 22/02/2017 21:33

Pradaqueen I didn't know double stops are a feature of G7 violin. How about Seitz concerto - the one with lots of double stops? I think it's G4-5ish? By the way, a big congratulation to Miniprada. If my memory is correct I think you were mentioning your surprise encounter with a super high achiever at a music scholarship audition.

Pradaqueen · 22/02/2017 22:10

Yes Kutik. At the schools with overseas applicants, at least one was on 2nd diploma (aged 10/11 Shock) and many, many G8+. At least my child has seen Star Wars and can hold her own in a minecraft chat Wink

Pradaqueen · 22/02/2017 22:11

SE22 - yes it's that school. 750 applicants, 75 places. I am very proud of her.

Greenleave · 22/02/2017 22:22

Prada, she has done so well. Its time to celebrate. Hope she has all the treats she wishes! Good luck with moving too! Stamp duty is the killer for us when we consider moving.

Pradaqueen · 22/02/2017 22:53

Aww thanks Green. Hope you are felling better. I'm nursing a lemsip in bed with Vicks vapour rub on my feet under socks (it's a reflexology thing so I can breathe tonight)..

Greenleave · 22/02/2017 23:03

Hahaha, I am sick of being sick to be honest. I just received couple of pukka elderberry bottles so tried on a spoon tonight as all the manuka honey and antibiotic dont help with this crazy sticky cough. For you Prada and everyone else, take care and be prepared for the "storm" coming tomorrow.

Fleurdelise · 22/02/2017 23:05

prada well done to mini, she's done great, you must be very proud.

I must be in the weird camp but I don't want the grades to finish so no rush here. I find DD enjoys playing outside of Abrsm repertoire and then when the motivation fades away she gets highly motivated by an exam.

I know there is a world beyond exams and we will need to find it at some point, with clarinet it is easier, she'll join bands and orchestras but with piano I am worried that she'll pack it up once she reaches that level.

We'll see when she gets there but I am hoping that by playing various repertoire she'll reach a love for music that will prevent her from giving up.

Fleurdelise · 22/02/2017 23:06

Green I hope you're feeling much better soon!

onlymusic · 22/02/2017 23:32

Prada, massive congratulations to mini Prada-what an achievement!

Looks like we may cancel March exam - our teacher is very ill - no lessons for two weeks already and unlikely to have any next week.
Dd on the other hand wants her violin lessons back for a change... (she wanted to stop them all together before Christmas)
Life is never perfect.....

Pradaqueen · 22/02/2017 23:34

Thank you fleur. I too love the ABRSM comfort blanket!

onlymusic · 22/02/2017 23:35

stringchild, did you pm video of your dd? May I watch it too please?.....

raspberryrippleicecream · 22/02/2017 23:54

Fleur there are always Diplomas!

DS2 has an ambition to do a piano Diploma, but we will amble to Grade 8 first.

We finally got the church sorted for organ practice, I have a feeling organ may actually be DS2's instrument! There's just going to be an awful lot of sitting in churches and organ lofts as has to be accompanied everywhere!

Trophies returned tonight ready for our Festival in a couple of weeks......

Welcome chilver, I hope you have a long happy journey together.

Congrats to mini Prada, and I hope all the poorly people are better soon.

11Eleven2017 · 23/02/2017 00:54

Hi all.... just wanting to update after so many lovely supportive messages.

Well I called around and have managed to secure a piano accompanist for the grand price of....

Drum rolll please 🎉🎊 £46 (including a rehearsal the day before)
😅....
Just hope I've now made the right decision, going with an unknown.... however tbh, its only the one song. How much will it actually affect the overall mark ... well that's what my pocket is saying anyway...lol... 😂

11Eleven2017 · 23/02/2017 00:58

That to one side, this thread is very new to me but really interesting. All your DC are all so very talented and skilled. Trying to get use to all the topics I see on here... so don't hate me if I sound think...lol... but what is the NCO audtiins. Am guessing it's a music group of some sort...

Where is it based and what do the children need to get envolved?

AlexandraLeaving · 23/02/2017 06:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

stringchild · 23/02/2017 07:57

Only - have done :)

Prada - brilliant; that was our favourite if we were to make the move into central london

Green - feel better

11Eleven - well done! NCO is the National Chidrens Orchestras - age banded full orchestras unto the age of 14, plus 6 Regional orchestras. Have a look at the website - auditions are each autumn.

Icouldbeknitting · 23/02/2017 08:54

Prada You must be so glad that this stage of childhood is coming to an end, it must have been incredibly stressful for you, more so than for MiniPrada.

11eleven we've used the centre pianist all the way through to G8 as our teacher was no pianist and it was a different one every time. They were all unknowns but you just have to trust that they know what they are doing.

user789653241 · 23/02/2017 09:49

Hi! Quick question please.

Is it normal that I haven't received the info about date of the piano exam by now?
Website says, they try to publish by 17th, if not by 24th, check online before contacting ABRSM.
It's 24th tomorrow. So if I don't receive date tomorrow, I have to contact them? But how?
Very Confused

Pradaqueen · 23/02/2017 10:02

Thanks everyone. There is a bit of a bunfight on the education threads over 'the unfairness' of the school operating a 'first come, first served' basis for acceptances. I think what makes the process stressful Is parents holding onto offers to schools they have no intention of accepting....

On another note, @irvine I'd email your query to ABRSM re exam date.

Original poster
Wafflenose · 23/02/2017 10:37

irvine it probably means the exam is a long way off. I had my dates through a few days ago, and we got March 27th. ABRSM moved 'house' a couple of months ago and were running behind, but they're back on track, so I'd call them if you don't hear by Monday. I know of one teacher who recently got exam results from them in 5 days, which has got to be some sort of record!! (My own ABRSM results have taken between 8 and 31 days, with two weeks being average.)

OP posts:
Original poster
Wafflenose · 23/02/2017 10:40

Their number is 020 7636 5400. I usually find it quicker to deal with them by phone.

OP posts:
drummersmum · 23/02/2017 10:44

Alexandra Flowers
Welcome chilver Hope you stay around and let us know how she gets on.
Prada huge congratulations to miniPrada and what a relief. I had a hunch you'd end up there Wink OMG I think Vaporub in your feet is the best and most out-of-the-box advice I have received in this thread aside from music!!
Irvine we don't have a date either (Trinity) and now I'm getting worried that the school didn't sort out an examiner for him as he'll be the only one taking orchestral percussion, but the teacher promised he'd take care so I'll wait.