April Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

We've managed to fill up the March thread, so I give you April's, around 10 hours early. Don't use it all up at once!

The music threads are for learners of ALL ages and stages, including beginners and adult learners.

My kids Goo (11) and Rara (8) break up from school today, thank goodness. Rara is off sick at the moment, in any case, but they both need a break. They did their music exams this week. Goo got a distinction for her Grade 7 Flute, and we are awaiting the results of Rara's Grade 1 Clarinet, plus a couple of my pupils. They will probably come on my birthday - the ABRSM ones often do.

Next term, we have a big community concert at the local high school - all the feeder schools take part. Goo could do Grade 7 Recorder and/ or Grade 4 Piano, but I don't think she wants to. Rara is doing Grade 3 Cello. My Year 6 Recorders have been asked to play in the local Festival gala concert, and I'm sure there will be primary school leavers' performances too.

Hello to MrSlant, very nice to have a mum of a sporty boy on this thread as mine is also known as sporty than musical!

Green, you have talked about your friends who are 'more focused on academics' several times. To be honest I am a bit struggling to understand what you really mean. Those kids who you describe 'more focused on academics' study everyday like our musical DCs practise their instruments? I mean, I know quite a few seriously academic children, but I honestly cannot describe them they are more focused on academics to the extend that extra-curricular have to be pushed back, simply because there is no much to do academically at the primary school age, especially for those who are already very bright. I understand if they are preparing for 11+ or already at secondary school though. What exactly make you think those are 'more focused on academics'? What are they doing academically??? Sorry, a bit off topic but out of pure curiosity!

I love the sporty boy does music thing. People seem to find it so unexpected but there's a discipline to both. I have to say I am happily unaware of the 11+ because we are in Wales and therefore it doesn't apply. I would imagine DS3 would be under lots of pressure next year with that if we were and it's so lovely that he has a secondary school place at a great school without the pressure to study at home. I wonder if being bilingual (as all children are where we live, strange pocket of Welsh medium education being the norm) helps or hinders? I'm going to hope it really helps learning to read the bass clef at the same time as treble for piano .

I have a few friends who chose not to speak to their DCs in their language due to the advice given by an expert in education (apparently it hinders)!

However I chose to speak to my DS in my language. He also goes to Saturday school so he is perfectly bilingual and can ready and write as well. I send him to various activities in my country every summer where he is surrounded by those kids who cannot speak English and he loves it! My DH is also fluent in my language so two languages are in use in our household and it's shown in our bookshelves and DVD collections!

I'm not sure how much DS got effected by this but while he is brilliant at maths (he does a math competition and stuff like that), his English may not be so prominent. However, he learns French at school and is very good at it. So I guess language will always come easy for him by having learnt two totally different languages from a very early age. Somehow I feel being a good linguist had an advantage in his music learning too.

Great to hear Goo enjoyed NCO, I am starting to seriously think about it for next year.

Kutik just because kids are naturally academic that doesn't mean that, like in music, you can't help by doing extra at home. A bright child could easily work 2-3 years above the primary school curriculum with support from home. It is very similar, just because a dc has natural musical ability doesn't mean he doesn't need extra home support.

Each family decides what is a priority so to speak. As an example dd is working ahead of the curriculum but nowhere near 2 years above. She reads a lot also. So as long as she manages to keep up and be slightly above the expected level I am happy to make music a priority as she enjoys it. Other parents however may decide they want to "push" a bit further and ensure their kid is working well above the expected levels, the best in the class, school etc.

I also have friends who told me their dcs are not "talented" in music like mine as they tried x, y and z instrument and gave up. Thank God their are (at least) academic. I reply the same way as Green reminding them that we make music a priority and I do find it annoying when people attribute dd's hard work to "talent". When their dc does 2 hours extra maths a day mine does music practice. So it is just a different perspective.

I understand each family has a different priority. But I imagine the amount of time you may spend on extra academic work at home is not so time consuming like sport and music (I'm talking about primary aged children). So when Green described someone who were more focused on academics to the extend that extra curricular was pushed to the back seat, I just wondered how much academic work they are doing with such a tender aged kids! 2 hours extra math a day?? If it's a norm, then I live in a totally different world.

Secondary is a totally different story though. I fear we will soon struggle to juggle priorities between extra curricular and academic work.

Having said that, I may just be lacking the imagination so I will shut up now! Just a pure curiosity, that's all!

You have very good reasons to let off steam Drummers re the administration of your DS's future course applications, but just think the pain will diminish when he's happy in the chosen JD until you start all over again for HE applications

DD had a ball at her camp, thank you! It was the first time she didn't comment negatively about anyone, she must have lucked out on a like minded group.

I guess it's one of the reasons why I post less as I feel the sports-side has taken over from the music and I don't like derailing. I will admit there are days where I feel a little sad, as I know she has potential musically, but she has to make her choices within the given hours per day where her time is spent. But she came home and picked up her practise over the weekend with so much more passion and focus, that I dared not question how the ridiculously challenging movement that she was cursing before she left, was being played so beautifully now, with a week off, at risk of jinxing her play.

I can't speak for all children who do both sports and music to a decent level, but we have a cross over for sure, even if the progression on music is not as fast as it used to be. I asked her why the change, her response was that there was another boy on camp who was a circa G8 violinist, and they shared how they dealt with their instruments and swimming during the week, and how much they loved both. On top of when and how they managed to fit in study. It seems all that was needed was a kindred spirit to get her back on track and remind her she's not alone...

To be honest, I dont really know and dont really compare my children to my friends. I dont ever ask in detail, I only know whatever they told us. I sound terrible however I only have time to worry about my children, it doesnt matter if anyone else is doing better or worse. We are now at the point where I dont know if mine could even get into a good secondary via 11+ test. All my friends children are doing really well regarding to secondary school entrance. I could only wish mine could be nearly as good. Among all my friends none of them have both husband and wife who have to work long hours like us for the last 10+ years. I always feel I dont give my children a fair support as others(small thing as I never know what happen to the kids in the morning and my husband hardly ever sees them in the evening).

ealing, what's a beautiful post. I'm so glad to hear that your dd had a great time and met someone who could share her thoughts.

Green, I only see you as a great parent who cares and supports your precious dcs. I also believe your dd will do fine with 11+ as she sounds like such an intelligent person.

I think Green has a much better balance and a far happier child than the parents she hears talking. It's great to hear children on this thread are doing a range of activities, especially at a younger age because it's such a fantastic time to try different things and find the ones that make you happy. I am aware the timing has to be managed to avoid sports injuries!
I know children who were tutored for grammar and private schools but not to the exclusion of music and sport - if that is happening then there is something very wrong going on. This is meant to be childhood not Oxbridge finals!

Ealing's story is lovely - this is the really great thing, when children help each other!
Drummers you are a better woman than I am - I'd have cracked under all that juggling! I am trying not to think about HE but DS1 is also being vague about whether he wants to stay on at his school for A levels or go to sixth form college. He was visibly shocked when I told him open evening is June and forms have to be in by the end of September if he wants to apply for it! It does all seem to be happening too fast!

Drummersmum in three years time when it comes to uni decisions he won't be being consulted, he'll be doing it himself. It is the time when you step back and nudge them forward to do all sorts of things that they don't do particularly well. It's reception all over again, you sit on your hands and let them have the learning experience.

Do I have anything to share? Nope. Lessons plod on. DS was offered the opportunity to be the soloist with a county group on their residential but after he found out what they would like him to play he made a tactical exit. The ability to say "no" gracefully is a life lesson in itself I suppose.

Congratulations to all those with results. No-one is ever going to be bothered about what mark you got at G3, especially if you go on to G4.

Loose You know this already but I'll flag this up for those just behind you on the path to A levels. He doesn't have to choose between sixth form and college until he enrolls in the September after his GCSEs. Unlike secondary and university applications he can apply for everything out there and choose at the last minute. There is no limit to the number of places you can hold, you just need to turn up at your preferred one on its enrollment day. For us music was the A level subject that DS really wanted to do but not everywhere offered so his choices were reduced by that.

ICouldBe yes, it's a lot, lot easier than year 7 applications! And I suspect the final decision will be last minute, especially as he's pretty much guaranteed a place at his current school and it offers all the options he's interested in, including music. I sense his interest in the sixth form College is that you can wear what you like and school insists on suits or similar!

Kutik I live in a different world also, one where dd can play outside with her friends, where she can go and play in the adjacent woods to our house all day long on a Sunday, one where I only make sure that dd does her music practice and homework.

There are people around me (not many though, there are more who don't even do homework or any other activities) who push their kids a lot on the academic side. Each to their own I think, I prefer a rounded education, Dd does well academically, she loves her sports and music so there you go.

Green I think you are too modest, I am certain that minigreen will do amazingly well with the 11+.

Ladies - talking universities, DS is starting his A levels in September and I am fully aware that this is it, we're coming to the end of the journey. I am quite nostalgic, I don't feel old enough to be the parent of a 16 yo.

Talking about A levels, I need to go on a shopping spree with DS to buy his smart wear for sixth form, I've seen some nice stuff in next. He's got an induction day end of June and he needs to be dressed accordingly.

DD16 has 3 options for 6th form - one superselective grammar, one normal grammar and her current school. (all do A level music, most other local schools don't)

She has been accepted (subject to making the grades) by her normal school and the normal grammar and has been told she did not quite make the grade on the superselective by predicted grades, but if her grades are above expected, she should ring on results day. So August 24th is going to be crunch day for us!

One week to get the required clothing - along with EVERY other parent in town - each school has slightly different requirements (of course!!)

We haven't tutored either of our dc preferring them to have time to play, think and enjoy being kids. They are naturally curious and family meals can turn into very interesting conversations on a number of subjects. They both read loads although that has tailed off with DD1 in her teens. It didn't hold her back at 11+ as she was offered 3 academic scholarships and 3 music ones.

DD2 is a different child - much less overtly bright, so we are always pleasantly surprised at parents' evening that she is working above the level required. We've got her some VR and NVR books to work through, but that's it.

I wouldn't say we push music as hard as some either; we've been guided by their teachers and just get them to practice (sometimes with a battle!). We don't do festivals or anything like that and NCO was suggested by the bassoon teacher. It wasn't on our radar. Just go with the flow.....

DS has only applied for his school's sixth form. Based on his predicted grades he could have moved to another school that is very sought after but his school is doing really well also so I don't mind him staying there. His school is also taking the approach of keeping them supervised during sixth form, while other schools and colleges give you a time table and you organise your own time DS's school still expects sixth formers to be in school 8,30 am to 3,30 pm and if there are any gaps in their time table to go and do supervised independent study. That fits him well.

So many kids in the primary school who do get tutored - and from a young age. Year 2 some of them. An hour with the tutor every week and extra homework every night. And then you get the parents who deny that their kids are being tutored - when the kids tell you they are! What's that about?!

Each parent decides which I like. I like a UK where parents have choice - some will do lots of tuturing or lots of music or else nothing out of school. Parents choose. We are all different.

As their father and I (and most of the family) is musical I would prefer the oldest ones to have carried on with more music after school but I can't force people into boxes and love that they have all kinds of different hobbies in their 20s. My daughter ended up the best in all sports at her school and won the sixth form prize in that. the fact she didn't really touch her cello after grade 8 I think that's a bit sad but I neve rhad some grand plan to produce a cellist for life child on some kind of factory production line. She does sport almost every day and played one for England earlier in her 20s (work makes that harder now).

My youngest (upper sixth and very musical ) is good at sport (unlike his twin) - they have been different on that ever since they started to crawl. The other twin never even mastered crawling - he did it on three knees - just not co-ordinated. Anyway despite the youngest being good at sport he's put music first his choice. Had he given up all sixth form music as one of his sisters did that would be fine too. They reach an age when they take their own decisions. He did play the trumpet yesterday for his father in church after a last minute Amazon delivery for valve oil - he was totally out of it.

Fleur, I like it when they stay at school into sixth form (as most of mine did). It is a nice continuity to the very top of the school.

My twins are both leaving it to the last minute in case they change their mind to decide which university is first choice - they have make a firm choice with UCAS by early May. Good luck to those with younger children applying for schools etc. It usually works out for the best whatever happens. I remember when my second daughter did not get into her older sister's school at 5 and she wanted to go there but she did just as well at a different school and they got almost identical A levels and are both enjoying a similar career.

Well we've just done the grade 5 aural training (with the app) she got the first one mainly correct, one slight mistake in the singing, the second one was disaster she only got the style and period right.

Does anybody know (only I'm looking at you as you are preparing your dd for it yourself) how are the questions formulated? So when they ask about the character do they ask something like "can you describe the character?" Or do they say "was there use of sustain pedal, where there ornaments?" I assume the first?

She seems ok with the period question which was my main worry, the singing from a stave part is a disaster, only getting 3-4 notes right!

Fleur.. they ask "can you describe the character?" pretty much as it is written in the aural practise test books.

"what gives this piece its character?" was about as far as they deviated for DD16.

If they are not responsive the examiner will give hints "did you notice anything with the dynamics?" for instance but lower the mark if there is not a response which expands substantially on their prompting - sometimes a little prompt like that will put them at ease and get them - kids especially - talking about the whole thing.

In DD16 case she has always found the examiners to be very friendly and willing to try to drag knowledge out rather than just leave them to stew over what is wanted. They are not specific on things like pedal or ornaments or stuff like that though.

As always when a thread touches on education I am so very happy there is no choice where we live! The form for secondary school has one written on it (although you can also write in yourself the one just over the county border) and it is an absolutely excellent school. Makes life so much easier. I don't think I know of any children being tutored because there is no pressure we don't have SATs either. From my experience they come into their intelligence level at different speeds and it all balances out eventually anyway (or that's what I tell myself, possibly I'm lazy!). I'm putting in the hours now though with the revision nagging, DS2 will only revise if I'm with him. At this rate I think I could get a better grade in chemistry than I did first time round . DS1 is applying for universities this year .

For all three of them sport is life, they achieve highly in their chosen sports (why couldn't they all have chosen the same one though, my evening timetable is a nightmare!) the youngest two are stupidly competitive. Which means I never have to force them to practice their music because as soon as one touches the piano the other gets his flute out and vice versa, long may this continue!

Did you all start yours on theory from the get go? I passed my grade 8 a million years ago so I don't have to do it now but I'm presuming they will need to get looking at it. Are there special lessons/teachers or will it be included in their lessons? I remember it not coming at all naturally to me and being such a slog to get grade 5. (The grade 8 was a moment of madness when my best friend and companion in all things musical at school needed it for her uni application and asked me to do it too so she had company, I believe I achieved exactly the pass mark, still gets you the certificate though )

(as an aside, I really like the fact that people are honest about their marks on here - I am on another website and you would think a simple pass or a fail is the end of the world and they should not be doing music AT ALL - despite actually enjoying it)

DD did not start doing theory until she was at Grade 4 practically. Then she had done enough key signatures etc to skip straight in at grade 4 theory learning level. She only did the Grade 5 theory exam and did better in that (126) than she did in playing (117). It is skewed towards pianists though.