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Extra-curricular activities

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

May Music Thread

784 replies

Wafflenose · 01/05/2017 15:59

Hello, and welcome to the May thread. It's a public holiday in the UK, but my school is open and I had to work today, which is why I've only just got round to it! This is a place for parents of musicians of ALL levels, and adult learners, to chat about lessons, practice, scales, concerts, exams, and whatever else they'd like to! We have lots of regulars, some occasional posters, and sometimes people who just pop in to ask a question. It's a friendly place.

I have two daughters. Goo is 11 and in her last term at primary school. She's working towards her Grade 8 Flute (some time next year) and playing from the Grade 4 Piano book (currently refusing to take any exams, and putting off the first proper performance!). Rara is 8, may or may not be doing Grade 3 Cello this term, and is approaching Grade 2 Clarinet.

Both of them played the recorder for years, starting as preschoolers. They reached Grades 7 and 3 respectively, but sadly neither has really played since the music festival a few months ago. They are obsessed with their Flute and Clarinet, and really enjoy Piano and Cello. There won't be many opportunities to play the recorder at the secondary school they will attend, so much as I love it, it's probably a good time to quietly drop it. Recorder has given them both lots of opportunities, confidence, reading skills... and festival prizes!

Goo does NCO and South West Music School. Rara isn't that level at all when it comes to music, but is gifted with her hands. Instead of practising the cello and doing her school spellings today, she completed a lovely sewing kit without bothering to look at the instructions, and also made a lovely crafty construction from card and coloured paper. Both girls are keen on drawing and playing computer games. Rara swims and Goo plays sodding netball and dodgeball, which have both been responsible for multiple injuries over the past few months!

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Trumpetboysmum · 11/05/2017 14:54

According to ds's primary school g and t has been dropped ( I wasn't pushing for it I just wanted to make sure that they told his secondary school about his music and not just to focus on English and maths) however his secondary school do seem to have a programme of sorts for maths ds got given extra work ( which he hasn't done isn't interested and is too busy doing music!!) music seems to mean that they let him have lots of days off for extra music, play first trumpet in the orchestra and let him use the composing software and practice rooms at school when ever he wants ( ds loves all this Smile)

Trumpetboysmum · 11/05/2017 14:55

Oh and he came home with an as level book on harmony and composition the other day so they are trying to differentiate the work too!!

Kutik73 · 11/05/2017 15:00

That's fab, Trumpet. I know a boy who was 3 years senior than my DS had been registered on G&T for his music at primary school but as long as I remember there was not much benefit coming from the school. It was more of recognition, and perhaps he had more chance to perform but that's all.

Greenleave · 11/05/2017 18:10

We have been practising piano 45mins solidly these days. Loads on a steady tempo, strong pulse, pedalling effortlessly and fast playing focus. As the pieces we were given are random so my teacher records have been used as a sample benchmark to track where we are. I listened to her playing which I recorded last night and our teacher playing today the first time I feel like I understand what to do where. Usually for violin I could only compare with the pieces playing in youtube and her playing and I could only say the rythm, the tuning etc. are not the same. I know I should start learning to play anything, I just need to start.

Doubleup · 11/05/2017 18:20

violinandpiano the G&T is through the county music service with kids being nominated by instrument teachers, school teachers etc. Six sessions a year with input from specialist music schools, conservatoires, professional orchestras etc. Gives the kids additional opportunities.

Trumpetboysmum · 11/05/2017 18:48

Double that's great we seem to have to find these opportunities ourselves

Kutik73 · 11/05/2017 18:59

Double, sounds amazing. Smile

Greenleave · 11/05/2017 20:04

This is great support for children plays music at high level Double!

gillybeanz · 11/05/2017 22:08

The young violinists at dd school are doing outreach performances and talking to children in schools across our area, on tour.
I think it's important work and can really inspire others.

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 10:01

Had a call with our piano teacher last night, she called to discuss the plan after the exam, she wants dd to concentrate on two tasks, grade 5 theory and next year's festival, she wants her to go big on the pieces next year for the festival before doing any other exams.

She said she's happy to work on the next steps but rather than put a time line on the next graded exam focus more on improving performance confidence via festivals while progressing with her music development and do another exam when dd wants, be it grade 6/7/8. She'd rather dd stop the motivator factor being an exam and keep her motivated by other goals to reach such as local festivals, one of them being a well known international one.

I agreed completely and I feel it is the right path.

Doubleup · 12/05/2017 10:13

Fleur - sounds a good plan. Solo performance opportunities are what my dc lack. Haven't gone the festival route so far, but maybe I should investigate it further. Must do some research and see what's available here.

LooseAtTheSeams · 12/05/2017 10:32

Fleur totally agree with the teacher - she sounds wonderful!
I think DS2 has done just enough piano practice to get by this week and no real cello practice!
DS1 came back buzzing from concert band rehearsal on Wednesday. Apparently they'll be performing at Wimbledon tennis one morning during the tournament - I am hoping parents get tickets! Grin

Kutik73 · 12/05/2017 11:58

I am hoping parents get tickets!
That would be an amazing bonus, wouldn't it?!

Fleur, sounds exciting! It seems your DD is entering a new chapter of her musical journey. Smile

Greenleave · 12/05/2017 12:51

Fleur: that is actually our goal too, to play well in various festivals(we have got rid of the theory part). Our teacher plan for us is more for solo musical career while my short sighted vision is only to finish the grades then she could be on her own, does whatever she wants to.

We found a tutor for my daughter(11+), its a group tutoring, an hour a week. After an assessment and 2 lessons then I was told that her strong area is writting and her worse areas are comprehension and maths. I know that comprehension is our weakness because we are not taught at school however maths came as a quite surprise to me. I have always thought maths is her thing, she has never had less than perfecr score in any test at school, her standardised score last year was very high, the last meet the teacher meeting I was told she is still at the top group among 3 forms. Aparently this isnt good enough for the 11+ exams. Apparently everything needs practice, similar to music. If we dont practise then we will be behind, doing ok at state school apparently isnt enough, parents still need to roll their sleeves. Well, something to think of this weekend.

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 12:55

Thanks all! I am in love with our piano teacher, before every exam she calls or texts with next steps plan for dd, repertoire suggestions and what she feels she needs to achieve. She's asking for my opinion in a determined fashion though just to ensure I am happy with it too.

Loose that sounds fantastic, would you confirm when? Maybe it will be just before the game and transmitted on tv? Hope you get tickets Grin

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 12:57

Green you've got a lot of time till the 11+ exam, you can concentrate on it and do it I am sure. It is quite expected that even though dcs are top of the class they do need a lot of practice and extra work for the actual exam, the school curriculum doesn't prepare them for it.

Kutik73 · 12/05/2017 13:59

Green, can we one day have a chess play date or something with minigreen before her solo career shot off. Grin

Re 11+, I'm sure practice will help, but selective independent schools are always trying to weed out those heavily tutored. Two boys I know got in one of the best in the country without much practice. One of them didn't do well in the exam - he couldn't finish all the questions of two out of three papers, yet he was offered. He is in fact the brightest child I have ever met (people say he can go to university straight after primary school...). He wasn't just trained enough for exams, yet the school could see through (he probably made some errors for simple questions but got right for the most complex questions). So I assume the schools are putting lots of effort in finding those who are naturally bright. We hear people who passed say that they passed because they prepared well. But most of them may have got in without much preparation in the first place. Your DD sounds very much intelligent so if she is starting the preparation now, she will be totally fine. I don't think lots of cramming is necessary.

Having said that my views towards 11+ seems to keep changing - a while ago I seek for advice here and was given lots of useful advice. Since then I have learnt lots more about 11+, and now I feel very much relaxed (well, at the moment).

Kutik73 · 12/05/2017 14:08

However, if you are after grammar schools then I think it's a different story as exam results are only key for the selection! But I am not entirely sure.

The brightest boy's case is a bit extreme, I know. What I wanted to say was, don't need to work heavily or unhealthily. It can be counter-productive. Just a healthy level of practice for familiarisation, and bits of filling the gap would do.

violinandpiano · 12/05/2017 15:00

Green, I heard some schools had music space as well. Maybe your DD can try both academic and music.

drummersmum · 12/05/2017 15:17

loose wow wow wow. How exciting 👍
green don't believe everything tutoring agencies tell you. They want your business. That said, we had to prepare DS and it was fine

Trumpetboysmum · 12/05/2017 15:40

Loose what a fab opportunity
Green I'm sure with some practice mini green will be fine she sounds like a totally switched on and intelligent little girl ( with lots of other interests which is so important)

LooseAtTheSeams · 12/05/2017 16:15

I think they play on July 13 - will be in the morning but I'll confirm nearer the time! He's a lucky boy! If I'm able to get in I'm sure I can film some of it...
Green - don't panic about the maths as there's plenty of time (school will be doing loads more) and Mini is a very bright little girl!

TheSecondOfHerName · 12/05/2017 16:30

For those whose children are doing the academic test for the SWH consortium, mine found the maths very straightforward, but the verbal reasoning a bit trickier.

Just had the request for DS2's grade 6 entry fee: £73.50!

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 16:37

Thanks TheSecond that's what I heard. Focusing on VR.

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 16:39

I paid £110 for the exams last week. Sometimes it feels ridiculous. Hmm