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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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Greenleave · 12/05/2017 17:32

Loose, definitely, parents should get tickets(should be for siblings too).

For some reason we are fine with VR, she didnt have high score in the NVR tutor test however she loves NVR (she thinks of them as a game) also the tutor never says if it could be an issue. To be fair, compare to children who are doing extra works and being taught at home/by tutor ofcourse then we dont deserve to be compared. I just need to plan for everything going forward carefully as to us 11+ is the most important. I feel like I am playing a dangerous game here compare to all my friends/people I know that delaying the 11+ prep as much as I could and encourage her on all other activities. The is a (big) possibility that we will not good at anything.

Kutik: mine cant never compare with these boys, we only aim for an usual pass, I have a long list of schools within less than an hour public transport and I will need to drop to 4 mid next year and yes, I am planning for private.

woolleybear · 12/05/2017 17:36

How do you go about finding festivals other than your most local?

Dd is thrilled that she will be singing with the choir in the winners concert at ours, the instrumental bits were a useful if steep learning curve.

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 18:30

Woolley this link should help you

www.federationoffestivals.org.uk

Dd's teacher told us she requested dd to do clarinet exam first then another pupil then piano. So first experience, exam in one session the same day. She should be fine.

Kutik73 · 12/05/2017 18:50

Green, have you read the website of the schools of your choice? Or have you visited the open day? Quite a few mention clearly on their website that they are keen on innate than attainment. Obviously DCs should practise to familiarise with the papers, but all I wanted to say was no need to panic at all. I'm saying this as I GOT PANICKED when realised everybody around me had been preparing for a long time! I'm not a very organised person so I felt I missed a boat! But now, I've learnt more realistic views since then, hence am not panicking. Just wanted to tell you....

Your DD has so many to offer and that's exactly what many private schools are after. She must be more attractive than those who just studied, studies and studied.

But I totally understand your anxiety. A brilliant thing is your DD is still Year 4 - plenty time!

woolleybear · 12/05/2017 18:52

Thanks Fleur, and good luck for that exam day!

Kutik73 · 12/05/2017 18:59

My friend is looking for a new violin teacher for his daughter. He found one who studied at RAM so booked the first lesson next week. He disparately wants a really good teacher who can help his daughter in a massive way. He is hoping someone who studied at RAM should be good enough. He asked me my opinion, but I'm afraid I have no idea... Any idea anyone...?

Kutik73 · 12/05/2017 19:07

His daughter played in school chamber music for a couple of years but has never had a private lesson. She is very bright, and has been learning piano for more than 3 years and got G2 distinction a year ago. She must be at least around 3-4 by now (didn't ask). She practises regularly. She is aiming to get in a secondary school with the first class music department. She wants to join in their school orchestra but feels she wouldn't be qualified (as the standard is quite high). She has more than year to prepare. Hence, the disparate daddy, trying to help her.

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 19:23

I have a friend who got into NLCS and while innate ability is obviously needed (due to the fact that no amount of practice will get you into such a school if the dc isn't naturally academic) a lot of preparation was needed. I personally wouldn't give myself false sense of security just because my dc is academic, states schools come nowhere near preparing their pupils for the London private selective schools. No matter how bright a child is if they didn't hear of a maths concept before they will not know how to deal with it, the state school curriculum is not designed for the high ability pupils.

Green definitely prepare but don't forget it isn't the end of the world, I know it feels like it is but people do get good, great even, careers even if they didn't go to private selective schools or grammar schools. I work with a lot of people who went to normal state secondary schools and they now have a great career. I've also worked in the past with two privately educated people (well known schools) and they were reporting into me, not a privileged upbringing person.

Woolley thank you! It will be a while (hopefully).

Kutik hard to say, obviously a music education is required on my book, at dd's level now I wouldn't hire a teacher who only passed grade 8 for example. Our piano teacher went to RAM and she's great. But I don't think she's great just because of that. It is also her patience, knowing when to be strict and when to laugh (as an aside her and dd were laughing their heads off today during lesson for some silly stuff they were trying to do on the piano), being experienced. You need to try otherwise you'll never know.

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 19:25

*obviously the friend's daughter got into NLCS not my friend. Hmm

Fleurdelise · 12/05/2017 19:27

Sorry for all the mistakes I didn't read it back and I am on my mobile

AlexandraLeaving · 12/05/2017 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wafflenose · 12/05/2017 20:24

I have just done my exam entries for the term... Grade 1 Flute (AB), Initial, Grade 3 and 4 Recorders and Grade 7 Clarinet, all with Trinity. Rara has also been entered for Grade 3 Cello with Trinity, and is doing sod all right now. However, her exam is likely to be on July 12th, so we have quite a bit of time.

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Icouldbeknitting · 12/05/2017 22:26

I've not written an exam cheque in eighteen months, it's a real possibility that I'll never write another. I can't say that I miss it at all.

Waffle it's a really long time until July, if she was slaving over her pieces now they'd be stale by then.

LooseAtTheSeams · 13/05/2017 09:38

The £56 cheque for ds's piano grade 4 doesn't seem too bad now!
Alex yay! Thanks for that! Being the only female in this house I am clearly the most responsible! Grin DS1 is very excited and says he wishes the fortnightly band rehearsals were weekly because he loves it so much! (This is an improvement on 'er, yeah, fine!' Which DH says translates as 'really good' in Boyspeak!)

drummersmum · 13/05/2017 11:16

I haven't had the time or the solitude to share the practice tips but i haven't forgotten. fleur I shall abduct your piano teacher one day. alex thank you. Clearly yours and loose 's orchestras know how to motivate a young player.

Fleurdelise · 13/05/2017 12:54

drummers I am sure your DS's teachers are great seeing how good he is. Smile

Music done for today, all going well, nothing to report. We are now in a state of plodding along till the exam, improving the pieces and scales, aural work and sight reading.

Kutik73 · 13/05/2017 13:49

Thank you Fleur on the ram teacher. I passed your words to the dad.

He was also worrying about his DD been in the school chamber group without one to one lesson for nearly two years. Apparently she's been doing fine there but dad says she may have picked bad habits/technique. He didn't know how complicated violin was. I assured him she should be fine as she is only 9 ( nearly 10). Or would it be a problem? I have never changed DS's teachers (both piano and violin) so have no clue of the impact/reaction the change of teaching style may cause.

I told him he could come to this thread for more advice but he said if only it was called parentsnet...

Paulweller11 · 13/05/2017 14:11

So little percussionist dd (8) recently auditioned at a specialist music school- just received the letter- she got in!!!
She's so happy and excited.

Fleurdelise · 13/05/2017 14:32

Kutik I don't know much about violin, somebody will answer your questions I'm sure.

Well done Paulweller! Amazing news!!!

Kutik73 · 13/05/2017 15:01

Thank you Fleur.

Fantastic news Paulweller! Is it the same school as your older one goes? I assume it's a boarding school? If so, then they are together there is so so nice.

Paulweller11 · 13/05/2017 15:11

Thanks guys,
It is boarding and day school, so all good. Yes, she'll be with her sister Smile

Wafflenose · 13/05/2017 15:43

Well done to little percussionist!

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Trumpetboysmum · 13/05/2017 15:53

Fab news little percussionist how exciting Smile

Doubleup · 13/05/2017 16:16

Well done to minipaulweller!

drummersmum · 13/05/2017 16:38

minipaulweller that's great news!!!! 👍

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