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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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drummersmum · 24/05/2017 19:19

To all the Ed Sheeran fans here, catch up his Desert Island Discs (the radio program ). Worth a listen. Nice guy.

Kutik73 · 24/05/2017 20:55

Those who go to orchestra - how much do you practise their pieces at home? DS has been playing without home practice as the music was not given. But today all the members received the music for home practice. DS says he doesn't really need to practise as he can play them fine. For my non-musical eyes, his part doesn't look too complicated, and yes I can see he can probably sight-read them. But, I suppose there is more than just being able to play the notes? Surely they are expected to practise at home?

Greenleave · 24/05/2017 21:30

Prada: its a Catholic, thanks for your note, will manage to take a picture.
Fleur: diving into your search now.
Herts: I hope mine can try in few years time, I have read it along the last couple of years and really like it.
Kutik: we are only 2nd line for a trainee Orchestra so no practice has ever been needed.
Can I complain when its hot then I dont heard any music in this household any more. Our violin lesson is rescheduled for tomorrow because we are away from Friday and I am sure she wont be impressed.

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 21:35

kutik: no orchestral music ever brought home to practise. Only now are parts sometimes copied where additional work needed. If he's a strong sight reader, he'll be fine not to.

Fleurdelise · 24/05/2017 22:02

callme no date here which is good news.

No practice at home from the wind orchestra, just sight reading.

gillybeanz · 24/05/2017 22:11

No practice here and an extra week half term
Not doing too well atm. My dd had to leave everything at school including instruments, couldn't go back in because of the cordon.
She is finally sorting it out in her head, coming to terms with what has happened, when an arrest around the corner from us this afternoon.
Poor child has had enough Sad
Anyway I thought for anyone who hadn't seen it, this proves that even in our saddest and most despairing states, music wins through.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/watch-chethams-pupils-send-manchester-13081668

ealingwestmum · 24/05/2017 22:26

Thought about your DD when I heard this on the news Gilly Flowers

se22mother · 24/05/2017 22:29

Greenleave for a Catholic Church a smart, but pretty dress. Not too dressy or casual iykwim. Pm me if you need any advice on the quirks of this branch of church.....

Not much practice has been done here recently due to a school residential trip, and a big family party. Not sure the teachers will be impressed. She was told today she got merits in the two dance exams from last term so is happy.

se22mother · 24/05/2017 22:30

Gilly hope your daughter, and all her friends are ok. Terrible experience for them.

LooseAtTheSeams · 24/05/2017 22:35

That's a lovely story Gilly thanks so much for sharing the link and sending hugs to your DD.

gillybeanz · 24/05/2017 22:39

Sorry, mine was ok, she was out for the day thank God, she had an appointment.
She left that evening, but had friends unable to call on their phones and no internet because of all the activity.
So one got through to her and asked her to text what was going on, they were scared stiff, we were still texting at 1.00am.
They were well looked after though and came home yesterday.
The arrest literally round the corner from us today has really freaked her out and as hard as I try I can't bring her round.
Sorry for posting here, but I feel like I know you all personally. I'm running out of things to say and she is just dazed and under her duvet.She says she's scared to go out.

Fleurdelise · 24/05/2017 22:47

gilly I hope your dd will feel better soon about everything. It must be so difficult to explain why would somebody want to harm kids and I am sure we all tried our best to come to terms with it and explain our kids what happened.

I still feel shocked and numb seeing the age of the victims, I cried hearing about the 8 yo and Olivia, the 15 yo who's mum was desperate to find her only to find out she was one of the victims... all those kids and the surviving ones with life changing injuries just because they went out to see a concert and have some fun.

I am terrified as DS is going to Reading festival this summer to celebrate GCSEs results (hopefully to celebrate them) and I am torn between cancelling the ticket and allowing him to live his life without fear...

Not much clarinet practice in our household which will be a shock to dd's piano teacher as she's practising with her on Sunday (the accompaniment). She'll tell her off I'm sure and I am a bit annoyed with dd as it will reflect bad on her clarinet teacher and they know each other.

gillybeanz · 24/05/2017 23:14

Thank you Fleur.
I know what you mean about your ds, it's a narrow line between living your life in fear and putting yourself at risk.
It's hard to know what to do and say.
You also feel guilty for feeling bad when there are so many families worse off who are experiencing real horror. Thanks

Kutik73 · 25/05/2017 03:53

Thanks for the comments on home practice for orchestral pieces. It sounds like what DS tells me is right so I'll leave it with him whether he needs practice or not.

What's a terrifying experience for minigilly and her friends. Big hugs to her. Hope she will be alright.

Green, DS enjoyed Piano Literature by James Bastien (Vol 4). It's for the early advanced grades, so not super challenging for G7 standard pianists, but some lovely pieces to have fun (well, DS liked them anyway). It covers Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary.

Kutik73 · 25/05/2017 04:01

Green, I just realised you were asking specifically Mozart/Choplin pieces. I misunderstood you were looking for some pieces for your DD in general. Sorry. The book I mentioned has five Chopin pieces and two Mozart pieces but has others such as Bach, Scarlatti, Schubert, Kabalevsky and so on.... So it may not be what you are looking for.

Pradaqueen · 25/05/2017 04:49

Gilly - Flowers for you and your DD. Awful, awful attack on essentially kids. I do hope she recovers in time. There are some truly sick people out there. Hugs to you all.

Minimusiciansmama · 25/05/2017 07:47

gilly thoughts to your wee girl and all her friends trying to deal with this xxxx

Greenleave · 25/05/2017 07:54

Flowers to you and your daughter Gilly. I must say that I have trust and confidence in our police force and intelligence. They are least corrupted among all countries that I know and act fast, effectively.(try to come to term that why Stockhom and Berlin terrorists are still there, free)

Thanks so much Kutik, its a great recomnendation too

AlexandraLeaving · 25/05/2017 08:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 08:07

Hey Gilly- I've emailed you x

Kutik- no practice here for any orchestras ever, all sight reading, even NCO regionals Smile

Doubleup · 25/05/2017 08:47

Gilly, it's shocking enough for most people your dd's age, but things happening close by must amplify it. There is a lot of information around, including on the BBC website on how to discuss it with kids to reassure them. Shame in some ways that the school has closed early as that what schools are good at. Big hugs to her and you as you try to rationalise things. Flowers

Paulweller11 · 25/05/2017 09:15

They didn't have much choice unfortunately- it's in the police cordon zone.

drummersmum · 25/05/2017 10:36

gilly and paul weller I've been thinking of you and your DC.
kutik DS was sent the parts for the orchestral residence in advance and they were supposed to learn them well at home.

hertsandessex · 25/05/2017 11:02

Best wishes to Chet's parents and children. I hadn't realised it was so close to the arena. Must be a tough time. I love the Oasis video full of emotion.

stringchild · 25/05/2017 11:11

lots of hugs to miniGilly and miniPaul; we have close friends at Chets and i know how they have been affected x