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Extra-curricular activities

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

October Music Thread

486 replies

Wafflenose · 01/10/2017 01:18

Hello, I just fell asleep in front of a very long film that DH wanted to watch, and woke up in October! I couldn't resist starting the new thread before going to sleep properly.

The monthly music threads are welcome to ALL, and we really like hearing from new contributors and beginner musicians. We have all levels on here. It's a good place to discuss instruments, lessons, practice, exams, auditions and anything else that you want to.

I am a teacher of recorder, clarinet, saxophone and flute, and have two daughters. Goo is 11 and plays the flute and piano. She is planning to do exams on both next year, but none just now because she's just started at the secondary school 2 miles down the road, which has a great reputation for music and sport, and is extremely academic. They study four languages in Year 7 - Goo has just finished her unit on German (by the end of three weeks, they could write three substantial paragraphs - I couldn't believe it!) and is now embarking on Mandarin.
She's thrown herself into choir, orchestra, steel band, flute group and the gym. Rara is 9 and has been playing the cello since the age of 5, and clarinet for a year. She enjoys both, but is happiest when she's reading or cutting up paper/ making things out of paper! Rara has plenty of free time because she attends the village school five minutes away, and hardly gets any homework.

Goo attends South West Music School, which is the nearest thing we have to a JD in the south west. Rara is just about to join! Not too much on musically this term (and not a lot of practice taking place, quite honestly) apart from auditioning for the NCO. Goo has been in it for the past three years, and is hoping for Under 12s. After a wobble about even auditioning, she seems quietly confident now.

OP posts:
Icouldbeknitting · 20/10/2017 16:17

Orangecase nothing turned up in my Mnet search so I suspect that the reason you didn't get a reply is that no-one has any experience to share.

Trumpetboysmum · 20/10/2017 16:31

Orange I don't know anything about NYSO though I do know that pro corda in Suffolk run highly thought of string and chamber courses in the holidays if you hadn't come across them before

Orangecase · 20/10/2017 16:34

That no one has any experience with NYSO is surprising to me because there are many musical families in this thread...
So maybe I should post our audition experience as the first one🤔?

Orangecase · 20/10/2017 17:04

Trumpet I've heard of Pro Corda. DD2's violin teacher recommended it. If she doesnt get in NYSO, we might want to look into it.

Trumpetboysmum · 20/10/2017 17:25

Someone we know goes on the piano courses and has been back a few times I think so must be good.

stringchild · 20/10/2017 19:18

hi Orange there are people at our JD who do NYSO; it seems to be really good and the people we know who do it have outgrown NCO (either in age or interest) but aren't yet wanting to try for NYO or want something smaller. DD is interested but i think she is too young - the age range would be quite big. But that and the NYWO look really good and i am sure DD will want to try for them later on

Trumpetboysmum · 20/10/2017 19:37

Yes string I'd thought about NYWO for ds in a couple of years and know others who've done it when he's outgrown NCO( or when he doesn't get in this year and then decides he doesn't want to try again !!)

Kutik73 · 20/10/2017 20:15

Sorry for a quick change of the subject but couldn't keep quiet and just want to share this happy news with my musical families here. We got a result from the secondary school where DS had two rounds auditions (MAT + aural). Not only he got an offer, he came the 1st

Kutik73 · 20/10/2017 20:24

Ah..., sorry, entered too early!

Anyway, he came 1st on their ranked list. We also received a heartwarming email and telephone call separately, as they wanted to know more about DS (musical interests, requirements, etc). They also offered to arrange a special tour for us to look at the details of their music facilities or clubs of DS's interest.

It's Friday, and half term holiday eve, and the happy result = celebrations!!

Minimusiciansmama · 20/10/2017 20:26

Congratulations minikutik!!! Xxx

Kutik73 · 20/10/2017 20:28

Thank you, Mini!!! I'm still ill, but happy inside!!

Wafflenose · 20/10/2017 20:38

So glad the thread has picked up today. Extra special well done to MiniKutik - what a weight off your mind, Kutik.

Goo had her last lesson before her NCO audition tonight, and after endless faffing around, refusing to practise, threatening to pull out, angst over her friends and trying to change piece, she is finally ready.

OP posts:
Trumpetboysmum · 20/10/2017 20:44

Kutik that's fantastic news . Waffle that's good news too enjoy your break away and good luck Goo for her audition- she'll be brilliant I'm sureSmile

Wafflenose · 20/10/2017 20:48

We're not going any more...DH can't get the time off. So the girls have time to get bored at home, spam themselves on the Wii and hopefully practise their instruments!

OP posts:
Doubleup · 20/10/2017 20:51

Excellent news Kutik! And good luck for Goo's audition Waffle. DD2 is exhausted from last night's sleepover, but it has still been a struggle to get her to bed. Hope that a good night's sleep does the trick before her NCO audition tomorrow.... Hmm

stringchild · 20/10/2017 20:53

Kutik - well done :)

Waffle - are you tuesday? we are (different venue).

Doubleup · 20/10/2017 20:57

That's a shame Waffle. I was looking forward to a nice quiet half term at home, but I now have to go up to the north of Scotland for a funeral. Going to take 4 days with travel before and after. Sad

Wafflenose · 20/10/2017 21:06

We are on Wednesday. Good luck to both of yours, and anyone I have missed. Hope the funeral goes as well as it can. I love north Scotland by the way, and used to go often before we had the girls.

OP posts:
Trumpetboysmum · 20/10/2017 21:12

Oh no that's a shame waffle good luck for Tuesday string
Oh no double many condolences hope it all goes ok

LooseAtTheSeams · 20/10/2017 21:18

Kutik yay! Way to go! Star
Waffle good luck for the auditions and for half term! Good luck to Doubleup

Nigglenotes · 20/10/2017 21:51

Hey, Kutik, that's fantastic! It is so good when you see the work and talent of your mini is recognised and you think, it is not just us, the music teacher, etc. It is externally, independently, verifiably a fact that, yes, potential and talent is obvious to those looking for it. I'm sure it makes the last couple of weeks struggling with colds worth it. Half termWine.

Icouldbeknitting · 20/10/2017 21:51

Great news Kutik, thank you for sharing.

Good luck to those with auditions and I hope that the rest of you have a lovely quiet half term. We live in one LA and go to college in the neighbouring authority and the holidays don't match so the county ensemble residential is in the week before the holiday starts. I think the absence has been authorised in that no-one has said that it hasn't been authorised and if they ring on Monday wanting to know where he is it will be too late. By then he will be in yet another county.

Kutik73 · 20/10/2017 21:52

Thank you all!

We have to discuss whether DS should still go ahead with private options during the holiday. The exams and auditions for privates are in January so need a quick decision!

The school we got an offer is not selective academically yet has good results which I see as an evidence of good teaching. They have fab indoor and outdoor space so pupils don’t need to travel for sports which is quite rare in London. They have the exclusive partnership with Trinity Music College and have a great music dept so offer lots of musical activities and opportunities.

Still, obviously privates offer better facilities. But if both can help DS reach to his maximum potential, for a budget tight family like us needs to see something more in privates to go for it by having such a nice state option. Need to list up pros and cons!

Good luck on Sat Double, and all those who are auditioning during the half term!

Kutik73 · 20/10/2017 21:58

Niggle, just read your post. So kind and heartwarming. Thanks. Wine

Nigglenotes · 20/10/2017 22:05

Good luck to Double, String and Waffle minis for NCO auditions. We are next Friday. Had a lesson today on just one audition piece and the teacher pulled it apart. Seriously, every second bar had an issue. And DD has taken, very recently, to having a straight thumb on bow hand. As a violinist, this is v bad and needs to be corrected. Just when she has developed a beautiful wrist movement. I was feeling quite negative about the whole thing, but I asked DD afterwards how it went, and she said she felt much better, as she knew the piece was just wrong.

I know I have occasional disagreements with her teacher, but shall step aside here and let them get on with it. We agreed 3 lessons next week before the audition to hopefully sort things out!