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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:
catkind · 09/10/2017 14:52

My youngest (turning seven on Friday sad my baby) has just moved to 1/4 size violin from 1/8.
Aw, my baby is on a 1/4 and has been since not long after she turned 5 (tall girl!). She started on a 1/10, very cute. Hope he and you enjoy the bigger sound!

Kutik73 · 09/10/2017 15:03

Thank you so much for lots of wise advice!!! Yes, there is no harm with banging a stone built bridge. I made so many mistakes in the past because of my dizzy blond attitude (though I don't have shiny pretty blond hair), but I cannot make mistake for this one. I'll double and triple check the criteria.

Kutik73 · 09/10/2017 18:13

We got the MAT result! The pass mark was 40 out of 60 (somewhat lower than I expected..), and DS scored 59! So he is going back to the school for the round 2. It’ll be a more complex, aural based examination. I shouldn’t get champagne yet, should I?! I need to practise zen.

Minimusiciansmama · 09/10/2017 18:38

59?! That's brilliant! Well done minikutik!

Pradaqueen · 09/10/2017 18:44

Fabulous score! Well done to minikutik!

se22mother · 09/10/2017 18:47

Amazing scoreStar

LooseAtTheSeams · 09/10/2017 18:52

Wow Minikutik that's amazing! Star

TheSecondOfHerName · 09/10/2017 18:55

59/60 is very impressive!

Icouldbeknitting · 09/10/2017 20:18

It's not a bad round one is it, 59/60? Does it make you feel less anxious about round two?

Greenleave · 09/10/2017 20:19

What an amazing score Kutik, def worths a (massive) celebration.

I am reading here however have no feed back. We are having couple of trial lessons for violin and piano scales are still a night mare mainly because she really doesnt like them and deliberately learning them wrong(what our teacher saying is:coding scales to a completely different/wrong fingerings, oh dear!). I am buying 11+ books...and started reading into them because unfortunately the tutor our neighbors went to and we put our name for only having week day lessons from 5.00-6.30 which makes it impossible for working (both) parents like us. Anyway, good news about no tutor is: more money for music!

stringchild · 09/10/2017 21:46

Kutik - wow!

Green - there are tutors around our way who won't take on a child if they have two working parents!! crazy world :(

drummersmum · 09/10/2017 22:04

Yay minikutik very impressive!!!!!

se22mother · 09/10/2017 22:12

Green most tutors round here only do straight from school. If literally took me years to find a good one prepared to work later

Wafflenose · 09/10/2017 22:33

Very well done, MiniKutik!

OP posts:
Kutik73 · 09/10/2017 22:36

This thread is so encouraging and sportive. Thank you so much for all the kind words.

Icouldbe, I am an eternal worrier so I won't stop feeling anxious until all is over. We are totally out of the catchment. I can imagine there will be plenty children who scored the same or above live between the school and us, and 19 places will be quickly filled up!

Green, unfortunately we can't pop the cork yet as DS has just passed the round one, and has to pass the round 2 to secure a place! By the way, have you discussed the skype option with the teacher? Sounds like you are looking for a new one..?

Greenleave · 09/10/2017 22:50

Kutik: you are nearly there, nearly done, just few more rounds and minikutik is doing amazing well. I would celebrate every step though, however its me, I dont do delay gratifications.
Violin: we tried skype unfortunately I dont think it works as the signal wasnt as good and mine wasnt as focused nor motivated. Apart from the fee, I found her schedule was too tight, she could just about to sandwich our lesson in between and has to take a cab back to be on time for the next lesson. I have scheduled to see someone tomorrow night. We will keep trying.
String, se22: they are then loosing business arent they. I did lie(saying she is very prepared, test her now you will want her Grin), I did bribe(couple of guys from gum trees advert who said they didnt have availability), I said I will pay above...well, no cunning plan works. I am thinking of asking my boss for 1 afternoon working from home, which I havent seen anyone around me has it approved(or dared to ask). So there are couple of options. To be honest, I feel like I only need tutor to guide us (format, technique, how much is enough) rather than really has to teach her.

CharisInAlexandria · 10/10/2017 06:33

Greenleave, one good solution is an after school nanny or au pair. Then even when you both work the kids can get on with homework / music practice / activities after school.

CharisInAlexandria · 10/10/2017 06:38

For the tutor you could also try an agency like Torchlight Tuition in Barnes. Pretty sure they will have tutors who do weekends.

Greenleave · 10/10/2017 07:31

Charis, we did have a full time nanny in the past and yes it works well and reduced the pressure massively. We have sent the second to full time nursery this year(3.5yrs) and our 9yrs old goes to school and gets home by herself(longer school time with clubs and activities). It works ok if there isnt music and 11+ as the 3.5 yrs old really enjoys having more friends to play with. I will call Torchlight today, thanks so much, never heard of them before.

LooseAtTheSeams · 10/10/2017 09:47

Oh gosh Green I feel your frustration with the violin teacher search! String I am really shocked to hear that about tutors and 2 working parents!!
Well, I have decided to pick the same C piece for grade 5 ('Cool') as DS2. I wasn't going to because he's a much better pianist and comparisons are unflattering but it's too good a piece not to attempt it! I shall just have to practise when he's not listening! Grin

se22mother · 10/10/2017 19:38

Dd has declared this "the prettiest clarinet in the world'

October Music Thread
Trumpetboysmum · 10/10/2017 19:42

Sorry just caught up . Great news kutik . Green I hope you sort out your teacher problem soon , it must be very frustrating

Doubleup · 10/10/2017 20:07

se22 - ooh, shiny! Smile

Greenleave · 10/10/2017 20:16

Wow!!!SE22, it does look like the best one I have seen! This is ours

October Music Thread
TheSecondOfHerName · 10/10/2017 20:16

I don't think I've ever mentioned DS1 on these threads. He just spent 15 minutes playing the guitar he borrowed from a friend a year ago. Both chords are still coming along nicely.

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