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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

March Music Thread

626 replies

Wafflenose · 01/03/2018 10:56

Welcome to the new thread for March! I am typing this from home rather than having to go to work - snow days all round. We currently have 1cm, but there are red warnings for wind and for snow later today, so it's going to be horrendous.

This is a place to talk about all things musical, whether you or your DCs are learning. We have lots of followers, from beginners to advanced, and everyone is welcome!

I am a teacher of recorder, clarinet, flute and saxophone, and have two DDs. Goo is 12 and having a fabulous time at secondary. She is Grade 8+ on the flute but not taking the exam until braces are off (and I think her teacher is holding out until she thinks Goo can get full marks or something) and around Grade 5 piano - no performances or exams yet and terrified of anyone hearing her, so that's getting to be a slight problem. Rara is 9 and between Grades 3 and 4 on both cello and clarinet. She's taking Grade 3 Clarinet this term so that when she goes off to the NCO in the summer, she doesn't have to tell other children that's she's only done Grade 1!

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Pradaqueen · 15/03/2018 22:41

Sorry for the late reply - It was the school music evening. Fab performance by miniprada who did not use the Rosin Confused.

The GEWA Bio was 4/4 and has plenty of room for the shoulder rest etc. Main point for us was the music folder which she will definitely use. I got it from Thomann on line. It arrived within 48 hours of the order being placed.

Kutik73 · 15/03/2018 22:42

I don't quite remember the exact price but it was more than £300 as we chose the one with extra handle and feet. I got it in Cardiff but you should be able to find them many violin shops in London.

Kutik73 · 15/03/2018 22:43

Didn't miniprada like the rosin...?

gillybeanz · 15/03/2018 22:48

Alexandra

That would have been a huge dilemma for my dd, she wouldn't want to miss an opera Grin.
I just read this thread and try and keep up, but the kids are all so busy.
It's not a criticism mine is too, but it's really good to hear.
I walked past our local Youth club tonight and it's really good for them, lots of private investment. But the surrounding areas are just youth crime and vandalism. They are either banned or wouldn't go in the first place, so Sad
Oh, and grade 5 theory coming up, I'm so pleased for her.
Work for assessment over Easter, then performances, the dreaded options, proving to be a nightmare arghhhhh

Pradaqueen · 16/03/2018 00:48

Kutik - Grin dropped it in before the concert but she 'didn't have time to use it'. You'll know exactly what I mean this time next year when you have one this age Wink

Doubleup · 16/03/2018 10:35

I do like the fast turnaround on Trinity exams - Grade 2 guitar exam on Wednesday and result today - 93! The best thing is that having been thoroughly bored of playing the same pieces forever and practicing once a week very grudgingly, having the exam to focus on meant more practice. This meant better technique, a happier experience and she’s now enjoying playing it again. Time to move forward!

Original poster
Wafflenose · 16/03/2018 10:40

Many congratulatory her! My Trinity exams were on Monday morning and we haven't heard anything yet.

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Original poster
Wafflenose · 16/03/2018 10:41

Congratulations TO!!! Gah...

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Kutik73 · 16/03/2018 10:45

Great news, Double! StarStarStar

Pradaqueen · 16/03/2018 10:48

Congratulations minidouble!

Doubleup · 16/03/2018 10:50

Thanks Waffle. I’m guessing it’s because today is Friday and the last day of the Trinity exam session at the music centre. Back in the summer DD2 had her exam on a Friday and the result the same day.

Still having to wait for DD2’s ABRSM exam she took last Friday (with the no show from the accompanist!)

Doubleup · 16/03/2018 10:52

Should have read DD1’s exam of course as DD2 doesn’t play oboe!

Original poster
Wafflenose · 16/03/2018 11:02

The last day was Tuesday so we were expecting to hear on Wednesday morning, as is usual at my place of work. But nope, he took all the mark sheets with him to his next area, presumably for extra checking or a query?

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Doubleup · 16/03/2018 11:09

Hope you hear soon Waffle

ThreeAndUs · 16/03/2018 12:02

DS had his grade 4 trumpet exam this morning; I feel very lucky to be able to accompany him and hear how he plays in these exams (my Mum did the same for me!). He played really well considering he came out in a cold on Wednesday! Grade 5 piano next Friday and then he can relax a little over the Easter break. He then has grade 4 theory and grade 5 trumpet planned for the summer term. Really enjoying his NCO experience with lots of new music to learn.

We're looking to get him a new trumpet case, one he can carry on his back, are there any minis with backpack trumpet cases here?

Trumpetboysmum · 16/03/2018 14:50

Yes ds's backpack case came with his Yamaha trumpet so I'm sure you can buy them without the trumpet too !! Ds may he getting a new trumpet soon ( long story) but if he ever needs to take it to school- won't be often far too nice for school - then I Will make him use the backpack much easier to carry

Trumpetboysmum · 16/03/2018 15:05

Forgot to say well done mini double !!
Also Gilly has your dd not taken her music theory yet ? This is my current battle with ds . I know he would rather take Trinity grade 8 but Abrsm would be at school - so I feel he just needs to get on with it ( also before GCSES)

AnneOfCleavage · 16/03/2018 16:31

Hope you hear soon double and waffle and we'll done on your ds three exam today. So lovely y could accompany him.

We have had an ABSOLUTE nightmare and I am only calming down now. DD and I arrived at the hotel 30mins early for exam all calm and prepared but we weren't allowed to check in until her singing teacher arrived as she sorted the paperwork never again. By 15 mins before exam I call her and leave message saying we were at hotel (said which one we were at) and at 10 mins to go she calls me saying she'd gone to the wrong hotel - arrrgggh. How she got it wrong I'll never know as she texted me the hotel address a few days back and texted me this morning.

I get told by LAMDA that we'd have to be marked absent if she didn't turn up or was too late so my DD was stressing - she said her heart was banging so fast and I felt tearful but was trying to keep it together.

Exam was 2.10 and at 2.11 she turns up all flustered carrying her keyboard in a carry case so they let her in to set up and DD goes in for her exam but of course she starts late and was in there over 30 mins making me late for school pick up as I pick up other children at 3pm.

DD said she fluffed up a couple of lines of one song and got verses muddled round on another one and knocked her crown flying off her head in another song. She also forgot what one of the key words meant and just said any old thing so she wasn't happy and she was so so prepared but was flustered because of the stress. Her voice held out luckily and now we wait for results.

I am so proud of her but we are going to stop with this teacher as the LAMDA guys all looked knowingly at each other and said this happens a lot with her and she has done similar to us last year at a competition and DD had to have a new accompanist who had never practised with her before.

Good luck to all other DC for exams coming up and hope you have better experiences Grin

Pradaqueen · 16/03/2018 18:01

Oh Anne, what a day! How awful for your DD. Flowers for you both. Do something lovely this evening to make up for it. Really a poor show from the teacher.

TaggieOHara · 16/03/2018 19:20

Flowers for both of you Anne and a huge well done to mini-Anne for showing such composure! Always with exams, one remembers the bits that went wrong - I bet she does better than she thinks Smile

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 16/03/2018 19:42

Oh Anne what a rotten experience! Your poor DD! A nice treat is called for you both!!

AnneOfCleavage · 16/03/2018 21:19

Aw thanks all 😁Got a takeaway and movie so she's had a lovely evening. Now playing SIms4 and I've had a couple of glasses of wine and we had a laugh and eye roll about the situation but what's done is done.

Kutik73 · 16/03/2018 21:41

Oh no, what's a drama... Flowers for both of you. Well done to your mini for getting through all this, and even managed to have a laugh later. Great attitude.

Trumpetboysmum · 16/03/2018 22:06

Oh no Anne what a shame ( and a nightmare ) good on your dd for getting on with it , and like others ets have said I bet she's done better than she thinks

LooseAtTheSeams · 17/03/2018 07:59

Anne I'm so glad she bounced back from such an unsettling experience. I'm quite shocked at the teacher but like everyone else I'm full of admiration for your Mini!Star
DS2 had a very happy piano lesson yesterday and will start G5 piece number 3 next week. Orchestra this morning and 2 concerts next week will keep him busy with cello!
DS1 had a very nice time doing some jazz improv at school with his friends and a parent who plays jazz piano. They've recorded it but I don't know if I'll get to hear it.