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Extra-curricular activities

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April Music Thread

999 replies

Wafflenose · 01/04/2018 11:13

Happy Easter! The sun is shining here (at the moment) so I'm hoping spring has finally arrived.

Here's a new thread for anyone who wants to talk about music lessons, exams, practice, concerts, aural, scales, theory, ensembles or anything else music related. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to advanced and also adult learners. I started these threads 6.5 years ago when I had a beginner myself. Her nickname is Goo, she is 12 and taking Grade 8 Flute next term. I think she's finally going to do her Grade 5 Piano in the autumn. When those are out of the way, she's thinking of taking up the recorder again and doing Grade 8 on that, because flute sort of took over and she never got around to it. Her sister Rara is 9, and is currently around Grade 4 on both Cello and Clarinet. She doesn't want to do any more exams for ages, so will probably do her grade 5s in a couple of years or so. Rara is a lapsed recorder player who will be performing on it next month, and she dabbles with piano, glock and accordion. Both girls do South West Music School, although I regularly go back on forth over whether this is still the best setting for Goo. We are pretty rural and hours away from any big cities.

Please can we all be extra careful to make sure that everyone is acknowledged and assisted where appropriate... I include myself in needing to make an effort, but I'm not around all day, every day. This is a lovely, calm, supportive corner of Mumsnet but I do receive a handful of messages from people who don't feel welcome because they or their children are less advanced, or they're not in a position to consider JD/ private school/ expensive instruments and feel left out, or they wonder if it's OK to post about certain instruments/ families. I did say I would try. Thank you all so much!

OP posts:
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Kutik73 · 19/04/2018 15:41

Maybe my posh accent was convincing Grin

folkmamma · 19/04/2018 15:54

Kutik I cant find your violin hunting thread to see how you reached this momentous decision!

druidsong · 19/04/2018 16:01

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

JugglingFromHereToThere · 19/04/2018 16:48

Thanks for the good wishes for minijuggling!

I'm trying to stay relatively chilled about the audition but still encourage sensible preparation, such as a reasonable amount of practice ( at least this week!) and make sure he's had some experience of judging intervals since that was mentioned.

Hoping for an interesting look around and a positive experience for DS. Fortunately he is good at taking things in his stride but I do hope he also let's them see some of his considerable enthusiasm and positivity. You know how it is with chilled boys!

I will certainly report back later next week. Really interested to know if anyone's done anything similar?
Think we'll have to have a chat with DS friend who has just got a place!
Just so she can let us know what to expect.

WindMum · 19/04/2018 20:19

Sadly had to withdraw DD and I from local orchestra today as player on next stand playing the other part has basically bullied us out, wanted to play our part. I could handle it but when she picked on 11 year old DD and intimadated her all rehearsal enough was enough. DD in tears, and she never cries. Really sad as I loved sharing this with her and the enjoyment I got out of it too, and the head space it gave me, but negatives out weigh the positives now.

I’ve written to chairperson and conductor and they are sad to let us go but I can’t put us in that position. Music and local orchestras are supposed to be a joy and this no longer was. I’ve had better days.

TaggieOHara · 19/04/2018 20:36

How awful windmum. Sorry you had to go through that Flowers

Kutik73 · 19/04/2018 21:00

Best of luck, miniJuggling. Looking forward to hearing how it went.

Flowers to WindMum and your DD.. Is there any other place you could go? Sounds lovely to be in an orchestra with your DC.

folk, sorry I haven't updated the thread yet... I was not sure how much info I could put in so was waiting for the right timing. I'll go back to the tread and tell the happy news to everyone who has been so kind and supportive. Yes, DS has got his violin - finally. The violin has never had an owner, as if waiting for DS to find her! It was love at first sight (we like to think things in a romantic way. Wink).

Kutik73 · 19/04/2018 21:06

Though the payment hasn't been done yet so technically speaking it's not ours yet!

...And, we are just entering a new chapter - 4/4 bow hunting! Should I start a new thread? Grin

TheSecondOfHerName · 19/04/2018 21:12

Windmum sorry to hear that, how horrible for her.

TrumpetVoluntary · 19/04/2018 21:16

Windmum - really sorry to hear that, how awful of the other person. I hope you can find some other way of playing in a group with your DD.

folkmamma · 19/04/2018 21:33

Kutik how exciting! BFF just got the most fabulous bow somewhere in West London - I will find out where.

wind - pm me the orchestra. I will gladly sit in the desk down from bully face and give them a taste of their own medicine for you 🥊

Kutik73 · 19/04/2018 21:40

Ooh please let me know where the fabulous bow came from! At the moment I'm thinking to go to Guivier and/or Matthew Coltman. DS is keen to go to Cardiff but it'll be quite a trek! I love the city so don't mind having the excuse to make a visit though.

TaggieOHara · 19/04/2018 21:50

DS2’s beautiful half size bow came from Guivier! We didn’t shop around though, so I can’t compare it to other shops

folkmamma · 19/04/2018 21:59

It was from Matthew Coltman 😊

druidsong · 19/04/2018 22:01

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Kutik73 · 19/04/2018 23:03

druid, I feel like a celebrity. Grin

Taggie, I think you made a right choice for one stop. I hear only good things about them and I do also have only good experience there.

folk, thanks!

So, Guivier and MC then! I don't think we will extend our search like we did for violin (apart from Cardiff just because we like to go there again). DS can probably keep going, but I can't. I don't have time nor energy left...

AlexandraLeaving · 19/04/2018 23:47

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trumpetboysmum · 20/04/2018 06:28

Wind mum that's awful so sorry that you felt that you had to leave Sad hope you can find another orchestra to join

LooseAtTheSeams · 20/04/2018 07:56

Windmum I am so sorry to hear that - poor you and dd. I hope the bully gets their comeuppance.
Kutik - wow! This sounds like a very happy ending to a fascinating journey! I liked your Allianz story as well!Smile

Icouldbeknitting · 20/04/2018 08:26

windmum I am sorry that has happened but she's better off out of it and so are you.

ealingwestmum · 20/04/2018 09:24

What goes around, comes around wind. Horrible experience for your DD and you, but your DD will grow, even from negative experiences. The sad adult in question is clearly hardwired not to any further...

kutik, I think you’ve started a rush on violins, soon to follow bows. Sales are on the up Grin

Kutik73 · 20/04/2018 09:49

A problem with bow is he still looks comfortable with 3/4. So it would be good to stick to the size for now. But he is using a spare bow as his main was broken in Feb. It cost only £40 or so and truly the bottom end of quality. So part of me is keen to move on to a full sized bow but part of me feel it's still too early. I can't see any point of getting a new 3/4 at this stage. But this mean he is stuck with the crappy bow till he is ready to move on to a full sized bow...

druidsong · 20/04/2018 10:04

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Withdrawn at poster's request

crazygirlsmama · 20/04/2018 10:28

windmum i'm sorry to hear this, how horrid for you both.

crazygirlsmama · 20/04/2018 10:28

windmum i'm sorry to hear this, how horrid for you both.

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