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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!

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LooseAtTheSeams · 05/04/2018 12:00

Kutik I think it's brilliant that your DS has so many interests! DS has finally left the house today after several days stuck in his room revising for GCSEs, punctuated by guitar playing and snacking. DS2 isn't revising so occasionally emerges to play some music but otherwise skulks and snacks!

Trumpetboysmum · 05/04/2018 12:09

Yes skulking and snacking Ds also does lots of that here - he did manage some of his art homework today - not his strong point !! So pleased that's done with minimal fuss . I'm still decorating but really need to think about washing and packing for NCO !!

TaggieOHara · 05/04/2018 12:45

Three - we are in southeasterlies too! I haven’t heard anything about rehearsals after April yet either...

Wafflenose · 05/04/2018 12:52

There are no rehearsals booked for anyone after April yet. This is the first year that I recall them doing it bit by bit.

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stringchild · 05/04/2018 18:36

Northerlies are all booked right up to the autumn concert

ThreeAndUs · 05/04/2018 19:39

They said in an email on 22nd January that they would let us know the rest of the dates for this academic year no later than the 2nd rehearsal so fingers crossed any day now hopefully.

Trumpetboysmum · 05/04/2018 20:06

I'm sure they will three with the easterlies it's all to do with the school booking system not nco

WindMum · 05/04/2018 21:30

No dates for London juniors after this month either.

Kutik73 · 06/04/2018 08:25

BBC Young Musician Strings tonight! Smile

Wafflenose · 06/04/2018 09:36

Look out for us in the audience! We won't be watching because we don't have a TV. Or iplayer!

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Trumpetboysmum · 06/04/2018 09:52

Great thanks for reminding us - if I'm not still packing for NCO we'll be watching ( and I'll leave ok out for you waffle !!)

stringchild · 06/04/2018 10:27

We were there too and the semi finals 😀

LooseAtTheSeams · 06/04/2018 11:28

Thanks for the reminder, Kutik! I see there's a double bass player so may get DS1 interested as well as DS2!
Does anyone know if there's a jazz final?
Also, has anyone's dc done the Trinity Laban summer jazz workshop? I'm wondering about booking The dcs on it - or some of it.
If I'm not careful DS1 will spend three months playing bass guitar and drums and not doing much else...

PetraDelphiki · 06/04/2018 11:54

Am I blind? Cannot for the life of me find out when brass final is showing? Anyone?

Kutik73 · 06/04/2018 11:59

Loose, we have no experience I'm afraid but only hear great things about their jazz courses (not only summer in particular). The environment is also amazing - beautiful building, lots space, lots green and markets nearby. So envious with anyone who could spend summer time there!

Waffle and string, can you let us know what you were wearing for easy spotting!! Grin

Wafflenose · 06/04/2018 12:00

I honestly can't remember!

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stringchild · 06/04/2018 12:07

Loose - the Jazz competition is now open for applicants!

stringchild · 06/04/2018 13:37

Petra - should be on the website but usually consecutive Friday nights?

Xennialish · 06/04/2018 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Xennialish · 06/04/2018 21:04

Gah, I did not mean to spoil, have reported my post [facepalm] sorry!

Wafflenose · 06/04/2018 21:44

We saw Sheku at the strings final. Made Rara's day! She is getting his signed album for her birthday.

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stringchild · 06/04/2018 21:46

We are at he finals too - not sure we will see much from our seats but will be able to hear!

Kutik73 · 06/04/2018 21:47

DS and I watched it too! We met the double bass player and the cellist a while ago. Amazing to see them performing on tv. What's a small world!

catkind · 06/04/2018 21:54

Petra, it's well hidden on the BBC but here:
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/young-musician-40-anniversary
gives
Friday 6 April - Strings Category Final
Friday 13 April - Percussion Category Final
Friday 20 April - Woodwind Category Final
Friday 27 April - Brass Category Final
Friday 4 May - Keyboard Category Final
Friday 11 May - Semi-Final
Sunday 13 May - Grand Final

DD and I were agreed on a clear winner in the strings. They didn't win, so what do we know. What a lovely variety of music and instruments though! Must have been great to watch live waffle and string.

Wafflenose · 06/04/2018 22:00

catkind I had one of the string players pegged to win the entire competition and they didn't go through, so clearly I'm clueless.

Goo and I went to the woodwind final two years ago and guessed the winner though.

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