May Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Have a new thread for May... you all managed to fill the April one!

This is a place to chat about music lessons, exams, practice, aural, theory, performances and anything else you like. We have many regular and occasional posters (some of whom are learning themselves) with children ranging from complete beginners to very advanced. We do try our best to make sure everyone feels welcome!

I am mum to Goo (12) flute and piano, and Rara (9) cello and clarinet. They play in loads of school groups, South West Music School and NCO, although practice isn't going too well at the moment. Later in the week, all three of us are taking part in a big community concert, which will be lovely.

Hello everyone, just found this thread and have enjoyed reading through, thank you waffle.

NeverEverAnythingEver DS went to the Brass & Wind camp at Wells last summer - it was fantastic, highly recommended.

DS is a 13 year old trumpeter starting at Purcell School in Sept, full boarding (also offered place at Wells). He's also joining the Junior Academy of Royal Academy of Music on Saturdays. Going to be a busy boy! We'd never considered boarding, in fact always been quite anti, so will be a bit of a learning curve!

Welcome Littleladsdad,Wow Purcell! How fantastic. My ds is nearly 12 and plays violin. We have been thinking about Purcell for A level. Obv your ds and you loved it. I'd love to know more about it if you're happy to share? What grade is your ds? I ask as I'm interested in the standard required.

Hi disorganisedmummy - he's Grade 8 Trumpet, Grade 5 Piano, Grade 5 Singing. Plays in lots of bands and currently attends Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Jnr on Saturdays. We liked the fact that Purcell is smaller than other schools and, although miles away from us, is easier to get to, for us, than the others - we want to be able to support his music-making. We'd have soon tired of the journey to/from Wells I think.

Wow,that's seriously impressive for 13. So is he going into year 9 at Purcell then?

Yes, year 9 disorganisedmummy. We really loved the feel of the place when he went for audition. Another, older, student from RBC is joining too, so there will be one familiar face when he starts.

Hi litllelads dad that's so exciting- my Ds would be very jealous he would love to go to specialist school but we have had to say no to till 6th form. Who knows though they may meet at school or jd at some point

Sorry littleladsdad typo in your name !!

Purcell school sounds lovely, congratulations! Although I would love to see what wells is like as they have a fantastic double bass tutor! No chance for mine going to anything like that as few opportunities here. We are going to a double reed event at the royal conservatoire in Glasgow though, which should be fun. Dds oboe teacher is giving a bassoon masterclass so that should be good. I have to take them out of school but it will be educational. Maybe someone will want to give us a mini bassoon for dd2 to get started, she has been 'playing' a reed an orchestra friend gave her all week!

Thanks Horseymum.
You never know Trumpetboysmum. Is your DS planning on auditioning at RAM? The more the merrier say I.

Who knows littleladsdad he's currently a student at AYM and loves it but things change so fast here I struggle to keep up with what Ds thinks is a good idea next!!

Thanks littleladsdad for the info on Wells. I think we are too late this year but definitely will consider it next year.

Has anyone heard of the National Chamber Music Course? www.ncmc.org.uk/

(Yes - I'm finally getting my act together and thinking about what to do for the summer...)

Wow, that looks amazing NeverEverAnythingEver.

Not a whole lot to report here. My son and I had a falling out over practise last night. He does this thing where he doesn’t know what something is, I start to explain and he then shouts “OKAY I get it” midway through the explanation. So I said that he wouldn’t be allowed to practise if he did that.

I had an email conversation with the music administrator at our school, who has recommended that Reception aged children only start one instrument at a time (which is actually what quite a few people on here said). So I’ve told my daughter that she’ll start piano right away but then will start violin a few months later. We had some tears but I think she’s okay with that now.

Out of nosiness, do you know how much it is? I’ve had a look at the website on my phone but couldn’t see any prices.

The course is £635 - hidden away on the contact page!

Actually, that is less than I'd thought it would be. Having no price immediately obvious on the website made me think it could be £2 or 3k.

Does anyone know nice Dvořák violin work? DS adores Dvořák (New World) and anything Dvořák-like tunes. So I am thinking to get him a CD as a surprise gift (maybe giving him the end of the SATs week??). But I'm afraid I am not well educated and don't know many of his 'violin' work. A minor, maybe? But then I don't know which CD/artist would be good. Any recommendation..?

I don't know the concerto Kutik, there's a lovely Romance for violin and orchestra (not too hard either - or maybe he's already learned it?). You might be able to find a recording with both on. Or there's chamber music - the American Quartet is great fun. I don't know particular recordings, tend to just google recommendations!

Dvorak also did some piano quartets (piano violin viola cello combo) which are nice.

Many thanks, catkind and NeverEver. I've quickly checked them on Youtube and they are fab! Especially the quartet ones as DS is now in a lovely quartet group. I may actually get one for each quartet member, just as a well done gift for their great work at a festival. I've also found a minor by Perlman. He is like a superman for DS so that'll be nice too.

DS has no experience playing Dvořák piece apart from New World in his youth orchestra last year. Is Romance fairly accessible? He likes to have lots of fun music (fun = no relation to lessons!).

Also have you played John Williams version of Tango (Por Una Cabeza)? DS has been begging me to get the music but it sounds quite hard (for my ears, so may not actually???). There are lots simpler versions free to download, but DS likes to play John Williams' (perhaps because it's written for Perlman!). Can you tell the difficulties? I don't mind DS trying something a bit challenging but not too challenging.

Sorry questions after questions. I sometimes wish I could actually play violin (or piano maybe) so I have experience/knowledge to share with DS. But I'm afraid I can't, so you guys are my great resources!!

Kutik - the romance would be very tractable for your DS. DS2 is currently playing the last movement of the Dvorak sonatina, which is fairly straightforward technically but a lot of fun.

Kutik That tango does look quite technical in bits. Not sure how difficult it is, but probably quite difficult...

Thank you Taggie, I'll check the Dvorak sonatina later. Is the last movement the most accessible?

NeverEver, hmm, it sounds like DS has to wait a bit! The wait may make him feel motivated to practise harder.

All the Dvorak Slovanic dances are fabulous. IMSLP seems to have arrangements for violin too.

Has he played Humoresque? About G5 standard so probably easy sight reading for mini-Kutik and lots of fun....