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.

I'm going Cellist, Pianist & Saxophonist!

Impressive littleladsdad! I'd have gone for percussion, pianist and saxophonist, my little sidekick wanted percussion, pianist and trombonist. I may still be slightly biased against the cellist because I loved Stephanie C's performance so much... Certainly looking forward to seeing what concertos they all go for!

I felt sorry for Matthew too, but competition was fierce! Isobel is a talented player but don't think her programme helped her. Looking forward to listening to the final from 'the Gods' at SH on Sunday.

We voted piano sax and percussion but they were all great, really inspiring for the children to see!

Taggy snap with my DD, she had year 9 exams a few days after her grade 4 violin (still waiting for the violin results from over 3 weeks ago) and now is busy practicing for piano grade in June.

still waiting for the violin results from over 3 weeks ago
I am not sure if I enjoy the wait.. Fingers crossed, ILove!

Thanks for all the kind thoughts! It was a nice concert but very sad. As well as being DD's last one the music department has changed so much since she started, plus our friend who was one of the remaining school music teachers died suddenly earlier in the school year.

There were only 2 students still playing in Y13, they got a goodbye and thank you!

I cried at DS1s final concert two years ago, but I've been down to his uni to hear three concerts this year already.

DD1 (14, Y9) is doing grade 5 flute - she did grade 4 violin back in March and has just recently got back her results - 131 so just a distinction! She does so much else though - netball 3 times a week, football twice a week, swimming twice a week, trampolining once a week, drama once a week, hockey once a week plus an occasional match. It’s exhausting! On Tuesdays she does before school netball practise, after school football practise, violin in orchestra at lunch, and has her flute lesson so takes half the house with her. Then she’s home for all of 40 minutes before we have to leave for swimming. She was talking about starting tennis the other day and I said absolutely NOT!!

DD2 (12, Y8) is the one who’s looking at entering grade 5 clarinet independently in winter. She’s got grade 7 cello coming up in June and also just got back results for grade 6 piano - like DD1 she scraped a distinction (134.) Very proud! She’s self taught ukulele and guitar (and apparently bass guitar as well...) but won’t be doing grades in those. She just plays around for fun. She’s also got a million and one other things going on though - mainly dance related though. She also does netball three times a week and trampolining once a week but aside from that just does inhales 20 hours a week of dance.

DD1 plays in school’s flute choir and second violin in school’s orchestra. DD2 plays clarinet in school’s senior band and cello in school’s orchestra. And apparently bass guitar in her very own jazz band with a load of sixth formers love that my kids keep me updated... I thought I’d be seeing her in 2 summer concert acts and she popped up in 4.

Windmum that’s so many exams - is she feeling the nerves at all?

Kutik and taggie good luck for your upcoming exams!! How old are your DC? (There’s so much to read back I figure it’s just easier to start now!)

That said the jazz band won’t last long - four of the other members are year 13 (and off to Newcastle/Warwick/Leeds/Cambridge next year) and one is year 12. DD’s the only lower school member. They may need to find new members next year!!

Tabby - no nerves yet! She’s been doing multiple exams for a couple of years since starting clarinet. Last year was worse as both grade 5 piano and clarinet were taken back to back as another candidate didn’t show up. They did offer her a break but she just got on with it! She did grade 5 theory 2 days before the practical exams! I’m more nervous that she is!

Your DDs have very full diaries, how do you manage it and fitting in practice too? The distinctions are great congrats to both and never a ‘scrape’!

Tabby great results . And I thought Ds was busy - how do your 2 fit it all in ?

Aaaarrrrgggghhh can't even get in the bloody waiting room for RAH ticket website 😔

9156 in the queue.....

Down from 10439 🤯

tabby DS2 is 10. Sounds like your DCs are incredibly busy. All that dance and sport... there are a couple on this thread, who are also very serious dancers like crazymamma (sorry if that isn’t quite the right username!). I love how your DD2 is picking up yet more instruments! Congrats on all the splendid exam results.

folk good luck with the tickets! We decided against the 10 pieces concert because it is the day after Pro Corda. You have more energy than I do!

Trying to keep up with posts - very impressive exam results!
Raspberry that concert must have been very poignant.
Not much musically to report except that DS2 who normally turns his nose up at the A section in the abrsm piano exam books has really taken to the Purcell Prelude in the G5 book. His teacher is working with him on the details and it's paying off. Now if he can only channel some of that enthusiasm into his theory homework...!

Yay! Phoning paid off... got the tickets I wanted for BBCYM prom! 😃😃😃😃

While still at position 7492 in the online waiting room!

folk, that's amazing!! Congratulations!!

Tabby, I already lost counts how many and what your DDs do half way through reading your post! DS does sport everyday (daily exercise is an absolute must for DH) and many DCs on this thread are crazily busy but I'll give your DDs the seat of the winner!!

DS is 10 (y6). We don't normally do exams and in fact it's his first violin exam this term. But he happened to do piano last term and violin this term - two exams in row is a crazy move for our standard. He's done his first festival last weekend, SATs starting next week, then another music festival at school, then we are off to a beach holiday for the half term. If DS is given the earliest date for the exam, he is taking it only a week after coming back from the holiday. If it happens I'll probably laugh instead cry!!

instead of crying... I really need to go back to school and learn English properly...

Windmum wow - she sounds amazing! Imagine paying for a music exam and not showing up though. How bizarre.

And I have honestly no idea how they both fit everything in (and DD2 has an obsession with reading a book a week. Not totally sure when she sleeps ). They’re both early risers and do most of their homework/revision before school and if needed in form time or on the bus/tube/train to school/dance/other activities! Thankfully I don’t have to do a lot of ferrying around any more now they’re old enough to make their own way or go with friends. DD1 has also said she’ll drop the swimming club next year as two of her friends are quitting (they’re in year 10 and year 12 so I think will stop to focus on next year’s exams) and another (year 11, so again I’m guessing exam related) has dropped down to once a week. That should make more time for GCSEs at least!

kutik wow - 10 and grade 8 standard! That’s amazing! How long has he been playing? He must be incredibly dedicated.

Just finished watching BBCYM semi final. Looking forward to the final after NCO tomorrow.

our teacher recommended one free app "functional ear training", in case anybody wants to improve on aural.

We are watching here, once DD and DS2 are back from a concert. Have to record and watch slightly delayed.

Private event so we can't watch - DD has driven herself and DS1 to it. Very weird not to be involved at all!