July Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Hello, I have just realised it's time for a new thread! Feel free to discuss anything musical here - any level at all, from total beginners to advanced, and adult learners are welcome too!

I am a teacher of woodwind, currently limping towards the end of term (July 24th... can't wait!) and have two DDs. Goo is 12 and plays the flute and piano. At the moment, she's doing the bare minimum, but she has won the Y7 music attainment award at her enormous comprehensive secondary school, so we get to go to an awards ceremony next week. Her piano teacher is about to retire, so we're looking for a new one. Rara is 10 and I would say is now a joint first study cellist and clarinettist - it doesn't come easily and she's progressing at an average rate, but a good Grade 4 on both. She spends most of her time reading, drawing, doing origami and swimming for a club.

I have so far managed to get through 27 music medals this term (6 still to go) and 4 Trinity exams (1 ABRSM still to go) and about half of the concerts!

Floot have you looked at NYO Inspire for the meantime ?

We are good thanks floot! On our way to deposit DD1 in Suffolk for the week, then will pick her up and taxi her down to the New Forest to join another course part way through 🙈

In terms of JD, Noo got offers from both RWCMD and Guildhall. DD2 also offered music first at RWCMD. But in the end we decided on Guildhall- felt a really good fit for her and their string department is really strong. Hopefully DD2 will work hard and join her there in a year or so.

Great news about County for your DS! My friend's daughter is about to join your High School Orchestra on Flute 😊.

I reckon you should give NCO a try. They definitely go for quality of playing rather than grade standard, it's just given as a guide. Even if he pesky get age banded, maybe he will get regionals.... xx

Enjoy procorda...turns out matron Suzy is playing in a band with dh!!

Pesky age banded!!! I meant to say 'doesn't get age banded'!! 😱

Hi dd wants to do pro cords cellos in Oct - anyone done it/doing it?

Gilly that's brilliant, well done dd! And congrats to the other minis!
Alexandra that sounds about right - I know DS1 made it to Germany because the music service tweeted a photo with him in it. Good luck with the sax gig!

Trumpet boy obviously hasn't !! But I know lots who've done strings and or piano and they really rate it !!
So we've made it to Bedfordshire !! And I'm now sitting waiting for the big band to start - Ds is going to sight read the whole thing - looks like he's playing first/ second with his teacher - should be interesting !!

String we've not done cello course, but Noo LOVES the Primary course. Leiston Abbey is a magical place and the pastoral staff are wonderful. As an organisation I can't rate it highly enough! (Noo prefers it to NCO...)

Well done to Mini-Gilly too, very well deserved.

Enjoy the concert Trumpet!

String - Pro Corda is fab. DH has just dropped off DS2. He has been incredibly excited for weeks about going (DS2, not poor DH - who will have to drive for 8 hours today!). The chamber music coaching is first class, and DS2 got lots out of the string orchestra and improvisation sessions as well.

I admit that I did have a few wobbles about sending DS back, because although he loved it, he didn’t play his best last time and developed some bad habits. But this time I think he is more ready, and I hope more prepared to ask for help e.g. if he has mechanical problems with his instrument set up (last time his shoulder rest broke and he didn’t say anything). I have asked the course director to keep an eye on him! And I have sent him with a solid practice routine, which will hopefully help.

Of course, none of this applies to your DD, who is already a much more advanced player than DS2.

Mini-Taggie whizzed past me on the stairs looking very happy to be back 😍

Thank you all 😀 it does look good so think I will say yes and go off to work for the week .....

folk Yes - he is thrilled that a couple of friends who weren’t planning to go changed their minds! Couldn’t wait to ditch long suffering DH and get going! Have a safe drive home, and I hope Noo settles well

string sounds like a good choice. As folk says... it is a magical place. I would love to go to an adult course, but it is a bit expensive at the moment, sadly.

Oh she is quite settled! We had a welcoming party as she got out of the car, and she is in the same room as last time with most of the same girls. We didn't get a backwards glance 😂😂😂

Lotsofmiilk I'm pretty certain you'll be ok, they are still advertising all instruments and its first come, first served.

the percussionists are always so impressive
@Taggie I honestly don't know where he gets it from - I played viola and was more than happy to be totally anonymous and mainly inaudible. I would never in a million years have the confidence to stand up behind a symphony orchestra of a hundred-odd players and crash the cymbals as loud as I could, or roll on the timpani so loud that I drown the violins. So, yes, I think what they do is impressive, too! And thank you for your kind words, he's just been lucky to have a great perc teacher and parents who're willing to fork out a small fortune to support his interest. But with a busy schedule music-making almost every week of the summer hols I must say I'd rather he was doing that than playing Fortnite 24/7, as some of his friends are planning on doing

Just picked up my son from NPSO in Winchester after a great week. Was anyone else there today in Winchester?

DS2 played in Koblenz this afternoon and they got a standing ovation. He is normally a real homebody, so I'm pleased he decided to go on this tour.

To be fair, pizza is also important.

Third and Alexandra great news from the tours!
Nothing have I heard from DS (no surprise!) but I've seen 2 pics on twitter to prove he's in Germany so I'll let him off!

LooseAtTheSeams was he wearing the right colour polo shirt?

Great news on the music prize Floot
Glad the music tours are going well
Boyskeepswinging I would also much rather they were busy with music - Ds also finds in much less strict about him actually playing fortnite when he's here I think our 2 will be meeting up at Sedburgh in a few weeks
Yesterday's concert was really good such a great opportunity from his teacher and he said he learnt loads . Everyone was really welcoming so I think he might go back and play with them again

The Third wearing the polo shirt that fits will be the main thing!
Last year they had hoodies to keep as souvenirs of the tour. DS has practically lived in his since.

Well for those that remember phone-gate from the last Pro Corda course (Noo didn't call all week!!!) I am pleased to report I have heard from her this morning... She wants new phone for her birthday in 2 weeks and DH and I made the point that she doesn't need one as she doesn't use the one she has. Cue this morning's phone call 😂😂😂

folk, that is just fantastic news! I know how you feel about Cardiff, but fwiw, I think you've made absolutely the right choice - RWCMD just can't compete with GSMD. I hope she'll love it and will thrive there.

I've booked an NCO audition regardless, in the hope that he'll come round - better to have one booked and cancel it, than for him to change his mind and want to apply when it's too late. His teacher will tell him why it's a good idea. 😉