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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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July Music Thread

626 replies

Wafflenose · 01/07/2018 13:27

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!

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folkmamma · 22/07/2018 09:15

Good move Floot, better to have the slot and try to talk him round...

Thanks for your thoughts on the GSMD/RWCMD dilemma. It was tough at the time due to my emotional connection to the place and also as DD2 could have done Music First there, but I am now totally sure we made the right call. Fate takes a hand in these things I think, and the way GSMD happened just makes me believe she's meant to be there. And we got our dream teacher too, and you know how I felt about the lesson I observed at RWCMD...

I'm sure DS will find NCO audition a really positive experience. Good luck and keep us posted xx

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 22/07/2018 09:43

Thanks raspberryripple, she will be very excited if that is the case! 😁

Boyskeepswinging · 22/07/2018 09:51

@Trumpet Yes, the boys will be tackling the long journey up to Cumbria shortly! Before that he is on tour to the south of France with County. He had an outside concert the other week and was amazed at how quickly his timps went out of tune in the scorching heat so that was a great dress rehearsal for what is to come. And, yes, I don't limit Fortnite either as he has so little free time what with juggling the music, school work, scouts etc. So screen time kind of manages itself!

TheThirdOfHerName · 22/07/2018 10:15

My children do love a trip hoody.

folkmamma · 22/07/2018 10:19

Same here! Sometimes I think it's THE reason she's up for all this stuff 😂 I'm saving them all to make a big patchwork throw when she's older...

TaggieOHara · 22/07/2018 12:05

DS2 is planning to stretch out his NCO U10s hoodie and wear it to university Hmm

TheThirdOfHerName · 22/07/2018 14:15

DS1 (doesn't sing or play an instrument so I rarely mention him on this thread) lives in hoodies and t-shirts from various trips. He is 18 and 6 foot and still insists on wearing hoodies from trips two years (and two sizes) ago.

DD is the same.

If I'd known then what I know now, I would have bought every hoody in an adult size L.

LooseAtTheSeams · 22/07/2018 15:12

Ha! Yes - glad to say DS1 got a hoody with plenty of room! Have seen a pic on Twitter if the marching band - they are all wearing the black polo shirts so my worries about the (smallish) red shirt were unfounded!

TheThirdOfHerName · 22/07/2018 16:01

they are all wearing the black polo shirts
That puts him one step ahead of my DS2 on day 1 of his tour. 😆

Thally · 22/07/2018 19:44

Thanks Trumpetboysmum and Crazygirlmama, that is really helpful especially the clarinet music suggestions. I'll order a couple for when we are back from holiday for her to look at.
Glad everyone seems to be having a good time on their trips and tours.

TrumpetVoluntary · 22/07/2018 20:38

Hi all. DD is going on NCO U10s in a few weeks. We have applied for NCO again next year but I am worried that if she doesn’t now get it she will be really upset. I saw that Folk mentioned the alternative option of Pro Corda - but that seems to be mostly strings? If others have recommendations of courses suitable for trumpet players that would be really helpful.
Well done to everyone who has had good exam results. DD passed G5 theory with a distinction - I was helping her learn it so am really pleased she did well, and am also really pleased that my days of tutoring her on music theory are over!!

folkmamma · 22/07/2018 20:56

Hello TrumpetVoluntary, someone recommended this to me once but I've no experience:

www.nsso.org/our-courses/

Also, Pro Corda West takes woodwind and brass:

www.procorda.com/courses/core/west-8-18-yrs#.W1ThShbTWEc

But good luck with NCO!!!

Trumpetboysmum · 22/07/2018 20:58

Trumpet The brass academy courses are excellent. I think others on here have been as well Ds went on an easter one when he was 11 and loved it - they run easter and summer courses at The Purcell and Yehudi Menuhin schools. He only stopped going because of NCO and has said he fancies going back at some point . Although they cover a wide ranges of ages they split up for a lot of stuff by age/ ability . Can't recommend it enough

TrumpetVoluntary · 22/07/2018 21:37

Thanks - they look good. Hopefully it will be ok if I make a note of them and then consider if needed in January once we have NCO results and once DD has done her secondary school entrance exams - I think she has a very busy few months coming up and don’t want to add any more commitments before then.

SE13Mummy · 23/07/2018 01:17

TrumpetVoluntary I recommend the Brass Academy courses too. DD2 went on one at Easter, aged 8, and had a whale of a time. She was in the beginner level group (she was G3 ABRSM standard at the time) but also got to play as part of the horn ensemble. It was a very positive experience for her and she was completely unbothered by being the youngest boarder there or by the fact that some of the children were serial award-winning players from JDs &/ fancy schools. It was well organised and a lot of fun. She's hoping to go again next year...

TabbyTigger · 23/07/2018 01:56

DDs are the same with trip hoodies. DD1 rocked up to breakfast the other day wearing one of DS1’s from a summer school in 2012 (back when he was 13 - he’s now 19!). She doesn’t even dance Grin

Trumpetboysmum · 23/07/2018 05:57

Yes it's totally fine to book after Christmas trumpet . If Ds doesn't get into NCO I'm sure he'll consider it then too

Mendingfences · 23/07/2018 17:42

Dd2 was decided her muscles are not big enough for bass playing and is doing push ups...... apparently my suggestion that she builds muscles through practise is ridiculous......ConfusedGrin

AACB · 23/07/2018 20:20

Hi everyone, I’m quite new here :) My DS is 7 and playing cello, he received an offer from CYM and Junior Trinity after passed his auditions. I don’t know much about cello and chamber music....is there anyone has any suggestion or experience in these 2 institutions? Thanks in advance!

folkmamma · 23/07/2018 20:58

Hello AACB - interested to hear more about CYM. My DD1 (violinist) starts at Junior Guildhall in September but DD2 (cellist) not ready for GH yet. She will have a consultation at GH in the autumn to discuss options, of which CYM may be one...Can I ask roughly what level your DS is playing at??

AACB · 23/07/2018 21:41

Hi @folkmamma, my DS never take any grading before, but he just finished RAM first string experience 3 years course. I think maybe grade 2. My DS said he prefer Trinity, because the building is more modern and brighter...Hmm

TabbyTigger · 23/07/2018 22:19

Does anyone have any accordion music book recommendations? DD says she’s just been improvising and practising notes/technique etc with the girl she’s staying with but when she gets back the mentor in question will be thousands of miles away and I don’t really think she has time for lessons, I’ve just got it out so she can play around with it like she does the clarinet/ukulele/guitar. Just trying to find a book with some beginners tunes but struggling a bit - not sure if anyone on here plays one or knows anyone who can recommend!

Also I’ve missed so many now that it’s impossible to catch up and list - but I have read about all the exam results and achievements and am delighted at how well everyone’s done!!

TabbyTigger · 23/07/2018 22:25

Hi AACB - when you say trinity is that trinity Laban? My DS was a dance CAT there for six years (DD chose elsewhere but loved Laban too and still worked with some companies and did summer schools there) so while I don’t know much about the music I can tell you that it’s a lovely and very nurturing community. I think the building for music is separate from the dance one but the dance building certainly is a spectacle and there is a really lovely and vibrant feel to it (despite being located in a dump - though again the music building is in a much better location!). Unfortunately I can’t give you any solid advice but it sounds like you have two fab options there Smile

SE13Mummy · 23/07/2018 22:37

AACB well done to your DS on being offered places at JT and CYM. Is it the String time programme he's been offered a place on at JT? I don't know much about that one as my child is older and attends the main programme. What I do know is that the String time children who performed at the summer concert at QEH were impressive. Also JT is a very friendly organisation and has a good mix of local/not-so-local, state/independent children which was something that was important to us when choosing.

folkmamma · 23/07/2018 22:46

Thanks @AACB!!! Good to know 😊

Well done to your DS- if he has a clear preference then prob best to go with it unless you have strong views to the contrary...

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