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!

Folk Well done Noo!

DS is back from NCBBGB. Fab concert yesterday in Repton. The standard of the playing in this band is absolutely phenomenal. If you have a young brass player you should certainly take a look. Website says Grade 5 but Grade 8 Distinction standard is more realistic for anything but the rare breed instruments. Oh, the hoody is very cool!

Heading to France for 3 weeks soon - trumpet, stand, music & mute will be coming with us!

Have a good holiday - not sure if Ds is going to take his trumpet on holiday or not - it's up to him but he might decide to just have a holiday - will be the longest he hasn't played in ages !!

I rather wish he wasn't taking it with him Trumpet but he's been given things to do over the hols by his next school. The theory books are, sadly, coming with us too. Hope you have a good hol too.

I think we might be taking theory books too !! And he should probably practise on holiday but it's up to him He's home now for 10 days after an amazing AYM concert- all of the music was newly composed or improvised - I can honestly say I have never heard anything quite like it . I've been to their leavers and alumni concerts as well this week which were also outstanding and all of the music was so different . He's a lucky boy to be involved with such an amazing group of musicians

Busy day yesterday for family Folk. We left the house at 6.30am to get over to Suffolk and see Noo in the end of course concerts. She really raised her own bar and I was extremely proud! Video highlights over on the Cluster channel. She even won the course prize! Unexpected and extremely humbling.

Mini - Taggie also did a brilliant job and it was great to catch up with @TaggieOHara.

Then it was another 4 hr drive down to the New Forest to deliver her to the County residential, before heading back home. We did as many miles as a trio the Edinburgh yesterday.

I've had a couple of wobbly calls from her this morning though - she's very tired and a bit fragile. A few little squabbles with friends, finding it hard to slot into the course part way through I think. Wondering if it was a bit much after all.

Trio? Trip!

Great news Folk I'm sure she will be fine but they can get a bit wobbly when tired -im having to be very gentle with Ds as we now have to go to a brass band concert and he's shattered

They all did so well. It was great to see how they have improved compared to the Easter course. And very well done to Noo for getting the prize. DS2 was super thrilled

Anyone else at 10 Pieces Ptom tonight??

Big yay to Noo and Mini Taggie and all those super busy DCs with music! Is UK having a wet summer? We are hit by typhoon here and expecting to have rather violent days next few days... We are flying to another city this weekend. Hopefully we can fly though. Quite many airlines cancelled flights today.

Just read littlelad's comment on homework from DS's new school. My DS is also starting a new school from Sep but no homework has been given so he hasn't done anything. It's a bit difficult to have a routine anyway due to being a bit too nomadic at the moment and also we have no access to piano. Hopefully he won't get too overwhelmed because of the lack of preparation once he starts his school!

Patrick we have had a big heat wave (although not as hot as Japan!!). It has been stormy today though. I wouldn’t worry about practice. Your DS will have plenty of time next term! Do you know yet who his teacher will be?

All quiet here today. DS2 has had a day off music after his exertions last week, and has been having a quiet day exploring the village on his bike, in the rain. I think he needed that time by himself, after such an intense social experience.

folk I’m sure Noo will settle down soon, especially once she gets into the course. The social staff will be well used to tween friendship issues, and I’m sure will be watching out for her. Fingers crossed for a less wobbly phone call tomorrow. And enjoy the prom!

Taggie, it could be the one who gave DS a trial lesson as part of selection process though nothing has been confirmed yet. But she really is an incredible teacher and apparently the most strict in the school so I’m not very sure if it’ll be the best fit. He needs someone firm yet too strict may not bring best results as he is a typical child who responds well to praise and healthy expectation. However I assume the school knows what works so we have no intention to make any request. We’ll just follow whatever they suggest!

folkmamma, we went to the 1pm ten pieces prom, fantastic fun! Did you enjoy?

Hello @Soursprout! This is a tricky one...

I think your DD's teacher is going to be the best one to advise on this, but fwiw here are my thoughts...

It really depends on her standard vs grade level. A child an take a grade 7 exam but actually be playing at a higher standard. We have always taken the view that we'd rather Noo do an exam when she is 'overly-ready' - for example, her next exam might be Grade 6 violin even though some of the stuff she is now playing is much harder. If that is the case with your DD then it might well be very achievable for her to do it sooner rather than later.

From my own personal experience (I did G8 at around the same age as your DD), I think there is a bit of pressure (peer, and/or from within oneself!) to want to get it done before A Levels, partly because it is good to have it out of the way, but also, around your DD's age, more kids are doing G8 and so one feels, 'crikey, I need to do mine'. The fact that I did not want to be the last of my musical peer group to do it certainly spurred me on.. however, if I'm honest I probably should have waited another 6-12 months and would have then got the result I deserved.

Try and find out her 'real' reasons for wanting to rush on, and speak to her teacher. Between the three of you, you'll work it out x

I agree with folk. Ds always seems to do exams with not that much prep- maybe a term at most but he's always been more than ready to take them . He's been holding back on taking grade 8 ( at some point maybe this next academic year?) to make sure that he does get the result he deserves but also because it's good to play lots of music at that level before you take the exam . Be guided by the teacher as I totally understand your dd's desire to take it soon- but unless she wants to go to a jd in 6 th form there's probably no rush

My dd has never done anything quickly but hope you get good advice sprout.

Reading the rest of the thread I am beginning to think that we are all in it for the holiday courses! Dd did a very low key one last week with the local young strings program which is always fun but no pressure on the music front, I wish she would look a bit more like she’s putting some effort in though, her friend at a similar level manages to look like he’s putting his heart and soul in to it but she always looks like she’s goes through the paces. I am told she plays well but I do think performance is important!

Then yesterday we dropped her at chorister camp for the first time, complete with 2 phone chargers and her GHDs! City kids going to the countryside for the first time basically, should be character building :)

It might be worth getting going on the scales over the summer while she has time... call it a test of commitment!!!

I agree folk - Ds will probably take trinity grade 8 and do the orchestral work instead of scales in the exam - but I'm making him learn all the grade 8 scales anyway !! His teacher is very relaxed about scale learning - so that one always falls to me

DS2 has not yet been on a course, but he is going on a jazz piano and organ course later this summer!

We've been away, but DS sang in the chorus of a local production of Acis and Galatea last week which was really good, it was mostly current or just graduated music students.

He played at what should have been an outdoor BBQ on Saturday, but there was room to move it inside (museum at a castle)!

Swaying if it's the camp I'm thinking if I'm very envious as I could never get DS2 to go, though we know lots who do. They have an amazing time.

Exactly!!!

@ThreeAndUs we LOVED Ten Pieces. Beautifully done. Definitely will do it again next year! I actually had to stifle a tear when the children's choir were on, and again when the Firebird appeared....