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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

September 2018 Music Thread

905 replies

folkmamma · 01/09/2018 08:21

Hi all! Our lovely host Waffle is away at the moment and has asked me to start this months thread.

Here is a place for us to share stories, ask for advice, and generally support one another through our DCs (and in some cases our own!) musical journeys. All are very welcome, from the early beginners to the very advanced. Some people have been regular contributors for years, but we also have a lot of newcomers and love welcoming new contributors to the MN Music Thread team. I became aware of this group about 9 months ago via the NCO 2018 thread and I now spend more time here than on Facebook... Grin.

Over here, I have Noo, just turned 11, violinist, violist and pianist. She is playing at aroud G7 standard on violin (first study) and is starting JD this month, eek!. Noo is also an associate member of NCO and this year joined the Pro Corda ensemble training programme, which she loves above all else! She is also very into musical theatre and regularly performs in professional and semi-professional shows - it is a challenge to juggle it all, but somehow we do. This month is a biggie for Noo as she starts secondary school as well as JD.

DD2 is Moll. 8yrs old and plays cello and piano. She is a very different kettle of fish to big sister - every bit as able, but some self esteem issues, together with a slightly quirky personality, mean her journey is not often quite so smooth (and mine completely turbulent!). Working towards G3 cello this term (although she doesn’t know it yet) and will go for a consultation at Noo’s JD sometime this term also.

I’m sure Waffle will drop in to update us on Goo, Rara and her own musical self once she gets back from holibobs.

Good luck to everyone with back to school, changes in school, new routines and audition prep! I predict September will be a busy month on the thread!

Over to you.... Smile

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Doubleup · 02/09/2018 12:08

Pickle, what is the second instrument you are learning? You said ‘less common’, but didn’t state which.

Currently trying to label everything for the start of school this week - not my favourite job! Good luck to all those dc changing schools/going to uni and I’ll be thinking about those of you whose dc will be staying away from home for the first time.

Original poster
folkmamma · 02/09/2018 12:56

@Doubleup snap!

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Trumpetboysmum · 02/09/2018 13:15

Good luck to everyone starting new schools this week
I'm mum to ds 13 who plays trumpet and piano and sings a bit and dd 10 who sings ( all the time !!) loves musical theatre and plays a bit of piano and cornet .
Nco audition for Ds later on this term and a new year at a AYM otherwise just getting back into the swing of things here ( whilst living in a building site - when's half term ?!?! Grin)

PatricksViolin · 02/09/2018 18:17

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Corneliawildthing · 02/09/2018 18:19

Thank you Taggie I am struggling a bit with the change from cello due to the size difference! Also I have had to cut my lovely long nails Sad.

I'm in awe of all the talented DCs on here. In our area, kids get lessons through the LA and only start at age 8/9. I can't imagine kids of 11 whoare at G7. I took me to age 17 to reach those giddy heights!

ILovePandas · 02/09/2018 18:33

I’m a non musical mum with DD going into year 10 and these threads have been really useful for me to navigate the musical world. DD plays the violin, piano and sings. This term it’s piano grade 2 and grade 5 music theory. Also she’s doing music GSCE. Loves drama as well and did a great week over the summer doing musical theatre and putting on 2 shows.

Good luck to all the minis (and parents) starting new schools next week.

MirandaWest · 02/09/2018 18:56

I will try and join in more with this thread - I often seem to start with good intentions!

DS is 14 and going into year 10. He plays the guitar (electric and acoustic) and piano and can sing an amount. Also enjoys composing, often using a variety of electronic means to help. He doesn’t particularly read music which I still find tricky as my musical memory has never been as good as his

He hasn’t taken any grades and don’t think he will which is at least better for my nerves and bank balance Grin. He plays in a band, is taking GCSE music and music is very important to him.

DD is 12 and going into year 8. She plays flute and is intending to do Grade 4 this year. She is starting piano lessons this term and also sings and took Grade 3 last term. Not sure what her plans are for more exams there at the moment.

She loves musical theatre and has just started rehearsals for a production in November with a local theatre group. Also did a production of Shakespeare in a week over the holidays.

littleladsdad · 02/09/2018 20:23

Patrick Don't sob, we are giving our dc an unbelievable opportunity. They will be fine, & we will get used to it - I hope. [Smile]

owlm · 02/09/2018 21:05

Hi all, thanks for the new thread. Everything's back this week so I will bask in the calm before storm. I have a DD 8 years old plays violin, and has a trial piano lesson this week. Digital piano has been bought, lets hope we've got a teacher Wink She loves to sing in the choir - highlight of her week. She's in the local orchestra and will be auditioning for NCO for the first time this year. Ooh and we will be going shopping for her first 'proper' violin Smile not sure who's more excited about that...me or her. Really curious to see how different the sound will be.

Hope everyone has a great start back at schools, colleges, unis. Here's to a good music making year Smile

catkind · 02/09/2018 21:12

Good luck to all the new school starters - exciting times!

Greenleave · 02/09/2018 21:59

Thanks for a new thread folk!

I have a 10 yrs old daughter who plays violin and piano. Everyone in our family (both sides, including extended family) is completely non-musical so she is the first who plays(and really gets all the cheers for whatever she plays at whatever level). I was very active in this music thread in the past but got caught up with few family and work things. She is also doing 11+ this year, I have tried my best to be involved but working (plus travelling 12+ hrs/5days a week) doesnt help so I know her mock results, tutor feedback, her weakness but that was it really. We thought of private in the past however change in circumstances recently might make us to rethink. We live in Sw London so there is Tiffin to try, I dont know if there is a chance, its free so we will give it a shot. The Indie ones will mostly be in January.

My second daughter who is 4 and a half has also started on violin( conveniently sharing teacher for the sake of the teacher commute), the last couple of 15mins lessons were mainly on getting to know the violin. I personally think its too early for her, she loves it so I am happy to pay for now.

@Patricks: we love Annecy, our favourite holiday spot in whatever the season. I dont know why but I just felt in love with the town and the lake and the mountain surrounding it. I have a dream of buying an apartment and live there.

rivierliedje · 02/09/2018 22:45

I'm going to introduce myself after lurking because I have my hands on a (borrowed) cello again and plan to do grade three (in June?). I started playing when I started university and stopped when I finished because I couldn't afford to buy a cello and so haven't touched one in five years. I didn't do any grades, but looking at what I was playing and the cello syllabus I was at about grade 5. I've been practicing for about two weeks and it is really coming back and I love it. I have recently moved, so don't have a teacher yet.
I'm looking out for a choir to join, for relaxing fun as well and I would really really like to do my piano performance diploma, but that won't be this year or next probably. I had two attempts about 8 years ago, but my incredible lack of sight reading skill really let me down.

catkind · 02/09/2018 23:15

Hi rivierliedje (that sounds like a username with a story!), good on you picking up learning as an adult! Re piano diploma - have you seen the new ARSM diploma? No sight reading required!

owl, what sort of thing are you thinking for 'proper' violin. Is it an up-size or just an upgrade?

Having a sight-reading blitz here to try to get DD up to speed for her mini orchestra. I have no idea what expectations will be like, it's advertised as grade 1-2 so hoping it will be easy and there will be other little ones.

owlm · 02/09/2018 23:43

In all honesty catkind I have no idea what a proper violin would even look like. DDs teacher told us she needs an upgrade and the budget we'd need. She's on a stentor II at the moment, but I think she needs a better violin for the higher grades. She did gr4 over the summer. I'm hoping the sound difference will be noticeable...because to my untrained ear I can only tell if the violin sounds louder or quieter Hmm

owlm · 02/09/2018 23:50

Dd's violin teacher will come with us to advise which is a relief

catkind · 03/09/2018 00:37

We like violin hunts here :) yes upgrading from stentor at that level sounds sensible. So helpful that her teacher will come along too. DD's more of a beginner but is lucky enough to borrow a nice 1/2 size. Not super old or anything but a step up, it's got that bit more mellowness to the tone when played properly, I think you'll hear the difference. Happy hunting!

owlm · 03/09/2018 08:34

DD is on a 1/2 size aswell. Thats brilliant that your DD access to a good sounding small size. I wasn't planning on upgrading until a 3/4 or full size. But the shop the teacher uses will allow her to trade the 1/2 size back for 100% of the price and put it towards the next size. So that's why we've agreed to buying a smaller violin...although I won't be too impressed if she needs the next size up this side of the year Hmm We considered getting one on loan but DH had a panic that she'd damage it in some way.

Trumpetboysmum · 03/09/2018 08:46

Green lovely to see you back . Good luck to your dd with 11 plus prep.
River I'm impressed with all your playing . Good luck with your choir hunt choir singing us the only music I fit in these days but I love it !!

PatricksViolin · 03/09/2018 10:27

Littleladsdad Smile

Hello Green! It's our first visit to Annecy. Our usual European mountain holiday destinations are Dolomites and Morzine (hugely due to DH's biking commitment Hmm). But we would love to come back o Annecy again, maybe in a different season. We are staying in a chalet in Tollires over looking the lake - so different from where and how we live in London!

owlm, 100% buying back sounds a great deal. Happy hunting!

LooseAtTheSeams · 03/09/2018 14:33

Green lovely to hear from you! Sounds like dd is very busy, as always! Good luck with all the school stuff.
My main music activity today has been paying invoices for local borough music groups for the dcs. Some of music lessons start this week and some a bit later.
DS has gone to enrol at new school. I foresee some juggling with music extracurricular coming up...

victoriabresnick · 03/09/2018 15:21

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Original poster
folkmamma · 03/09/2018 18:37

First lesson since 16th July for Noo this evening. And penultimate lesson with current (wonderful) teacher. We are really going to miss him!!!

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AlexandraLeaving · 03/09/2018 23:03

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disorganisedmummy · 04/09/2018 08:20

Morning all. I've been very quiet on this thread over the summer. I have mini-dis who's 12 and going into Year 8. He plays violin and is a solid grade 6,just started working on G7 stuff.

For about 2 years he has wanted to audition for Junior Guildhall. We chose GH as it's the closest to us (we're in Essex). He was due to audition in April but he broke his wrist and then his beloved violin teacher passed away. We had a few months with another teacher who wrecked his confidence. In the end we cancelled his audition and we found another teacher who totally gets him and his ambition. She is used to prepping students for auditions. He's been doing violin boot camp during the hols and he now feels ready to audition. As he has Aspergers we have asked if he would be able to audition outside the main period so we're hoping he will do it this term. I'm just waiting to find out if that's possible.

Fingers crossed. It's been a real roller coaster year.

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 04/09/2018 08:37

Disorganisedmummy I hope that Junior Guildhall are understanding. One of my DSs has Aspergers so can completely understand what a nightmare those disruptions to his teaching would be... we also find with our DS that he loses confidence very easily compared to our other DC and gets attached to particular teachers that ‘get’ him. Good luck for the audition