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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

OP posts:
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raspberryrippleicecream · 23/09/2018 20:52

It was lovely to meet Lotsofmilk this afternoon, sorry I didn't see you again on the way out.

Amazing concert always.

cantkeepawayforever · 23/09/2018 21:10

DS recorded his audition piece for one of his choices today.

I am so grateful to everyone who is helping him. First one of the school music staff helped him to get the recording equipment set up well so he could record with a backing track in school (and will also help synch best quality audio with the video).

Then a variety of people - his instrumental teacher, the head of his jazz band + someone else who was just along for a small group rehearsal - volunteered to act as a backing band so he could record it with a live band this afternoon, something he would never have asked for but which made it SO much better.

Honestly, the musical world is full of lovely people.

Floottoot · 23/09/2018 21:11

Melting, DS's cello teacher mentioned the chap who came second to me the other day - he accompanied a Beethoven cello sonata in one of the rounds, apparently, and it was superb.
Can't believe the 1st prize winner is only 20!

Greenleave · 23/09/2018 22:42

Googling to hear this competition now!

Cantkeep: best of luck to your son’s audition!

We had 30 mins on each instrument tonight and we are all happy. We spoke about possibility of dropping one instrument or cut down lessons or drop all and she doesnt want any. She agrees to try again, we might stick to a boring chart( suggested by the piano teacher). 30 mins in the morning with a target and 30 mins in the evening for the other with a target and always have 1 scale done each of these practice. I will be thinking of a reward...(we didnt discuss it, we dont do reward in our family)

Original poster
folkmamma · 24/09/2018 08:04

@Greenleave we still to charts and rewards! We have a wipe clean sheet filled with 'empty' quavers and a white board marker. I award 'notes' for good practice (number depends on how practice went) and the girls colour them in at the end of the session. When the sheet it full, they get £5. Sometimes they save up their rewards for something big! There are enough notes on the sheet that it takes a few weeks to fill, even by awarding multiple notes per day.

We also do weekly practice sheets where we list out all the different points that they need to cover and they tick them off as they do them. That way we are not focused on the length of time, but on what needs to be done.

This system has worked really well for us for a long time now.

Glad you are feeling more positive 😍

OP posts:
Lotsofmilkonesugar · 24/09/2018 08:11

raspberry lovely to meet you too! DD really enjoyed the day, they all did so well and the concert was great, we’ll definitely try to go to some more events

Greenleave · 24/09/2018 08:24

Thanks so much Folk, I will copy your notes idea too!xx

BettertoChange · 24/09/2018 09:24

DS's piano teacher wants him to play on a grand piano for his exam. I wonder if anyone knows the following centres have grand piano or not, Barnes(X362), Putney(X400), Ealing(X141). Many thanks!

LooseAtTheSeams · 24/09/2018 09:27

I think listing what needs to be practised is a really good way of making sure practice is focused and not just playing through pieces.
I've just ordered a new cello scales book for DS2 but to be brutally honest he needs to go back and sort out some of the earlier ones. Maybe an old scale and a new one per practice session!
DS1 has sent me a photo of his new A level timetable with lots of music lessons on it. He's going to be very busy!

Original poster
folkmamma · 24/09/2018 09:51

@Greenleave if you PM me your email address I'm happy to share the template x

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PatricksViolin · 24/09/2018 10:06

BettertoChange,
Putney has a not so great grand piano. I remember someone was also complaining the one in Barnes too...

PatricksViolin · 24/09/2018 11:32

I think homesickness has started. DS said he would like to stay at home one more night, suggesting he would miss Monday and return to school on Tuesday. I needed to make sure if it was pure homesickness or something else so had a good chat with him last night and early this morning.

My first thoughts were music being too much or friendship, but he said he was happy with everything other than wanting to spend more time at home (or with me, basically). In fact, only complaint about the school would be less music than he wished. Shock 'It's not enough', he said. I suppose there would be no school where he could get more music than where he is so at least he is in a right place for that aspect. Grin

In the end we decided he would come home tonight, or any night whenever he wants to come home. He didn't say he would want to stop boarding so he probably wants to see how he'll change over the next few weeks/months. Thankfully the school was very understanding and we live close enough to have the flexibility (40 mins one way).

I was feeling very sad that he had changed so much for such a short period of time and felt he'd grown up too quickly. But now my heart is aching for the totally opposite reason! The joy and heartache of raising a child...

ealingwestmum · 24/09/2018 11:45

Aw, bless him Patrick: So young and yet so mature!

PatricksViolin · 24/09/2018 13:24

ealing Smile

Actually it's kind of expected isn't it? 2-3 weeks into it is about the time when the novelty of being away starts to wear off. To be honest I am relieved what I'm dealing with is homesickness rather than him being in a wrong place or with wrong people. Because we are in a lucky position where changing to a day is possible if needed, whereas changing school at this stage needs more complex procedure.

Trumpetboysmum · 24/09/2018 13:30

Patrick. Flowers I'm sure he'll be fine in the end and will settle into his new routine and like you say it's good that he has that flexibility . So pleased he's enjoying all the music ( I knew he would )

PatricksViolin · 24/09/2018 13:46

Thanks Trumpet.

So many people warned him it would be all about music all day every day that his expectation had probably been built upon it and mildly disappointed by the actual amount of time on music in his week. Grin

Floottoot · 24/09/2018 15:10

Aw, Patrick. It must be hard being a weekly boarder and perhaps feeling torn in two a bit.
If it's any consolation, DS is really happy at his ( day) school and was desperate to start there last year, but said after the first few weeks, " it's just school, though" - meaning, it's great, but it's still just lessons and homework to do. 🤣 When he was getting ready to start this term, he again said it would be fun for a couple of weeks, bring back with his friends, but then it would he same old, same old. Given the choice, I'm guessing most 11 and 12 year old boys would happily stay at home, seeing friends and doing whatever forever!
It's great you can pick him up and have him at home if needed, and that the school is supportive of that. I'm sure he'll adjust to the short weekends with you in time.

PatricksViolin · 24/09/2018 15:32

Floot, DS was surprised by the amount of academic work involved. So he realised his dream school is still 'school'! Grin

He's started jd this Saturday and met his old friends there. He also had a lovely afternoon with another friend from primary school on Sunday. Then of course he had special mummy time (DH was away, shock horror!). I can imagine it made Monday return hard.

But I didn't get a call nor text at his lunch break (he has a looong break) so hopefully it's a good sign that he is feeling stronger now (fingers crossed!).

catkind · 24/09/2018 15:55

Aw, it's a big change for him Patrick; and you're obviously very close, he's bound to miss you a little bit.

TaggieOHara · 24/09/2018 17:34

Flowers for patrick and mini patrick. I’m sure he will settle soon once he is fully integrated into the school routine. But it is hard on you in the meantime. Lovely that the school is being so accommodating

PatricksViolin · 24/09/2018 17:57

Thanks, cat and Taggie. The school is brilliant. They obviously handled this many times. They said I can attend their twice a week in-school events if it helps (so DS can see me!), and can take him home any night as needed. But we have to make sure the frequent journey wouldn't tire him. It's only 40 mins one way but he has such a long day... DH is thinking to move closer to school if DS decides to be a day student. Fortunately we can live anywhere for DH's job (I'll have a bit of effect but then my contribution to our finance is so little, ha ha).

LooseAtTheSeams · 24/09/2018 19:03

Patricks I'm impressed with the school - that's very reassuring for you and DS. Of course he misses you and I think just knowing he can come home will make him feel much happier whether or not he settles on boarding or commuting.
I like that he's miffed that his important music lessons are being interrupted by other inferior subjects. Looks like he's in the right school!Smile

Greenleave · 24/09/2018 19:19

Fingers crossed miniPatrick will find it such a blip and after another night at home he will be ok tomorrow. It is a big move, fom primary straight to boarding. The school supports sound amazing too! @folk: sending you a message now, thanks do much

PatricksViolin · 25/09/2018 10:52

Thanks, Loose and Green. Smile

DS was happy to go back to school this morning and told me he would stay at school tonight. But then I stupidly forgot to give him the clothes for the rest of the week so I have to go back to drop them again later... He may say he will go home if he sees me. Will see. The driving is killing me though! Taking him to school is no problem but coming back to London is absolute nightmare...

DS told me about some of his brave friends who don't go back home for Christmas nor Easter and see their parents only once a year. Totally hat off to them for the determination and strength...

TaggieOHara · 25/09/2018 10:59

Patrick could you ask the school whether you could go somewhere for an hour or two and work on a laptop/phone after dropping DS off? DS2's choir/school make that provision for chorister parents and it makes a massive difference, not having to fight back home in the rush hour.

So glad he settled well this morning. He may have needed to 'test' that his mum could take him home whenever he needed to, especially as he is seeing many DCs who are not in that position.

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