September 2018 Music Thread

[folkmamma]

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... .

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....

Thanks for the suggestion, Taggie. Not sure if they have any space for parents as those who do 'school run' during weekdays are minority there. But there are plenty cafes around so I can probably pop in and spend some time there before setting off.

hello all.

Patrick, so sorry to hear about little Patrick, I'm sure he'll settle soon.
I think the schools are really good on the pastoral side, not home sickness but other problems saw the school step in straight away to find support for dd, when she needed it.

On the school side, I think they must all be different, I hear that Wells is the only school that have the emphasis on academic rather than music, although their music is excellent, I wouldn't consider it specialist music in the sense of the others. Dd school doesn't emphasise academics either, the balance is definitely in favour of music with a bit of academic thrown in. They usually do quite well in the tables though, although this year they went right down

Patrick no real advice but I’m sure this is how most of the kids his age attracting at boarding school are feeling/reacting. It sounds like you’re managing everything really carefully and the school sounds great. I’m sure he’ll find his feet - it’s just going to take some time!

I think I meant starting rather than attracting there... autocorrect issues!

Romany oh yes just looked at overall results and a big drop. Any particular reason? Saying that it does seem Chets and Purcell results are both quite volatile compared to other schools. I suspect ability of each year can vary hugely given small number and % of overseas students sometimes with weaker English.

Also the new GCSEs will have had a massive effect on results I would imagine . Most secondary schools because of the new exams got the pupils to go to lots of extra revision sessions etc so that they still got the results , but for a specialist school they just aren't going to have the time in the day to fit in extra study sessions because the exams have changed. Hopefully now it's clear what the new exams are like things will settle down

Purcell went up a lot this year though I think Trumpet although I agree the new GCSEs must have been a factor in results jumping around. They do still have time for extra revision in year 11 and even music is sacrificed a little but big thing is less subjects. My DS will only take 6 although did 2 last year already.

Is it true you need good 8 GCSEs to apply for a decent 6th form/uni (I forgot which one)? herts, can the 2 he did last year count as part of his total GCSEs so he can say he did 8?

super ignorant, sorry.

I think some will accept 5 and some will want lots more Patrick. Ds is taking the opposite approach - is being made to do
lots of GCSEs and then is hoping he can go to music college for uni so won't need a string of As at a level !!

Patricks - I don't think it is clear cut on 8 and don't even think most universities have a guideline at all. Actually plenty seem to do 7 and still go to good universities. Sixth forms have a more formal requirement but one I know of that is very academic still only insists on 6 although need to be high grades especially in subjects being studied at 6th form. I think the grades are more important than the number per se and when it comes to universities it seems many understand and take into account the musical achievement as well.

herts

This might not be too popular with those who spy on this thread, that's all I can say

But it's my belief that the very gifted academically which you find sometimes an additional bonus for the musical, will do well at any school. The ones at the lower end are supported but certainly not pushed hard to reach potential, as there just isn't time.
The one's in the middle, end up middling and not academically pushed to reach potential.
I think like any school the motivated will do well.

dd school take 8 GCSE's and have very little choice, but in fairness we knew this when we applied.

The answer of the drop imo are maybe a few less academic last year, and of course the change in GCSE's. Whether this is the change of head, staff leaving, and restructure of SMT, I'm not sure, but it must have had an effect.

Patrick
If he decides to opt for conservatoire entry at 18, the entrance criteria is very low. I didn't tell dd as she has just started to become motivated and the change in her is unbelievable, even looks different sometimes but I contacted the admissions team and asked about GCSE Maths and English as it didn't state these on the website.
For those who struggle to gain a level 4 on either, functional skills are acceptable.
This must be such a relief for those wanting to apply who stand no chance of gaining maths and English.

Oh, I'm also not sure dd would gain entrance to a separate 6th form, so I'm glad she'll stay at school until 18.
A good 6th form will ask for good results as obviously they want to keep their excellent results, but many will accept the lower end as long as they have the appropriate level of GCSE to continue in the A level subject.
Do Purcell not have a 6th form?

Romany - that is fair assessment on the extent they are pushed although still anywhere close 40-60% A*/A overall with lots of non-native speakers is pretty good. Yes Purcell does have a sixth form - in fact the biggest part of the school as doubtless the case elsewhere. My DS would have to be dragged kicking and screaming back to a normal school now :)

Oh druid... I don't know about the brave thing, but I am very very glad that DS can express his needs like that. Prior to sending him to this school, I really wanted him to know nothing was fixed and any adjustment can be possible. Sometimes young children don't realise how easily they can make their life a lot easier. I also wanted him to know he doesn't need to go to this particular school to reach where he wants to reach. He, and many young children, need to know there are many many ways to live with their dream.

The thing with Wells is that you have the sort of Venn diagram of a school. There is the specialist music alongside the normal school, but of course there is an overlap. It suits us as I wanted them all to be together and DS3 did not wish to continue with any music studies.

We have noticed a change with DD going into 6th form in that the non serious musicians seem to decide at this stage where their individual priorities lie. In DD's case this is very much music and she is given every chance to do as much music as she likes. She has started 3 A levels rather than 4 and we will have to see whether she continues them all into year 13.

In years 7 to 9 the music students are taught separately from the purely academic students. They then are together for the relevant subjects during the GCSE years. DD took 8 GCSEs, that was certainly enough for her but her two middle brothers took 11 and 10 and then started 4 A levels dropping to 3 for year 13.

At DDs previous school, they were expected to leave a music lesson to get to an academic lesson on time. DD was panicking about being late for a particular lesson in her first week and her music teacher told her not to worry as she was a specialist musician so that came first.

Patrick, I can recommend a lovely little oasis near mini's school, where you could happily spend an hour or 2 enjoying a coffee and a browse. 😁 It was one of my favourite places when I lived nearby. Actually, I can think of two!

truffle

That is so interesting and shows how they all vary.
There's no way mine would have coped with the academics at Wells, and interesting that music isn't the default like other schools.
it sounds like the A levels are similar, but dd will start with 3 and most likely drop one, atm she wants to take Eng lit, German and Music (compulsory) I'm not sure which out of the two she'll drop, yet.

She has been talking about studying music in Germany, but after doing some research I found it would be unlikely for her to reach the level of German needed. Apparently the exam is akin to degree level, not all the content obviously, but at that level.
I have to tell her the truth and hate the attitude of placating them with, assurances.

DD is pretty dyslexic and she does find it hard as she compares herself to her high flying academic friends. The reality is she is doing fine for what she wants to do after A levels which is music college.

She is doing music which is compulsory for music specialists, English Literature and RPE. She was planning Spanish but didn't do as well as she'd hoped in the GCSE and she is really enjoying the RPE.

I also wanted him to know he doesn't need to go to this particular school to reach where he wants to reach. He, and many young children, need to know there are many many ways to live with their dream

oh, music to my ears. I think it's so easy for them to think they are the only ones with musical talent.
It must be hard for them when they are being told how amazing they are.
I hate seeing the gushing parent type, and wonder why they do it. We are all proud of our dc, but for the sake of the kids mh you keep a wrap on it.
Mine is fine now but had a spell of illusions of grandma
Which according to CAMHS was an understanding part of who she is. . So, when the professionals big them up too, or treat them like some kind of special case, I'm not surprised they take some managing.
So, I try to keep feet firmly on the ground and remind her that when she is auditioning for conservatoires in the future out of the hundreds apply only a small percentage will have come from a music school.
keep them on their toes, is my motto and don't let them get too big for their boots.

Romany

DS WANTED to stay at school tonight so I just handed him his clothes and said good night. He dashed off to a common room. I could see someone was waiting for him there, probably they promised to play PS or something together. I so regret now I didn't tell him to take the clothes to his bedroom first, I am 100% sure he would realise all his clothes are still in the common room next morning when he needs to change. A blanket and naughty sweeties for a car journey were no use today!

Floot, I would love to know the oasis! Would you please PM me??

Great news Patrick! I hope you are doing ok, being home alone . Is DH back from his business trip yet?

Romany - you sound like such a wise and lovely mum 😍

Truffle - so interesting to compare the specialist music schools. Judging from BBC young musician, Wells has produced some outstanding young talents!

We are having a frantically busy week. DS2 has 3 concerts along with loads of homework and Nco audition prep. And it is the beginning of university term for me and DH. The pressure is getting to me a little .