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October Music Thread

995 replies

Wafflenose · 01/10/2018 22:17

Welcome to the thread for October, which is open to ANYONE who wants to discuss music lessons, practice, exams, auditions, instrument hire/ purchase or whatever related issues you'd like to. Newbies are especially welcome, and we have some each month, often with beginners. All of our kids were beginners once.

I have two DDs. Goo is 12 and plays the flute and piano. She can also play recorders and the piccolo, but doesn't. We've just moved her to another piano teacher because the first one retired, so it's nice to hear her practising again. She has been learning for about 2.5 years and hasn't done any exams... nor is she intending to. On the flute we have extended range scales, the Chaminade Concertino and Bizet's Carmen Fantasy at the moment. She plays in 7 school ensembles and does NCO and South West Music School, although she's likely to be leaving both at various points during this academic year.

Rara is 10 and plays the cello and clarinet regularly, and recorder sometimes. She's vaguely working towards Grade 5 on both, but it might end up being 4 on the cello because of various aspects she's behind in... we'll see. I am still teaching her the clarinet and am currently super fed up because however kind, patient and helpful I am, she behaves in such a horrible way. We can't afford lessons. Ho hum. Rara also does NCO and SWMS. Under 11s will be beyond her, but she'll carry on with SWMS for now.

I am a teacher of woodwind!

OP posts:
littleladsdad · 08/10/2018 13:51

Patricks I also wouldn't take gifts - your attendance should suffice. I thought that they might be performing the Schubert quintet but then saw that you mentioned the extra viola - you've got me guessing!

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 14:00

I think their programme are all quartet! Not sure where the extra viola sit but I'll find out! It could be typing mistake?! Grin

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 14:03

Ah, no can't be typing mistake as it has a different person's name for each instrument.. Perhaps it could be what Taggie guessed.

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 17:37

@Taggie, do you remember you suggested coming home on Wed to break up DS's week? It was accepted as his young age was considered but the school made it clear that DS would be expected to stay full week eventually. I was so relieved the school had been so understanding but it was obviously because they were fine with gentle start. But it won't be this flexible for long. I've started to feel the decision to go for boarding may have been a few years too early. I may probably feel alright about it when he is 13/14 (at least). We'll have a go with your suggestion for a while, then we may decide to switch him to a day boy if we feel it's better for him.

We were planning to move once we knew where he would go after primary school so moving closer to the school to make his life easier is still an option. But part of me is hesitating as we love our community. Like yesterday, DS had a friend came alone to play for the whole afternoon (well, till nearly bedtime!). It's so nice to have local friends who can casually pop in.

I'm not sure how doable it is, but another option is we stay where we are now and I drive him to and fro everyday until he becomes a weekly boarder again in a few years time. It's actually not too bad for him as it takes only 40 mins sitting in a car and time pass by so quickly while we chat over many things and adore the beautiful sky, cloud and lights in early morning/late evening from the window (well, it'll be soon very dark though as winter is fast approaching!). He has to wake up at 6.25. But he said he would wake up at 6.45 at school so it's only 20 mins earlier to wake up. Bedtime is almost the same too, but probably much calmer at home.

DS hasn't asked me to change to a day yet. He is just going with the flow. He might be fine actually. But as usual I am thinking things too ahead!

cantkeepawayforever · 08/10/2018 18:18

Phew. 2nd conservatoire has said they will shift Nosebleed Boy's audition to their second audition session (in December) since he can't make the one in half term.

gulps when she remembers what December looks like in the diary- So that will be fine.....

Floottoot · 08/10/2018 18:26

Great news, Can't! Try not to panic about December - just take one day at a time.

Patrick, you sound like you are handling everything just brilliantly. It's such early days, you may find mini is happy to continue as you have been, so all your worries disappear.

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 18:48

Phew, cant! How many is he applying for?

Floot, DS seems to have a moment to miss us but at the same time he gets caught up with some exciting things going on around him and forgets about us. Grin He asked me to come to an event at school tomorrow so I said 'yes' then he replied 'yaaaay' so sounds like he is happy to see me rather than not! I don't want him to feel lonely or keep missing home that breaks my heart but then when he becomes totally fine so decides to stay as a weekly boarder that breaks my heart too! It might be my problem rather his. I still seem to be struggling with him being away. Last week I was so busy driving between school and home due to him being sick and totally exhausted. But now I don't need to run around for him until Wednesday and I feel lost and empty - even though I have tons things to do while he is not with me.

I think I feel this way as suddenly he's gone again after seeing him everyday last week. Suppose I'll be fine in a few days (I hope!).

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 18:52

Can't believe how many times I've moaned about letting him go since last month! Sorry guys....

cantkeepawayforever · 08/10/2018 18:53

Patrick,

Lots! Pretty much everywhere that does a true standalone Jazz performance option....

He's a really marginal candidate, so wanted to put everything into this 1 round of auditions, rather than selecting just a couple and wondering 'what if?' about not applying for the others...

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 19:01

What he has been achieving so far is pretty amazing. His attitude sounds very positive too. Good luck!

TaggieOHara · 08/10/2018 19:28

Patrick - I’m glad that the school are being flexible. I don’t see why they will want to pressure you with the transition to full weeks? They will surely want to move at your pace as long as DS gas enough time and energy for his music. Changing to flexi boarding might be a good option though if DS seems a bit young.

Don’t worry about letting off steam here. We are all here for you, floot and anyone else on the thread feeling down. The first half of the first term is bound to be hard xx

RomanyRoots · 08/10/2018 19:45

Aw, I've just heard that Montserrat caballe died on Saturday.
i know, a fair age, but so sad.
What an amazing talent.

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 19:49

They are supportive to let DS move at his pace so allows him to go home when he needs but that flexibility has to have a deadline as they don't do flexi boarding permanently. They much prefer boarding apparently but they do have quite a few day students who live relatively locally so I know we have a choice. But our choice would full weekly boarding or day schooling, not between. It really depends on DS, but I feel at least one or two years of staying at home would be good for DS. He is a young 11. But again it may be just in my head or perhaps my hope!

Romany, yes I heard the news on the radio on Saturday. I didn't know her (sorry for my ignorance), so looked up and felt so sad.

littleladsdad · 08/10/2018 20:08

These first few weeks with our DS's away is traumatic, isn't it Patricks. I miss mine like crazy but I'm trying not to let it show. This clearly isn't reciprocated because I'm still finding communication with him, or lack thereof, extremely frustrating. He's having the time of his life! I do hope that you come to reach a good solution for your DS. Of the things you've mentioned, the only thing I'd be wary of is daily commuting to school - this is top of the list of things that we've been happy to put behind us.

can't very good luck to your ds in all his auditons!

With all this talk of folk music I thought I'd mention that I am going to see the very wonderful Cara Dillon on Wednesday. Are any of you familiar with her work?

RomanyRoots · 08/10/2018 20:32

Patrick

you sound as though you have this sorted, ds is only young.
Sometimes I wish we had waited until 13/14 just for the extra bit of maturity.
I think the flexi boarding for now is good, it does take them a while to settle down.
Even those who are settled can have blips where they want to go home for some reason.
I'm sorry that I can't be more help, but they are all individuals and cope in different ways, so I take a wait and see attitude.

RomanyRoots · 08/10/2018 20:39

Can't

Brilliant news about the change of audition time. It must be a regular occurance as I've known several students who have auditioned for all of them, in the past.
Is there a preference yet, or do you not want to say.
Have heard that one of the Jazz Directors is announcing their retirement soon.
I shouldn't have said that. Grin

PatricksViolin · 08/10/2018 20:56

littlelads, at least you know your DS is having the time of his life. Mine says he misses me. When we worked out how to go through a week, he counted the days he could see me and pleased when he realised he could see me quite often (by me attending school events and so on). These little things break my heart, thinking my boy counting his fingers to the day when he sees his mum. But then, like today, when I suggested the possibility of switching to day schooling, he didn't jump in the idea and seemed to want to see how things go, so he isn't that disparate. Part of me is hoping he would be fine with boarding as it makes his life a lot easier but part of me is hoping he would decide to be a day boy for at least a couple of years for my selfish reason but also I feel it's good for his healthy development. As Romany said 'for the extra bit of maturity'.

Crazygirlmama · 08/10/2018 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

folkmamma · 08/10/2018 21:57

Aaah @littleladsdad enjoy lovely Cara!! Have you seen her before??

littleladsdad · 09/10/2018 09:11

Yes folk, I've seen her several times now. It's just her & Sam in a hotel in Nantwich this time - doesn't sound promising but I imagine it will be wonderful!

folkmamma · 09/10/2018 10:25

I'm sure it will be wonderful!! I'd love to see her again - especially her Christmassy set! Have a great time :-)

Doubleup · 09/10/2018 11:26

No seeing Cara here, but I am off to the RAH this evening with a friend to see her dd’s choir taking part in the Great War Symphony. Going out on Classic fm tomorrow I think. World premiere apparently. Could be a bit heavy with the subject matter.

RomanyRoots · 09/10/2018 11:41

Hey, who's going to Nantwich, I was born there Grin
The lovely tudor buildings and of course fantastic countryside.
I wish I could afford to live their now, but I can't.
My dsis took a cheaper option and lives in Crewe.

littleladsdad · 09/10/2018 14:43

I know the place very well Romany. I travelled there every week for my piano lessons in my teens and lived on Welsh Row for a year or so when I moved back 'up north' from London in the late '90's.

Thank you folk, I'll file my report on Thursday. Smile

RomanyRoots · 09/10/2018 15:09

litleladsdad

I used to play clarinet and sing at Alvaston Hall when they did lunchtime specials.
They sold out to Warners and it's a hotel now Sad
I was born in the Barony, no longer there I'm told.

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