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Extra-curricular activities

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

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:
HatofCromwell · 19/10/2018 07:21

Does anyone have suggestions of where to get full length black skirts for orchestra wear? I have a very small 11 year old so small adult wear is too big. The only ones I have seen are nasty shiny things. And don't tell me to make my own, that isn't happening!

LooseAtTheSeams · 19/10/2018 07:23

Alexandra what a lovely experience for you and the Boy! I will definitely be checking google for Martin Frost. Zak bet the concert was great!
We're so looking forward to half term here. There are a couple of music things on, which is great, but no rushing around for a week. I might get some proper piano practice done.

AlexandraLeaving · 19/10/2018 07:36

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AlexandraLeaving · 19/10/2018 07:42

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SwayingInTime · 19/10/2018 08:00

I had a very small eleven year old and found that a small size adult pleated chiffon midi skirt with either a stitch in or a bit of knicker elastic threaded through the waistband worked well, like this:

m.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-pleated-midi-skirt/prd/9673601?affid=14179&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&ppcadref=761030380%7C57677239333%7Cpla-488966639221&browsecountry=GB&_cclid=v3_da892104-1ae4-54d7-827e-8434be8f7480&gclid=CjwKCAjw3qDeBRBkEiwAsqeO7q02KzmW3YcyLeas9wFh8UcCeXzQO898MdNT6Yy0dZwzVXonR-nkOBoCg_UQAvD_BwE

A cheap way to get one custom made is to order a character skirt without the ribbons:

www.dancegear.co.uk/customisable-character-skirt-cs.html

...but these are very full (I had a cellist, so needed full!).

Doubleup · 19/10/2018 08:35

Hat, I have seen black dress code do a stand at a music course and the quality seemed really good. They do a skirt or a simple dress for children. I’ve just sent them a query about sizing as DD2 is tall and very slim so doesn’t always fit general age sizes.

hertsandessex · 19/10/2018 08:35

Hatofcromwell - are you sure needs to be full-length skirt? None of the various orchestras my DCs have been involved with specify full-length and chances of my DDs wearing one is close to zero although some do.

Greenleave · 19/10/2018 08:36

Wow, Alex, that must be fantastic, I can picture “mini”Alex with his massive grin!Flowers

folkmamma · 19/10/2018 08:42

Hat I've just bought some lovely drapey culottes from Zara for my small 11yr old (who doesn't do skirts!). Nice quality. They did need a fold/stitch in the waistband to keep them up though!

SwayingInTime · 19/10/2018 08:55

Dd only wears culottes now.

Crazygirlmama · 19/10/2018 13:32

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HatofCromwell · 19/10/2018 13:45

Thank you for the skirt ideas. Will have a look. DD actually likes skirts so that's something. And yes to taking in the waistband on things - I have to do this with all her clothes. The dress code is quite specific about skirts being full length (whether it actually gets followed I don't yet know) and the boys are in bow ties.

Trumpetboysmum · 19/10/2018 13:49

Are the boys in bow ties ? I thought they were wearing NCO ties . I’ll make sure ds brings a bow tie too just in case !!

owlm · 19/10/2018 13:49

Ooh Zak we were at Nigel Kennedy too. DD is doing lots of glis and harmonics in practice today apparently creating dolphin stories, Nigel inspired no doubt Smile

RomanyRoots · 19/10/2018 18:50

Happy half term, for anyone started already.
dd finished wednesday, and was in time for her niece being born.
I'm totally rockin being a Grandma Grin
So, not much music happening atm, except for some Piano preactice today. Grin

RomanyRoots · 19/10/2018 18:50

Practice arhhhh!

MeltingWax · 19/10/2018 18:51

Wow - congratulations Romany! Smile Flowers

ZakStarkey · 19/10/2018 19:54

Congrats Romany!!!!
Owlm- that’s great- he was fantastic wasn’t he!

Floottoot · 19/10/2018 19:59

Just catching up with today's posts...

I love the Copeland clarinet concerto! Dreamy!
I love Nigel Kennedy - the original classical music bad boy!

Congratulations, Romany - I bet you 'll be the most wonderful "glam -ma" . 😍😍

littleladsdad · 19/10/2018 20:05

Congratulations Romany! Currently on the 'red eye' back to Shropshire with D's, who is fast asleep. He was so tired that he could barely speak earlier. Audition first thing in the morning should go well. Grin

owlm · 19/10/2018 20:15

Awh lovely Romany congratulations SmileBear

Trumpetboysmum · 19/10/2018 20:20

Romany that’s lovely news congratulations Smile

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 19/10/2018 20:22

Congratulations Romany ! Good timing for the half term too! 🥂

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 19/10/2018 20:32

Also, while I think of it do waffle or crazy or anyone else have a recommendation for a clarinet stand? DS2 has dyspraxia and the poor old clarinet is toppling on a daily basis! We’ve already had a broken French horn and violin this week so keen to avoid any more minor disasters!! Thank you! 🙂

stringchild · 19/10/2018 20:37

lots - dduses a Hercules; really solid

Good luck littledad!

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