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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

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:
Original poster
Wafflenose · 29/10/2018 21:05

That's a perfectly nice clarinet. My school friend got her Grade 8 on one of those, and plenty of other people do. I'd wait, and save up for her forever clarinet for a few years' time.

OP posts:
cantkeepawayforever · 29/10/2018 21:08

I think I said before that DS had a Buffet B12 until his 'always' clarinet appeared slightly out of the blue much more recently. I think he started preparing G8 on the Buffet and finished on the new one (it's all a bit of a blur) but the Buffet would have been absolutely fine for G8.

Original poster
Wafflenose · 29/10/2018 21:14

I tried to talk Rara into having the new equivalent of the B12, but she wasn't having any of it. She blind tested them and kept going back to the Yamaha. Traitor. It cost about £350 ex-VAT and with some special promotion at the time, and should see her through Grade 8 too.

OP posts:
hertsandessex · 29/10/2018 21:17

Romany on the blind auditions I’ve heard of a few orchestras doing that. Also in some competitions. DS played in the national brass band for finals a couple of months ago and the judges spent hours in a tent by the stage so they couldn’t see and each band was just announced by number. I can see why but very weird Smile

folkmamma · 29/10/2018 21:17

G8 on a Buffet B12 over here!!!!!

cantkeepawayforever · 29/10/2018 21:25

(DS's 'always' clarinet is not very different - Buffet E13, though a particularly sweet-toned one for some reason)

Original poster
Wafflenose · 29/10/2018 21:27

I have an R13. It's called Arthur.

OP posts:
Crazygirlmama · 29/10/2018 21:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cantkeepawayforever · 29/10/2018 21:30

Naming instruments...probably a slippery slope I'm reluctant to start down. DS does all but sleep with his new saxophone, though...

woolleybear · 29/10/2018 21:30

Dds clarinet is called Colin, she will be very glad if he is to stick around for a few more years so it’s good to hear that grade 8 is possible as that’s a long way in the future I think

Mendingfences · 30/10/2018 05:59

The violin and bass have names here (as do the bows) but none of the other instruments. Not sure what that means....

catkind · 30/10/2018 08:14

No names here, I get overattached to them enough without personifying them too!

folkmamma · 30/10/2018 08:51

Lol Cat, I'm the same!! I'd keep Noo's beautiful half forever if I could!! But it would be a waste - someone else needs to love it after her.

Decafcoffee · 30/10/2018 09:07

Hi I'm new here... just found this. I have 2 dcs 14 and 7
Dd is in a JD, plays the violin and piano and ds plays cello and just started piano lessons this term. Dd has been in NCO for 5 years and ds is in regionals this year and has auditioned again. I'm not musical so learning along with the kids. Smile

Doubleup · 30/10/2018 09:28

Hi Decaf, always nice to welcome new people to the thread!

TaggieOHara · 30/10/2018 09:46

Welcome Decaf! Nice to welcome another string playing family to the thread! There are quite a few of us here

Decafcoffee · 30/10/2018 09:50

Thanks DoubleupSmile I’ve just discovered mumsnet. Where have I been all this time?!

Decafcoffee · 30/10/2018 09:52

Thanks Taggie I’m so glad to have found this!

Floottoot · 30/10/2018 09:55

Welcome, Decaf!
Lots of string player parents on here, lots of JD parents, and lots of NCO parents too, so you're in good company!

woolleybear · 30/10/2018 10:10

Hi Decaf

PancakeMum6 · 30/10/2018 10:25

Has anyone got any experience of the City of Leeds Youth Orchestra? DD joined the Bradford Youth Orchestra last year and loved it but this year is finding it a bit dull (her good friends have left and she’s now a higher standard than most of the others, which she doesn’t mind but I think she’d like to be surrounded by people who motivate/impress her).

Decafcoffee · 30/10/2018 10:32

Thanks Floot and Woolley
Dd sprained her shoulder last week and I was wandering how long it would take to heal? She’s never had an injury before and sadly will probably be missing her concert this weekend Sad

folkmamma · 30/10/2018 10:37

Welcome Decaf! Another string family over here :-) Now you've found us there's no turning back!

Doubleup · 30/10/2018 10:51

No strings attached here (well, apart from DD2’s guitar) - we’re a double reed family. An oboe and a bassoon (with a bit of alto sax thrown in)

Wiifitmama · 30/10/2018 11:01

Hi all. I hope you don't mind me joining in here. I asked a question on the secondary board and it was suggested I ask here. I have a 14 year old ds who is a very talented muscian but not in an orchestral instrument and not in a mainstream music genre! He plays in a national ensemble (youngest player), London ensemble and two other local ones. He does solo gigs too. His instrument does not have gradings but we estimate he is around grade 7 equivalent. He also plays piano (about to take grade 6 in November) as his second instrument.

I am looking at 6th form for him and trying to find a state school with a strong music department alongside good academics. He will probably go to Uni for a music degree rather than a conservatoire. The best suggestion I have had so far is St Marylebone which looks a perfect fit and offers places on musical merit. Camden School does similar but only on specific instruments (not his). I called them and they are inflexible.

I would like to know all our options and don't want to miss anything. If anyone on here has any other suggestions on where to look, I would be very appreciative! We are in NW London (though still quite central) and I don't want to send him to a boarding school (not that we can afford it!) even though he thinks it would be a great idea!

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