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Extra-curricular activities

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November Music Thread

688 replies

Wafflenose · 30/10/2018 22:09

Welcome to all musicians/ parents of musicians, young and 'mature', beginners and advanced, plus everything in between. This is one of the nicest corners of Mumsnet and the music threads were started for my older daughter towards the beginning of her musical journey, 7 years ago. Everybody on the thread was a beginner once!

I have recently seen "we're not a musical family", "I'm not musical" on here quite a lot, and would like to gently challenge that... perhaps you may not have found the right instrument/ teacher yet, or have no desire to play, but I think that everyone is musical. It's not a special something that is limited to certain individuals, although of course everyone's aptitude and natural ceiling varies. I have had the pleasure of teaching almost 1000 people to read and play music now, ranging in age from 3 to 96 and incorporating a range of additional needs, and I think they all got something positive from their lessons! What our young musicians most need from us - whether we play ourselves or not - is lots of encouragement, time and space to practise, and of course the constant taxi service and financial support we give to their lessons and ensembles!

I have two DDs, Goo The Energy Conserver (flute and piano, lapsed recorder and picc player) who is pretty lazy and complacent at the moment and just wants to enjoy her life, and Rara The Awkward (clarinet, cello, recorder) who tries hard... when it suits her! We have nothing special lined up this term, but possibly piano and clarinet exams for next term. Goo claims she wants to dust off her recorders and theory books to get another couple of Grade 8s before she leaves school. I'll believe that when it happens.

Over to you.

OP posts:
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Lotsofmilkonesugar · 26/11/2018 09:09

So sorry to hear your news piccolo . I hope you are able to take some time for yourself. I’m sure your DS will be fine, it sounds as though he’s very musical and has done exams before so he will be prepared x 💐

MeltingWax · 26/11/2018 09:15

I am very sorry for your loss piccolo Flowers

Good luck to your DS - am sure he will be fine. It sounds as though he has worked hard - and the aural part he will have done before.

I hope you can take some time out for you Flowers

Alsoplayspiccolo · 26/11/2018 09:22

Thanks, double, milk and Melting.
Yes, the aurals are fine, at least. I'll try not to stress about the rest - it's really not important in the grand scheme of things.
I've just had to message my brother in law, gently mentioning a couple of dates that are logistical nightmares for us before he sorts out the date for the funeral. I'm desperately hoping he doesn't take offense and think I'm asking him to work around us, but I couldn't not say anything - both DS and DD have performances with school that would be really difficult to miss.
Is that unreasonable of me?

Doubleup · 26/11/2018 09:27

No, I don’t think it’s unreasonable piccolo. We had various family issues/commitments to work through before deciding on a date for my dad’s funeral. It’s a big decision for everyone.

Trumpetboysmum · 26/11/2018 09:32

Piccolo I’m so sorry Flowers I’m sure your ds will be fine in his exam . Take care of yourself

TaggieOHara · 26/11/2018 09:35

so sorry piccolo for your loss. I hope you can find time today to do whatever makes you feel a little more peaceful.

Don't worry about the piano exam. Your DS is a very musical boy, and will have done fine. The most important thing is that he is now with a teacher, who 'gets' him. And I don't think you are being unreasonable about the funeral dates. Take care xxx

druidsong · 26/11/2018 09:42

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Alsoplayspiccolo · 26/11/2018 10:08

Yes, it's been scarily fast, druid. She was only diagnosed in August. We were told 3 weeks ago that nothing more could be done for her, so she spent the last 2 weeks at home. They had said she would be lucky to still be here at Christmas, but they stopped all food so it was only ever going to be a few weeks at best.
She has 3 children but only one still lives at home, and they are all working, thankfully.

LooseAtTheSeams · 26/11/2018 10:40

piccolo so very sorry to hear your news. Like everyone, I hope you can take time for yourself and I'm sure your brother in law will understand about dates. Thanks

Wiifitmama · 26/11/2018 12:44

Piccolo, also wanted to add my thoughts for you but also to say I think you are doing the right thing by trying to keep things normal for your kids with their music activities.

RomanyRoots · 26/11/2018 13:17

I'm so sorry for your loss piccolo Thanks it was so quick.

horseymum · 26/11/2018 14:15

Sorry to hear this news. Keeping things ' normal' but being flexible to how they are feeling will help I'm sure. Take care.

catkind · 26/11/2018 14:44

Just to add more Flowers for piccolo and family. I'm so sorry to hear your news.

minisnowballs · 26/11/2018 15:56

so sorry piccolo - don't know how to do flowers - but my thoughts are with you and yours xx

RomanyRoots · 26/11/2018 16:09

minis
Go to bottom of the page, they are listed there and you just use [ these] round the word flowers. Flowers

Doubleup · 26/11/2018 16:51

Although they don’t show at the bottom of the page on the phone, just on my tablet Romany

Doubleup · 26/11/2018 19:29

Ah, I’ve just discovered where they are on the screen Blush

Mendingfences · 26/11/2018 20:24

Thinking of you piccolo Flowers

cantkeepawayforever · 26/11/2018 20:51

Thinking of you, piccolo, and of all your family.

callmeadoctor · 26/11/2018 22:52

Wow, Abrsm grade 6 piano taken on 17th November, results today (26th)!!!! (Good strong pass for Dd so very happy its out of the way before GCSEs next year!!!!)

PancakeMum6 · 26/11/2018 23:55

Sending you well wishes and condolences piccolo. A tough time.

4strings · 27/11/2018 08:18

Sorry for your loss piccolo.

Update on dd, not allowed to play in the Christmas concert: she’s still not allowed Angry. There are “too many children” already playing and there are “lots and lots of talented children just like dd who also want to play”.

When I explained that she had a piece she wanted to play the response was “Oh, was she wanting to play a Christmas song?” “No. A Vivaldi Violin Concerto”.

I get that they don’t want a very long concert but fgs - let any child who has lessons IN SCHOOL TIME play!!!!!!!

minisnowballs · 27/11/2018 09:51

Thanks Romany

for Piccolo Flowers (did that work?)

4strings, that is maddening! I would ask that, since there aren't enough spaces in this concert, she gets priority to play for the next one (and get that in writing!). Would that work?

My dd1 (who believes it is all my fault she can't sightread) got her violin exam result today. A merit (on the button 120 - kind examiner) in Grade 3 violin. She'll be so thrilled as she wasn't really ready and was just getting used to her first term at secondary.

I can't wait to tell her!

But now her sister, who has a flute exam in two weeks is all grumpy - because of the pressure... Joy.

ealingwestmum · 27/11/2018 10:23

Well done to those DC with results coming in. And good luck for those (like us) that are still waiting to sit, or exam outcomes!

Piccolo wishing you and your family all the best in getting through tough times.

hapsburg · 27/11/2018 11:36

4strings I would honestly leave it and find other places for her to perform outside of school. Festivals have provided great opportunities for DD, both to polish pieces before exams/auditions and to simply play something she wanted to play. Alternatively, provide an opportunity for her perform by putting on a concert for charity in a local church or hall - DD and friends have done this a few times in the past to raise money for a local charity. Great experience for them organising and promoting as well as practising - they even persuaded a very good local accompanist to play for free! The first time they did this they were in year 6 so had plenty of help, but could now put together something similar themselves with minimal assistance.
Flowers for piccolo

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