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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Christmas and January Music Thread *Thread title edited by MNHQ*

365 replies

Wafflenose · 07/12/2018 16:54

Hi all,
Here's a new thread for the festive period - possibly including a bit of January if I'm away and unable to start another one in time. The old thread was making me nauseous.

I am a music teacher, so pretty busy athis the moment. I have just had results for 12 pupils' exams... 3 pass, 7 merit and 2 distinction. My DDs didn't do any this term, but have 9 concerts between them. Goo is 13 and plays the flute and piano. Rara is 10 and plays the cello and clarinet. What are you all up to musically?

OP posts:
Alsoplayspiccolo · 10/12/2018 20:55

Thank you all so much for your words of kindness and support. I feel better just from off-loading what I've been feeling.
Taking your advice, I've just booked some me time tomorrow, to have my nails done, before the cathedral concert in the evening. At least it will keep me from checking my emails every 5 minutes for results.

Thank you all for being so understanding.

TaggieOHara · 10/12/2018 21:16

oh - I'm so pleased to read that Piccolo. I hope you find watching your lovely DS (and DD?) at the cathedral concert some comfort. He has been doing so well!

Alsoplayspiccolo · 10/12/2018 21:44

Thanks, Taggie. It's DD's special night tomorrow (actually, she's in the afternoon service as well), so DS will be watching her for a change (they're go to different schools, but both have their carol services in the cathedral and there's a fair amount of rivalry between the schools, amusingly).I
I've still got to make a trip to the string shop to collect DS's cello and return the borrowed one before Friday, but I've prioritised my nails tomorrow, so that will wait until Thursday.

druidsong · 11/12/2018 09:53

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Hiddeninplainsight · 11/12/2018 10:28

I have done a bit of lurking on here but have never posted, but I thought you guys might be okay with me posting my PMM. My DD9 has been playing piano for 5 years. I am not musical, but she started Suzuki piano when she was 4 because I was worried she might be dyslexic (she isn't). She made slow progress, but she was really enjoying it for 3 years. She did her Suzuki book 1 party 18 months ago. By that point she was a little frustrated at the slow pace (her teacher is a bit of a perfectionist and technique is VERY important to her). But after doing that, progress the Suzuki route was painfully slow. Lots of arguments about practice, and by April last year we had taken 6 months to do 2 pieces in Suzuki book 2, and my DD was convinced she was terrible at piano. Had a big talk with the piano teacher and we decided that grade exams would be good for my DD. I also decided that my DD needed to learn to read music because she needed to be able to progress independently of her teacher, given I couldn't help her move forward in pieces. We were supposed to start Grade 1, but she really ended up spending time reading music, doing scales, and still made very slow progress on actually learning pieces. DD was still really struggling with motivation and confidence. We got to September and DD had started one piece of the three. She pulled that together quickly, and at the end of September she could play one piece well and had started piece 2. The teacher was away then for 5 weeks, and DD pulled piece 2 together. Next lesson in the beginning of November, DD had now 2 of 3 pieces at pass level. Her exam was 4 weeks away and she started piece 3. With the help of some extra lessons from her teacher, and so much hard work, she did her exam. It went better than the mock exam she did with her teacher (which she passed). And after she has been teaching herself Christmas carols, playing her grade 1 pieces for fun, and she has played through choice every day. She has started teaching herself the grade 2 pieces (telling me she REALLY likes one), but she has been a bit worried about starting the grade 2 pieces in case she failed grade 1. We found out yesterday she passed with a merit. I can't tell you how proud she is of herself and how proud I am of her. I am hoping that she will be able to do grade 2 in the summer Smile

ealingwestmum · 11/12/2018 11:36

Lovely outcome Hidden, well done to your DD!

Mendingfences · 11/12/2018 12:00

Lovely news hidden

Alsoplayspiccolo · 11/12/2018 12:40

Thank you for suggesting breathing exercises, druid. I've found myself shallow breathing and feeling breathless recently, which must be anxiety (You'd think, as a flautist, I'd have the breathing thing sussed, but it's the first to go when I'm under pressure).
I've just got back from having a manicure and pedicure, and the lovely salon owner have me a gift of a crystal angel necklace.

Wiifitmama · 11/12/2018 12:47

Well done Hidden!

Anyone know how long it takes for results for ABRSM Grade 6? I am wondering if they will come this side of Christmas.

druidsong · 11/12/2018 12:49

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

druidsong · 11/12/2018 12:50

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

CruCru · 11/12/2018 13:04

That’s great news, Hidden!

Alsoplayspiccolo · 11/12/2018 13:08

That's so true, druid. My nerves are on a hair-trigger at the moment.

Hidden, that is so lovely to read. Well done to your DD, and onwards and upwards!

Wiifit, we're waiting for exam results from the 30th November. From what I can tell from the ABRSM website, they could arrive any day until the 21st (he was entered by the school, so won't get them until January if they haven't arrived by the 19th, when he breaks up).

Wiifitmama · 11/12/2018 13:32

Thanks Piccolo. Ds was entered by his piano teacher who gets notification and texts me usually so hopefully we will know before Christmas.

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 11/12/2018 14:02

Well done to minihidden! Lovely story. So sorry to hear how you are feeling piccolo and good for you taking some time for yourself. With my NHS hat on I would also say to get signed off work for a few days if you need to. 💐

Hiddeninplainsight · 11/12/2018 14:05

Thank you all, for being here for me to share with and for reading and for your lovely comments Smile. Probably when you hear is to do with examiners, but just to say DD's exam was on 30th Nov and her teacher heard last night. Hope it is good news (soon) for all DC (and parents) waiting.

TaggieOHara · 11/12/2018 14:17

well done to mini- hidden Star. The early stages are often the slowest, especially on the piano. And the investment in technique is worth it in the end! DS2 was very much pre-grade 1 for two years, then he suddenly got the hang of it, and went straight to grade 2 last summer. He is playing lovely little pieces now, and really enjoys the piano.

Onwards and upwards, and welcome to the thread!

ILovePandas · 11/12/2018 14:36

Piccolo glad you have taken some time for yourself and hope you enjoy the concert.

Hidden sounds like your DD is making good progress.

DD had her piano exam at school this morning and got a text from her to say it had not gone well. However we’ve been here before with violin exams where she’s been overly critical of herself and she still passed. Chocolate bar at the ready for when she gets home!

Trumpetboysmum · 11/12/2018 14:46

Lovely story hidden so pleased she got there with her grade 1 - piano can be so slow to start with
Good luck with the result Panda I’m sure she’s done just fine Smile

littleladsdad · 11/12/2018 16:47

Trumpet not just slow to start with here. Grin

Boyskeepswinging · 11/12/2018 16:48

I have had a Royal Pain booking my DS's exam. Long story but it's taken the best part of a year with one thing and another. But now I'm so glad I can log in myself to check if his result is published yet. Will it be Grade result or NCO outcome first?! I may be slightly distracted at work this week!

Trumpetboysmum · 11/12/2018 17:05

I hate having to check exam results - but it always seems to be me that ends up entering them

glorious · 11/12/2018 18:40

Hello all, I'm new here. I have one DD who is 5 and plays violin after a lot of nagging on her part! DH and I both have music degrees though neither of us have pursued music as a career.

DD is making good progress and really enjoys it. She's just starting to use her 4th finger and can play two noted to a bow. She's mostly in tune. She's fine playing for family and friends and asked to play to her class at school, which she enjoyed. She recently did a bigger concert as part of a group she attends and was very nervous. It went really well and I thought she'd feel better afterwards, but she really hated it. I'm not sure why!

I don't think it matters at all if she's just not ready to perform but I wondered whether other people's DC have had similar reactions and whether anything has helped. Any thoughts gratefully received!

Hidden that's great, well done her! It sounds like she's laid a really good foundation there so hopefully she will find that gives her a bit of a boost.

Trumpetboysmum · 11/12/2018 19:38

Some little children especially just find standing up in front of an audience really daunting . My 2 never have !?! but I find that when I’m organising school plays etc it can be the most surprising of children who hate it - often those who love singing etc really but then become mute when it’s time to do the performance
I guess it’s just a mixture of not pushing the performance aspect so that they can continue to enjoy playing , but also giving them opportunities to perform so they can get used to it

MeltingWax · 11/12/2018 19:52

Welcome to hidden & glorious.

piccolo - will be thinking of you tomorrow and I hope the service goes well Flowers.