Summer term 2019 music

[thirdfiddle]

A new installment of the long running music parent threads. Everyone is welcome from complete beginners to grade 8 and beyond. Thanks as ever to the lovely waffle for starting the threads up and looking after them for years. What are your plans for the coming term? Any exams, auditions, festivals, new instruments? Please come and chat.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Just wanted to ask if anyone else is still waiting for Lamda results from the summer term?
DD sat musical theatre grade 6 on the 6/7, previously she has done Lamda acting and the results have always been 5 weeks 6 days so just under their quoted 6 week deadline. We are now 8 weeks today and she beside herself. I have spoken to her teacher she has nothing.
Only good news is that she gets Trinity Grade 8 musical theatre tonight.

[thirdfiddle]

Here we go, hope that's okay. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/extra_curricular_activities/3679332-Autumn-term-2019-music-thread?watched=1

[thirdfiddle]

Eek raspberry. Getting his money's worth at least! His plan sounds good.
Shall I do an autumn thread then? We seem to be getting quite new term-ish. Not sure I'll stick around for all of it as it's going to be a busy term with kids' music things and mine and looking at secondary schools for DS. Really need to cut down the internet habit a bit...

[raspberryrippleicecream]

Thank you Drabarni.

DS2 got his JC timetable yesterday. Goodness they are busy! He has 45 minutes of break time between 9.00 and 4.30. Long many on here there is a long commute time to add to that! He is intending to sleep on the way there and do A level study on the way back. Let's see how that pans out!

[Drabarni]

No idea, but sounds like they are all changing, either new Heads/ Principles, or Heads of Music.

[Brasstacks]

Anyone know what has prompted the change of leadership at the YM School?

[Drabarni]

congrats raspberry an amazing result

[Mitsouko67]

Hi, I'm a rare poster but wanted to let Double Bass mums know about Mittenwald Double Bass week of masterclasses in Bavaria. My DS 16 did the week this summer and learnt a lot. The experience has opened my eyes to all the opportunities out there. All ages from 13 upwards to older adults.

[horseymum]

Definitely feels like autumn term here, schools back, lessons restarted, exam planning underway and application to be done for NYOS. I guess everyone else is still in holiday mode. Had a pleasant surprise when I was trying to see if DD2 would be able to join council wind and and describing her level by email. Afterwards I idly looked up the bassoon grade one pieces and realised she'd played some of them last month. Obviously not to exam-passing standard but since she only started in may that was nice to see and a wee confidence boost for her.

[thirdfiddle]

August bank holiday! Does someone want to do the honours and start a new thread for the autumn term?

[Boyskeepswinging]

If he's at JC they should be supporting him through A level Music, too, with Musicianship, Theory, Composition etc. So he should be in a great place to do well, better than just relying on the school. Exciting times ahead!

[raspberryrippleicecream]

Thanks you knot and boys.

At the moment he wants to do music. Hopefully being at JC will help him decide if this is the right way forward!

A level music is still a tiny concern because they are teaching him alongside the BTeC course, so he will have to be very self motivated. There is actually a lot of choice for A level music in schools round here, but less when you also want to do Further Maths. Also the Head of Music of his current school left suddenly. But as soon as the school knew DS2 was applying elsewhere so he could so Music, they spoke to the incoming teacher and arranged to offer it to DS. He also gets a free instrumental lesson,. Its nice to know that they wanted to keep him.

[Knotaknitter]

Raspberry I'm glad that everything worked out well in the end. I struggled with the uncertainty because when A levels run "subject to numbers" you really don't know what's happening until after enrollment in August.

[Boyskeepswinging]

Sounds lovely, Raspberry, and a great choice of A levels, really keeps his options open. Does he know what he wants to do post Y13 yet?

[raspberryrippleicecream]

Thanks all, yes had a celebration last night. School had already agreed he can do A level music (only one doing it). He is looking forward to the new term when he only has to do Music, Maths and Physics!

He also got his induction details for JC on the way back from school, so he is very excited about that too!

[Lotsofmilkonesugar]

That’s great news raspberry ! Well done to your DS 🎉
Sounds like everyone is having a good summer. We’re also still waiting for DSs horn exam result from the beginning of July, I emailed the school but no response so probably will have to wait until he goes back... otherwise all good, DD has been on a flute course this week, going to her concert tonight which should be fun then off home 🙂

[Thistly]

Congratulations Raspberry’s DS ! That is a phenomenal result!
🍷 all round

[Boyskeepswinging]

Well done MiniRaspberry. That's great news. I hope you're all celebrating!

[raspberryrippleicecream]

Yay, GCSE results today and DS2 got a 9 for music. Good results in general, but he was really hoping for this one!

[Trumpetdad]

Hi four

Both DS love NCO (though the older one s now too old).

From the audition, your DD may be offered a full place (regionals optional), waiting list, or associate membership (ie regionals only).

Regionals changed this year - now it’s 4 full days between Jan-Jun and concert. Regionals give the kids a chance to make friends and are great even if you don’t get offered a full place.

Residential is as Boys described above. Our older DS only did Mains but still keeps in touch and meets up with the friends made there. It’s a small musical world so they meet the same kids at other activities too.

Per NCO website “The financial assistance NCO offers is based on income relating to the household where your child resides. For household income of less than £30,529 a year, full bursaries may be awarded. For household income totalling less than £67,164 per year, a partial bursary may be awarded.

[Boyskeepswinging]

The weekend non-res has been in London for the past couple of years. It was in Birmingham the year before that. Yes, we stayed in a hotel as it was too far to travel daily.

Sorry no idea about how hard it is to get into Cellos. Hopefully a Cello mum can help with that. My DS is a percussionist so very little competition at auditions!

The NCO office would be able to advise re. the financial aspect - why not email to ask?

I wouldn't worry too much about the residentials. They're cleverly designed so the kids have very little time to feel homesick and ensure that everyone makes friends quickly. For most kids it's the chance to spend time with other musical kids, most of them are likely to be the only one playing at that level at their school so it's lovely to meet others like them. It's great for their personal development, too, spending time away from home and making new friends. There are WhatsApp groups to stay in touch between courses.

[fourlittlekangaroos]

Thanks so much, that's very helpful. Where do they hold the weekend non residential course? Presume parent find accommodation nearby?

So, how hard is it to get in for cello? Hard question to answer but is everyone in the main orchestra post grade 8 with tons of experience?The downsides for us are... we are limited by funds too (earn under £30000 after tax but not before, which sometimes makes things trickier with funding) and the residential aspect - not sure DD would be wild about 2 residentials when she doesn't know anybody (and we can't do regionals regularly either).

[Boyskeepswinging]

Welcome Four! For Mains musts are a week residential at Easter and another week residential in the summer plus weekend non-residential course at the beginning of December. Regionals are optional but recommended.

Why not go for it? If you don't you definitely won't get a place, that's for sure. They're not really interested in the grade, it's more about overall musicality and fit for the orchestra.

Yes, there's a wealth of NCO experience here so just shout with any more questions!

[fourlittlekangaroos]

I'm not a regular here but really value the wisdom on this thread each term, so thank you.
I've been investigation the NCO. I think it's probably not for us but we would like to investigate it properly before closing the door, particuarly as my daughter would be in the main orchestra this coming year (she plays the cello, grade 7). I can't seem to find out the level of committment needed for the year. There seems to be a diary on their website but it is difficult to understand. What are the 'musts' for a year in the main orchestra and what are the optional events? I can see there are regional orchestras on Sundays - are these a must?
Thanks.

[PetraDelphiki]

Violinist/double bass could look at Pro Corda (residential), also investigate wells cathedral school for residential courses - I know there’s a brass/wind one and I presume strings too...