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.

OK so I just had a quick look at the current NYO membership and I could only see a couple of 13 year olds, both playing high strings. There aren't a huge number of 14 year olds across the whole orchestra either. I do know of players who have gone into NYO rather than NCO but it is quite rare. But maybe that confidence will get her through!

You have to upload a copy of your mark sheet with your application to audition.
Cripes, whatever is the point of that if they took grade 8 at 10 and are auditioning at 15?

Waffle I don't think you should rule anything out when she hasn't even started JD yet. Appreciate you don't want to build up hopes and it's ridiculously competitive but no need to close doors either, I'm sure her teachers will say if it's worth a shot.

You can also add a pedal that turns the pages, you know?

Re: NYO, I'm sure like NCO it depends a bit on the instrument....and who else is/how many others are auditioning in any year...apparently its quite usual not to get in first time auditioning, but probably not a bad idea to give it a go one year with a view to being more prepared for the following year - apparently the feedback is good and explains what you need to work on to be successful. Not talking from direct experience, only from what 'I've heard'! :-). But I don't think its impossible to get in if DC are keen and prepare well.

I saw a chamber music concert where the first violinist was using one of those recently neleus! Really cool.

Yes, the combo of a pedal and iPad looks a lot smarter than lining a few stands or turning the pages by hand. It really is great for musicians who travel a lot too as they can carry loads of music without a backache.

For flute in NCO, there are usually six places per year group. For NYO, it's roughly one. She absolutely, definitely doesn't want to try.

Cripes, whatever is the point of that if they took grade 8 at 10 and are auditioning at 15?
Because a Distinction at G8 is the minimum entry standard. It's a bit like me applying for a job. I'm in my fifties, graduated thirty years ago yet still have to show my degree certificate to potential employers to show I have the minimum entry standard for my job. The worst is when I'm applying for a job and they ask me what GCSEs I've got. (a) GCSEs didn't exist when I was 16 and (b) I genuinely can't remember what grades I got, it was so long ago!

You don’t have to have grade 8 to audition for NYO if your teacher testifies to your standard. Link to an interview with a boy local to us, who got in on the violin without grade 8 [quite clearly diploma+ standard though!]

www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11649424.matthew-arnold-school-pupil-tunes-up-for-spot-with-national-youth-orchestra/

DD's teacher adamant a letter from him will suffice when the time comes... we're not likely to bother with G8 now.

@TaggieOHara the boy you refer to is DD2's cello teacher's little cousin!!

Yes, you have to either upload your G8 mark sheet or the letter from your teacher saying your playing of that standard on your NYO application.

It seems like such a big jump from NCO where the application/all correspondence was with me, he has to do it all himself for NYO. We're not optimistic as he is very young but the audition process itself will be another valuable musical experience for him. And thankfully he doesn't get phased by anything so even if the audition is a car crash it won't put him off. Probably just as well given the standard of the other players!

Lionessque - there are 7 flutes in this year’s NYO; odd comment really.

I wouldn’t worry re g8; a teachers letter is more than enough - and as others have said it’s just an entry criteria, doesn’t make any difference after that - auditions incl the workshop part are most important. Dd won’t apply fir a few years if ever but yes we have also heard it’s goid to use the first year of applying as a good experience and have lie expectations!

Small world! He is very very good. So, by extension DD2 is in safe hands!

G8 is a big help for private school music scholarships, and generally for avoiding awkward interactions about school orchestra seating etc. But it isn’t very relevant at the levels required for JD and the NYO. I’m sure mini-Folk will be more than fine without.

Apologies for typos

boy, it was the mark sheet bit that surprised me - if anything employers ask for a degree certificate not a transcript, not sure I even have the latter still.

Ha! @TaggieOHara mini-folk has a very long way to go yet! But time is on her side at the moment, so you never know! I think NYO is one of those things that if it happens, great, but if it doesn't, not to take it to heart.

Lionessque - there are 7 flutes in this year’s NYO; odd comment really.
Nah I see what they mean, kids stay in NYO for longer. One per year group seems an exaggeration though, it would be rare to stay for 7 years. A lot can change in a year or two both in playing ability and ambition.

Third - that wasn’t the odd part. Anyway think will dip back out of this thread now 🙄

My DC was in NYO for two years recently aged 17/18. Had got Grade 8 in the autumn, auditioned the following summer. Came from very ordinary comprehensive school, no JD, and no NCO either as we'd never heard of it! Based on their experience there might not be any standard formula for getting in to NYO. Anyway, was massive step up, brilliant experience, and absolutely loved it.

Hey calyppso thanks for that really encouraging post! As you say, it proves there is no magic formula for getting into NYO. I think it's all about musical potential and personality fit for the section, hence the group workshops to see how you work with other musicians. Great to hear how much they enjoyed NYO - thank you for sharing.

Boyskeepswinging thank you! DC not from musical family either, but normal teenager with lots of interests outside music, and I think NYO liked that and saw potential. Last year got scholarship to RAM - unlikely candidate for that too. Obviously just one experience, but widening participation in elite music is definitely a thing.

calyppso that is great to hear. Sometimes on these threads parents can feel like their kids have missed the boat musically. Like you they may not have heard of NCO, they may not be able to make JD work for them logistically as a family for a gazillion reasons etc etc but here you are, living proof that musical potential will shine through. Although having been in NYO will have been a massive tick in terms of the application to RAM and award of scholarship. Hope your kid is enjoying the ride!

Agree with boys . Thanks Calyppso. Even though DS2 is only 10, I have been feeling that he has effectively ‘missed the boat’ when it comes to instrumental music. It is nice to hear that the early specialisation routes are not the only way. Congratulations to your DC!

Taggie, there are those early AND late bloomers everywhere, even in the specialist environment. The early bloomers may look to have a better chance to be a musician but so many things can happen in their teens and as Boys and calyppso said there are more qualities to be considered rather than being brilliant from the early age. So they all have a chance. You certainly never need to feel you missed a boat at 10.