After grade 8 violin, what would you do?

[camaleon]

My two kids (12 & 14) are preparing for their grade 7 & 8 violin exams at the moment. I have never played an instrument myself and I am learning about everything with them as we go along.

What is the 'natural' step after grade 8? Their music teacher has been the same since they started and they are the first children she prepares at this level (she normally teaches primary school children at school). I will ask her advice but I don't know if she is familiar with possibilities not involving necessarily a musical career.

Any ideas welcome

Don't worry @camaleon there is still plenty to be learned after G8!!! In fact, some would say that's just the beginning.... there's stacks of fabulous post G8 repertoire to get stuck into, and ABRSM have recently launched the ARSM qualification, which is sort of in between G8 and their traditional diploma. Playing at that level, they must have some decent orchestras that they can access? Take a look at NSSO and Pro Corda. There are lots of other great regional and national ensembles around too.

Even kids taking their music very seriously at the college junior departments sometimes decide not to pursue a career in music, so there is no reason at all not to carry on going! University orchestras are always crying out for good string players, and they can carry their love of music with them forever (says the post G8 violinist who did a biochemistry degree - I speak from the heart!).

Thank you very much folkmamma. This is very useful. They love their violins, but none of them seem to be interested in a music career. As I don't know anything about this world, the G1 to G8 scheme is giving me a framework and I realise I will be a bit lost when it ends.

I will look into the options you mention. Thanks!

Is there a county youth orchestra or similar where you live? They are often fun and great for social reasons as well as music reasons! Mine certainly was (Surrey).

ARSM I reckon!
gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/diplomas/music-performance/arsm-associate-of-the-royal-schools-of-music/

Ps... you may need to consider moving on to another teacher who is experienced at post G8 at some point...

Thank you everyone.

I know we need a new teacher now. To be honest, she told us she had never gone past grade 4, but my kids have been with her since they were 6/7 and wanted to 'try'. They have done very well so far and they have a real relationship with her (she has not raised her fees for years either and always goes over time). Yet,it is time to open new horizons.

Special teachers never leave them, the relationship just changes into a kind of mentor/friend role 😍

Give it up! That's what me and my friends did. Not that helpful but quite common.

I did a diploma (DipABRSM) following my Grade 8 and really enjoyed it. I also second comments above about getting involved in Pro Corda or National Youth Orchestra - it's inspiring to hear others who are even better than yourself, and experience ensemble playing as well as solo playing.

Perhaps keep the teacher but also arrange supplementary lessons for your kids so that they can experience what another teacher would be like. Then let the kids decide whether they'd like to fully change teacher or not (that's what I did, and it worked best for me because some teachers may be technically amazing but build up no rapport with the student...which can make the student lose interest)

Would they be interested in learning another instrument - mine plays piano , violin , alto and soprano sax ( not all , in fact more accurately none to grade 8 )

My older DC carried on with their lessons until they went to uni, though neither wanted to go the Diploma route, Not violin in our case. DS1 now plays a lot at uni.

I sing with a non-auditioning community choir. (You can imagine our standard ) A couple of times a year we have a joint concert with branches of the county Youth Orchestra.

O. M. G.

Their standard is phenomenal! It is sheer joy to listen to their pieces, and when they accompany us they lift the quality of our singing so much.

All these kids are still at school, and some branches of the orchestra only accept G7/8 players.

Chatting with them at rehearsals, it's interesting to note that many have no interest in a career in music. It's a hobby, not necessarily a calling. And, while they are totally focused during rehearsal and performance, outside those times they are just as silly/grumpy/exuberant/tech-glued/cheeky/lovely as any other teens.

Agree +++ about youth orchestras being the main way forward. I was lucky enough to be able to stay in ours while I was at uni - there were always a few older string players who stayed in it at a point when the "career musicians" were moving on. (not UK) It gave me a grounding that has meant I can confidently join amateur orchestras wherever I find myself.

Ironically I am now teaching violin myself. My first ever student has just moved on - but didn't want to leave completely so we're doing some maths together instead at the moment. Does your current teacher arrange concerts at all? When your children move on they could still come back and play "as inspiration" periodically.

Another thing if you don't already is to look for local music festivals as performance opportunities. My two benefit from a "goal" to perform somewhere, whether it be a school concert or a festival or an exam.

All this advice is very useful and I greatly appreciate it. You are great.
Thanks