Spring Term 2020 music thread

[squintsoftheworldunite]

Thought I would start the ball rolling on the first 2020 music thread since I’m awake. Happy New Year all of you and your lovely little musicians. Carrying on the long tradition of music threads here begun moons ago by wafflenose .... hoping our threads continue to be a place that’s welcoming to all, whatever standard, experience, backgrounds or situations of music bring you here.

2019 brought incredible music experiences for us, our biggest year to date. Exhausting but incredible. We said goodbye to the year with a final music lesson to end what has been an amazing first year on a new, and now first study, instrument. We’ve had a year free from practical exams but full of auditions and performances and so much to look back on with gratitude. I certainly couldn’t have predicted 2019 this time last year! I hope we can say the same of 2020 this time next year. Happy New Year xx

Results arrived this morning and my Dd 11 yrs old passed grade 6 cello with distinction. We are all happy and proud!

Well done Luckyfab DD! Amazing!

Congrats to your DD Luckyfab! What a talent!
Hidingmystatus My DS was fortunate that they recorded something for the A level performance before school closed, though they had been working towards a recital too which now can't go ahead. When schools were initially closed for a while they had a plan to use a local church but this soon became impossible too.
Feels very much that DS has now left school and should now concentrate on practicing trumpet and learning the piano keyboard that he has just taken up (and got for his birthday) in preparation for taking up his place at Trinity Laban in September. So feeling quite fortunate that he has those plans in place and a project to work on at home and something to work towards.
He's missing seeing everyone though as well as the time he usually has working with others in his two regular band rehearsals - hard to make up that time with private practice as it takes more discipline to work on your own without that encouragement from others.
Wondering if I could ask his trumpet teacher to give some of that input via some regular online lessons, possibly two half hours a week. He usually has a weekly hourly lesson but I wondered if two shorter ones might be an idea?
Otherwise face to face lessons are on hold until August as a preliminary suggestion.
I think some online contact would probably be encouraging for DS.
We pay for lessons via a monthly direct debit so that's already set up and seems like requesting something online rather than just putting lessons on hold til August might be the best plan and most helpful to DS?
Music teacher has offered the possibility of online lessons.
Good to see here that others are finding them workable and helpful

Thank you!!!

Well done to mini luckyfab great result.

juggling mine are all younger than your ds but they seem to be really benefitting from remote lessons, it's different from an in person lesson but it's still really positive for them. Even the telephone lesson from the less than technically inclined piano teacher was really positive for my youngest

www.nyo.org.uk/nyo-sharing-musical-joy-in-lockdown

Sorry, couldn't post that link very clearly on my phone. NYO are inviting everyone to take part in Ode to Joy on the 17th, and will be providing music for all abilities!

Just wanted to say thanks to raspberry for posting the nyo link - my dd took part yesterday and loved the experience (even if it was raining and no one was outside!)

Hello everyone, new here but been kicking around mn for over a decade (have nc)
I've got three DDs.
DD1 plays trumpet, working towards grade 5, 12yo, y8.
DD2 is 9, y4, and plays cornet, she's done two terms of group lessons at school and is comfortably playing grade 4 pieces. She actually likes learning scales too.
DD3 is 6 and loves honking a harmonica!
All three of them sing in the church choir and are working through the various church music awards.

I'm really regretting starting DD2 on basically the same instrument as DD1 now, it's becoming very difficult that she's caught up to a similar standard so quickly. DD2 had amazing tone from her first couple of lessons, she practises everyday and I think she could shape up to be a really good player if she keeps on.
DD1 enjoys playing but just hasn't got the single mindedness that DD2 has.

Has anyone else dealt with this situation? It's becoming clear that DD2's skills will soon overtake DD1's. DD1 has other things she's better at obviously, it's just that this is so easily compared!

Hi, I had same dilemma. My twins started violin at the same time. DD progressed really fast whereas DS didn't. Last year they both auditioned Junior Department of conservatoire in London and unfortunately only DD got in as we expected. DS decided to switch to viola and progressed quickly within a year and got in the same JD with DD in this year. It depends on children but my DS had stressful time by being compared. He looks more confident recently.

You are welcome Pes. I am glad they enjoyed it DS2 did it too.

Hoping to hear from JD this week about this term's programme.

Hi everyone haven’t been on here for a while! My DD is 8 and plays the violin. She did two auditions for junior conservatoire by video audition due to Coronavirus. She has had an offer from Birmingham Conservatoire and she has been put on reserve for Royal Academy Music Primary if a space becomes available. I think we are going to except Birmingham because I think it’s going to be a very slim chance of a space becoming available at RAM.
Has anyone been on reserve and a space has become available?
But everything seems to be up in the air at the moment with the virus and not 100% sure if Conservatoire’s are going to back up and running in September.
Anyway in the meantime the kids have been enjoying their lessons via Zoom and have been enjoying the Benedetti sessions on line.

My DD also has a space on the reserve list, but for the junior academy. I was wondering the same.... surely it's very unlikely a space will come up?!

I think that’s why we are going to go with the junior conservatoire at Birmingham as I’m not sure what our chances are for a space to become available at the Junior academy at RAM. Which junior Conservatoire is your DD on the reverse list for?

She's on the reserve list for RAM jr dept. She didn't apply anywhere else so we will just have to wait and see what happens!

I have three DC's all doing piano and all very different skills. The eldest is very musical, had a lovely touch and interpretation but very inefficient at practising, middle one practices loads but less natural. Is 'better' in some ways but not others. Youngest worries about getting things wrong so less likely to try harder things. I'm glad they play different wind instruments though so there is not constant comparison. Must be harder with twins as same age. A switch to viola sounded like a good plan.

It can be challenging with inter-sibling comparisons in music, just like anything else i suppose. I had 2 of mine playing piano (different teachers) but the eldest is very clear she's a violinist and piano is just for theory/being a rounded musician, and the youngest is of the opinion he's a drummer (his piano teacher thinks differently 🤣).

Do they generally have the same musical goals and tastes? My eldest is pretty classically focussed and has been from a young age even though she has played a very wide variety. Dd2 on the other hand has a considerable leaning towards more experimental music despite playing 2 orchestral instruments. She also enjoys classical stuff but not so exclusively as her sister.

The youngest is very open at the moment - he's very clear about what pieces he likes but his taste is pretty eclectic and hard to predict.

Their different interests mean there is less comparison and competition. Trumpet is such a versatile instrument, orchestra, jazz, big band. Sometimes exploring the broader options can let kids find a niche that is "theirs". Out band director also regularly talks about 2 of his "stars" who both started out as pretty average trumpeters but as soon as he persuaded them to try larger instruments became amazing players one on baritone and one on trombone iirc. So a change to a non competing instrument is definitely a strategy as others have suggested.

Hope everyone is doing well during the challenging time! It has been a while that I have not been on here... (very busy with job, kids, grandparents ect...).

DC just got an offer from one of JDs! Well done to DC! Hope everyone who auditioned this year will get good news!

Well done to your DC!

Missing all the music groups very much here.

Thanks raspberry! Yes DC misses all music activities!

Hope things are getting better soon!

Well done chocolate, wee are missing all our groups here but have enjoyed some virtual orchestra experiences. Also having fun with the acapella app making wee videos. The DC's have come on loads as having plenty time to practice and tinker around. Music keeps us sane.

Hi,

I’m a very infrequent poster but have had some very kind and encouraging replies in the past 6 months.

DD (12) was offered a place at Junior Guildhall today on the Principal Study ‘cello.

She’s worked so hard for this and is thrilled! Feeling very proud

mbell wonderful news. Congratulations to your DD

horseymum Thank you! DC's ensemble started virtual rehearsal. It was fantastic!

mbell Big congratulations to your DD! Hopefully, they can attend classroom teaching in September.

Things have started slowly opening up here and a very happy dd2 had 2 in person lessons this week