Contemporary music options for children

[hillier876]

Hi

I have a 9 year old daughter and 7 year old son that love music. but we have a few challenges that I hope to get advice/ suggestions on please.

We live in Surrey and are struggling to find credible options for their contemporary music interests.

My daughter is preparing for:
Singing ABRSM Grade 7
Acoustic Guitar Rockschool Grade 7
Bass Guitar Rockschool Grade 7
Cello ABRSM Grade 6
Piano ABRSM Grade 5
Saxophone ABRSM Grade 5
Clarinet ABRSM Grade 4

My son is preparing for:
Electric Guitar Rockschool Grade 4
Classical Guitar ABRSM Grade 4
Acoustic Guitar Rockschool Grade 3
Piano Rockschool Grade 3
Violin ABRSM Grade 2

Regarding the piano and guitars, they have recently switched to the Rockschool syllabus. They want opportunities to play these instruments in groups, ensembles, etc. Unfortunately, their schools favour classical instrument/ music over contemporary, so options are limited there.

I've reached out to various classes in London but they cater for classical music rather than contemporary.

Can anyone think of where we might find options for group playing and development for primarily contemporary music playing children?

Wow, that is a serious amount of practising to do! Does their teacher have other pupils who they could form a band with? Or if they don't have a teacher, ( paying for 12 lessons a week seems quite an ask for anyone I know!) maybe you could approach a local rock school to see if they have pupils interested in being in a band. Look out for summer courses as well, I sometimes see them advertised by local music schools. I think it will be easier once they get to high school as they might meet more people who play rock/pop music. Our region has a guitar ensemble which is acoustic/electric guitars and plays an eclectic range of music. Hope you find something, nothing beats playing with others.

Actually, a lot of people think that but I would say that my daughter practices for a max of about 60 mins each a day in total. 30 mins in the morning (while my son gets ready)and after dinner. Of course there are some mornings like this morning, when she does not practice. This evening she has swimming so may not practice.

My son usually practices in the morning while his sister gets ready. We try to organise it so they eat breakfast at the same time.

Yes, the lessons do cost a lot of money but if they are happy it's worth it.

I found a band where my daughter sang for a while but it was not her type of singing. She may go back playing the bass and my son the electric guitar.

When you say contemporary, what do you mean? Pop? Musical theatre? Contemporary classical? Experimental?

Have you had any contact with ACM in Guildford? They may be able to point you in the direction of musicians and/or teachers who are involved with outreach groups (if such a thing exists). The music services local to us run something called Animate! which is a holiday programme but is very definitely more experimental than classical. Is there a youth concert band your DD could join on clarinet or sax? Youth concert bands often perform more contemporary music than the equivalent orchestras.

She's doing Grade 7 aged 9!!!!!

Amateur musical theatre companies are crying out for bass gutarists who can read music to play for their shows,

Seven different instruments at a mid to high level at age nine?

Have you looked at the Centre for Young Musicians? Entry by audition. One of mine went here.

cym.org.uk/

SE13Mummy
Contemporary as in popular music.

Yes, I have been touch with ACM. They only accept children aged 12 and over, unfortunately. My daughter is happy with the playing 'classical'on both the sax and clarinet, as the set music lists have broad choices that she finds interesting. We were invited to the CYM Open Day 2 days ago but could not make it as she would have had to miss too many activities to attend.

Comefromaway
Really? I'd not heard about that before. Can you recommend any please?

daisypond
Yes :) She started singing aged 5 years old. The guitar and bass are recent additions but the instruments she plays the most and plays a wide repertoire outside of those required for the exams.

What about the rock project?

It's a shame the CYM open day clashed with activities but I expect that will be the case for most places. You may find it's worth emailing places you're interested in and asking to speak to someone in charge - they may be willing to take younger pupils.

Thank you SE13Mummy
The Rock Project looks really interesting, A bit too far away but I have emailed them anyway. It appears to be similar to British School of Rock which my daughter was part of for 1 term - singing. She may go back but playing bass guitar this time.

You are right, every time they have an opportunity to check something out, like CYM, it means missing out on all of their activities for the day, which is fine if we are sure that they will find at least most of what they are looking for there.

I don't see how she can do all those instruments justice on an hour a days practice, that's 5 minutes on each instrument twice a day, less for the ones that need assembling/tuning/cleaning.

It should be much more than that per instrument per day. I was doing 2 hours per day per instrument by grade 8....

I dread to think what this is costing you.

CrotchetyQuaver
My daughter doesn't practice each instrument every day, e.g. she practiced singing, sax and clarinet last night. This morning she only practiced bass. I suspect that tonight she will practice the piano and acoustic guitar, is she is not tired from today's netball tournament.

DD is not at Grade 8 on any instrument yet but it would be impossible for her to practice each instrument, for 2 hours a day, every day, so maybe her progress will slow a little if 2 hours daily per instrument is what is required. The most important thing is that she is happy and enjoying her sports, music, etc. and looking forward to her birthday.

Wow - that's an impressive number of instruments!

I'd call CYM (my dd is there ) and ask them if they can give you info over the phone. They are very nice and not very formal and I'm sure would find a time to chat to you. There are children there at that level at that age (not my dd- at least not the grade 7 bit - she's grade 5) and covering most of those instruments (not sure about bass guitar). There are lots of juniors. Dd started at the age of 9.

Your problem would realistically be fitting all of that into one day. My dd does two instruments (of her three) there and her day is completely full with 2 ensembles, two individual lessons, aural classes, theory classes and time with her accompanist - and choir. We get there at 830, and this week we left at 3:45. That's a long day for a primary school child!

Stealth boast op. Oh my goodness those poor over privileged childre. When do they get a moment's peace? This is like the £20/250 shopping threads but with music!

Minisnowballs

Hi. You have summarized the challenge perfectly. My daughter is Grade 5 or there about on the classical instruments, so could probably fit in eventually. As you say, the question is what she could fit in at CYM, should they accept her, and how she would manage her other interests that they do not cater to.
Sounds like you DD is quite busy there. My DD is not overly keen on aural and theory :)

I'm going to call them again today. Thank you.

Good luck. The aural and theory are necessary evils when taking the exams - they don't have to do aural all the time! But the theory transforms itself into 'supporting studies' or 'musicianship' which they would say is vital to good performance.

The saxophone group seems to be very good and there is lots of jazz. The head of Wind and Brass is a clarinettist (is that the right word for someone who plays a clarinet?) and i think would probably be good for you to talk to. DD doesn't do her strings stuff there so I don't know that bit of it as well.

Minisnowballs
I just called and spoke with a lovely lady called Lauren. She was really helpful and will send me a brochure after which we will discuss what might be possible my son and daughter.

Interestingly, they are happy to follow the RockSchool curriculum when teaching acoustic, electric and bass guitar, as well as the piano.

Great.

Nothing to advise but wanted to say wow! what fascinating kids. I do hope you find something suitable as playing in groups is the biggest joy. I hope they have many happy times with their combinations of instruments!

Try your local authority provision....now probably outsourced to a regional music hub. These have been vastly cut back but across our county there are still opportunities to play in 'rock' bands from your DD's age and ensembles for strings, brass, gamelan, jazz, swing, drumming etc Plus we have a charitable music organisation that runs several bands, string groups and orchestras. Even if they don't advertise themselves as 'contemporary', some groups will often play arrangements of contemporary music and as your DD us at quite a high standard she might find a group where the players get a bit of choice in what they perform as they get older. Some have music residentials too. I've had two DC involved in music and beyond doubt what brings them on on leaps and bounds is performing rather than just exams. Good Luck!

Deepflatfryer
Thank you so much. My children love playing music with other children. Hope to sort something out for them soon.

BlueWonder
Thank you for the suggestions.

The Surrey County Youth Orchestra is interesting but classically focused. I will try to identify other regional music hubs.

I totally agree about the performing v exams bit. My son is the natural performer. His performing often surpasses his ability :) My daughter is the opposite in that she only very rarely shows the full extent of what she is able to do.

Very musical DC OP! Another one for you to try: The Band Project, founded by Chris Mountford. Not sure if geographically it could work for you, but all ages...my DD really enjoys the break from classical ensembles.